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EFJI is a version of STOP/DJVU file-encrypting computer virus that belongs to ransomware category. This malware variant leverages RSA encryption algorithm to lock all victim’s files on a computer or network. Once encrypted, data files will be appended with additional .efji extension. For instance, a document called 1.doc will appear as 1.doc.efji. Once all files are locked, this ransomware creates and saves _readme.txt ransom notes in every affected file folder. The text file tells that all files were encrypted and the virus’ developers are the only ones who have the decryption tools. In order to purchase them, the victim is instructed to write to helpmanager@mail.ch or restoremanager@airmail.cc emails within 3 days. If the victim pays within 72 hours, the ransom price will be $490, otherwise $980.
We have prepared this in-depth guide on how to remove EFJI ransomware virus from your computer, and explain how to decrypt or recover your files. Please do not pay the ransom as you can never trust the cybercriminals.
EFJI ransomware creators seek money, therefore they use encryption to lock victim’s personal files until a ransom is paid. Once the victim discovers that all files became inaccessible, one will notice _readme.txt file is the only one that opens, and it contains instructions from the criminals on how to decrypt data (convert it back to normal).
The _readme.txt file starts with a line reassuring the victim that files are not gone forever and can be restored if criminals’ conditions will be met. To be precise, the criminals want money transferred to them in specific form and way. The criminals state that the victim can still decrypt .efji files if one purchases Bitcoins worth $490 and transfers them to the criminals’ cryptowallet within 3 days. To get full instructions on how to purchase cryptocurrency and the specific wallet address, the note suggests writing to cybercriminals’ email addresses (helpmanager@mail.ch or restoremanager@airmail.cc).
The attackers also promise to decrypt one small file as a proof that they actually have the decryption tools on hand. This technique is used by many ransomware authors such as XATI, MMPA, DHARMA or others to convince the victim to pay up sooner.
Many cybersecurity experts as well as FBI warns not to pay ransoms for cybercriminals. There are many reasons why you shouldn’t, such as:
We suggest you try the recommended data recovery methods first. You might be lucky if you’re affected by offline and not online encryption (You must check if the file in C:/SystemID/PersonalID.txt ends in t1).
Victims of ransomware simply must accept the fact that encrypted files means gone files, especially if one does not have data backups. There are various ransomware variants in the wild, but STOP/DJVU authors are pretty skilled criminals, and their program does not contain any flaws that would allow malware researchers to create .efji decryption tool. Plus, this ransomware uses military-grade encryption algorithm to secure your files and prevent access to them.
To understand the concept of ransomware, you should know that encryption algorithms such as RSA or AES, or combinations of both, are used to securely lock confidential information. For example, the majority of information transmitted via Internet is encrypted so that hackers using network sniffer programs wouldn’t be able to read the transferred information. In other words, data encryption is used daily in many information transmission environments. In this scenario, encryption is used by ransomware to extort the victim, by keeping the file decryption key from him and preventing file access until one agrees to pay the ransom.
We strongly encourage you to remove EFJI ransomware virus from the system as soon as you can. This malware is extremely dangerous because it is known for installing AZORULT password-stealer on the system and damaging Windows HOSTS file. To remove virus damage and repair damaged system, we strongly recommend installing and scanning the computer with a well-known computer repair software RESTORO.
