Remove VOOK Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .vook Files)

Vook virus is a sort of computer virus that injects your PC, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these bad actions, that malware also modifies some important settings and can even suspend your security tool.

Vook malware – what is it?

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

The common signs of Vook ransomware activity is the emersion of .vook files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.vook, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.vook and so on. You cannot to prevent this operation, and can’t open that documents – they are ciphered with pretty strong algorithm.

You can also spectate different other signs of virus activity. Spontaneously suspended Microsoft Defender and inability to check the famous anti-malware forums or websites, where the ransomware removal and file decryption guides are published. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to delete Vook virus and get the .vook files back.

How did Vook ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Vook ransomware creates a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by virus maintainers – fraudsters who manage the distribution of this ransomware. Another activity which is conducted by these crooks is answering the email messages of victims, who wish to decrypt their files.

The documents are ciphered with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The digit in the name of this algo means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption password variations – it is impossible to brute force it. As analysts say, it will need more time than our planet can estimate to exist, even in case if you use the most powerful computer system. In each folder that has the encrypted file(s), Vook virus creates 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 strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees you have?

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

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku

Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's 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 answer more than 6 hours.

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

support@fishmail.top

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nevertheless, you can still use some of your files. The Vook virus encrypts only the first 150 KB of each file, but the rest of this file can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every recording will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Vook ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

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

Other alterations done by the ransomware are aimed at prevention of fast spotting of itself, and also disabling the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Vook virus makes some alterations in Group Policies – the system setting app which gives you the right to modify the abilities of each app. In such a way, ransomware stops the Microsoft Defender and various other anti-malware tools, and also blocks the launch of anti-malware installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using dubious software as the main way of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable programs I mean applications that are already not updated by the creator and distributed through the third-party websites. These programs may be hacked, to make them possible to use without purchasing any license. One more example of such a program class is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

Such programs may be spread in many methods – through the web page that offers a downloading link, and also through the peer-to-peer 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 programs or games for free, even if they must be purchased. Nobody can prevent the users who hack these programs from adding viruses of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw actions, so their developers can easily add the virus under the guise of some program part.

These cracked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various viruses, and definitely the most widespread one for Vook ransomware. It is better to stop making use of it, and not only because of ransomware installation risks. Avoiding the license buying is an illegal action, and both hackers and users who make use of cracked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Vook malware?

The Vook malware is really hard to remove manually. In fact, because of the number of modifications it makes in your Windows, it is almost unreal to spot them all and repair. The best solution is to make use of anti-malware software. But which one to choose?

You may see the offers to make use of Microsoft Defender, which is already in your system. But as it was mentioned earlier, most of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples stop it even before the encryption procedure. Making use of the third-party tool is the only solution – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for this case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, which is heavily needed after the Vook virus attack.

To remove Vook 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 encryption of your files: while Vook ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .vook files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Vook ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is conducted with a special tool, designed by Emsisoft, and named Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is absolutely free. Analysts update its decryption keys databases as often as possible, so you will surely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another way to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your physical disks. Since Vook virus deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the files are still stored on the disk. After the removal, the information about them is removed from the file system, but not from a disk. Special apps, like PhotoRec, are able to 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 .vook 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 to 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 refer to a specific case. Here is the explanation:

Error: Unable to decrypt 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 analysts team finds one which 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 .vook files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk drive. It checks each disk sector for the remains of deleted files, and then tries to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different formats. Because of the described feature of 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 absolutely 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 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 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 specified 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