Kozy.Jozy Ransomware - How to remove

Kozy.Jozy is kind of a funny name for a virus, don’t you think? However, there is nothing entertaining about the fact that this Trojan ransomware injects computers to proceed with its out-of-line ideas of encrypting personal data and asking a ransom for the decryption key. Kozy.Jozy ransomware seems to be targeting Russian-speaking countries.

About Kozy.Jozy Ransomware

Kozy.jozy is classified among other crypto-ransomware threats. Its basic hideouts are: %AppData%, %Temp%, %Roaming%, %Common%, %{User’s Profile}% or %System32% folders. Executable files of Kozy.Jozy might appear ordinary and cause no instant suspicion: Notepad.exe, Svchost.exe, setup.exe, patch.exe, update.exe, software-update.exe. However, this is the ransomware’s payload that adds keys to the registry in order to run.

Kozy.Jozy ransomware uses the RSA-2048 encryption algorithm to encrypt files in users’ computers. Varieties of data can be made unavailable and impossible to utilize. Users might not be able to execute these type of files: .cd, .ldf, .mdf, .max, .dbf, .epf, .1cd, .md, .pdf, .ppt, .xls, .doc, .arj, .tar, .7z, .rar, .zip, .tif, .jpg, .bmp, .png, .cdr, .psd, .jpeg, .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .accdb, .mdb, .rtf, .odt, .ods, .odb, .odg. So, if people had some highly-important data, ending with these short clusters of letters, they might be very concerned with the possible techniques to decrypt it. To make the journey for solution even more challenging, Kozy.Jozy ransomware does not leave behind any Volume Shadow Copies.

However, Kozy.Jozy virus is determined to let victims’ sob from the despair of actually being able to see which files are encrypted. Extensions like: .31392E30362E32303136_{numbers from 0 to 20}_LSBJ, .31392E30362E32303136_{numbers from 0 to 20}_ZHM1 or
.31342E30362E32303136_{numbers from 0 to 20}_KTR1 are added to make the severity of this virus crystal-clear.

After Kozy.Jozy, sounding like Jabberwocky, has encrypted all of the files necessary, its payload creates a w.jpg file on users’ desktop. We also provide you with the content of the frightening message and the translation to English:

“ВАШИ ФАЙЛЪI ЗАШИФРОВАНЪI!
С использованием очень стойкого алгоритма RSA-2048. Попьiтки восстановить файльi самостоятельно приведут лишь к их безвозвратной порче. Если же они вам нужнъi то отправьте один из пострадавших файлов на ящик
[email protected]
English Translation:
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED!
with the usage of the very strong algorithm RSA-2048. Anny attempt to restore the files by yourself will lead to their inevitable loss. If you want them then send one of the encrypted files on the e-mail
[email protected]”

Victims that sent letters to the provided contact will interact with the programmers of this ransomware. Not surprisingly, they will demand a ransom payment via bitcoin systems.

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by Kozy.Jozy Ransomware?

We cannot give any great news. Security researchers have not yet found a suitable way to crack the malicious codes of Kozy.Jozy virus. However, do not feel upset as new recovery tools are founded everyday by professionals that do this for a living. You can try to use universal recovery tools like PhotoRec or retrieve information from back-up storages.

We do not even want to go into detail why paying the ransom (usually ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 Bitcoin) is the worst possible idea. You might not even get your files back as the hackers might disappear after receiving money or their provided decryption key might be as inactive as your files.

How is Kozy.Jozy Ransomware Distributed?

E-mail accounts have become the sources of ransomware viruses. Hackers, posing as legitimate companies, send letters to users, suggesting to review new products or update software. Attachments from this type of letters are the culprits for infections. However, Kozy.Jozy might have found a way to user’s computers through social media domains. Never open messages and download attachments from unknown sources. Always be cautious as more and more ransomware viruses are created everyday.

However, there is a way to detect Kozy.Jozy ransomware before it gets the chance to cause chaos. For this, you have to possess a powerful anti-malware tool like Spyhunter, Hitman or Malwarebytes. Only then the detection of the hidden virus is possible. Of course, these scanners will assist you to automatically remove Kozy.Jozy virus from computers.

How to recover Kozy.Jozy 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 Kozy.Jozy Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Kozy.Jozy 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 Kozy.Jozy Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Kozy.Jozy 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 Kozy.Jozy 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 Kozy.Jozy 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.

Manual removal