This article contains full guidelines of ransomware operation, distribution, and ways to recover encrypted files.
Ransom note contents: test decryption tool and ransom discounts applied
Since the act of encryption is already carried out, the OGDO virus’ algorithm leaves ransom notes in every folder which contains inaccessible data. _readme.txt file usually explains what happened to your personal files and demands for a ransom. You can also find the email addresses by which you could contact the hackers and send the ransom – helpmanager@mail.ch and alternative one restoremanager@airmail.cc. Cybercriminals might try to lure you into thinking that regaining access to your files is reachable by hand, they might even decode a small portion of information as a proof in order to urge you to pay the ransom. At this point, it is important to realize that no matter what you should not try to attempt the former, since most of the hackers are completely unreliable. Sending them money might lead to a pointless loss of money, nothing else. To secure yourself from OGDO virus, you need to start browsing the internet more attentively. This means surfing only verified websites, recognizing, and ignoring suspicious emails and links inside of them. Also, you should not download illegal software, cracks, activation keys, etc. as well as stop visiting websites that provide these kinds of services altogether. Unfortunately, there is no achievable way to decrypt your files, so the best thing you could do is to completely remove OGDO virus from your system and restore at least a portion of the files from a backup (of course, if you have one).
Threat Summary
Hopes to decrypt files
STOP ransomware variants such as OGDO, BOOP, KASP or GENO all use one of two kinds of encryption when installed on the system. It can be online or offline encryption based on how successful the virus is when trying to connect to computer’s network. In such situation, a poorly working Internet network stages a better situation for the victim, because if the virus fails to connect to the Internet, it uses offline encryption and hardcoded encryption key to lock all files. In this case, it means that all victims of offline encryption can recover their files using a same key. However, it requires someone to pay the ransom and share it with others. You can check if you were affected by offline encryption by opening C:/SystemID/PersonalID.txt file and checking the end of the uploaded string. If it ends with “t1”, it indicates offline key usage. In case of online encryption, the virus connects to the Internet network successfully, pings its C&C server and obtains a unique encryption key for the victim. In such scenario, data can be recovered only with data backups, or by paying the ransom (which we do not recommend doing at all).
Distribution methods
Being a crypto-virus, OGDO ransomware tends to spread through various downloadable software tools. Cracks for expensive programs, illegal access keys, Torrent downloads – all these things might lead to a breach in your system’s security. Moreover, this type of ransomware uses certain tricks to disguise its actions. For example, it might conceal itself as a Windows or some type of other software update, in which case, inattentive user might not be able to recognize what is happening on his PC. Also, there were reported cases of this malware’s proliferation through suspicious emails and various pop-ups in websites. For this reason, we can say, that there is no shortage of ways to be jeopardized by this ransomware. Furthermore, OGDO ransomware use particularly high-end encryption methods, which in certain contexts might even be called as “military grade encryption”. Unfortunately, this fact brings far from good news to the user – retrieval of files without the OGDO decryption key is merely impossible – that would take an enormous amount of time and resources. Moreover, the key itself is created individually for every victim by the cipher algorithm, so trying to obtain one from a different source is simply not an option.
OGDO ransomware removal
To remove OGDO ransomware, we highly recommend you use trustworthy and sufficient malware removal software. Even though there are lots of different options in the market, we suggest using one that would be capable of dealing with such a formidable threat. Various cybersecurity professionals, as well as ours, recommend downloading RESTORO for such tasks. Since most of the ransomware might try to block the access to security pages or antivirus tools, you will need to boot your computer into Safe Mode before you proceed with OGDO virus removal. After the removal, you will be safe to restore your personal files from a backup or try alternative methods. A simple and fast guide to remove OGDO ransomware virus is written down below. 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 OGDO 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 OGDO 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 OGDO files
Fix and open large OGDO 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. OGDO 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 OGDO files, follow the given tutorial.
Meanings of decryptor’s messages
The OGDO 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 OGDO 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.
Report Internet crime to legal departments
Victims of OGDO 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.