The Hgkd virus, known as a ransomware, is part of the STOP family. This malware is known for its malicious file encryption capabilities. When the Hgkd virus gets into a computer, it scans the system for files such as photos, videos, documents, and more. It modifies the file structure and adds the “.hgkd” extension to each file, making them unusable without the decryption.
Hgkd Virus Overview
Hgkd
🤔 Hgkd malware can be classified as ransomware that originates from the DJVU/STOP family. Its main target is to cipher all of your files it can reach. After that ransomware virus asks for a ransom fee – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Hgkd virus is a malicious program that encrypts your files and coerces you into paying for their restoration. This ransomware ciphers a wide selection of file types. ciphered files can be identified by a distinct “.hgkd” extension. The files touched by ransomware become inaccessible and unusable.
Subsequently, the ransomware demands a file decryption payment in Bitcoin from its victims, ranging from $490 to $980. In all cases, a text file with ransom payment guidances is named as “_readme.txt“.
Hgkd Ransomware works with Salsa20 encryption algorithms to cipher the files. Since Hgkd virus utilizes such a strong encryption method, it becomes quite difficult, if not impossible, to pick the decryption key without the assistance of the attackers.
Once Hgkd malware finishes the encryption, it shows a ransom note to the victim, asking for a ransom payment for the decryption key. The ransom note contains instructions on the ways of making the payment and often contains threats of system wipeout or increased ransom amounts if the demands are not met within a specified timeframe.
I have made a comprehensive list of the solutions, advice, and methods to neutralize the Hgkd malware and decrypt and recover your files. In some cases, it may be possible to restore your files, but sometimes, it may be impossible.
📌 Important Reminder!
It is important to note that paying off the bill is not a guarantee of the successful recovery of your files. The crooks who stand behind the Hgkd virus are not trustworthy. There were the cases where victims have paid the ransom, only to be denied by the cybercriminals with the decryption key provision.
Hgkd employs a unique key for each victim, with one exception:
- If Hgkd fails to establish a connection with its command and control server (C&C Server) before starting the encryption process, it it uses offline keys. An offline key is the same for all users, allowing for the decryption of files encrypted by the ransomware.
The Hgkd virus bears resemblance to other DJVU ransomware variants like Hgml, Rzew, Rzfu, and Rzml. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.hgkd” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.hgkd” and “2.png” to “2.png.hgkd“.
Upon successful encryption, malware spawns a special text file named “_readme.txt” and places it in every folder containing the encrypted files. It also adds this file to the desktop, so the victim will not miss the attack even without opening folders.
The image below provides a visual representation of files with the “hgkd” extension:
Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware
| Name | Hgkd Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .hgkd |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
| Contact | support@fishmail.top, datarestorehelp@airmail.cc |
| Detection | Ransom:MSIL/PenTera.F!MSR, Win32/Injector.CNJW, Win32/Patched.IP |
| 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 scary alert requesting users to pay off the ransom to decrypt the encoded data contains these frustrating cautions.
Hgkd ransomware performs a series of operations designed to execute specific functions on a victim’s computer. One of the initial processes launched is winupdate.exe, a covert process that presents a deceptive Windows update popup during the attack. This is intended to persuade the victim that their PC has slowed down due to a Windows update.
Simultaneously, the ransomware initiates another process (named with four random characters) that scans the system for target files and encrypts them. Subsequently, the ransomware deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the disk using the following CMD command:
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Once deleted, it becomes impossible to restore the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The issue is that ransomware operators eliminate any built-in Windows methods that could assist the victim in recovering files without cost. Additionally, the hackers modify the Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of domains and mapping them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim encounters a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when attempting to access any of the listed websites.
Observations indicate that the ransomware attempts to block websites that provide various how-to guides for computer users. It’s evident that by restricting access to specific domains, the perpetrators aim to prevent victims from accessing relevant and helpful information about ransomware attacks online. The malware also places two text files on the victim’s computer containing attack-related details – the victim’s public key and personal ID. These two files are named bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.
