The Ynzwj virus belongs with the ransomware type of infection. Malware of such sort encrypts all user’s data on the computer (photos, text files, excel tables, audio files, videos, etc) and adds its specific extension to every file, creating the D3ff_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt files in each directory with the encrypted files.
Ynzwj virus: what is known so far?
☝️ A strictly accurate denomination for the Ynzwj would be “a ransomware malicious agent”.
The renaming will be done by the following pattern: [random_string].ynzwj. In the course of encryption, a file named, for example, “report.docx” will be changed to “report.docx.sb168dn03v61vn1bBVYURI2190r3.ynzwj”.
In each folder that contains the encrypted files, a D3ff_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt text file will be created. It is a ransom money note. Therein you can find information about 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 ransomware developers. That is it.
Ynzwj abstract:
| Name | Ynzwj Virus |
| Extension | .[random_string].ynzwj |
| Ransomware note | D3ff_HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt |
| Detection | MSIL/TrojanDownloader.Agent.JTN, Trojan:MSIL/AgentTesla.LSL!MTB, Win32/Injector.CXIK |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .[random_string].ynzwj extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Ynzwj virus |
In the screenshot below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Ynzwj looks like. Each filename has the “.[random_string].ynzwj” extension added to it.
![Ynzwj Virus - encrypted .[random_string].ynzwj files](https://howtofix.guide/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ynzwj-files-virus.jpg)
An example of encrypted .[random_string].ynzwj files.
How did my computer get infected with Ynzwj ransomware?
There are many possible ways of ransomware injection.
Nowadays, there are three most popular ways for criminals to have ransomware planted in your system. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer networks.
If you access your inbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services companies, delivery agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose addresser is unknown to you, beware of opening those emails. They are most likely to have a viral file enclosed in them. Therefore, it is even more dangerous to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan virus scheme1. A Trojan is an object that infiltrates into your computer pretending to be something legal. Imagine, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some software. But what is unboxed reveals itself a harmful agent that encodes your data. As the update file can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the resource of the things you’re downloading. The optimal way is to trust the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer-to-peer networks like BitTorrent or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never know what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy websites. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded objects with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is finished.
How to remove the Ynzwj virus?
It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your data, the Ynzwj virus will most likely install the Azorult Spyware on your PC to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That program can derive your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Sometimes tamperers would decrypt several of your files so you know that they indeed have the decryption tool. Since Ynzwj virus is a relatively new ransomware, safety measures engineers have not yet found a method to undo its work. However, the anti-ransomware instruments are constantly upgraded, so the solution may soon be available.
Of course, if the malefactors do the job of encrypting someone’s essential files, the desperate person will most likely comply with their demands. However, paying to criminals gives no guarantee that you’re getting your files back. It is still dangerous. After receiving the money, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the victim. There were reports about ransomware developers simply disappearing after getting the ransom without even writing back.
The best countermeasure to ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud drive or at least on an external drive. Of course, that might be not enough. The most important thing could be that file you were working on when it all happened. But at least it is something. It is also advisable to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the system is rolled back.
Ynzwj 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 Vfgj, Zaqi, Loov, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Ynzwj are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: files become blocked, their extensions altered, ransom notes appear in each directory containing encoded files.
Some fortunate users were able to decode the blocked files with the aid of the free tools provided by anti-malware specialists. Sometimes the racketeers mistakenly send the decoding code to the wronged in the ransom readme. Such an extraordinary fail allows the victim to restore the files. But obviously, one should never expect such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a criminals’ technology to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How to avert ransomware injection?
Ynzwj ransomware has no endless power, neither does any similar malware.
You can defend yourself from ransomware infiltration in three easy steps:
- Never open any emails from unknown mailboxes with strange addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are expecting (how can you win in a lottery without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the suspicious letter carefully. A fake email will always contain mistakes.
- Avoid using cracked or untrusted programs. Trojan viruses are often distributed as an element of cracked products, possibly as a “patch” which prevents the license check. Understandably, dubious programs are difficult to distinguish from reliable software, because trojans sometimes have the functionality you seek. You can 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 objects you downloaded, use GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a powerful shield for your personal computer.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft2
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft3.
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 system for Ynzwj 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
🤔 Is it possible to open “.[random_string].ynzwj” files?
Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode the “.[random_string].ynzwj” 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. All other solutions require time.
🤔 If GridinSoft deletes the Ynzwj malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?
Absolutely not! Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with real threats. The malware that has attacked your PC is must be still active and launching checks every so often to encrypt any new files you might create on your computer after the attack. As it has already been said, the Ynzwj ransomware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide malefactors with easy access to your system after some time.
🤔 What actions should I take if the Ynzwj 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 cleaning. You see, the ransomware starts automatically as the system launches and encodes any new files created or imported into your system. To block this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run upon system start. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Many of the encoded files might still be at your disposal
- If you exchanged your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You might have shared photographs or videos with your friends or relatives. Simply ask them to send those pictures back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Internet, you can try doing it again.
- Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud disks might have all those files as well.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old computer, a laptop, cellphone, external storage, etc.
HINT: You can use file recovery programs4 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, removing the authentic ones. In the tutorial below, you can see how to use PhotoRec for such a recovery, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you eradicate the virus with an anti-malware program.
Also, you can contact the following official 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 YNZWJ Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: YNZWJ Virus
Description: YNZWJ Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .[random_string].ynzwj 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.
- 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.
