The Itrz virus, also known as a ransomware, is part of the STOP family. This malware is known for malignant file encryption operations. Once the Itrz virus gets into a system, it scans the system for files such as videos, photos, documents, and more. It modifies the file structure and adds the “.itrz” extension to each encrypted file, making them unusable without the decryption.
Itrz Virus Overview
Itrz
🤔 Itrz virus belongs to ransomware that originates from the DJVU/STOP ransomware family. Its primary purpose is to encrypt all of your files it can reach. After that ransomware virus asks to pay the ransom – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Itrz virus is a malicious program that ciphers your files and coerces you into paying for their decryption. This ransomware encrypts a wide selection of file types. Encrypted files can be identified by a distinct “.itrz” extension. The affected files become inaccessible and unusable.
Subsequently, the ransomware asks for a file decryption payment in Bitcoin from the victims, that ranges from $490 to $980, depending on the time passed after the attack. Usually, a text file with ransom payment guidances is named as “_readme.txt“.
Itrz Ransomware works with Salsa20 encryption algorithms to cipher the targeted files. Since Itrz virus employs such a robust encryption method, it becomes pretty difficult, if even possible, to pick the decryption key without cooperating with the attackers.
Once Itrz malware finishes the encryption, it shows a ransom note to the victim, asking for a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. The ransom note provides instructions on the ways of making the payment and often contains threats of permanent data loss or ransom amounts surge if the demands are not met within a specified timeframe.
I have compiled an all-encompassing list of the solutions, advice, and approaches to remove the Itrz ransomware and recover your files. In some cases, you can regain access to the files, while sometimes, it may be impossible.
📌 Important Note!
It is critical to say that paying the ransom does not guarantee the successful recovery of your files. The crooks behind the Itrz virus are not trustworthy. There have been instances where victims have paid the ransom, only to be denied by the cybercriminals with the decryption key provision.
Itrz uses a unique key for every victim, with one exception:
The Itrz virus bears resemblance to other DJVU ransomware variants such as Ptrz, Ptqw, Pthh, and Mlap. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.itrz” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.itrz” and “2.png” to “2.png.itrz“.
After successful encryption, the virus spawns 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 “itrz” extension:
Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware
| Name | Itrz Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .itrz |
| 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 |
|
| 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 alarming notification insisting users to pay off the ransom to unlock the encoded data contains these annoying warnings.
Itrz ransomware arrives as a set of procedures that are needed to carry out different functions on a victim’s computer. One of the first ones being launched is winupdate.exe, a sneaky process that shows a fraudulent Windows update notification during the attack. This is meant to convince the victim that their PC has become slow because of a Windows update.
Meanwhile, the ransomware runs another process (named as 4 random chars) which initiates scanning the computer for target files and encrypting them. Next, the ransomware deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the system using the following CMD command:
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Once erased, it becomes impossible to retrieve the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The issue is, ransomware operators are eliminating any built-in Windows techniques that could help the victim to recover files for free. In addition, the crooks modify the Windows HOSTS file by including a list of domains to it and directing 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 blocked websites.
We noticed that ransomware attempts to block websites that developed various how-to guides for computer users. It is evident that by limiting specific domains, the crooks are trying to prevent the victim from accessing relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. Malware also stores two .txt files on the victim’s computer that present attack-related information – the victim’s public key 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 have a tendency to deploy Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat possesses an extensive list of capabilities, including:
- Manipulating and viewing files on the victim’s computer without their knowledge.
- Extracting sensitive information such as browser cookies, saved passwords, and browsing history.
- Obtaining unauthorized access to login credentials of Steam, Telegram, and Skype.
- Granting the hackers remote control over the victim’s computer for various malicious activities.
- Stealing cryptocurrency wallets from the victim’s system.
- Gathering sensitive data by running malicious software on the victim’s computer.
The cryptography algorithm in STOP/Djvu ransomware is AES-256. So, if your data got encrypted with an online decryption key, the possibility to get your files back are quite low. Thing is, online key is unique for each victim, and brute forcing it will take exceptionally big amount of time.
Obtaining the online key in another way is also close to impossible. It is stored on a server owned by the hackers who spread the Itrz malware. For receiving decryption key the payment should be $980. To get the payment details, the victims should contact the fraudsters 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 .itrz Files?
How to restore big files?
Try deleting .itrz extension on a few big files and opening them. This malware has issues with large files encryption. Either the virus scanned 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, let me know in comments if that will work for you.
The newest extensions released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Ptrz, Ptqw, Pthh etc.
As a outcome of the changes 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.
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Select folders for decryption.
Based on the default configurations, the decryptor will automatically choose the available directories in order to decrypt the currently accessible drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. Extra (optional) locations can be selected with the assistance of the “Add” button.
Decryptors typically propose several options depending on the specific malware family. The present possible options are presented in the Options tab and can be activated or deactivated there. You may find 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]
Emsisoft failed to find a correspondnig decryption key in their 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. So no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair. Recovery of files without paying the criminals 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). But, this message is a good news for you, because 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
This stands for a DNS issues. Consider resetting your HOSTS file to default.
How to Restore .itrz Files?
In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Itrz ransomware encryption algorithm is next: it encodes every file byte-by-byte, then saves a duplicate, erasing (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 disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was stored, can still hold 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 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 open-source 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 retrieve the files of 400 different file types. Hence, it can be used for file restoration after the Itrz attack.
First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer states that there is no warranty that the files will be retrieved. PhotoRec is spread in a pack with other utility of the same developer – TestDisk. The downloaded archive will have TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.
To launch PhotoRec, you need to find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No installation process is required – the program has all the files it need within the archive, hence, you can fit it on your USB drive, and help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Itrz ransomware.
Upon the start, you will witness the screen showing you the complete list of your disk spaces. However, this information is likely useless, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this menu, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.
After opting for the disk, you need to opt for the destination folder for the recovered 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 define the file formats. This option is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can retrieve the files of about 400 different formats.
Finally, you can initiate files retrieval by pressing the “Search” button. You will see the screen where the outcomes of the scan and recovery are shown.
Itrz files recovery Video Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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