Name | EFJI Ransomware Virus |
Type | Crypto-virus; File Locker; Ransomware |
Malicious files | 5FC1.exe, 3dbb.exe, 9B23.tmp.exe (or similar), updatewin.exe |
Dropped files | _readme.txt, PersonalID.txt, all encrypted file versions |
Origins | STOP/DJVU |
Encryption algorithm | RSA |
Version | 258th |
Other versions | LYLI, KOLZ, COPA, BOOP, FOQE, MOSS |
Ransom note | _readme.txt |
Decryption price | $490 in 3 days, $980 if later |
Extension used | .efji |
Criminal contact | helpmanager@mail.ch and restoremanager@airmail.cc |
Detection name examples | TR/Crypt.Agent.dtjce (Avira), Trojan.GenericKDZ.70699 (GData), Ransom:Win32/STOP.BS!MTB (Microsoft), see full list on VT |
Symptoms of infection | Ransomware showcases fake Windows update screen (winupdate.exe process) while it scans and encrypts personal files on the system. The malware marks each affected file with .efji extension and drops _readme.txt note in every folder. The note instructs to contact cybercriminals via provided emails and pay a hefty ransom for data decryption tools. |
Additional damage | This malware is known for its tendency to install AZORULT malware, which mainly functions as a password-stealer. Additional damage will be done to Windows HOSTS file. Learn how to reset HOSTS file here, or use RESTORO to revert changes. |
Distribution | This virus is known to hide in illegal downloads such as KMSPico or software cracks and keygens. |
Removal | Remove the ransomware remains and repair virus damage using RESTORO. You can read its review here. |
Ransomware-type viruses are actively distributed in both 2019 and 2020, and the acceleration of their attack scope is mainly based on the appearance of Ransomware-as-a-Service model (RaaS). We suggest that you read and implement some of our suggested ransomware prevention methods as soon as possible.
EFJI ransomware is essentially similar to other malware samples because they all are distributed in quite simple ways that rely on victim’s deception. The majority of ransomware are distributed via deceptive email attachments. The criminals use potential target email lists that can be purchased on the dark web for very small sums of money.
The criminals tend to create emails that create a “rush” feeling for the victim. For example, the email suggests opening the attachment which supposedly contains information about a missing or pending payment that needs to be taken care of ASAP. Unfortunately, even if the email attachment appears to be a document, it can contain a malicious script that triggers as soon as the victim enables editing of the file. The script then connects to remote domain and downloads the ransomware payload.
The majority of STOP/DJVU ransomware family versions are distributed via illegal downloads that are extremely popular among regular computer users. For instance, many computer users tend to head to untrustworthy torrent websites to get paid software licenses for free using software cracks and keygens. Unfortunately, such downloads are extremely insecure and also extremely likely to contain malware. These files can be downloaded via popular peer-to-peer file sharing agents such as uTottent, zMule and others. Once the victim opens the deceitful keygen or crack file, the ransomware starts encrypting all files on the system.
For this reason, we recommend you to always download premium software versions from legitimate websites and purchase license keys rather than searching for illegal cracks or other tools online. Additionally, we suggest opening emails send by trusted senders only.
You must remove EFJI virus from the system safely. For this reason, we suggest free removal guidelines provided below. These instructions cover everything – from booting the computer in secure environment to reporting the cybercrime to legal authorities as well as free decryption software usage guidelines.
After performing EFJI ransomware removal, we suggest you change all of your passwords for accounts saved in your web browser. You must do this in order to protect your online accounts from hacks because the additional malware installed by this ransomware tends to steal login credentials saved in your browser.
Finally, follow the file recovery/decryption tutorial provided at the very end of the article.
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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:
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EFJI Ransomware Virus Removal Guidelines
Before you try to remove EFJI 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
Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users
Now, you can search for and remove EFJI 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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RESTORO is a unique PC Repair Tool which comes with an in-built Avira scan engine to detect and remove spyware/malware threats and uses a patented technology to repair virus damage. The software can repair damaged, missing or malfunctioning Windows OS files, corrupted DLLs, and more. The free version offers a scan that detects issues. To fix them, license key for the full software version must be purchased.
In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically.
Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users
Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users
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.
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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.
STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. EFJI Ransomware Virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like MMUZ, RGUY, HFGD, KKIA, SSOI, PPHG, WDLO (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 EFJI files, follow the given tutorial.
The EFJI 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 EFJI 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.
Victims of EFJI Ransomware Virus should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:
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.
You can only open EFJI files if you have the decryption key, or if you were affected by offline encryption type.
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.
Please follow the guidances provided by the official EFJI 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).
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.
Beware of fake EFJI 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 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.
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