Remove DMAY Ransomware Virus (DECRYPT .dmay FILES)

remove DMAY ransomware virus and learn how to decrypt or repair files with .dmay extension (free guide)

DMAY ransomware description

Contents

DMAY ransomware description
How to avoid ransomware attacks?
Remove DMAY Ransomware Virus and Recover Your Files
Decrypt DMAY files
Frequently Asked Questions

DMAY is a malicious computer program classified as a ransomware virus. It is recognized as the 458th variant of the infamous STOP/DJVU ransomware which encrypts all files on victim’s computer and appends .dmay extension to their original filenames. The virus renames files in such pattern: 1.jpg becomes 1.jpg.dmay, 2.txt becomes 2.txt.dmay and so on. This ransomware also drops ransom notes dubbed _readme.txt in every affected data folder. Contents of this note suggest paying a ransom in order to receive DMAY file decryption tool from cybercriminals.

DMAY ransomware virus is programmed to scan every computer folder and encrypt each file found in it with robust combination of Salsa20 + RSA-2048 encryption algorithms. As a consequence, these files become impossible to open. You can recognize them as they have new extensions added and their icons appear blank.

Contents of the ransom note

The _readme.txt ransom note contains a message from ransomware operators. It briefly explains that all files were encrypted and that the only option to recover them is to pay a ransom for the cybercriminals. The amount needed to pay depends whether the victim manages to settle an agreement with them within 72 hours or not. If the victim contacts the attackers within this given time period, they offer a 50% on the ransom price and settle for $490. Otherwise, the decryption solution will cost $980.

The note also contains two email addresses which the computer user can use to contact the DMAY ransomware operators – manager@time2mail.ch and supportsys@airmail.cc. In addition, the note advises sending victim’s personal ID that’s provided in the _readme.txt file and attach one encrypted file to the email for test decryption. The attackers promise to respond quickly and attach a decrypted file version. This way, they seek to encourage the victim to pay up in order to recover all of locked files.

Specifics of STOP/DJVU ransomware variants

STOP/DJVU ransomware variants including DMAY virus have some traits that distinguishes it from other ransomware families. First of all, besides of data encryption, this threat often travels along VIDAR or AZORULT Trojans, both capable of stealing sensitive data from victim’s computer, including passwords saved in web browsers, login credentials for various software accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, browsing history and more. Cybercriminals may use collected data for further blackmail.

In addition, this ransomware family has a set of rules that prevent it from encrypting files in computers located in specific countries: Russian Federation, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan, Syria, Ukraine, Kazachstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The virus downloads a file called geo.json by connecting to https[:]//api.2ip.ua/geo.json URL. This file contains information such as IP address, country, city, zip code, longitude and latitude. If the virus detects that the computer is situated in one of the listed countries, it terminates its processes.

This ransomware also takes a screenshot of victim’s desktop and gathers computer’s hardware information, installed software list as well as active processes into information.txt file and sends them to the Command&Control server.

When it comes to data encryption, STOP/DJVU ransomware uses online or offline encryption key. The latter increases chances to recover files. Therefore, files affected by old versions of STOP/DJVU can be decrypted using Emsisoft’s tools. If files are affected by online key encryption, there are almost no chances to restore them without a data backup. Files locked by newer versions of this ransomware strain who used offline key are impossible to decrypt at the moment, but stay tuned for updates because sometimes these keys emerge and get uploaded to Emsisoft’s decryptor.

Advice regarding ransomware attacks

Ransomware-type viruses often corrupt essential data on the computer, causing the victim to lose important files related to work or study projects as well as personal memories such as videos, pictures or audio files. This can cause a lot of stress for the computer user and makes data recovery the primary goal for the computer user.

In such situations, data backups can help to recover lost files. Unfortunately, if the computer user didn’t create any prior to the ransomware attack, one might start considering the option of paying the ransom. At this point, we’d like to remind you that it is not a good idea. According to FBI, ransom payments are not recommended. Not only it doesn’t guarantee data recovery and helps the cybercriminals to fund further attacks, but it also puts the computer user into potential targets list since these crooks have a tendency to try extorting victims who are willing to pay up again.

Victims of this malware variant should immediately boot their computers in Safe mode with Networking as explained in the tutorial below. From there, computer users can remove DMAY ransomware virus remains without any interruptions. Make sure a genuine antivirus is used. In addition, using tools like RESTORO (secure download link) can help in repairing Windows OS files damaged by malware.

