The Daz virus falls within the VoidCrypt ransomware family. Harmful software of this type encrypts all user’s data on the PC (photos, text files, excel tables, music, videos, etc) and appends its specific extension to every file, creating the unlock-info.txt text files in each directory containing encrypted files.
What is Daz virus?
☝️ A strictly accurate designation for the Daz is “a VoidCrypt family ransomware infection”.
The scheme of renaming is the following: (victim_ID)(contact_email).Daz. After the encryption, a file named, for example, “report.docx” will be turned into “report.docx.(MJ-JP7426891503)([email protected]).Daz”.
In each folder with the encrypted files, a unlock-info.txt text document will appear. It is a ransom money memo. It contains information on the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other remarks. The ransom note usually contains a description of how to purchase the decryption tool from the ransomware developers. You can get this decrypting software after contacting [email protected] via email. That is how they do it.
Daz overview:
| Name | Daz Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | VoidCrypt ransomware |
| Extension | .Daz |
| Ransomware note | unlock-info.txt |
| Contact | [email protected] |
| Detection | Win32/Injector.ASR, Multi:Filecoder-H [Trj], Backdoor:Win32/Dridex.AA!MSR |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .Daz extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Daz virus |
The unlock-info.txt document coming in package with the Daz malware provides the following dispiriting information:
All your files have been encrypted! All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail; [email protected] Write this ID in the title of your message : - In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails: [email protected] You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files. Free decryption as guarantee Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.) How to obtain Bitcoins The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click \'Buy bitcoins\', and select the seller by payment method and price. hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here: hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/ Attention! Do not rename encrypted files. Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss. Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
In the screenshot below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Daz looks like. Each filename has the “.Daz” extension added to it.
That is how encrypted “.Daz” files look.
How did Daz ransomware end up on my PC?
There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
There are currently three most popular ways for hackers to have the Daz virus settled in your system. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer-to-peer file transfer.
If you open your inbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services companies, delivery agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose addresser is strange to you, be wary of opening those emails. They are most likely to have a ransomware file attached to them. Thus it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with letters like these.
Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan horse model2. A Trojan is a program that gets into your PC disguised as something else. Imagine, you download an installer of some program you need or an update for some service. However, what is unboxed reveals itself a harmful agent that encrypts your data. As the update file can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the resource of the things you’re downloading. The optimal thing is to use the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer file transfer protocols like torrent trackers or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Web. You can never know what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy resources. Also, it is reasonable to scan the folder containing the downloaded objects with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is done.
How to remove the Daz virus?
It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your data, the Daz virus will most likely deploy the Azorult Spyware on your machine to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That program can derive your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Sometimes tamperers would decrypt several of your files to prove that they indeed have the decryption program. As Daz virus is a relatively new ransomware, anti-malware developers have not yet found a method to undo its work. Nevertheless, the decryption instruments are frequently upgraded, so the effective countermeasure may soon arrive.
Sure thing, if the criminals do the job of encrypting victim’s essential files, the desperate person will most likely comply with their demands. Nevertheless, paying to racketeers gives no guarantee that you’re getting your files back. It is still risky. After receiving the money, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports about hackers just vanishing after getting the ransom without even writing back.
The optimal solution against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud storage or at least on an external storage. Of course, that might be insufficient. The most crucial thing could be that file you were working on when it all started. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also wise to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the system is rolled back.
There are other ransomware products, besides Daz, that work similarly. For instance, Vvwq, Oori, Ooxa, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Daz are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is the same: files become encrypted, their extensions altered, ransom notes are found in every directory containing encrypted files.
Some fortunate people were able to decrypt the arrested files with the help of the free software provided by anti-ransomware developers. Sometimes the hackers mistakenly send the decryption key to the wronged in the ransom note. Such an extraordinary fail allows the victim to restore the files. But obviously, one should never rely on such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a criminals’ technology to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How do I avoid ransomware attack?
Daz ransomware doesn’t have a superpower, so as any similar malware.
You can armour your computer from its infiltration in three easy steps:
- Ignore any letters from unknown mailboxes with strange addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are expecting (can you win in a lottery without even taking part in it?). In case the email subject is likely something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the suspicious letter with caution. A hoax email will always have a mistake.
- Avoid using cracked or untrusted programs. Trojan viruses are often shared as an element of cracked software, possibly under the guise of “patch” to prevent the license check. Understandably, dubious programs are difficult to tell from trustworthy ones, because trojans may also have the functionality you seek. You can try searching for information on this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the best way is not to use such software.
- And to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a powerful defense for your PC.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft3
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft4.
Download Removal Tool.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
Run the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your system.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Press “Install” button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your PC for Daz infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has finished, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
FAQ
🤔 Are the “.Daz” files accessible?
There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.Daz” files are decrypted.
🤔 The encrypted files are very important to me. How can I decrypt them quickly?
Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. All other solutions require time.
🤔 If GridinSoft deletes the Daz malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?
Of course not. Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will delete actual malware from your computer. The malware that has infiltrated your computer is most likely still functional and launching checks from time to time to encode any new files you might create on your computer after the infection. As it has been mentioned above, the Daz malware does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide criminals with easy access to your system in the future.
🤔 What should I do if the Daz ransomware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation key.
In such a case, you need to prepare a flash memory card with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the cleaning. The point is that the ransomware starts automatically as the system launches and encrypts any new files created or imported into your system. To suppress this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What could help the situation right now?
Some of the encrypted files can be located elsewhere.
- If you exchanged your critical files through email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You may have shared images or videos with your friends or relatives. Simply ask them to give those pictures back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Web, you can try downloading them again.
- Your messengers, social networks pages, and cloud disks might have all those files as well.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old PC, a portable device, mobile, memory stick, etc.
HINT: You can employ file recovery utilities5 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware encrypts the copies of your files, removing the authentic ones. In the tutorial below, you can learn how to use PhotoRec for such a recovery, but remember: you can do it only after you remove the virus with an antivirus program.
Also, you can contact the following governmental fraud and scam sites to report this attack:
- In the United States: On Guard Online;
- In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
- In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
- In Australia: SCAMwatch;
- In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
- In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;
To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.
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Brendan SmithHow to Remove DAZ Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: DAZ Virus
Description: DAZ Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .Daz extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
- Here’s the list of Best Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
