Igdm Ransomware - How to remove

Igdm is ransomware that gets installed with info-stealing viruses and then encrypts user files. It then asks for money to be sent to cyber criminals so that the files can be fixed.

It can be devastating if you don’t have backups, however, there are a couple of ways that some files can possibly be recovered. However, before that, Igdm and other malware need to be deleted so that they can no longer cause any issues.

By the way, Igdm ransomware has nothing to do with the legitimate Instagram messaging app. This is just a random letter combination that cybercriminals came up with.

About Igdm ransomware:

Threat type	Ransomware.
How Igdm infects computers	It comes in pirated software, it gets installed with other trojans, it changes settings, deletes backups, and encrypts user files.
Can the files be fixed?	The criminals behind Igdm ask for hundreds of dollars for fixing the files, backups, data recovery tools, repair, and other options can be used in some cases.
How to remove Igdm	Unblock websites and update your security software, use antivirus programs to remove all malware (Spyhunter, Malwarebytes, others).

What is Igdm?

Djvu-type ransomware

Igdm is file-locking ransomware. It causes files to be renamed to include the second file extension “.igdm” and to fail to open. If you do, open an Igdm file, such as a text file in your notepad, it’s just filled with random symbols.

Igdm ransomware spreads with pirated software and it gets installed together with info stealers (Azorult can steal passwords, usernames, files, etc.).

We can tell much about Igdm because it’s part of a known ransomware family – Djvu, the same one that includes Lisp, Sglh, and many others.

It deletes backups

Once downloaded, Igdm does a few things to make itself harder to deal with:

• it deletes shadow volume copies and restore points,
• it deletes antivirus updates,
• it blocks some cybersecurity sites from being accessed from the infected PC.

It encrypts files

Once that’s done, Igdm starts encrypting the files on the computer. It skips System files and some software files so as to keep your PC functional, but it goes after user files like videos, images, audio files, as well as documents, spreadsheets, and other files.

If you have cloud backup, then some of the Igdm-encrypted files might have even been uploaded there.

Encryption is used to hide information in exposed content. Password-protected files can only be read by those who have the decryption key. If well-implemented, encryption provides impenetrable security.

The problem with that is when good encryption is used by malicious programs like Igdm. Once this ransomware locks your files, it places ransom notes in many of your folders. These notes are called “_readme.txt” and they ask victims to contact the people behind Igdm and to pay hundreds of dollars to get the decryption software and the individual decryption key (each victim of Igdm requires a unique decryption key).

Can you fix your files?

So, if Igdm’s encryption is impenetrable, are your files lost? Hard to say.

You could restore them from a backup if you have one. Just remember to delete all malware first.

If you don’t have backups, there are still a couple of things you can do:

• Use a data recovery program. These programs can bring back some deleted files, which can help you recover your backups and other data.
• Check if free decryption is an option for you. I know I said each victim of Igdm gets unique encryption/decryption keys, but there are exceptions (Emsisoft.com).
• Repair the files yourself (example – Disktuna.com). This is only possible with large files, such as media files, because Igdm only encrypts parts of them (it’s way faster than encrypting the whole file, and still breaks it).

Most importantly, don’t fall for scammers who promise to fix your files or don’t give people money that you’re not ready to lose. Scammer vultures are eager to take advantage of the victims of Djvu ransomware, so stay vigilant.

How to remove Igdm

Use antivirus software (Spyhunter, Malwarebytes, others) to remove Igdm and other malware. Though, before you do, you may need to fix your hosts file to unblock the websites that Igdm blocked.

Then, once your computer is malware-free, reset your passwords and protect your accounts with 2-factor authentication. Don’t allow cyber criminals to use stolen passwords and steal your accounts.

To avoid being harmed by ransomware in the future, it is very important to make regular backups (Howtogeek.com). If you have copies of your files, ransomware attacks will not threaten to destroy projects or take away important photos – they’ll just be an annoyance.

Important -- edit the hosts file to unblock security websites

TL DR : The hosts file is edited to block security sites Before the virus can be removed, it's necessary to fix the hosts file (the file which controls which addresses connect to which IPs). That is the reason the majority of security websites is inaccessible when infected with this particular parasite. This infection edits this file to stop certain websites, including anti-malware download sites, from being accessed from the infected computer, making browsers return the "This site can't be reached" error. Luckily, it's trivial to fix the file and remove the edits that were made to it.

Find and edit the hosts file

The hosts file can be found on C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/etc/hosts. If you don't see it, change the settings to see hidden files.

1. In the Start Menu, search for Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, find Appearance and Personalization.
3. Select Folder Options.
4. Open the View tab.
5. Open Advanced settings.
6. Select "Show hidden files...".
7. Select OK.

Open this file with administrator privileges.

1. Open the Start Menu and enter "notepad".
2. When Notepad shows up in the result, right-click on it.
3. In the menu, choose "Run as administrator"
4. File->Open and browse for the hosts file.

The hosts file should look like this: Delete additional lines that they connect various domain names to the wrong IP address. Save the file.

Download and run the antivirus program

After that, download antivirus programs and use them to remove the ransomware, the trojan, and other malware. Spyhunter (https://www.2-viruses.com/reviews/spyhunter/dwnld/).

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Igdm Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Igdm Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Igdm Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Igdm Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Igdm Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Igdm Ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Igdm Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.