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

The Poaz virus is a ransomware infection from the STOP/Djvu malware family. It is known for data ciphering and ransomw demands for their decryption. Once the Poaz virus appears in a system, it checks it for files like documents, videos, photos, and more. For all files it founds, this malware applies changes to the file structure and appends the “.poaz” extension to each file. This makes them impossible to access without the decryption key.

What Is Poaz Virus?

The Poaz virus is a malware type that ciphers your files and makes you pay for their decryption. This ransomware ciphers various file types. Encrypted files can be identified by a distinct “.poaz” extension. As a result, the files touched by ransomware become inaccessible and unusable. Then, the ransomware asks for a file decryption payment in Bitcoin from its victims, ranging from $490 to $980. In all cases, a text file with ransom payment guidances is named as “_readme.txt“.

Poaz Ransomware uses Salsa20 encryption algorithms to cipher the files. Since Poaz virus utilizes such a strong ciphering method, it becomes particularly hard, if even possible, to find the decryption key without the assistance of the attackers.

Once the files are encrypted, the Poaz virus displays a ransom note to the user, asking for a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. The ransom note provides instructions on how to make the payment and also often includes threats of data loss or ransom amounts surge if the demands are not met within a specified timeframe.

I have created a comprehensive list of potential solutions, advice, and approaches to disable the Poaz ransomware and recover your files. There are cases when it may be possible to restore your files, but sometimes, it may be impossible.

Poaz uses a unique key for each victim, with one exception:

The Poaz virus bears resemblance to other DJVU ransomware samples such as Taoy, Tasa, Wsuu, and Kitu. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.poaz” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.poaz” and “2.png” to “2.png.poaz“. Upon successful encryption, the virus creates a special text file named “_readme.txt” and places it in every folder containing the encrypted files.

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

Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware

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

_readme.txt (STOP/DJVU Ransomware) – The scary alert requesting users to pay off the ransom to unlock the encoded data contains these frustrating cautions.

Poaz ransomware arrives as a set of procedures that are used to perform certain activities on a victim’s computer. One of the initial processes being launched is winupdate.exe, a deceptive process that displays a false Windows update alert during the attack. This is meant to convince the victim that their PC has become slow because of a Windows update. But simultaneously, the ransomware runs another process (named as 4 random chars) which commences scanning the system for target files and ciphering them. Next, the ransomware removes Volume Shadow Copies from the system disk using the following CMD command:

vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet

Once removed, it becomes impossible to restore the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The concern is, ransomware operators are eliminating any built-in Windows methods that could aid the victim to restore files for free. In addition, the rascals modify the Windows HOSTS file by appending a list of domains to it and directing 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 blocked websites.

It has come to our attention that ransomware tries to restrict websites that post various how-to guides for computer users. It is evident that by restricting specific domains, the perpetrators are attempting to hinder the victim from accessing relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. The virus also saves two text files on the victim’s computer that offer attack-related particulars – the victim’s public 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 release Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat has an large 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 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, online key is unique for each victim, and finding a suitable one will take too much time.

Retrieving the online key in another way is also close to impossible. It is kept on a command server controlled by the hackers who promote the Poaz infection. For receiving decrypting code the payment should be $980. To get 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

Do not pay the ransom!

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

_readme.txt file also demands that the computer owners must get in touch with the hackers during 72 hours starting from the moment of files were encrypted. If the 72hrs demand is met, hackers grant a 50% discount. Thus the ransom amount will be minimized down to $490. Yet, stay away from paying off the ransom! I highly recommend that you to avoid contacting these scammers and do not pay. An efficient solution to retrieve the lost data is just using the available backups, or using Decrypter tool from Emsisoft.

The uniqueness of such malware is the employment a similar set of actions for decryption key generation. Thus, unless the ransomware is still under the stage of development or possesses with some hard-to-track flaws, manual data recovery is a thing you can’t perform. The only solution to prevent the data loss is to regularly make backups of your important files.

Keep in mind that even if you do create such backups regularly, they should 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 optional external hard drive storage. Optionally, you may rely to the help of online (cloud) information storage.

It goes without saying, when you store your backup on your regular device, it may be similarly ciphered as well as other data. For this reason, placing the backup on your disk is surely not a wise idea.

How I was infected?

Ransomware has a various methods to built into your system. But it doesn’t really matter what way had place in your case.

Ransomware attack following a successful phishing attempt.

How To Remove Ransomware?

How To Decrypt .poaz Files?

The newest extensions released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Wspn, Wsaz, Wsuu etc.

As a result of the modifications made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer assisted. 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 automatically choose the available directories in order to decode the currently available drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. Extra (optional) locations can be selected with the help of the “Add” button.

   Decryptors usually offer several options depending on the specific malware family. The existing possible options are displayed in the Options tab and can be enabled or disabled there. You may find a comprehensive 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.

The Emsisoft Decryptor might display different messages after a failed attempt to restore your files:

✓ Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]

✓ No key for New Variant online ID: [your ID]

Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption 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.

✓ Remote name could not be resolved

How to Restore .poaz Files?

In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…

The Poaz ransomware encryption mechanism sequence is next: it encodes every file byte-by-byte, then saves a file copy, deleting (not overriding!) the original file. Hence, the data of the file placement on the disk drive is lost, but the original file is not erased from the disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was kept, can still hold this file, but it is not present in the file system and can be rewritten by data that has been loaded to this drive after the deletion. Hence, it is possible to recover your files using special software.

Recovering your files with PhotoRec

PhotoRec is an open-source program, which is initially created for file retrieval from damaged disks, or for files recovery in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, with time flow, this program got the ability to restore the files of 400 different file types. Hence, it can be used for data recovery after the Poaz attack.

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

To run PhotoRec, 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 help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Poaz ransomware.

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

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

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

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

Recovery of Encrypted Files

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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