ITHH Virus (.ITHH File) 🔐 Decrypt & Removal Guide

The Ithh virus, known as a ransomware, belongs to the STOP/DJVU family. This malware is known for malignant file encryption operations. When the Ithh virus infects a system, it scans the system for files such as photos, videos, documents, and more. It alters the file structure and adds the “.ithh” extension to each file, making them inaccessible and unusable without the decryption key.

Ithh Virus Overview

Ithh

🤔 Ithh virus is ransomware that belongs to the DJVU/STOP family. Its main target is to lock all of your files it can reach. After that this ransomware asks to pay the ransom – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.

The Ithh virus is a malware type that encrypts your files and makes you pay for their restoration. This malware ciphers different file types. Encrypted files are identifiable by a distinct “.ithh” extension. The affected files become inaccessible and unusable.

Subsequently, the ransomware asks for a file decryption payment in Bitcoin from the victims, ranging from $490 to $980. Usually, a ransom text file is named as “_readme.txt“.

Ithh Ransomware operates by Salsa20 encryption algorithms to scramble the contents of the targeted files. Since Ithh virus utilizes such a robust encryption method, it becomes incredibly hard, if even possible, to pick the decryption key without cooperating with the attackers.

Once the files are encrypted, the Ithh virus displays a ransom note to the victim, demanding a ransom payment for the decryption key. The ransom note provides instructions on how to pay off the bill and often includes threats of permanent data loss or increased ransom amounts if the demands are not met within a specified timeframe.

I have compiled an all-encompassing list of the solutions, tips, and practices to neutralize the Ithh malware and recover your files. There are cases where it may be feasible to restore your files, while sometimes, it may be impossible.

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📌 Important Note!

It is essential to say that paying off the ransom does not guarantee the successful files recovery. The cybercriminals who stand behind the Ithh 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.

Ithh employs a unique key for each victim, with one exception:

The Ithh virus is highly similar to other DJVU ransomware variants like Itrz, Ptrz, Ptqw, and Pthh. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.ithh” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.ithh” and “2.png” to “2.png.ithh“.

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 user will not miss the attack even without opening folders.

The image below provides a visual representation of files with the “ithh” extension:

Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware

Name	Ithh Virus
Ransomware family¹	DJVU/STOP² ransomware
Extension	.ithh
Ransomware note	_readme.txt
Ransom	From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins)
Contact	[email protected], [email protected]
Detection	Trojan:Win32/CryptRan.SA!MTB, Trojan:Script/Phonzy.B!ml, Trojan:MSIL/SnakeKeylogger.SPAQ!MTB
Symptoms	Disables Volume Shadow copies, making victim’s attempts to restore data futile; Installs password-stealing Trojan on the system, like Vidar Stealer or RedLine Stealer; Successfully installs a SmokeLoader backdoor for remote access; Updates the HOSTS file with a list of domains to block access to certain security-related sites; Implements encryption to lock most of your files (photos, videos, documents) and adds a particular “.ithh” extension;
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 warning requesting users to pay the ransom to unlock the encoded data contains these exasperating cautions.

Ithh ransomware arrives as a set of procedures that are meant to perform different activities on a victim’s computer. One of the initial ones being launched is winupdate.exe, a sneaky process that displays a fake Windows update pop-up during the attack. This is meant to convince the victim that a sudden PC slowdown is caused by a Windows update.

At the same time, the ransomware runs another process (named as 4 random chars) which starts scanning the computer for target files and ciphering them. Next, the ransomware removes Volume Shadow Copies from the system through the following CMD command:

vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet

Once deleted, it becomes impossible to recover 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 restore files for free. In addition, the hackers modify the Windows HOSTS file by including a list of domains to it and linking them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim will see a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when trying to open one of the listed websites.

We’ve observed that ransomware tries to block websites that promote various how-to guides for computer users. It is clear that by hindering specific domains, the crooks are attempting to stop the victim from accessing relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. This malware also saves two .txt files on the victim’s computer that offer details related to the attack – the victim’s public encryption key and personal ID. These two files are named bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.

