How to remove Bazek Ransomware and decrypt .bazek files

What is Bazek Ransomware

Bazek is a virus infection that features all the traits inherent to ransomware. Put simply, it encrypts access to data (using AES-256 algorithms) and asks victims to contact cybercriminals in order to get a special decryption key. During encryption, the virus also assigns the new .bazek extension to each targetted file. To illustrate, a file named 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.bazek and lose its original icon as well. Depending on what version of Bazek Ransomware attacked the computer, it will either create a text note called README.txt or display a pop-up window with similar decryption instructions.

In general, the information presented within the ransom notes instructs victims to write an e-mail message to cybercriminals. It is very likely that ransomware developers will ask for a certain fee to be paid for decryption. Unless victims start negotiating within 48 hours, threat actors threaten they will delete the decryption key forever de facto making data decryption impossible in the future. The pop-up window also adds that cybercriminals collected browser passwords, browser history, and credit card details, which will be published on the dark web in case victims fail to contact the swindlers. Unfortunately, victims are rarely able to decrypt data without the help of attackers. You can try free third-party decryption/recovery tools from our guide, however, it is less likely that they will help at the moment. For now, the only two methods to return your data are to either collaborate with extortionists (and pay the ransom) or recover the files from available backups. Backups are copies stored on external storage (e.g., cloud, USB pendrives, etc.) that was not affected by the infection. Recovering data from backups is always a safer option as many cybercriminals tend to fool their victims and not send any decryption keys/tools eventually. Before trying to restore data without the involvement of cybercriminals, first and foremost it is important to remove the infection from your computer – to prevent its malicious activity. Use our guide below to do so.

How Bazek Ransomware infected your computer

Many users get ransomware infections from e-mail spam letters, trojans, deceptive third-party downloads, fake software updates/installers, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, system exploits, and other distribution channels as well. Inexperienced users often get tricked into opening some malicious content (usually attachments or links). For instance, ransomware can be disguised as some legitimate file (.DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, or .JS extensions) and distributed through e-mail letters that imitate names of legal companies/entities (e.g., delivery companies, tax authorities, banks, and so forth). Such files are typically named in click-bait way (“important” or “urgent”) to make users curious and open them up eventually. If the attached content ends up opened according to cybercriminals’ guidelines, the contained infection will be deployed for installation on the targeted system. To prevent drive-by (stealth) installations of malware, you should avoid downloading software from unofficial resources (Peer-to-Peer websites, torrent pages, landing pages, etc.) and beware of opening content that looks suspicious. Read our guide below and learn how one can protect his PC against threats like ransomware (and other malware) in the future.

1. Download Bazek Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .bazek files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like Bazek Ransomware

Bazek Ransomware files:


README.txt
{randomname}.exe


Bazek Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .bazek files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .bazek files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .bazek files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with Bazek Ransomware and removed from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .bazek files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Bazek Ransomware , in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Bazek Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro