JHDD ransomware virus aims to extort the computer user by locking all of personal files with robust encryption. Data decryption without a unique decryption key is impossible. Encrypted files can be recognized as their icons will be blank and the filenames will contain an additional extension.

Contents of the _readme.txt note

The virus creates and saves a copy of the ransom note titled as _readme.txt in every data folder. The note explains that all of victim’s files were encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key, and that the victim has a possibility to recover all files if one agrees to pay a ransom. To allow the computer user to contact them, they leave two email addresses in the ransom note – manager@time2mail.ch and supportsys@airmail.cc. The original price of the decryption tool is $980, however, the note suggests that the attackers will provide a 50% discount if the victim starts communicating with them within 72 hours (3 days) starting from the infection timestamp. In such scenario, they will provide the tools for $490. The only accepted payment is cryptocurrency, which helps the criminals to remain anonymous. They will provide cryptocurrency exchange platforms for the victim to use to purchase a settled amount and will instruct to transfer it to their virtual wallet address. The note also recommends sending one sample of encrypted data as an email attachment and also include the victim’s Personal ID that’s provided at the end of _readme.txt file.

STOP/DJVU ransomware in general

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions, including JHDD virus, are generally known to be highly complex and cause great damage to victim’s computers. For example, they additionally install information-stealing Trojans such as AZORULT or VIDAR on infected systems. Additional detail discovered by our team is that this ransomware has a whitelist of countries that are exempted from data encryption. To be specific, this virus doesn’t encrypt files in computers located in Russian Federation, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan, Syria, Ukraine, Kazachstan, Kyrgyzstan, or Uzbekistan. The way this ransomware encrypts files depends on several factors. The primary goal of it is to encrypt files on each computer using a unique encryption key per host, however, this can fail under two conditions: first, if the ransomware C&C server is down, or if there’s an unsteady Internet connection on victim’s computer. In such cases, the ransomware switches to autonomous encryption mode and uses a hardcoded encryption key instead of so-called online key. Victims affected by offline key encryption can hope to recover their files in the future. Those whose data was encrypted with online key encryption can only restore data using data backups. To read more about this, see ways to decrypt/restore files affected by STOP/DJVU. Finally, JHDD ransomware modifies Windows HOSTS file to add a list of Internet websites to block, and deletes Volume Shadow Copies to prevent the victim from recovering data easily.

Reasons why you shouldn’t pay the ransom

Victims of ransomware attacks are advised NOT TO PAY THE RANSOM. It rarely guarantees successful data recovery and simply motivates the cybercriminals to continue their attacks. Moreover, crooks often try to target victims who are willing to pay up to avoid damages again. FBI’s official recommendations on ransomware response suggest that ransoms shouldn’t be paid, either. Instead, they recommend reporting the incident to local authorities. All victims who have experienced this cyberattack should take action to remove JHDD ransomware virus without a delay. The best approach to this is to boot the computer in Safe Mode with Networking and then run an antivirus software to delete malicious files, components and processes from the system. In addition, computer users should rely on genuine antivirus products only. To repair virus damage on Windows OS files, tools like RESTORO (secure download link) can be used.

Ransomware Summary

REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE See how files encrypted by this ransomware appear in a folder. Contents of the _readme.txt ransom note are depicted in the screenshot down below.

Ransomware distribution explained

JHDD virus is distributed in the same manner as the rest of variants from the STOP/DJVU ransomware family. They typically await victims in pirated software copies distributed online – either in torrents or rogue websites providing password-protected archives with a setup file inside of them. In other words, cybercriminals prey for computer users who have a bad habit of searching for illegal software copies including cracks or keygens. For this reason, we encourage computer users to only use software provided by their legitimate developers and use genuine license keys to activate them. Victims who were previously attacked by STOP/DJVU versions report attempting to download fake Adobe Photoshop, AutoCad, Internet Download Manager or Virtual DJ Pro installers. Again, by trying to bypass license key fees, users not only initiate a copyright infringement act, but also expose their computers to severe malware. Operators of ransomware also tend to distribute them via scam emails containing attachments, usually those in DOCX, PDF or EXCEL formats. The goal is to trick unsuspecting users into opening the document which contains scripts used to download the payload from an external source and run the malware on computer. Finally, some threat actors tend to hide the ransomware into fake file decryption tools. This way, they target people who have been exposed to file-encrypting malware in the past. We recommend that you only trust verified tools, and when it comes to STOP/DJVU variants, the only tools that can help you are developed by Emsisoft and DiskTuna.

Remove JHDD ransomware virus and recover your files

Victims of the described computer threat are advised to remove JHDD ransomware virus remains using a genuine antivirus tool after booting the computer in Safe Mode with Networking (explained below). Afterward, we recommend downloading this tool – RESTORO (download link) to identify and repair virus-damaged Windows OS files. In addition, we strongly advise that you change all of passwords associated with the compromised host due to high possibility that password-stealing Trojans were installed during the ransomware attack. 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 JHDD 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 JHDD 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

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

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Decrypt JHDD files

Fix and open large JHDD 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. JHDD 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 JHDD files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The JHDD 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 JHDD 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 JHDD 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.