The Nozelesn virus belongs to the ransomware type of malicious agent. Ransomware of this type encrypts all the data on your computer (photos, text files, excel tables, audio files, videos, etc) and adds its own extension to every file, leaving the HOW_FIX_NOZELESN_FILES.htm text files in every folder with the encrypted files.
Nozelesn virus: what is known so far?
☝️ A scientifically accurate designation for the Nozelesn is “a ransomware-type malicious agent”.
Nozelesn will append its own .nozelesn extension to every file’s name. For example, an image entitled “photo.jpg” will be turned into “photo.jpg.nozelesn”. Likewise, the Excel table with the name “table.xlsx” will become “table.xlsx.nozelesn”, and so on.
In each directory that contains the encoded files, a HOW_FIX_NOZELESN_FILES.htm file will be found. It is a ransom money memo. Therein you can find information on the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other information. The ransom note most probably contains instructions on how to buy the decryption tool from the Nozelesn developers. That is basically the scheme of the malefaction.
Nozelesn overview:
| Name | Nozelesn Virus |
| Extension | .nozelesn |
| Ransomware note | HOW_FIX_NOZELESN_FILES.htm |
| Detection | MSIL/TrojanDownloader.Agent.JRY, MSIL/LockScreen.NZ, Trojan:Win32/Kryptik!MSR |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .nozelesn extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Nozelesn virus |
The HOW_FIX_NOZELESN_FILES.htm document accompanying the Nozelesn malware provides the following dispiriting information:
All files including videos, photos and documents on your computer are encrypted by nozelesn ransomware. File decryption costs money. In order to decrypt the files, you need to perform the following steps: 1. you should download and install this browser hxxp://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en 2. After installation, run the browser and enter the address: lyasuvlsarvrlyxz.onion 3. Follow the instruction on the web-site. We remind you that the sooner you do, the more chances are left to recover the files. Guaranteed recovery is provided within 10 days. IMPORTANT INFORMATION You should enter the personal code on the tor site. Your Personal CODE: -
In the picture below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Nozelesn looks like. Each filename has the “.nozelesn” extension appended to it.
An example of encrypted .nozelesn files.
How did my machine catch Nozelesn ransomware?
There are plenty of possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
There are currently three most popular methods for malefactors to have the Nozelesn virus settled in your system. These are email spam, Trojan infiltration and peer file transfer.
If you access your inbox and see emails that look just like notifications from utility services providers, delivery agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose addresser is strange to you, be wary of opening those letters. They are most likely to have a malicious file attached to them. Therefore, it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan horse scheme1. A Trojan is a program that gets into your computer pretending to be something legal. For example, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some software. But what is unpacked reveals itself a harmful program that encodes your data. Since the update file can have any title and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the source of the files you’re downloading. The best way is to trust the software developers’ official websites.
As for the peer file transfer protocols like torrent trackers or eMule, the threat is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never guess what you download until you get it. So you’d better be using trustworthy websites. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded files with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is done.
How to remove the Nozelesn virus?
It is important to inform you that besides encrypting your files, the Nozelesn virus will most likely deploy the Azorult Spyware on your machine to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned spyware2 can derive your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Often tamperers would unblock some of your files so you know that they indeed have the decryption program. As Nozelesn virus is a relatively recent ransomware, anti-malware engineers have not yet found a method to undo its work. However, the decryption tools are frequently upgraded, so the solution may soon arrive.
Understandably, if the criminals do the job of encoding someone’s critical data, the desperate person will probably comply with their demands. However, paying a ransom gives no guarantee that you’re getting your blocked information back. It is still risky. After receiving the money, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption key to the injured party. There were reports of ransomware developers simply vanishing after getting the money without even bothering to reply.
The optimal countermeasure to ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud disk or at least on an external disk. Obviously, that might be insufficient. Your most important thing could be that one you were working upon when it all started. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also wise to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the OS is rolled back.
Nozelesn is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. Examples of those are Mljx, Hudf, Mljx, and some others. The two basic differences between them and the Nozelesn are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is almost identical: documents become inaccessible, their extensions altered, ransom notes are created in each directory containing encrypted files.
Some fortunate people were able to decode the blocked files with the help of the free tools provided by anti-ransomware experts. Sometimes the racketeers mistakenly send the decryption code to the wronged in the ransom note. Such an extraordinary fail allows the victim to restore the files. But naturally, one should never expect such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a bandits’ tool to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How to avoid ransomware infiltration?
Nozelesn ransomware has no endless power, so as any similar malware.
You can defend your PC from ransomware injection in several easy steps:
- Ignore any letters from unknown mailboxes with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (how can you win in a money prize draw without participating in it?). In case the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the dubious email carefully. A fake letter will always have a mistake.
- Avoid using cracked or unknown programs. Trojan viruses are often shared as an element of cracked products, possibly under the guise of “patch” to prevent the license check. Understandably, potentially dangerous programs are difficult to distinguish from trustworthy software, as trojans may also have the functionality you need. Try to find information about this software product on the anti-malware message boards, but the best solution is not to use such software.
- And finally, to be sure about the safety of the files you downloaded, scan them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a perfect armor for your PC.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft3
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft4.
Download Removal Tool.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
Run the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Press “Install” button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Nozelesn infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has finished, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
FAQ
🤔 How can I open “.nozelesn” files?Is it possible to open“.nozelesn” files?
Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode the “.nozelesn” files you will not be able to access them.
🤔 What should I do to make my files accessible as fast as possible?
Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. The rest of the methods require patience.
🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Nozelesn virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?
No way! Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.
With the help of GridinSoft Anti-Malware, you can clean your PC off the actual viruses. The virus that has attacked your PC is most likely still active and launching checks from time to time to encrypt any new files you might create on your computer after the infection. As it has been mentioned above, the Nozelesn virus comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide malefactors with easy access to your PC after some time.
🤔 What to do if the Nozelesn malware has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation code.
In such an unfortunate situation, you need to have a flash memory card with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the procedure. The point is that the ransomware starts automatically as the system boots and encrypts any new files created or brought into your machine. To stop this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential programs to run upon system boot. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Some of the encrypted data can be located elsewhere.
- If you sent or received your critical files via email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You might have shared photographs or videos with your friends or relatives. Just ask them to give those images back to you.
- If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Internet, you can try doing it again.
- Your messengers, social networks pages, and cloud drives might have all those files too.
- Maybe you still have the needed files on your old computer, a notebook, phone, memory stick, etc.
USEFUL TIP: You can employ data recovery utilities5 to get your lost data back since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, deleting the original ones. In the tutorial below, you can see how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you remove the virus with an antivirus program.
Also, you can contact the following governmental fraud and scam sites to report this attack:
- In the United States: On Guard Online;
- In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
- In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
- In Australia: SCAMwatch;
- In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
- In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;
To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.
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Brendan SmithHow to Remove NOZELESN Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: NOZELESN Virus
Description: NOZELESN Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .nozelesn extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
- You can read more on spyware variants and nature in the respective section of GridinSoft official website.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
- Here’s the list of Top 10 Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
