DMAY ransomware virus is programmed to scan every computer folder and encrypt each file found in it with robust combination of Salsa20 + RSA-2048 encryption algorithms. As a consequence, these files become impossible to open. You can recognize them as they have new extensions added and their icons appear blank.

Contents of the ransom note

The _readme.txt ransom note contains a message from ransomware operators. It briefly explains that all files were encrypted and that the only option to recover them is to pay a ransom for the cybercriminals. The amount needed to pay depends whether the victim manages to settle an agreement with them within 72 hours or not. If the victim contacts the attackers within this given time period, they offer a 50% on the ransom price and settle for $490. Otherwise, the decryption solution will cost $980. The note also contains two email addresses which the computer user can use to contact the DMAY ransomware operators – manager@time2mail.ch and supportsys@airmail.cc. In addition, the note advises sending victim’s personal ID that’s provided in the _readme.txt file and attach one encrypted file to the email for test decryption. The attackers promise to respond quickly and attach a decrypted file version. This way, they seek to encourage the victim to pay up in order to recover all of locked files.

Specifics of STOP/DJVU ransomware variants

STOP/DJVU ransomware variants including DMAY virus have some traits that distinguishes it from other ransomware families. First of all, besides of data encryption, this threat often travels along VIDAR or AZORULT Trojans, both capable of stealing sensitive data from victim’s computer, including passwords saved in web browsers, login credentials for various software accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, browsing history and more. Cybercriminals may use collected data for further blackmail. In addition, this ransomware family has a set of rules that prevent it from encrypting files in computers located in specific countries: Russian Federation, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan, Syria, Ukraine, Kazachstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The virus downloads a file called geo.json by connecting to https[:]//api.2ip.ua/geo.json URL. This file contains information such as IP address, country, city, zip code, longitude and latitude. If the virus detects that the computer is situated in one of the listed countries, it terminates its processes. This ransomware also takes a screenshot of victim’s desktop and gathers computer’s hardware information, installed software list as well as active processes into information.txt file and sends them to the Command&Control server. When it comes to data encryption, STOP/DJVU ransomware uses online or offline encryption key. The latter increases chances to recover files. Therefore, files affected by old versions of STOP/DJVU can be decrypted using Emsisoft’s tools. If files are affected by online key encryption, there are almost no chances to restore them without a data backup. Files locked by newer versions of this ransomware strain who used offline key are impossible to decrypt at the moment, but stay tuned for updates because sometimes these keys emerge and get uploaded to Emsisoft’s decryptor.

Advice regarding ransomware attacks

Ransomware-type viruses often corrupt essential data on the computer, causing the victim to lose important files related to work or study projects as well as personal memories such as videos, pictures or audio files. This can cause a lot of stress for the computer user and makes data recovery the primary goal for the computer user. In such situations, data backups can help to recover lost files. Unfortunately, if the computer user didn’t create any prior to the ransomware attack, one might start considering the option of paying the ransom. At this point, we’d like to remind you that it is not a good idea. According to FBI, ransom payments are not recommended. Not only it doesn’t guarantee data recovery and helps the cybercriminals to fund further attacks, but it also puts the computer user into potential targets list since these crooks have a tendency to try extorting victims who are willing to pay up again. Victims of this malware variant should immediately boot their computers in Safe mode with Networking as explained in the tutorial below. From there, computer users can remove DMAY ransomware virus remains without any interruptions. Make sure a genuine antivirus is used. In addition, using tools like RESTORO (secure download link) can help in repairing Windows OS files damaged by malware.

Ransomware Summary

REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE Screenshot of the _readme.txt ransom note. Screenshot of infected data folder containing encrypted files and the ransom note.

How to avoid ransomware attacks?