After these modifications, the malware doesn’t stop. Variants of STOP/DJVU often introduce the Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat possesses an extensive range of capabilities, including:
- Gathering sensitive data by running malicious software on the victim’s computer.
- Acquiring unauthorized login credentials for Steam, Telegram, and Skype accounts.
- 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 used in STOP/Djvu ransomware is AES-256. Consequently, once your data is encrypted with an online decryption key, the chances of recovering your files without paying the ransom are quite low. The key is unique for each victim, and brute forcing it would require an exceptionally long time.
Obtaining the online key in any other way is nearly impossible. It is stored on a command server controlled by the hackers responsible for spreading the Hgkd infection. To obtain the decryption key, victims are required to make a payment of $980. Payment details can be obtained by contacting the hackers via email at (support@fishmail.top).
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: support@fishmail.top Reserve e-mail address to contact us: datarestorehelp@airmail.cc Your personal ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Do not pay the ransom!
Please, try to use the available backups, or Decrypter tool
_readme.txt file also states that the computer owner should contact the hackers’ representatives within 72 hours since the file encryption. On the condition of getting in touch within 72 hours, hackers grant a 50% off. Thus the ransom amount will be minimized down to $490.
Yet, stay away from paying the ransom! I highly recommend that you do not contact these fraudsters and do not pay. An efficient solution to recover the lost data is just using the backups you have, or using Decrypter tool from Emsisoft.
The distinctiveness of such viruses is the employment a similar set of actions for decryption key generation. Thus, unless the ransomware is still in development or possesses with some hard-to-track flaws, manual data recovery is a thing you can’t perform. The only solution to prevent the data loss is to regularly make backups of your important files.
Remember that even if you do preserve such backups regularly, they must be kept 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 substitute external hard drive storage. Alternatively, you may turn to the help of online (cloud) information storage.
Unnecessary to mention, when you maintain your backup on your regular device, it may be encrypted together with your files. For this reason, placing the backup on your computer’s disk is surely not a wise idea.
How I was infected?
Ransomware has a various methods to built into your system. But it doesn’t really matter what way had place in your case.
Ransomware attack following a successful phishing attempt.
Nevertheless, these are the common leaks through which it may be injected into your PC:
- Utilizing online free hosting resources to distribute the virus discreetly.
- Disguising the virus installer within other apps, particularly utilities offered as freeware or shareware.
- Propagation through spam emails containing dubious links leading to the virus installation.
- Downloading pirated software from illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) resources, which may include hidden malware.
Some incidents occurred when the Hgkd virus hiding as a legit thing, for example, the messages requesting to install a browser update or a vastly needed codec for online media playback. This is usually the way how some online scams aim to force you into install the ransomware manually, by actually making you directly involve in this process.
Surely, the fraudulent update alert will not tell that you are installing the threat. This process will be disguised under some alert stating that you should install an urgent security update or some suspicious program whatsoever.
Undoubtedly, the cracked apps represent the threat as well. Using P2P is illegal and may end up with the injection of serious malware, including the Hgkd ransomware.
To sum up, what can you do to evade the penetration of the ransomware into your system? Even though there is no 100% assurance to stop your PC from getting compromised, there are some tips I want to give you to prevent the Hgkd penetration. You must be vigilant while setting up free software today.
Ensure you always read what the installer offers aside from the main free program. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments. Do not run files from the unknown addressees. Certainly, your current anti-malware program must always be updated.
The malware does not states openly about itself. It will not appear 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 computer.
How To Remove Ransomware?
Remove Hgkd Virus with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware
We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked the most common Ransomware as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove Hgkd Virus as well as other malware hiding on your computer.
To use Gridinsoft for remove malicious threats, follow the steps below:
1. Begin by downloading Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, accessible via the blue button below or directly from the official website gridinsoft.com.