After all these changes, the malware doesn’t stop. Variants of STOP/DJVU are inclined to release Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat has an large list of capabilities, including:

Stealing Steam, Telegram, Skype login / password;
Stealing cryptocurrency wallets;
Downloading other malware to the computer and running it;
Stealing browser cookies, saved passwords, browsing history, and more;
Viewing and manipulating files on victim’s computer;
Allowing the hackers to perform other tasks on the victim’s computer remotely.

The encryption algorithm used by DJVU/STOP virus is AES-256. So, once your data is encrypted with an online decryption key, the chances to get your files back are quite low. Thing is, the key is unique for each victim, and brute forcing it will take exceptionally big amount of time.

Getting the online decryption key in any other way is also nearly impossible. It is kept on a remote server controlled by the hackers who promote the Ithh malware. For receiving unlocking key the payment should be $980. To obtain 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 .ithh Files?

How to restore big files?

Try removing .ithh extension on a few big files and opening them. This malware has issues with large files encryption. Either the virus read and did not encode 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 Itrz, Ptrz, Ptqw etc.

As a result of the modifications made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer backed. 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.

Select folders for decryption.

Based on the default configurations, the decryptor will by default choose the available directories in order to decrypt the currently accessible drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. You can select additional locations with the “Add” button.

Decryptors typically propose several options considering 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 detailed 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]

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

Your original files were encrypted with an online key. There is no one to share the decryption key with you. File recovery without paying the ransom 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.

Malware used an offline key, though the file recovery operation failed (the offline decryption key isn’t available yet). Nonetheless, this message is a good news for you, since it might be 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. Our first recommendation is to reset your HOSTS file back to default.

How to Restore .ithh Files?

In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…

The Ithh ransomware encryption mechanism is next: it encodes every file byte-by-byte, then saves a duplicate, erasing (not overriding!) the original file. Thus, the information of the file placement on the physical disk is lost, but the original file is not removed 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 overwritten by data that has been loaded to this drive after the deletion. Hence, it is possible to restore your files using special software.

I recently had my pc infected by the this virus. It managed to bypass 2 Antivirus software and 2 malware fighters.

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 Newland

Some pointers for recovery repair of Ithh files (true for all STOP/DJVU variants):

I have seen Stop/Djvu variants fail to encrypt deeper nested folders, so that you can check that. You may find those are not encrypted.

This ransomware saves encrypted data to a new file, deletes the original. So there’s a slight chance part of that deleted file can be recovered using file recovery software. It’s unlikely the folder structure can be restored, so a free tool like PhotoRec may be as good as any.

This ransomware only partially encrypts (about the first 150 KB), so depending on file size and type of data, the not encrypted part may be recoverable.

Joep

Recovering your files with PhotoRec

PhotoRec is an open-source program, which is initially created for files recovery from damaged disks, or for file retrieval in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, as time has gone by, this program got the ability to restore the files of 400 different formats. Hence, it can be used for file restoration after the Ithh 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 retrieved. PhotoRec is spread together with other program of the same developer – TestDisk. The downloaded archive will have 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 setup is needed – the program has all the files it need within the archive, hence, you can mount it on your USB drive, and try to help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Ithh ransomware.

After the start, you will see the screen showing you the entire list of your disk drives. However, this information is probably irrelevand, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this tab, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.

After selecting the disk, you need to pick the destination folder for the restored 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 feature is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can recover 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 outcomes of the scan and recovery are shown.

Ithh files recovery Video Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

🤔 How can I open “.ithh” files?

No way. These files are encrypted by ransomware. The contents of encrypted files are not available until they are decrypted.

🤔 This virus has blocked infected PC: I can’t get the activation code.

In this situation, you need to prepare the memory stick with a pre-installed

🤔 Decryptor did not decrypt all my files, or not all of them were decrypted. What should I do?

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.

🤔 What can I do right now?

The Ithh 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.

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Brendan Smith