Computer threats belonging to the infamous STOP/DJVU ransomware family, including DMAY virus, are usually spotted hidden in pirated software copies advertised online. Victims usually stumble across them when searching for ways to illegally activate full versions of paid software. These usually await in a form of torrent or a password-protected archive that contains a setup. Unfortunately, instead of installing the software the user wants, the installer starts displaying various error messages, while in the background, the malicious processes begin preparation for data encryption. Most common software names cybercriminals use as a clickbait are Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, also AutoCad, various computer games and antivirus software, KMSPico, Virtual DJ Pro and others. Therefore, users trying to install them illegally end up infecting their computers with malware. For this reason, we cannot stress out how important it is to download software from official websites only and pay for a legitimate license key instead of searching for workarounds in dubious sites online. Malicious email spam is also commonly used to spread ransomware and similar computer malware. Such scam emails typically contain attachments that are presented as regular documents, usually named as invoices or order details. Cybercriminals also have a tendency to spoof the sender’s email address to make it look legitimate. Be very careful when inspecting emails and check your downloads with antivirus software first to ensure it doesn’t contain malicious code. Ransomware victims should be careful when searching for ways to decrypt files locked by ransomware. There are many scam websites offering “decryption tools” that hide another malware variants in them. Moreover, refrain yourself from contacting scammers who claim they can decrypt your files. They typically ask for money for such service and then disappear. The only possible ways to recover files locked by STOP/DJVU are explained in this guide.

Remove DMAY Ransomware Virus and Recover Your Files

We do not recommend attempting to remove severe malware threats manually. The best way to remove DMAY ransomware virus and related viruses is to boot your computer in Safe mode with Networking and run an up-to-date antivirus solution. You can find a detailed guide on how to do it in the tutorial provided below. Our team also recommends RESTORO (official download link) to repair virus damage on Windows OS files. After completing DMAY ransomware removal, we recommend that you report the cybercrime incident to local authorities, change all of your passwords used on the compromised PC, and read about ways to recover your files locked by STOP/DJVU versions. OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system: GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs. Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer. Read full review here. RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically. RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them. Read full review here.

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove DMAY Ransomware Virus virus, you must start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Below, we provide the easiest ways to boot PC in the said mode, but you can find additional ones in this in-depth tutorial on our website – How to Start Windows in Safe Mode. Also, if you prefer a video version of the tutorial, check our guide How to Start Windows in Safe Mode on Youtube. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users Now, you can search for and remove DMAY Ransomware Virus files. It is very hard to identify files and registry keys that belong to the ransomware virus, Besides, malware creators tend to rename and change them repeatedly. Therefore, the easiest way to uninstall such type of a computer virus is to use a reliable security program such as INTEGO Antivirus. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users After restoring the system, we recommend scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware software. In most cases, there won’t be any malware remains, but it never hurts to double-check. In addition, we highly recommend checking ransomware prevention guidelines provided by our experts in order to protect your PC against similar viruses in the future.

Alternative software recommendations

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Decrypt DMAY files

Fix and open large DMAY files easily:

It is reported that STOP/DJVU ransomware versions encrypt only the beginning 150 KB of each file to ensure that the virus manages to affect all files on the system. In some cases, the malicious program might skip some files at all. That said, we recommend testing this method on several big (>1GB) files first.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. DMAY Ransomware Virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like BPTO, ISWR, ISZA, BPSM, ZOUU, MBTF, ZNSM (find full list here). This means full data decryption is now possible only if you have been affected by offline encryption key. To decrypt your files, you will have to download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP DJVU, a tool created and maintained by a genius security researcher Michael Gillespie. Note! Please do not spam the security researcher with questions whether he can recover your files encrypted with online key - it is not possible. In order to test the tool and see if it can decrypt DMAY files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The DMAY decryption tool might display several different messages after failed attempt to restore your files. You might receive one of the following messages: Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [example ID] This message typically means that there is no corresponding decryption key in the decryptor’s database. No key for New Variant online ID: [example ID]Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible This message informs that your files were encrypted with online key, meaning no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair, therefore data recovery without paying the criminals is impossible. Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future. If you were informed that an offline key was used, but files could not be restored, it means that the offline decryption key isn’t available yet. However, receiving this message is extremely good news, meaning that it might be possible to restore your DMAY extension files in the future. It can take a few months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. We recommend you to follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here. We strongly recommend backing up your encrypted data and waiting.

Victims of DMAY Ransomware Virus should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:

In the United States, go to the On Guard Online website.In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website.In Germany, go to the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik website.In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website.In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs Scams website.In the United Kingdom, go to the Action Fraud website.In Canada, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.In India, go to Indian National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.In France, go to the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information.

If you can’t find an authority corresponding to your location on this list, we recommend using any search engine to look up “[your country name] report cyber crime”. This should lead you to the right authority website. We also recommend staying away from third-party crime report services that are often paid. It costs nothing to report Internet crime to official authorities. Another recommendation is to contact your country’s or region’s federal police or communications authority.