The EHIZ virus is a STOP/DJVU family of ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts your files (video, photos, documents) that can be tracked by a specific “.EHIZ” extension. It uses a strong encryption method, which makes it impossible to calculate the key in any way.
EHIZ uses a unique key for each victim, with one exception:
- If EHIZ cannot establish a connection to its command and control server (C&C Server) before starting the encryption process, it uses the offline key. This key is the same for all victims, making it possible to decrypt files encrypted during a ransomware attack.
There are several universal methods for recovering encrypted .EHIZ files, which will be demonstrated below. It is vital to read the entire instruction manual carefully and make sure to understand it all. Do not skip any steps. Each of these steps is very important and must be completed by you.
Ehiz virus?
☝️ Ehiz can be correctly identify as a STOP/DJVU ransomware infection.
Ehiz
🤔 Ehiz virus is ransomware that originates from the DJVU/STOP family. Its primary purpose is to encrypt files that are important for you. After that ransomware virus asks its victims for a ransom fee ($490 – $980) in BitCoin.
The Ehiz ransomware is a kind of threat that encrypted your documents and then forces you to pay for them. Note that Djvu/STOP ransomware family was first revealed and discovered by virus analyst Michael Gillespie.
Ehiz virus is similar to other DJVU ransomware like: PAHD, PAAS, Nusm, Igvm, Pcqq. This virus encrypt all common file types and adds its own “.ehiz” extension into all files. For example, the file “1.jpg”, will be amended into “1.jpg.ehiz“. As soon as the encryption is accomplished, virus generates a specific message file “_readme.txt” and drop it into all folders that contain the modified files.
The image below gives a clear vision of how the files with the “.ehiz” extension look like:
Ehiz File (STOP/DJVU Ransomware)
| Name | Ehiz Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .ehiz |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
| Contact | [email protected], [email protected] |
| Detection | Generik.LBJFFJQ, MSIL/Kryptik.ABAH, TrojanSpy:MSIL/AgentTesla.R!MTB |
| Symptoms |
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| Fix Tool |
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license. 6-day free trial available. |
This text asking payment is for get files back via decryption key:
_readme.txt (STOP/DJVU Ransomware) – The scary alert demanding from users to pay the ransom to decrypt the encoded data contains these frustrating warnings
The cryptography algorithm used by DJVU/STOP ransomware is AES-256. So, if your data got encrypted with an online decryption key, which is unique. The sad reality is that it is impossible to decrypt the files without the unique key.
If Ehiz worked in online mode, you can’t gain access to the AES-256 key. It is stored on a remote server owned by the frauds who distribute the Ehiz infection.
For receiving decryption key the payment should be $980. To obtain the payment details, the victims are encouraged by the message to contact the frauds by email ([email protected]).
The message by the ransomware states the following information:
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 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: [email protected] Reserve e-mail address to contact us: [email protected] Your personal ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Do not pay for Ehiz!
Please, try to use the available backups, or Decrypter tool
_readme.txt file also indicates that the computer owners must get in touch with the Ehiz representatives during 72 hours, starting from when files were encrypted. On the condition of getting in touch within 72 hours, users will be granted a 50% rebate. Thus the ransom amount will be minimized down to $490). Yet, stay away from paying the ransom!
I strongly advise that you do not contact these frauds and do not pay. One of the most real working solution to recover the lost data – just using the available backups, or use Decrypter tool.
The peculiarity of all such viruses applies a similar set of actions to generate the unique decryption key to recover the ciphered data.
Thus, unless the ransomware is still under the stage of development or possesses some hard-to-track flaws, manually recovering the ciphered data is a thing you can’t perform. The only solution to prevent the loss of your valuable data is to make backups of your crucial files regularly.
Note that even if you maintain such backups regularly, they ought to be put into a specific location without loitering, not being connected to your main workstation.
For instance, the backup may be kept on the USB flash drive or some alternative external hard drive storage. Optionally, you may refer to the help of online (cloud) information storage.
Needless to mention, when you maintain your backup data on your common device, it may be similarly ciphered as well as other data.
For this reason, locating the backup on your main device is surely not a good idea.
How I was infected?
Ransomware has a various methods to built into your system. But it doesn’t really matter what concrete method had place in your case.
Ehiz virus attack following a successful phishing attempt.
- hidden installation along with other apps, especially the utilities that work as freeware or shareware;
- dubious link in spam emails leading to the virus installer
- online free hosting resources;
- using illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) resources for downloading pirated software.
There were cases when the Ehiz virus was disguised as some legitimate tool, for example, in the messages demanding to initiate some unwanted software or browser updates. This is typically the way how some online frauds aim to force you into installing the Ehiz ransomware manually, by actually making you directly participate in this process.
Surely, the bogus update alert will not indicate that you will actually inject the ransomware. This installation will be concealed under some alert mentioning that allegedly you should update Adobe Flash Player or some other dubious program whatsoever.
Of course, the cracked apps represent the damage too. Using P2P is both illegal and may result in the injection of serious malware, including the Ehiz ransomware.
To sum up, what can you do to avoid the injection of the Ehiz ransomware into your device? Even though there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your PC from getting damaged, there are certain tips I want to give you to prevent the Ehiz penetration. You must be cautious while installing free software today.
Make sure you always read what the installers offer in addition to the main free program. Stay away from opening dubious email attachments. Do not open files from the unknown addressees. Of course, you must always update your current security program.
The malware does not speak openly about itself. It will not be mentioned in the list of your available programs. However, it will be masked under some malicious process running regularly in the background, starting from the moment when you launch your PC.
How To Remove Ehiz Virus?
In addition to encode a victim’s files, the Ehiz infection has also started to install the Azorult Spyware on system to steal account credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, desktop files, and more.3
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft4
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Download Removal Tool.
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Run the setup file.
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Press “Install” button.
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Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
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Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
Click on “Clean Now”.
Hi,
My problem is they use the online ID and my whole drive was affected including the files in Dropbox.
I’m having an idea to use Linux Puppy but haven’t tried yet. Will it work?
Please tell me what do you think.
Thank you
its preventing me from opening gridinsoft
Dear,
and my Pc is infected with the .EHiZ virus. All files are encrypted. But on another 239Gb E disk, ehiz did not delete the original (source file) when encrypting in one folder. Ie. the folder is encrypted and has files with the extension ehiz and readme.txt but there are 3 originals left, it is a jpg image and mkv audio. the mentioned files can be run by windows browser and gom player. He also skipped one folder, everything else is encrypted on the system disk as well. I read the details of your tutorials on ehiz and now I am interested in whether there is hope, ie whether there is a program with which I could decrypt them, recover the files since I have a file where ehiz did not delete the original. Can an encryption activation key be loaded from this? For me, deleting the extension to 2+ GB files and starting does not work – it does not start. Is there any hope? Thank you very much.