Geek's Advice

DDSG ransomware is recognized as the 306th variant of STOP/DJVU virus

DDGS ransomware is a recently discovered 306th STOP/DJVU virus variant. It is a file-encrypting computer virus that its developers use as a virtual extortion tool. Once launched on the target system, it scans all folders and encrypts victim’s personal files using RSA Salsa20 algorithms and marks them with new .ddsg extensions. To illustrate, file originally called 1.jpg will become 1.jpg.ddsg after the malicious modification. The ransomware also leaves _readme.txt notes in every folder and this note holds a short message from the virus’ developers. As stated in this ‘ransom note’, criminals behind this ransomware own file decryption key and software which can be purchased by the victim for a specific amount of money. In other words, ransomware operators take victim’s files hostage and demand paying a ransom to set them free. The note suggests that DDSG decryption tool costs $490 under specific conditions: the victim needs to write to criminals and pay within 3 days. Otherwise, the price rises to $980. The _readme.txt file contains two email addresses belonging to the criminals: manager@mailtemp.ch and helpmanager@airmail.cc.

DDSG ransomware is part of STOP/DJVU, one of the largest ransomware-type virus families actively distributed today. These specific threats are designed to take victim’s files hostage by encrypting them. Since many of us keep important files on our computers either work or personal, cybercriminals aim to lock them and extort the victim, threatening to keep files away until the victim pays the ransom. The attackers even suggest test decryption service to prove that they actually can recover victim’s files and also to encourage the victim to pay up. In order to use this service, the victim can send one small encrypted file to criminals as an attachment to an email message. However, the criminals warn not to send files containing valuable information as they would simply refuse to test decrypt these files for the victim.

The ransomware operators provide two email addresses – the main and a backup one so that in case one gets shut down, the victim could still contact the criminals using the other. The email addresses are manager@mailtemp.ch and helpmanager@airmail.cc. The criminals suggest that writing to them within 72 hours will guarantee a 50% discount on the file decryption software which will cost $490 in such a scenario. In case the victim fails to communicate with the criminals or pays within this given time period, the decryption price rises to $980. Of course, the attackers want to receive the money in an untraceable way, therefore they ask victims to purchase cryptocurrency for the specified amount of US Dollars and transfer them to their virtual wallet.

Geek’s Advice team recommends that you DO NOT PAY THE RANSOM. We must mention that FBI recommends the same. It is simply not worth paying the cybercriminals due to the following reasons:

• Cybercriminals can promise you anything they want, but they are not obliged to keep their promises because they cannot be traced down. In worst scenario, your transaction to criminals won’t do anything as they can simply disappear right after receiving your money. In other words, paying the ransom absolutely does not guarantee data recovery.
• In some countries and states, paying the ransom might be considered illegal.
• Ransomware-type virus operators collect insane amountas of money each year. The millions they collect attract other people to join the illegal business model as distributors or malware developers. Do not contribute to growth of this!
• Variants of STOP/DJVU ransomware, including DDSG virus drop AZORULT Trojan on compromised hosts or networks. It is a threat that can be controlled remotely to extract and steal login credentials, browser-saved passwords or even download malware on the victim’s computer.

Ransomware attack: what has been done to your computer, really?

DDSG ransomware uses deceptive techniques to keep the victim calm from the very beginning of the malware execution. The ransomware is even designed to keep any suspicion away by launching a fake Windows update prompt (winupdate.exe process). It is believed that the criminals run this process to force the victim believe that the sudden system slowdown was caused by ongoing operating system updates, while in reality it is the ransomware to be blamed. It silently scans computer folders and to finish file corruption sooner, it encrypts only the first 150KB of each file which is enough to make data inaccessible. However, there are some exceptions and specific file formats such as audio or video files might be restored with minimal data loss at the beginning of the file.

During the attack, the ransomware checks each system folder and encrypts files, only bypassing those that are required for the operating system to function. Additionally, the ransomware creates and saves ransom notes in every folder to ensure that the victim notices them and opens one.

The ransomware also executes several Command Line tasks to delete Volume Shadow Copies from the compromised computer. This ensures that the victim won’t be able to recover corrupted files using System Restore points. Next, the virus modifies Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of domains to it. This prevents the victim from accessing these domains either directly or via web search. Additionally, the victim will receive DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when trying to access one of these domains. It has been noticed that these blocked websites provide information about computers, how-to guides, tutorials and other types of articles that could assist the victim after a ransomware attack.