Ransomware Summary

Name	DMAY Ransomware Virus
Type	Ransomware; Crypto-malware; Virtual Extortion Virus
Family	STOP/DJVU
Encryption type	RSA 2048 + Salsa20
Previous versions	HAJD, QPSS, DWQS, NUHB, MSJD, DMAY, JHDD (find full list here)
Version	458th
Extension	.dmay
Cybercriminal emails	manager@time2mail.ch and supportsys@airmail.cc
Additional malware dropped	Azorult or Vidar Trojan
Damage	The ransomware uses encryption to maliciously modify all files on the PC and marks their original names with .dmay extension. Ransom notes called as _readme.txt will be dropped in every computer folder. This piece of malware usually drags VIDAR Stealer alongside it and also eliminates VSS from the system. On top of that, it tends to modify Windows HOSTS file to restrict computer user’s access to cybersecurity-related websites online.
Ransom note	_readme.txt
Ransom demand	$490-$980 in Bitcoin
Distribution	Victims often download this ransomware along illegal torrent downloads, cracked software, activators, key generators or tools like KMSPico.
Known software cracks to contain this malware	Corel Draw, Tenorshare 4ukey, Adobe Photoshop, Cubase, Adobe Illustrator, Internet Download Manager, Tally, League of Legends.
Detection names	Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.PAL!MTB (Microsoft), Trojan.Crypt (A) (Emsisoft), HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Stop.gen (Kaspersky), Trojan.GenericKD.47850419 (BitDefender), Trojan.MalPack.GS (Malwarebytes), ML.Attribute.HighConfidence (Symantec) see all detection name variations on VirusTotal
Removal	Remove ransomware and related malware from your PC using trustworthy software. To repair virus damage on Windows OS files, consider scanning with RESTORO (secure download link).

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Screenshot of the _readme.txt ransom note.

Screenshot of infected data folder containing encrypted files and the ransom note.

How to avoid ransomware attacks?

Computer threats belonging to the infamous STOP/DJVU ransomware family, including DMAY virus, are usually spotted hidden in pirated software copies advertised online. Victims usually stumble across them when searching for ways to illegally activate full versions of paid software. These usually await in a form of torrent or a password-protected archive that contains a setup. Unfortunately, instead of installing the software the user wants, the installer starts displaying various error messages, while in the background, the malicious processes begin preparation for data encryption.

Most common software names cybercriminals use as a clickbait are Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, also AutoCad, various computer games and antivirus software, KMSPico, Virtual DJ Pro and others. Therefore, users trying to install them illegally end up infecting their computers with malware. For this reason, we cannot stress out how important it is to download software from official websites only and pay for a legitimate license key instead of searching for workarounds in dubious sites online.

Malicious email spam is also commonly used to spread ransomware and similar computer malware. Such scam emails typically contain attachments that are presented as regular documents, usually named as invoices or order details. Cybercriminals also have a tendency to spoof the sender’s email address to make it look legitimate. Be very careful when inspecting emails and check your downloads with antivirus software first to ensure it doesn’t contain malicious code.

Ransomware victims should be careful when searching for ways to decrypt files locked by ransomware. There are many scam websites offering “decryption tools” that hide another malware variants in them. Moreover, refrain yourself from contacting scammers who claim they can decrypt your files. They typically ask for money for such service and then disappear. The only possible ways to recover files locked by STOP/DJVU are explained in this guide.

Remove DMAY Ransomware Virus and Recover Your Files

We do not recommend attempting to remove severe malware threats manually. The best way to remove DMAY ransomware virus and related viruses is to boot your computer in Safe mode with Networking and run an up-to-date antivirus solution. You can find a detailed guide on how to do it in the tutorial provided below.

Our team also recommends RESTORO (official download link) to repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

After completing DMAY ransomware removal, we recommend that you report the cybercrime incident to local authorities, change all of your passwords used on the compromised PC, and read about ways to recover your files locked by STOP/DJVU versions.

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Our team recommends removing malware using a professional antivirus software and then using the following tool to repair virus damage to Windows system files:

REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER

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RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them.

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DMAY Ransomware Virus Removal Guidelines

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Step 1. Start Windows in Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove DMAY 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

First of all, turn off your PC. Then press the Power button to start it again and instantly start pressing F8 button on your keyboard repeatedly in 1-second intervals. This launches the Advanced Boot Options menu.
Use arrow keys on the keyboard to navigate down to Safe Mode with Networking option and press Enter.

Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users

Open Windows Start menu, then press down the Power button. On your keyboard, press down and hold the Shift key, and then select Restart option.
This will take you to Windows Troubleshoot screen. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Tip: If you can't find Startup Settings, click See more recovery options.
In Startup Settings, press the right key between F1-F9 to enter Safe Mode with Networking. In this case, it is the F5 key.

Step 2. Remove files associated with the virus

Now, you can search for and remove DMAY 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, which also includes data recovery software. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

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Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically.

Step 1. Boot Windows in Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users

Shut down your PC. Start it again by pressing the Power button and instantly start pressing F8 button on your keyboard repeatedly in 1-second intervals. You will see Advanced Boot Options menu.
Using arrow keys on the keyboard, navigate down to Safe Mode with Command Prompt option and press Enter.

Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users

Launch Windows Start menu, then click the Power button. On your keyboard, press down and hold the Shift key, and then choose Restart option with the mouse cursor.
This will take you to Windows Troubleshoot screen. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. Tip: If you can't find Startup Settings, click See more recovery options.
In Startup Settings, press the right key between F1-F9 to enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt. In this case, press F6 key.

Step 2. Start System Restore process

Wait until system loads and command prompt shows up.
Type cd restore and press Enter, then type rstrui.exe and press Enter. Or you can just type %systemroot%system32restorerstrui.exe in command prompt and hit Enter.
This launches System Restore window. Click Next and then choose a System Restore point created in the past. Choose one that was created before ransomware infection.
Click Yes to begin the system restoration process.

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

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

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Decrypt DMAY files

Fix and open large DMAY 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.

Create a copy of encrypted file to a separate folder using Copy > Paste commands.
Now, right-click the created copy and choose Rename. Select the DMAY extension and delete it. Press Enter to save changes.
In the prompt asking whether you want to make the changes as file might become unusable, click OK.
Try opening the file.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. DMAY Ransomware Virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like HAJD, QPSS, DWQS, NUHB, MSJD, DMAY, JHDD (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 DMAY files, follow the given tutorial.

Download the decryption tool from Emsisoft.
Click the little arrow next to your download and choose Show in Folder.
Now, right-click the file and choose Run as Administrator. If asked, enter administrator's password.
In UAC window, click Yes.
Click Yes to agree to software terms in both windows.
The tool will automatically include C:// disk as a location to decrypt. The file recovery tool will prepopulate the locations to scan, including connected data storage drives or network drives. Click Add folder if you wish to add additional locations.
In Options tab, you can choose to keep encrypted file copies. We recommend leaving this option selected, especially if you do not know if the decryption tool will work.
Click Decrypt to start restoring DMAY files. You will see the progress in the Results tab. Here, you can see messages from the tool, such as whether the decryption procedure is successful, or you need to wait for an update.
You might also be informed that online key was used to encrypt your files. In such case, the decryption tool won't work for you, and the only way to recover your files is to use a data backup.

Meanings of decryptor's messages

The DMAY 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 DMAY 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 DMAY 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

✓ How can I open .DMAY files?

You can only open DMAY files if you have the decryption key, or if you were affected by offline encryption type.

✓ How do I know if my files were encrypted with offline or online encryption?

To figure out whether you were affected by offline encryption, please go to C:/SystemID/PersonalID.txt and see if the string inside of it ends in t1. You can also try using Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/DJVU.

✓ My files contain very important information (family memories). Every tool I used says it is impossible to decrypt. What should I do?

Please follow the guidances provided by the official DMAY decryption tools and believe what they say. If they say it is impossible to decrypt, it really is so. There is no magic tool or human capable of decrypting your files hiding somewhere. Encryption is a technique created to be nearly impossible to decrypt without a special private key (held by the criminals).

✓ I am afraid virus is still in my computer system. What should I do?

We advise scanning with anti-virus, anti-malware, malware removal tools or software like RESTORO to eliminate virus damage on the system. If you do not trust using a single tool, try running one after another. However, we do not recommend keeping several security programs on a computer at once as they can interfere with each other's work.

✓ I saw several Youtube videos suggesting secret decryption tools. Can I trust them?

Beware of fake DMAY decryption tools circulating around the web. Cyber criminals are uploading them to various shady websites, also might be promoting them via suspicious Youtube videos. These programs can infect your computer even more heavily (Trojans, miners, etc.). We suggest being extremely cautious around the web. If there will be an official STOP/DJVU decryption tool available, it will be widely discussed in public media.

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.