Grod ransomware

Grod ransomware is the cyber infection that is focused on interfering with system settings and making valuable files inaccessible

Grod ransomware is the malware strain coming from the family known for a few years that releases at least one new variant a week for more than half a year now. This version is the 183rd in the Djvu ransomware family that recently become almost undecryptable due to alterations in the coding. Previously STOPDecrypter was the tool that helped Michael Gillespie and other researchers to provide help for victims and decrypt their files using offline IDs that worked for all victims of the same version. Unfortunately, developers started using online IDs more and updated their RSA encryption algorithm to ensure that the virus is more persistent. It means that each victim gets a unique ID that needs to be obtained individually to decrypt files affected by the ransomware.^[1]

There are some rare occasions when Grod ransomware virus victims can get their files back, but that either involves offline keys or file pair functionality and decryption tools. File pair can only work for data of the same type, so when you decrypt one .doc file, you can restore all of the same type documents, but not photos, videos, or databases. But even this method has exceptions. The best way to tackle the issue with encrypted files is replacing affected data with files from backups. This is safest to do after virus termination because otherwise, you can risk getting your files encrypted again. 

Grod ransomware is the threat that sends the payload on the system and activates the encryption process once the machine is infected. This is the primary method to interfere with the device, but additional records, files, and functions get affected during the same attack. Files in the following folders get altered, damaged and disabled, so the system is not easily cleaned int he future:

• %AppData%
• %Local%
• %LocalLow%
• %Roaming%
• %Temp%

However, you cannot notice these changes unless you encounter system slowness and generally poor performance. The visible symptoms of this Grod ransomware involve file marking using .grod appendix and the _readme.txt file that gets placed on various folders and reads the following:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-514KtsAKtH
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

It may seem convincing, and you, as a regular person, might fall for the trick and decide to pay the Grod ransomware developers. We don’t recommend doing so, because you can risk getting more severe malware installed or lose your money, or even data permanently. Hackers are not the ones that you could trust with your money or files, especially when they use blackmailing functionalities.^[2] 
Grod ransomware is the threat that shows a ransom-demanding message in a text file placed on the desktop and in various folders. Experts^[3] always talk about the importance of proper anti-malware tools when it comes to cyber threats like ransomware because any traces of the virus can affect recovered files or damage the machine. You need to remove Grod ransomware completely, and that is achieved with professional tools created to terminate such malware.

Grod ransomware came to the wild after other identical versions like Lokf ransomware, Mosk ransomware, and Peet ransomware that also can’t get decrypted with tools already released online. Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu ransomware was released during the same time as all the changes to coding got made, but this is not the program that could work, in this case, or for any other versions released after August 2019.  

This virus family, in general, is one of the most dangerous, so you shouldn’t wait for long once you receive the demanding message. Grod ransomware encrypts files and performs other processes in stages, so the more time it gets, the more permanent damage is left behind until the virus deletes itself.

The whole process of recovering encrypted files should start with Grod ransomware removal and system cleaning. You should ignore the offer to test decrypt your files and forget about paying the ransom because it can lead to more significant issues. Get rid of the virus using an anti-malware tool and then run a system scan again to make sure that it is virus-free. Once that is done, you can rely on your data backups and replace encrypted files using their copies. 

It is believed that if institutions like the FBI not going to catch developers of the Grod ransomware virus, files encrypted by the threat remains damaged forever. The only solution for data encrypted using the powerful RSA encryption and online keys is the database containing all those IDs. When that gets public, all victims get their files recovered, otherwise, there is nothing researchers can offer. You can store those files on a different device and wait for any updates, but make sure to clean the system fully before getting back to your normal activities online. 
Grod cryptovirus is the ransomware-type malware that makes files useless to have a reason for blackmail.

Stay away from shady sites and services to avoid cryptovirus infection

Probably the most common ransomware spreading technique is spam email attachments with infected documents filled with macros that need to get enabled by the user. However, there are many other methods now that help to deliver malicious payload around:

• torrent sites;
• hacker websites;
• pirated software;
• shady forums;
• fake update promotions.

The vector used by this virus family, in most cases, revolves around pirated application delivery because in those packages cybercriminals can inject executables with ransomware payload and once the video game, program or activation software gets installed cryptovirus loads on the system. You cannot see the shady addition, so the only way to avoid the infection is to stay away from services like that entirely.

Grod ransomware removal and system repair tips

You need to remove Grod ransomware to have a clean system before you recover files, replace the affected data using file backups, or even use the decryption options. Any traces of the core virus files can trigger a second round of encryption on those fresh photos, documents or archives.

When you are sure that Grod ransomware virus is no longer running on the system, you can repair the damage using a system tool or optimizing utility and restore files in system folders affected by the threat. Also, you can safely edit Windows registry keys with software like Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes.

After the proper Grod ransomware removal and system cleaning, you can go for those backups, third-party software, or any other method that can restore your files. Remember to choose programs from reliable sources and avoid free download sites entirely.

Remove Grod using Safe Mode with Networking

You can reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking before you run the AV tool to remove Grod ransomware

• Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list

  Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
  2. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
  3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking in Startup Settings window.

• Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage Reimage Cleaner or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete Grod removal.

If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.

Remove Grod using System Restore

System Restore feature can be helpful for you because it allows recovering the machine in a previous state when the virus was not present

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Grod from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by Grod, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro is the program helpful after Grod virus removal

You can restore files affected by Grod ransomware with a third-party program like Data Recovery Pro

• Download Data Recovery Pro;
• Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
• Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Grod ransomware;
• Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions feature is used to restore individual files

After enabling the System Restore feature, you can recover files using Windows Previous Versions

• Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
• Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
• Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

ShadowExplorer for encrypted files

When Grod ransomware leaves Shadow Volume Copies untouched, you can rely on ShadowExplorer and recover data

• Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
• Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
• Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
• Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Decryption is possible for some versions of Grod ransomware

Djvu virus family has many versions. Some of them get decrypted when offline keys get used, so keep an eye on updates from researchers that get posted here

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Grod and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes