The Gyew virus, known as a ransomware infection, belongs to the STOP family. This malware family is known for malicious file ciphering. When the Gyew virus gets into a computer system, it scans the system for files like videos, photos, documents, and more. It modifies the file structure and appends the “.gyew” extension to each encrypted file, making them unusable without the decryption.
Gyew Virus Overview
Gyew
🤔 Gyew virus belongs to ransomware that belongs to the DJVU/STOP ransomware family. Its primary purpose is to encrypt files that are important to you. Then, this ransomware asks to pay the ransom – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Gyew virus is a malware type that ciphers your files and makes you pay for their restoration. This malware encrypts various file types. ciphered files become identifiable by a distinct “.gyew” extension. The affected files become inaccessible and unusable.
After that, the ransomware demands a ransom payment in Bitcoin from the victims, ranging from $490 to $980. Usually, a ransom text file is named as “_readme.txt“.
Gyew Ransomware works with Salsa20 encryption algorithms to cipher the files. Since Gyew virus utilizes such a robust ciphering method, it becomes quite hard, if even possible, to find the decryption key without cooperating with the attackers.
Once the files are encrypted, the Gyew virus displays a ransom note to the user, asking for a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. The ransom note contains instructions on the ways of making the payment and also often includes threats of permanent data loss or ransom amounts surge if the ransom is not paid within a specified timeframe.
I have created a comprehensive list of the solutions, advice, and practices to disable the Gyew malware and recover your files. There are situations where it may be feasible to restore your files, while sometimes, it may be impossible.
📌 Important Note!
It is crucial to say that paying off the bill is not a guarantee of the successful files recovery. The hackers who stand behind the Gyew virus are known for their untrustworthiness. There have been instances where people have paid the ransom, only to be denied by the cybercriminals with the decryption key provision.
Gyew uses a unique key for each victim, with one exception:
The Gyew virus is highly similar to other DJVU ransomware variants such as Gycc, Iicc, Eqew, and Eqza. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.gyew” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.gyew” and “2.png” to “2.png.gyew“.
After successful encryption, the virus creates a special text file named “_readme.txt” and places it in every folder containing the encrypted files. It as well adds this file to the desktop, so the victim will not miss its appearance even without opening folders.
The image below provides a visual representation of files with the “gyew” extension:
Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware
| Name | Gyew Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .gyew |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
| Contact | [email protected], [email protected] |
| Detection | Trojan:Win32/Salgorea.C!dha, Ransom:Win32/Gandcrab.AW!bit, Trojan:Win32/Tofsee.YTA!MTB |
| Symptoms |
|
| Fix Tool |
To remove possible malware infections, scan your PC:
6-day free trial available. |
This message asking payment is for restore files via decryption key:
_readme.txt (STOP/DJVU Ransomware) – The frightening alert requesting users to pay the ransom to unlock the encoded data contains these exasperating warnings.
Gyew ransomware arrives as a set of procedures that are needed to carry out certain activities on a victim’s computer. One of the initial processes being launched is winupdate.exe, a sneaky process that displays a fraudulent Windows update prompt during the attack. That is needed to convince the victim that a sudden PC slowdown is caused by a Windows update.
At the same time, the ransomware runs another process (which name commonly consists of 4 random characters) which initiates scanning the disk for target files and ciphering them. Then the ransomware removes Volume Shadow Copies from the system disk using the following CMD command:
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Once deleted, it becomes virtually impossible to restore the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The problem is, ransomware operators are getting rid of any built-in Windows approaches that could aid the victim to recover files for free. In addition, the rascals modify the Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of domains to it and mapping them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim will face a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when trying to open one of the blocked websites.
We noticed that ransomware endeavors to block websites that post various how-to guides for computer users. It is clear that by limiting specific domains, the malefactors are trying to prevent the victim from reaching relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. Malware also saves two text files on the victim’s computer that present particulars related to the attack – the public key of this victim and personal ID. These two files are named bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.
After all these modifications, the malware doesn’t stop. Variants of STOP/DJVU tend to release Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat carries an extensive list of capabilities, including:
- Infiltrating the victim’s computer with malware and executing it to gain unauthorized access.
- Obtaining unauthorized access to login credentials of Steam, Telegram, and Skype.
- Manipulating and viewing files on the victim’s computer without their knowledge.
- Stealing cryptocurrency wallets from the victim’s system.
- Granting the hackers remote control over the victim’s computer for various malicious activities.
- Extracting sensitive information such as browser cookies, saved passwords, and browsing history.
The encryption algorithm in STOP/Djvu ransomware is AES-256. So, once your data is encrypted with an online decryption key, the possibility to get your files back without paying the ransom are quite low. Thing is, the key is unique for each victim, and finding a suitable one will take exceptionally big amount of time.
Getting the online key in any other way is also nearly impossible. It is kept on a command server owned by the hackers who spread the Gyew malware. For receiving decrypting code the payment should be $980. To see the payment details, the victims should contact the hackers 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 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
How To Remove STOP/Djvu Ransomware?
Video Guide
How To Decrypt .gyew Files?
How to restore big files?
Try removing .gyew extension on a few big files and opening them. This malware has issues with large files encryption. Either the virus scanned and did not encrypt the file, or it failed and did not add the filemarker. If you have files that are very large (2GB+), the latter is most likely. Please, text me in the comments whether this helped you or not.
The newest extensions released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Gycc, Iicc, Eqew etc.
As a outcome of the changes made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer supported. It has been replaced with the Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP Djvu Ransomware developed by Emsisoft.
You can download free decryption tool here: Decryptor for STOP Djvu.
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Select folders for decryption.
Based on the default configurations, the decryptor will by default choose the accessible directories in order to unlock the currently reachable drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. Extra (optional) locations can be selected with the assistance of the “Add” button.
Decryptors generally propose several options depending on the specific malware family. The existing possible options are presented in the Options tab and can be enabled or disabled there. You may discover a comprehensive list of the currently active Options below.
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Click on the “Decrypt” button.
As soon as you add all the desired locations for decryption into the list, click on the “Decrypt” button in order to initiate the decryption procedure.
Note that the main screen may turn you to a status view, letting you know of the active process and the decryption statistics of your data:
The decryptor will notify you as soon as the decryption procedure is completed. If you need the report for your personal papers, you can save it by choosing the “Save log” button. Note that it is also possible to copy it directly to your clipboard and to paste it into emails or messages here if you need to do so.
The Emsisoft Decryptor might display different messages after a failed attempt to restore your files:
✓ Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]
There is no corresponding decryption key in the Emsisoft decryptor’s database.
✓ No key for New Variant online ID: [your ID]
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible
Malware used an online key to cipher your files. Your key is unique and is kept on the command server, controlled by criminals. File recovery is only possible through paying the ransom. 🙁
✓ Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]
This ID appears be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.
An offline key was used, though the file recovery operation failed (the offline decryption key isn’t available yet). But, receiving this message is good news for you, because it is possible to restore your files in the future. 🙂
It can take a few weeks or months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. Please follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here.
✓ Remote name could not be resolved
It’s an indication of a DNS issue on your PC. Consider resetting your HOSTS file to default.
How to Restore .gyew Files?
In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Gyew ransomware encryption algorithm is next: it encodes every file byte-by-byte, then saves a duplicate, deleting (not overriding!) the original file. Thus, the information of the file placement on the physical disk is lost, but the original file is not deleted from the physical disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was kept, can still keep this file, but it is not listed by the file system and can be rewritten by data that has been loaded to this disk after the removal. Hence, it is possible to recover your files using special software.
Anyway, after realizing it was an online algorithm, it is impossible to retrieve my encrypted files. I also had my backup drive plugged in at the time of the virus, and this was also infected, or so I thought. Every folder within my backup drive had been infected and was encrypted. However, despite losing some important files, I retrieved almost 80% of my 2TB storage.
When I started going through the folders, I noticed the readme.txt ransom note in every folder. I opened some of the folders and found that all files that were not in a subfolder within that folder had been encrypted. However, I found a flaw and glimmer of hope when I went into the subfolders in other folders and found that these files had not been encrypted. Every folder within my c and d drives, including subfolders, had been encrypted, but this was not the case with the backup drive. Having subfolders created within a folder has saved 80% of my data.
As I said, I believe this to be only a small loophole on a backup drive. I’ve since found a further 10 % of my data on another hard drive on a different pc. So my advice is if you use a backup drive, create subfolders. I was lucky, I guess. But I was also unlucky that the virus hit as I was transferring some files from my backup.
Hopefully, this can help some other people in my situation.
Jamie NewlandRecovering your files with PhotoRec
PhotoRec is an open-source program, which is originally created for file retrieval from damaged disks, or for files recovery in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, as time has gone by, this program got the ability to retrieve the files of 400 different file types. Hence, it can be used for file restoration after the Gyew attack.
First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer notifies that there is no assurance that your files will be recovered. PhotoRec is spread together with other tool of the same developer – TestDisk. The resulting archive will bear TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.
To run PhotoRec, find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No installation process is required – the program has all the files it need inside of the archive, hence, you can mount it on your USB drive, and try to help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Gyew ransomware.
Upon the launch, you will encounter the screen showing you the full list of your disk spaces. However, this information is likely useless, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this bar, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.
After selecting the disk, you need to choose the destination folder for the recovered files. This menu is located at the lower part of the PhotoRec window. The best selection is to export them on USB drive or any other type of removable disk.
Then, you need to designate the file formats. This setting is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can restore the files of about 400 different formats.
Finally, you can begin files restoration by pressing the “Search” button. You will observe the screen where the findings of the scan and recovery are shown.
Gyew files recovery Video Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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