2.Once the Gridinsoft setup file (setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe) is downloaded, execute it by clicking on the file.
3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.
4. Access the "Scan Tab" on the application's start screen and launch a comprehensive "Full Scan" to examine your entire computer. This inclusive scan encompasses the memory, startup items, the registry, services, drivers, and all files, ensuring that it detects malware hidden in all possible locations.
Be patient, as the scan duration depends on the number of files and your computer's hardware capabilities. Use this time to relax or attend to other tasks.
5. Upon completion, Anti-Malware will present a detailed report containing all the detected malicious items and threats on your PC.
6. Select all the identified items from the report and confidently click the "Clean Now" button. This action will safely remove the malicious files from your computer, transferring them to the secure quarantine zone of the anti-malware program to prevent any further harmful actions.
8. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. This step is crucial to ensure thorough removal of any remaining threats. After the restart, Gridinsoft Anti-Malware will open and display a message confirming the completion of the scan.
Remember Gridinsoft offers a 6-day free trial. This means you can take advantage of the trial period at no cost to experience the full benefits of the software and prevent any future malware infections on your system. Embrace this opportunity to fortify your computer's security without any financial commitment.
Trojan Killer for “Hgkd Virus” removal on locked PC
In situations where it becomes impossible to download antivirus applications directly onto the infected computer due to malware blocking access to websites, an alternative solution is to utilize the Trojan Killer application.
There is a really little number of security tools that are able to be set up on the USB drives, and antiviruses that can do so in most cases require to obtain quite an expensive license. For this instance, I can recommend you to use another solution of GridinSoft - Trojan Killer Portable. It has a 14-days cost-free trial mode that offers the entire features of the paid version. This term will definitely be 100% enough to wipe malware out.
Trojan Killer is a valuable tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, helping you to effectively remove malware from infected computers. Now, we will walk you through the process of using Trojan Killer from a USB flash drive to scan and remove malware on an infected PC. Remember, always obtain permission to scan and remove malware from a computer that you do not own.
Step 1: Download & Install Trojan Killer on a Clean Computer:
1. Go to the official GridinSoft website (gridinsoft.com) and download Trojan Killer to a computer that is not infected.
2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.
3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.
4. Once the installation is complete, launch Trojan Killer.
Step 2: Update Signature Databases:
5. After launching Trojan Killer, ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet.
6. Click "Update" icon to download the latest signature databases, which will ensure the tool can detect the most recent threats.
Step 3: Scan the Infected PC:
7. Safely eject the USB flash drive from the clean computer.
8. Boot the infected computer to the Safe Mode.
9. Insert the USB flash drive.
10. Run tk.exe
11. Once the program is open, click on "Full Scan" to begin the malware scanning process.
Step 4: Remove Found Threats:
12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.
13. Click on "Cure PC!" to remove the identified malware from the infected PC.
14. Follow any additional on-screen prompts to complete the removal process.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer:
15. Once the threats are removed, click on "Restart PC" to reboot your computer.
16. Remove the USB flash drive from the infected computer.
Congratulations on effectively removing Hgkd Virus and the concealed threats from your computer! You can now have peace of mind, knowing that they won't resurface again. Thanks to Gridinsoft's capabilities and commitment to cybersecurity, your system is now protected.
Video Guide
How To Decrypt .hgkd Files?
How to restore big files?
Try removing .hgkd 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 bugged 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 Hgml, Rzew, Rzfu etc.
As a consequence of the alterations made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer assisted. 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.
Download and run decryption tool.
Start downloading the decryption tool.
Make sure to launch the decryption utility as an administrator. You need to agree with the license terms that will come up. For this purpose, click on the “Yes” button:
As soon as you accept the license terms, the main decryptor user interface comes up:
Select folders for decryption.
Based on the default configurations, the decryptor will automatically choose the accessible directories in order to unlock the currently accessible drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. You can select other locations with the “Add” button.
