MZHI Virus (.MZHI File) Decrypt + Removal Guide

The Mzhi virus, also known as a ransomware infection, belongs to the STOP/DJVU family. This malware is notorious for its malicious file encryption capabilities. Once the Mzhi virus infects a system, it targets various types of files, like videos, photos, documents, and more. It modifies the file structure and appends the “.mzhi” extension to each encrypted file, making them inaccessible and unusable without the decryptor.

Mzhi Virus Overview

The Mzhi virus is a type of malware that ciphers your files and coerces you into paying for their restoration. This malware ciphers different file types. Encrypted files become identifiable by a distinct “.mzhi” extension. As a result, the affected files become inaccessible and unusable.

After that, the ransomware asks for a file decryption payment in Bitcoin from its victims, that ranges from $490 to $980, depending on the time passed after the attack. In all cases, a text file with ransom payment guidances is named as “_readme.txt“.

Mzhi Ransomware operates by Salsa20 encryption algorithms to scramble the contents of the targeted files. Since Mzhi virus employs such a strong encryption method, it becomes really difficult, if not impossible, to find the decryption key without the assistance of the attackers.

Once the files are encrypted, the Mzhi virus displays a ransom note to the victim, asking for a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. The ransom note provides instructions on how to pay off the bill and often contains threats of system wipeout or ransom amounts surge if the demands are not met within a specified timeframe.

I have made an all-encompassing list of potential solutions, advice, and practices to remove the Mzhi malware and decrypt your files. In some cases, you can regain access to the files, but sometimes, it may be impossible.

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

The Mzhi virus bears resemblance to other DJVU ransomware variants such as Mzqt, Azop, Azqt, and Azhi. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.mzhi” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.mzhi” and “2.png” to “2.png.mzhi“.

After successful encryption, the virus 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 user will not miss its appearance even without opening folders.

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

Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware

This message asking payment is for restore files via decryption key:

_readme.txt (STOP/DJVU Ransomware) – The terrifying warning demanding users to pay off the ransom to decrypt the encrypted data contains these exasperating admonitions.

Mzhi ransomware arrives as a set of procedures that are used to carry out different activities on a victim’s computer. One of the primary ones being launched is winupdate.exe, a deceptive process that shows a fake Windows update prompt during the attack. Such a trick helps to convince the victim that a sudden computer slowdown is caused by a Windows update.

Simultaneously, the ransomware runs another process (which name commonly consists of 4 random characters) which commences scanning the system for target files and encrypting them. Next, the ransomware deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the disk through the following CMD command:

vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet

Once removed, it becomes virtually impossible to recover the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The issue is, ransomware operators are eliminating any built-in Windows approaches that could assist the victim to recover files for free. In addition, the hackers modify the Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of domains to it and redirecting them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim will witness a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when accessing one of the listed websites.

We’ve observed that ransomware tries to restrict websites that developed various how-to guides for computer users. It is clear that by hindering specific domains, the perpetrators are trying to hinder the victim from reaching relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. The virus also saves two .txt files on the victim’s computer that provide attack-related information – the public key of this victim and personal ID. These two files are named bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.

After all these changes, the malware doesn’t cease. Variants of STOP/DJVU are inclined to install Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat has an huge 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 cryptography 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 picking it will take exceptionally big amount of time.

Retrieving the online decryption key in any other way is also close to impossible. It is stored on a remote server owned by the criminals who promote the Mzhi malware. For receiving decrypting code the payment should be $980. To obtain 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

Do not pay the ransom!

Please, try to use the available backups, or Decrypter tool

The _readme.txt file also demands that the system owner must get in touch with the hackers’ representatives during 72 hours starting from the moment of files were encrypted. If user contacts hackers during 72 hours, hackers grant a 50% off. This decreases the ransom sum down to $490.

Yet, stay away from paying the ransom! I strongly recommend that you to avoid contacting these swindlers and do not pay. One of the most real working solution to retrieve 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 generating the unique decryption key to recover the ciphered data. Thus, unless the ransomware is still in development or has some hard-to-track flaws, manual data recovery is a thing you can’t perform. The exclusive resolution to prevent the data loss is to regularly make backups of your important files.

Note that even if you do maintain 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. Optionally, you may refer to the help of online (cloud) information storage.

Needless to say, when you maintain your backup on your common device, it may be ciphered together with other data. For this reason, placing the backup on your disk is surely not a wise idea.

How To Remove Ransomware?

Video Guide

How To Decrypt .mzhi Files?

The newest extensions released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Mzqt, Azop, Azqt etc.

As a outcome of the alterations 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.

1. Select folders for decryption.

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

   Decryptors typically propose several options considering the specific malware family. The existing possible options are shown in the Options tab and can be turned on or deactivated there. You may locate a detailed list of the currently active Options below.

2. 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.

How to Restore .mzhi Files?

In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…

The Mzhi ransomware encryption mechanism feature is next: it ciphers 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 deleted from the disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was kept, can still contain this file, but it is not listed by 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.

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 recover the files of 400 different extensions. Hence, it can be used for file restoration after the Mzhi attack.

First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer states that there is no guarantee that the files will be restored. PhotoRec is spread together with other utility of the same developer – TestDisk. The program archive will bear TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.

To open PhotoRec, you need to find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No setup is required – this 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 Mzhi ransomware.

Upon the launch, you will observe the screen showing you the complete list of your disk drives. However, this data is probably futile, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this bar, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.

After picking the disk, you need to select the destination folder for the retrieved files. This menu is located at the lower part of the PhotoRec window. The best option is to export them on USB drive or any other type of removable disk.

Then, you need to define the file formats. This setting is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can recover the files of about 400 different formats.

Finally, you can initiate files recovery by pressing the “Search” button. You will view the screen where the results of the scan and recovery are shown.

Mzhi files recovery Video Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
2. About DJVU (STOP) Ransomware.

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