As mentioned previously, DDSG ransomware virus, just like other threats from STOP/DJVU family tend to drop AZORULT Trojan on the infected host or network. This Trojan belongs to Remote Access Trojans’ category, therefore criminals can use it remotely to execute various illegal tasks on victim’s computer. Some of its functionalities are:

• Download malware to victim’s computer and run it;
• Steal Steam, Telegram login credentials;
• View or delete files on victim’s computer;
• Steal cryptocurrency wallets;
• Steal browser cookies, saved passwords, browsing history and more.

To secure your computer instantly, we recommend you to consider getting a robust antivirus solution, such as INTEGO Antivirus. You can read its review here. The software has been approved with VirusBulletin VB100 detection rate, meaning it can excellently detect no less than 99.5% malware samples. You can also find virus removal instructions below the article. Once you remove DDSG ransomware virus, we strongly advise scanning with RESTORO to repair virus damage on the system.

Ransomware Summary

Common ransomware distribution methods

Ransomware-type viruses are distributed using typical malware proliferation techniques. Learning about them can help you to avoid getting infected in the future.

DDSG ransomware, just like previous STOP/DJVU variants is mostly distributed via illegal online downloads. To be precise, these threats can easily be found in software or game cracks, keygens, or KMSPICO variants. In other words, operators of this ransomware strain tend to craft up deceptive files and upload them on shady torrent sharing sites. They target people who are looking to get paid software versions for free. Such files can be can be downloaded via peer-to-peer file-sharing programs such as uTorrent, BitTorrent or others. While not malicious themselves, these programs do not check whether files transmitted over the P2P network are safe or malicious.

What strengthens the success of this malware distribution technique is that many users tend to whitelist such downloads and proceed to open them even if their security programs warn about potentially malicious file contents. The thing is, users falsely believe that security programs mark every archive containing word ‘crack’ as malicious while it is not. Sadly, even if everything seems normal after installing such illegally downloaded software version, you might already be infected with so-called silent malware such as cryptocurrency miner, RAT or rootkit.

We strongly recommend picking legitimate and trustworthy sources to download computer software. You should only get these either from official Windows store or program’s developer’s or official distributor’s websites only.

Email spam campaigns is also a popular and very successful attack vector. To access lengthy lists of potential victims’ emails, the criminals use leaked user databases which contain full names, email addresses and even companies they work at. Access to such information allows criminals to create very targeted and convincing email messages with attached malicious files. The criminals also like to pretend to be people from well-known companies such as Amazon, eBay or lately, parcel delivery companies such as DHL, DPD, UPS. They urge the victim to open email attachments that supposedly are important documents for the victim (invoice, missing/pending payment information, parcel tracking details or similar).

The criminals get very creative with their message topics, besides, users should take note that malware can be injected in many file formats nowadays. Believing that image, document or spreadsheed cannot contain malware is wrong. In fact, PDF and WORD files are one of the most popular formats used to transmit malicious payloads nowadays. Moreover, identifying the scam can be exceptionally hard due to email spoofing techniques that criminals use. This technique helps to display fake sender’s email address and pretend to be someone else. You can learn more about email address spoofing here.

Finally, we must mention that operators of other ransomware strains, such as ZORAB, have been noticed using fake STOP/DJVU decryption tools to lure victims into download second ransomware payload on their computers. In other words, users who go too far looking for non-existent decryption tools can get their computers infected with even more malware.

Remove DDSG ransomware virus and decrypt or repair your files

Use the free guide provided below to remove DDSG ransomware virus with ease. Our experts advise removing such complicated threats automatically using robust antivirus software such as INTEGO Antivirus. Additionally, we advise scanning your computer with RESTORO to repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

Once DDSG virus removal is done, we suggest that you to take the following steps:

• Inform your local authority responsible for handling cybercrime incidents about the ransomware attack. We have provided some references below this guide.
• Consider using data backups if you have created them prior to the ransomware attack. Just make sure you remove malware from your computer before plugging your storage device to it.
• Use these instructions to decrypt or repair files affected by STOP/DJVU versions.
• We suggest changing all of your passwords (especially for accounts saved in browser) due to the Azorult Trojan’s activity.

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:

STEP 1. REMOVE AUTOMATICALLY WITH ROBUST ANTIVIRUS

REMOVE & PROTECT WITH INTEGO

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.

STEP 2. REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER

DOWNLOAD RESTORO

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.

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Norbert Webb

Norbert Webb is the head of Geek’s Advice team. He is the chief editor of the website who controls the quality of content published. The man also loves reading cybersecurity news, testing new software and sharing his insights on them. Norbert says that following his passion for information technology was one of the best decisions he has ever made. “I don’t feel like working while I’m doing something I love.” However, the geek has other interests, such as snowboarding and traveling.