Decryptors typically propose several options depending on the specific malware family. The existing possible options are displayed in the Options tab and can be turned on or turned off there. You may discover a comprehensive list of the currently active Options below.
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]
✓ No key for New Variant online ID: [your ID]
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible
✓ Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]
This ID appears be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible 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
How to Restore .hgkd Files?
In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Hgkd ransomware encryption mechanism feature is next: it encrypts every file byte-by-byte, then saves a duplicate, deleting (not overriding!) the initial file. Thus, the information of the file placement on the disk drive is lost, but the original file is not deleted from the drive. The cell, or the sector where this file was stored, can still contain this file, but it is absent in the file system and can be rewritten by data that has been loaded to this drive after the deletion. Hence, it is possible to restore 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 free program, which is initially created for data recovery from damaged disks, or for data recovery in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, with time flow, this program got the ability to recover the files of 400 different formats. Hence, it can be used for file recovery after the Hgkd attack.
First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer notifies that there is no warranty that the files will be recovered. PhotoRec is spread together with other program of the same developer – TestDisk. The downloaded archive will bear TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.
To run PhotoRec, you need to find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No installation process is needed – 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 Hgkd ransomware.
After the start, you will observe the screen showing you the full list of your disk drives. However, this information is presumably futile, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this menu, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.
After selecting the disk, you need to opt for the destination folder for the retrieved files. This menu is located at the lower part of the PhotoRec window. The best choice is to export them on USB drive or any other type of removable disk.
Then, you need to designate the file formats. This choice is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can restore the files of about 400 different formats.
Finally, you can start files recovery by pressing the “Search” button. You will view the screen where the outcomes of the scan and recovery are shown.
Hgkd files recovery Video Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
No way. These files are encrypted by ransomware. The contents of encrypted files are not available until they are decrypted.
If your data remained in the .hgkd files are very valuable, then most likely you made a backup copy.
If not, then you can try to restore them through the system function – Restore Point.
All other methods will require patience.
Of course not. Your encrypted files do not pose a threat to the computer. What happened has already happened.
You need GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove active system infections. The virus that encrypted your files is most likely still active and periodically runs a test for the ability to encrypt even more files. Also, these viruses install keyloggers and backdoors for further malicious actions (for example, theft of passwords, credit cards) often.
In this situation, you need to prepare the memory stick with a pre-installed Trojan Killer.
Have patience. You are infected with the new version of STOP/DJVU ransomware, and decryption keys have not yet been released. Follow the news on our website.
We will keep you posted on when new keys or new decryption programs appear.
The Hgkd ransomware encrypts only the first 150KB of files. So MP3 files are rather large, some media players (Winamp for example) may be able to play the files, but – the first 3-5 seconds (the encrypted portion) will be missing.
You can try to find a copy of an original file that was encrypted:
- Files you downloaded from the Internet that were encrypted and you can download again to get the original.
- Pictures that you shared with family and friends that they can just send back to you.
- Photos that you uploaded on social media or cloud services like Carbonite, OneDrive, iDrive, Google Drive, etc
- Attachments in emails you sent or received and saved.
- Files on an older computer, flash drive, external drive, camera memory card, or iPhone where you transferred data to the infected computer.
If the guide doesn’t help you to remove infection, please download the GridinSoft Anti-Malware that I recommended. Do not forget to share your experience in solving the problem. Please leave a comment here! This can help other victims to understand they are not alone. And together we will find ways to deal with this issue.
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Brendan SmithHow To Restore & Decrypt .HGKD Files?
Name: HGKD Ransomware
Description: The HGKD Virus belongs to the STOP/DJVU family of ransomware infections. This malicious software encrypts various file types, including videos, photos, and documents, which become identifiable by a distinct hgkd extension. As a result, the affected files become inaccessible and unusable. Subsequently, the HGKD ransomware demands a ransom payment in Bitcoin from its victims, ranging from $490 to $980.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
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