How to remove Foza Ransomware and decrypt .foza files

What is Foza Ransomware

Foza Ransomware is a devastating encryption virus from the series of STOP Ransomware (Djvu Ransomware). Foza Ransomware is a variant of the STOP/Djvu Ransomware family, which is known for using a combination of two encryption algorithms: RSA and AES. RSA is used to encrypt the symmetric AES key that is generated for each file. This means that each file has its own unique AES key, which is used to encrypt and decrypt the file’s contents. The RSA key pair is generated by the ransomware on the victim’s computer and the public key is sent to the attacker’s server, which is then used to encrypt the symmetric AES key. It has got its name from .foza extension, that ransomware adds to the end of encrypted files. From a technical point of view, the virus remains the same as previous versions. Only thing that changes during past couple of years is contact details of malefactors. Malware uses ransom note identical to previous versions, called _readme.txt, where it presents the following message (you can also observe the picture below):

From this note, we can learn, that malefactors offer to decrypt 1 file for free and can provide a “discount” if the user pays fast (within the first 72 hours). Our experience and reports from multiple victims show, that those are false promises. Hackers rarely reply after receiving the payment. However, do not despair – there are cases when your files can be decrypted. If during the encryption process there was some internet connection loss or malfunction of the hacker’s servers, Foza Ransomware uses an offline key, that can be retrieved by a special tool called STOP Djvu Decryptor. Please, download it below, and read the instructions on how to use it carefully. If STOP Djvu Decryptor is unable to help you, you can try some alternative methods to restore your photos, documents, videos, etc. There are standard Windows system functions, such as restore points, shadow copies, previous versions of files, that can be useful, although, malicious algorithms often prevent such opportunities. Stellar Data Recovery Professional is one of the best file-recovery tools and, if used properly, may recover some copies of encrypted files, that were removed earlier. In this article, you will find complete instructions to remove Foza Ransomware and decrypt .foza files.

How Foza Ransomware infected your computer

Foza Ransomware and other variants of STOP/Djvu Ransomware typically infect computers through malicious email attachments, software cracks or pirated software, fake software updates, and other types of social engineering attacks. One common method used by Foza Ransomware to infect computers is through malicious email attachments. The attackers behind the ransomware may send out spam emails that appear to be legitimate and include an attachment, often in the form of a ZIP file, that contains the ransomware payload. When the victim downloads and opens the attachment, the ransomware is installed on their computer and begins to encrypt their files.

1. Download Foza Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .foza 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. Restore media files with Media Repair
7. How to protect from threats like Foza Ransomware

Virus modifies “hosts” file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. Foza Ransomware comes along with AZORult trojan, which was initially created to steal logins and passwords. The process of infection also looks like installing Windows updates, the malware shows a fake window, that mimics the update process.

It uses rdpclip.exe to replace a legal Windows file and to launch an attack on a computer network. After encrypting the files, the encrypter is deleted using the delself.bat command file. Foza Ransomware virus is propagated via spam attack with malicious e-mail attachments and using manual PC hacking. Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged, and infected installers. The virus assigns a certain ID to the victims, which is used to name those files and supposedly to send a decryption key. Great tools to protect against Foza Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

How to remove Foza Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Foza Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Foza Ransomware files:

_readme.txt
rdpclip.exe
delself.bat
{randomname}.exe

Foza Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .foza files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.foza variations)

IMPORTANT: Read this detailed guide on using STOP Djvu Decryptor to avoid file corruption and time wasting.

STOP Djvu Decryptor is able to decrypt .foza files, encrypted by Foza Ransomware. This tool was developed by EmsiSoft. It works in automatic mode, but in most cases works only for files encrypted with offline keys. Download it here:

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor

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 .foza files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analysis of 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 Foza Ransomware and removed it from your computer, you can try decrypting 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 .foza 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.

Use Media Repair to decrypt media files encrypted with .foza

1. Download Media Repair tool.
2. Right-click on the downloaded archive, and select Extract to Media_Repair\.
3. Then double-click on the extracted .exe file to launch the utility.
4. At first, you have to choose which file type you want to decrypt. You can do it from the drop-down menu in the utility.
5. Next, browser the folder with encrypted or reference files. Choose any of them and click on the Test icon located in the top right corner.
6. Media Repair will display a pop-up message with information on whether it can repair the selected file or not.
7. After checking if it is possible or not, select your reference file and click on the icon right under the Test button we used in step #5.
8. If the file pair is properly matched, you can move on and hit the Play button to start repairing. You can also stop the process anytime by clicking on the Stop button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Foza 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. Foza 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.

Download iDrive

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