The Jazi virus, known as a ransomware, belongs to the STOP family. This malware is famous for its malicious file encryption capabilities. Once the Jazi virus infects a computer, it scans the system for files such as videos, photos, documents, and more. It alters the file structure and adds the “.jazi” extension to each file, making them unusable without the decryption key.
Jazi Virus Overview
Jazi
🤔 Jazi virus can be classified as ransomware that originates from the DJVU/STOP ransomware family. Its main target is to encrypt your files. After that ransomware virus asks for a ransom fee – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Jazi virus is a type of malware that ciphers your files and coerces you into paying for their recovery. This malware ciphers various file types. ciphered files can be identified by a distinct “.jazi” extension. As a result, the affected files become inaccessible and unusable.
Subsequently, the ransomware asks for a ransom payment in Bitcoin from its victims, ranging from $490 to $980. Typically, a ransom text file is named as “_readme.txt“.
Jazi Ransomware uses Salsa20 encryption algorithms to scramble the contents of the targeted files. Since Jazi virus applies such a strong encryption method, it becomes incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to pick the decryption key without cooperating with the attackers.
Once Jazi malware finishes the encryption, it shows a ransom note to the victim, demanding a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. The ransom note provides instructions on how to pay off the bill and also often contains threats of system wipeout or ransom amounts surge if the ransom is not paid within a specified timeframe.
I have compiled a comprehensive list of potential solutions, tips, and approaches to remove the Jazi malware and decrypt and recover your files. In some cases, it may be feasible to restore your files, while sometimes, it may be impossible.
📌 Important Note!
It is critical to note that paying off the bill does not guarantee the successful files recovery. The cybercriminals behind the Jazi virus are not trustworthy. There were the cases where people have paid the ransom, only to be denied by the cybercriminals with the decryption key provision.
Jazi uses a unique key for every victim, with one exception:
The Jazi virus is similar to other DJVU ransomware variants such as Jawr, Gyza, Gyew, and Gycc. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.jazi” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.jazi” and “2.png” to “2.png.jazi“.
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 the readme 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 “jazi” extension:
Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware
| Name | Jazi Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .jazi |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
| Contact | [email protected], [email protected] |
| Detection | Win32/Filecoder.Avaddon.H, TrojanDropper:Win32/BcryptInject.A!MTB, BScope.TrojanRansom.Reveton |
| 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 alert requesting users to pay the ransom to unlock the encrypted data contains these annoying admonitions.
Jazi ransomware arrives as a set of actions that are needed to execute certain functions on a victim’s computer. One of the first ones being launched is winupdate.exe, a tricky process that shows a false Windows update prompt during the attack. This is meant to convince the victim that their PC has become slow because of a Windows update.
At the same time, the ransomware runs another process (usually named by four random characters) which initiates scanning the system for target files and ciphering them. Next, the ransomware removes Volume Shadow Copies from the disk using the following CMD command:
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Once erased, it becomes impossible to recover the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The concern is, ransomware operators are eliminating any built-in Windows approaches that could aid the victim to restore files for free. In addition, the crooks 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 face a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when trying to open one of the blacklisted websites.
We’ve observed that ransomware attempts to restrict websites that promote various how-to guides for computer users. It is evident that by hindering specific domains, the malefactors are seeking to prevent the victim from connecting to relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. Malware also stores two .txt files on the victim’s computer that offer particulars 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 alterations, the malware doesn’t stop. Variants of STOP/DJVU tend to install 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 encryption algorithm used by DJVU/STOP virus is AES-256. So, if your data got encrypted with an online decryption key, the chances to get your files back are quite low. Thing is, this key is unique for each victim, and brute forcing it will take too much time.
Getting the online key in another way is also merely impossible. It is kept on a command server controlled by the hackers who spread the Jazi malware. For receiving decryption 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 .jazi Files?
How to restore big files?
Try removing .jazi extension on a few big files and opening them. This malware has issues with large files encryption. Either the virus read and did not lock the file, or it bugged and did not add the filemarker. If you have files that are very large (2GB+), such a situation is highly probable. 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 Jawr, Gyza, Gyew 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 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 usually offer several options depending on the specific malware family. The present possible options are shown in the Options tab and can be enabled or disabled there. You may discover a detailed 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
Malware used an online key to cipher your files. So no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair. 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, but files could not be restored (the offline decryption key isn’t available yet). But, receiving this message is 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
This stands for a DNS issue present in your system. Our first recommendation is to reset your HOSTS file back to default.
How to Restore .jazi Files?
In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Jazi ransomware encryption algorithm is next: it encrypts every file byte-by-byte, then saves a duplicate, deleting (not overriding!) the initial file. Thus, the data of the file placement on the physical disk is lost, but the original file is not erased from the drive. The cell, or the sector where this file was stored, can still hold this file, but it is absent in the file system and can be replaced 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 open-source program, which is originally created for file retrieval from damaged disks, or for file retrieval in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, as time has gone by, this program adopted the ability to retrieve the files of 400 different extensions. Hence, it can be used for file restoration after the Jazi attack.
First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer states that there is no warranty that your files will be retrieved. PhotoRec is distributed in a pack with another program of the same developer – TestDisk. The program archive will have 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 needed – the program has all the files it need within the archive, hence, you can fit it on your USB drive, and try to help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Jazi ransomware.
After the start, you will witness the screen showing you the full list of your disks. However, this details are presumably futile, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this menu, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.
After choosing the disk, you need to select the destination folder for the reclaimed 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 indicate the file formats. This choice 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 observe the screen where the findings of the scan and recovery are shown.
Jazi files recovery Video Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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