Remove CDCC Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .cdcc Files)

Cdcc virus is a sort of computer virus that infiltrates your system, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant activities, the malware also changes some important settings and can even stop your anti-malware program.

Cdcc ransomware – what is it?

Cdcc malware can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That sort of virus is aimed at single users. This feature supposes that Cdcc does not carry any sort of additional viruses, which sometimes helps malware of other families to control your computer. Because most users do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no reason to infiltrate additional viruses that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

The typical sign of Cdcc virus activity is the emersion of .cdcc files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.cdcc, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.cdcc and so on. You cannot stop this action, and can’t open those files – they are ciphered with quite a strong algorithm.

You can also see various other signs of virus activity. Suddenly blocked Microsoft Defender and inability to open the famous anti-malware forums or websites, where ransomware removal and file decryption guides are posted. You will see how it is conducted in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to wipe out Cdcc ransomware and get the .cdcc files back.

How did Cdcc ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Cdcc ransomware starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by malware maintainers – people who manage the spreading of this ransomware. Another activity which is done by these crooks is answering the email messages of victims, who wish to get their files back.

The documents are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithms – AES-256. The digit in the name of this also means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption password variations – it is unreal to brute force it. As analysts say, it will need more time than our planet can approximately exist, even when you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that has the encrypted file(s), Cdcc ransomware leaves the _readme.txt file with the following contents:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like photos, databases, documents, and other important are encrypted with the strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase a decrypt tool and a unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees do you have?

You can send one of your encrypted files from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. The file must not contain valuable information.

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku

The price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
A discount of 50% is available if you contact us first 72 hours, that price for you is $490.

Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.

Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get an answer for more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need to write on our e-mail:

support@fishmail.top

Reserve an e-mail address to contact us:

datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

Your ID:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

However, you can still run some of your files. The Cdcc malware ciphers only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the other part of this file can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player can open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. The first seconds of each file will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the video or music will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Cdcc ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As was mentioned several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about encrypting the files. Cdcc virus makes the changes in your computer to prevent searching the ransomware removal and file decryption guides. Malware does not create the software obstacle – it just alters the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Among the networking settings, the most changed item is the HOSTS file. This text file contains the DNS-address instructions, which are used by the browsers while requesting the website server. If you add a specific DNS address for a certain web page, your web browser will connect that page through this DNS next time. Ransomware edits that file, adding the non-existent DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS address” error.

Other changes done by the virus are aimed at prevention of fast detection of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of security tools. Cdcc ransomware makes several changes in Group Policies – the system setting interface which gives you the right to change the abilities of each program. In such a way, ransomware disables the Microsoft Defender and several other anti-malware programs, as well as blocks the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family is active, it was using questionable applications as the main method of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable software I mean apps that are already not controlled by the maintainer and distributed through the third-party websites. These programs may be hacked, to make them usable without buying any license. One more example of such a program class is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools, and so on.

This sort of application may be distributed in many ways – through the web page that offers a downloading link, and also through the seeding networks – ThePirateBay, eMule, and so on. All these sources are well-known as the most popular computer piracy websites. People use these pages to get a wide range of apps or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. No one can prevent the users who crack these programs from adding malware of some type to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw targets, so their creators can easily insert the ransomware under the guise of some program part.

These hacked apps, regardless of their source, are one of the most often sources for various malware, and 100% the most popular one for Cdcc ransomware. It is better to avoid making use of it, and not only because of virus injection risks. Avoiding license buying is an illegal action, and both hackers and persons who make use of hacked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Cdcc ransomware?

The Cdcc virus is pretty hard to remove manually. Really, because of the number of changes it makes in your computer, it is almost unreal to spot them all and repair them. The best solution is to make use of antivirus programs. But which one to choose?

You can spectate the offers to use Microsoft Defender, which is already inside of your computer. However, as it was mentioned before, the majority of STOP/Djvu virus examples stop it even before the ciphering procedure. Making use of the third-party program is the only solution – and I can advise you on the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for this case. It has perfect detection abilities, so the Cdcc ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, which is heavily demanded after the Cdcc virus attack.

To remove Cdcc malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Ransomware removal is required to prevent the repeating ciphering of your files: while Cdcc ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted files.

How to decrypt the .cdcc files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Cdcc virus attack. The first one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed with a special tool, designed by Emsisoft, and named Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is free. Analysts update their decryption keys databases as often as possible, so you will surely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another option to get your files back is to try to recover them from your disk drives. Since the Cdcc virus deletes them and substitutes them with a ciphered copy, the residue of the documents is still kept on the disk. After the deletion, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk. Special tools, like PhotoRec, can recover these files. It is free, too, and may also be used for file recovery in case when you have deleted some files unintentionally.

Decrypting the .cdcc files with Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu

Download and install Emsisoft Decrypter tool. Agree with its EULA and continue to the interface.

The interface of this program is extremely easy. All you have to do is select the folder where the encrypted files are stored and wait. If the program has the decryption key which corresponds to your ransomware case – it will decrypt it.

During the use of Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu, you may observe various error messages. Don’t worry, that does not mean that you did something wrong or a program does not work properly. Each of these errors refers to a specific case. Here is the explanation:

Error: Unable to decrypt a file with ID: [your ID]

The program does not have a corresponding key for your case. You need to wait for some time until the key database will be updated.

No key for new variant online ID: [your ID]

Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible.

This error means that your files are encrypted with an online key. In such a case, the decryption key is unique and stored on the remote server, controlled by crooks. Unfortunately, the decryption is impossible.

Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]

This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.

Ransomware uses the offline key to encrypt your files. This key is not unique, so you likely have it in common with another victim. Since offline keys must be collected, too, it is important to keep calm and wait until the analyst’s team finds one that will fit your case.

Remote name could not be resolved

This error indicates that the program has problems with DNS on your computer. That’s a clear sign of malicious alterations in your HOSTS file. Reset it using the official Microsoft guide.

Recovering the .cdcc files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, that is created to recover deleted or lost files from the disk drive. It checks each disk sector for the residues of deleted files and then attempts to recover them. That app can recover the files in more than 400 different formats. Because of the described feature of the ransomware encryption mechanism, it is possible to use this tool to get the original, unencrypted files back.

Download PhotoRec from the official website. It is free, however, its developer warns that he does not guarantee that this program will be 100% effective for file recovery purposes. Moreover, even paid apps can barely give you such a guarantee, because of the chain of random factors that can make the file recovery harder.

Unzip the downloaded archive to the folder you like. Don’t worry because of its name – TestDisk – this is the name of the utility developed by the same company. They decided to spread it together since PhotoRec and TestDisk are often used together. Among the unzipped files, search for the qphotorec_win.exe file. Run this executable file.

Before you can start the recovery process, you need to specify several settings. In the drop-down list, choose the logic disk where the files were stored before the encryption.

Then, you need to specify the file formats you need to recover. It may be difficult to scroll all 400+ formats, luckily, they are sorted by alphabetical order.

Finally, name the folder you want to use as a container for recovered files. The program will likely dig out a lot of useless files, which were deleted intentionally, so the desktop is a bad solution. The best option is to use the USB drive.

After these easy manipulations, you may just press the “Search” button (it turns active if you specify all required parameters). The recovery process may take several hours, so keep patient. It is recommended not to use the computer during this term, since you may overwrite some files you are intending to recover.

Frequently Asked Questions