Remove UYIT Ransomware Virus (DECRYPT .uyit FILES)

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

UYIT ransomware is a menace to files stored on a computer

Contents

UYIT ransomware is a menace to files stored on a computer
How are ransomware-type computer viruses distributed?
Remove UYIT ransomware virus and decrypt your files
Decrypt UYIT files
Frequently Asked Questions

UYIT ransomware is the newest addition to the STOP/DJVU ransomware family. It is a computer virus that is designed to encrypt all files stored on a Windows-running PC, which also marks each file with an additional .uyit extension. To illustrate this process, see the following example: files named 1.jpg, 2.docx, 3.xls will appear as 1.jpg.uyit, 2.docx.uyit, 3.xls.uyit once encrypted. In addition, there will be no way for the computer user to open these files once they’re locked by the virus. To provide further information regarding the attack, the virus drops _readme.txt note in several computer locations.

Ransomware-type computer viruses are meant to lock files on victim’s computer with the help of encryption algorithms, then demand a ransom payment from the computer user. Compared to other file-encrypting threats, those from the STOP/DJVU ransomware family like UYIT virus are known to be developed by professionals, with little to no chances to recover data once encrypted. The most likely solution to recover data is to use data backups, although you can use some methods provided by our team.

What information is provided in the ransom note?

The ransom note file dropped by UYIT ransomware is named _readme.txt, just like the one used in previous STOP/DJVU versions. The message inside of it is also identical, and it points out that the computer user should contact the cybercriminals ASAP via provided email addresses: support@fishmail.top or datarestorehelp@airmail.cc.

The note explains that the UYIT decryption tool normally costs $980, however, the crooks might make an exception and provide a 50% discount for those who will be willing to contact the criminals within 72 hours. In such scenario, they might settle for $490 as a ransom.

However, no matter what is the amount demanded by the criminals, the attackers want the payment to be made via cryptocurrency to avoid law enforcement agencies from tracking them down. Therefore, victims should not be surprised if the criminals asked to purchase Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency worth the agreed amount and transfer it to their virtual wallet, since they do not accept regular wire or bank money transfers.

In addition, the crooks introduce their “test decryption service.” In order to use it, the victimized PC user should choose one encrypted file to start with, and send it to the criminals as an email attachment. The crooks promise to provide a decrypted file version as a proof that they can actually restore victim’s data after paying the ransom.

Although the solution provided by the cybercriminals might seem like the only way to restore files, we would like to recommend you to refuse to pay the ransom. First of all, it never guarantees data recovery, and on top of that, it encourages the perpetrators to continue their activities. Besides, by paying up, you might identify yourself as someone who is willing to pay up when blackmailed, and the cybercriminals might try to harass you again in the future. You may also want to read these recommendations for ransomware victims by FBI.

Additional malware dropped: how to protect your computer

Data encryption isn’t the only bad outcome of STOP/DJVU ransomware attack. According to malware sample research, versions like UYIT virus typically are dropped alongside information-stealing Trojans like VIDAR, AZORULT, or RedLine. In other words, the malware launcher file usually drags a set of malware into the compromised system.

The aforementioned threats are capable of stealing sensitive information (saved passwords, cookies, browsing history, offline cryptocurrency wallets, etc.) that can be used to steal your accounts, blackmail you, and similar. For this reason, it is important to get rid of the malware that has infected your computer as quickly as possible, and take actions to protect your computer, as well as stolen data, from being misused by the attackers.

To remove UYIT ransomware virus, we suggest that you boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking (use instructions provided below the article) and then run a reputable antivirus solution, such as our recommended INTEGO Antivirus, to delete malicious files and other malware-related components automatically. Afterward, you might want to think about downloading RESTORO (see its review here) to repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

Ransomware Summary

Name	UYIT Ransomware Virus
Type	Ransomware; Crypto-malware; Virtual Extortion Virus
Family	STOP/DJVU
Encryption type	RSA 2048 + Salsa20
Previous versions	KAAA, BGJS, BGZQ (find full list here)
Version	611th
Extension	.uyit
Cybercriminal emails	support@fishmail.top and datarestorehelp@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 .uyit 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	Trojan:Win32/Azorult.FW!MTB (Microsoft), Gen:Heur.Mint.Zard.52 (B) (Emsisoft), HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Scarsi.gen (Kaspersky), Gen:Heur.Mint.Zard.52 (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 like INTEGO Antivirus. To repair virus damage on Windows OS files, download and try RESTORO (secure download link).

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How are ransomware-type computer viruses distributed?

Ransomware-type computer threats like UYIT virus are mostly found in illegal online downloads, also fake update installers and malicious email attachments. We will overview these methods below.

The majority of STOP/DJVU ransomware variants are reported by computer users who have recently searched for and installed pirated or cracked software versions. We can indeed confirm that such malware samples can be found in many illegal online resources that pose as crack sites, while in reality they provide a malicious setup file that acts as a malware launcher. You can learn how to identify such deceptive websites and avoid downloads from them by reading this tutorial.

In short, cybercriminals prey for computer users who are trying to avoid paying for legitimate software license key and instead try to install cracked software versions. Often times, they go extreme lengths trying to succeed in this, and even ignore their antivirus software warnings. We would like to remind you that the only way to download genuine and malware-free software versions is to visit their official websites or those of affiliates, if you’re looking for discounts. Attempts to avoid paying for a legitimate software altogether mostly result in various malware infections.

Another method that Internet criminals often use for malware distribution is malicious email spam. The crooks compose emails that mimic messages sent by legitimate companies, governmental organizations or online retail stores, trying to convince the target to open the attached file. Such files usually arrive in Word, PDF, XLS or JS formats, and contain a malicious script that downloads and launches malware on the system.

It is recommended that users avoid opening unsolicited emails, especially from someone they do not know or do not have any business with. In addition, it is a good idea to look out for small details that are typical for phishing emails – spoofed sender’s email address, grammar mistakes in the message, overly-generic greeting line, and low-quality logos.

Finally, cybercriminals sometimes use fake software update tools to spread malware and spyware. They use aggressive ads to falsely claim that user needs to update a specific software, but the installer is designed to drop a set of unwanted software on the computer. Again, we’d like to remind computer users that official software websites and those of their partners are the only way to get secure software and their update copies.

Remove UYIT ransomware virus and decrypt your files

If you have fallen victim to a malware attack and you have determined that your files were encrypted by this specific version of STOP/DJVU, we recommend that you remove UYIT ransomware virus using a trustworthy antivirus. If you do not have one, or haven’t decided on one to use, you might want to try INTEGO Antivirus. It is a well-reviewed AV solution that scores high in independent AV lab tests. Additionally, we suggest that you download RESTORO for Windows repair.

Once UYIT virus removal is completed, we also recommend that you change all of the passwords used or at least typed in on the compromised computer. This will prevent cybercriminals from stealing your accounts using credentials stolen via Trojans that were dropped during the computer attack.

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UYIT 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 UYIT 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 UYIT 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. 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.

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Decrypt UYIT files

Fix and open large UYIT 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 UYIT 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. UYIT Ransomware Virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like KAAA, BGJS, BGZQ (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 UYIT 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 UYIT 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 UYIT 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 UYIT 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 UYIT 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 .UYIT files?

You can only open UYIT 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 UYIT 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 UYIT 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.