The Ppvw virus, also known as a ransomware infection, belongs to the STOP family. This malware is famous for malicious file ciphering. When the Ppvw virus gets into a computer system, it scans the system for files such as photos, videos, documents, and more. It modifies the file structure and adds the “.ppvw” extension to each file, making them inaccessible and unusable without the decryptor.
Ppvw Virus Overview
Ppvw
🤔 Ppvw virus belongs to ransomware that originates from the DJVU/STOP ransomware family. Its main target is to cipher your files. After that this ransomware asks for a ransom payment – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Ppvw virus is a malware type that encrypts your files and makes you pay for their restoration. This malware encrypts different file types. Encrypted files are identifiable by a distinct “.ppvw” extension. As a result, the files touched by ransomware become inaccessible and unusable.
Then, the ransomware asks for a ransom 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“.
Ppvw Ransomware operates by Salsa20 encryption algorithms to scramble the contents of the targeted files. Since Ppvw virus uses such a strong ciphering method, it becomes really difficult, if even possible, to pick the decryption key without the assistance of the attackers.
Once the files are encrypted, the Ppvw 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 the ways of making the payment and often contains threats of permanent data loss or increased ransom amounts if the ransom is not paid within a specified timeframe.
I have created an all-encompassing list of potential solutions, tips, and practices to stop the Ppvw ransomware and recover your files. There are cases when it may be possible to restore your files, while sometimes, it may be impossible.
📌 Important Reminder!
It is important to say that paying off the bill does not guarantee the successful recovery of your files. The cybercriminals who stand behind the Ppvw virus are known for their untrustworthiness. There were the cases where people have paid the ransom, only to be denied by the cybercriminals with the decryption key provision.
Ppvw employs a unique key for every victim, with one exception:
The Ppvw virus is similar to other DJVU ransomware variants such as Ppvt, Ppvs, Zput, and Zpas. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.ppvw” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.ppvw” and “2.png” to “2.png.ppvw“.
After successful encryption, malware spawns a special text file named “_readme.txt” and places it in every folder containing the encrypted files. It also adds the readme file to the desktop, so the victim will not miss the attack even without opening folders.
The image below provides a visual representation of files with the “ppvw” extension:
Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware
| Name | Ppvw Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .ppvw |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
| Contact | [email protected], [email protected] |
| Detection | Win32/Agent_AGen.CQD, Trojan:Win32/CryptRan.SA!MTB, Trojan:Script/Phonzy.B!ml |
| 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 requesting users to pay the ransom to unlock the encrypted data contains these frustrating cautions.
Ppvw ransomware arrives as a set of procedures that are used to execute different tasks on a victim’s computer. One of the first processes being launched is winupdate.exe, a deceptive process that shows a fake Windows update notification during the attack. That is needed to convince the victim that a sudden computer slowdown is caused by a Windows update.
Meanwhile, the ransomware runs another process (named as 4 random chars) which initiates scanning the system for target files and ciphering them. Then the ransomware removes Volume Shadow Copies from the disk by the following CMD command:
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Once deleted, it becomes nearly 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 adding a list of domains to it and mapping 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.
It has come to our attention that ransomware attempts to block websites that developed various how-to guides for computer users. It is evident that by restricting specific domains, the perpetrators are attempting to hinder the victim from connecting to relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. This malware also stores two .txt files on the victim’s computer that present 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 modifications, 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:
- Gathering sensitive data by running malicious software on the victim’s computer.
- Acquiring unauthorized login credentials of Steam, Telegram, and Skype accounts.
- 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, if your data got encrypted with an online decryption key, the chances to get your files back without paying the ransom 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 close to impossible. It is stored on a remote server controlled by the crooks who promote the Ppvw infection. For receiving decrypting code the payment should be $980. To see 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 .ppvw Files?
How to restore big files?
Try deleting .ppvw extension on a few big files and opening them. This malware has issues with large files encryption. Either the virus read and did not encrypt the file, or it failed and did not add the filemarker. If you have files that are very large (2GB+), such a situation is highly probable. Please, text me in the comments whether this helped you or not.
The newest extensions released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Ppvt, Ppvs, Zput etc.
As a consequence of the modifications 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 accessible directories in order to decrypt the currently accessible drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. You can choose extra locations with the “Add” button.
Decryptors usually propose several options depending on the specific malware family. The existing possible options are shown in the Options tab and can be turned on or turned off 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. There is no one to share the decryption key with you. File recovery without paying the ransom 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.
An offline key was used, though the file recovery operation failed (the offline decryption key isn’t available yet). But, receiving this message is 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. Try resetting your HOSTS file to default.
How to Restore .ppvw Files?
In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Ppvw ransomware encryption mechanism is next: it encodes every file byte-by-byte, then saves a duplicate, removing (not overriding!) the initial file. Thus, the information of the file location on the disk drive is lost, but the original file is not deleted from the physical disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was kept, can still contain 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 removal. Hence, it is possible to recover 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 originally 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 recover the files of 400 different file types. Hence, it can be used for file recovery after the Ppvw attack.
First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer notifies that there is no assurance that the files will be restored. PhotoRec is distributed in a pack with other program of the same developer – TestDisk. The program archive will bear 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 setup is required – this program has all the files it need inside of the archive, hence, you can fit it on your USB drive, and try to help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Ppvw ransomware.
After the start, you will witness the screen showing you the full list of your disk spaces. However, this data is probably unhelpful, 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 choose the destination folder for the recovered files. This menu is located at the lower part of the PhotoRec window. The best decision 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 restore the files of about 400 different formats.
Finally, you can begin files restoration by pressing the “Search” button. You will observe the screen where the outcomes of the scan and recovery are shown.
Ppvw files recovery Video Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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