How to remove Gaze Ransomware and decrypt .gaze files

What is Gaze Ransomware

Gaze Ransomware is one of many ransomware versions issued by the STOP/Djvu family. This particular version was released in the end of May 2023. Just like older versions, Gaze Ransomware encrypts PC-stored data and demands crypto ransom for unique decryption software that will unlock this data. Most often, malware like Gaze will scout through the available files and block access to the most valuable ones. The list of such usually consists of images, music, videos, and documents containing important information. After locating these files, the file-encryptor will write strong cryptographic algorithms over the targeted files to prevent users from manually approaching their decryption. Victims infected with this ransomware version will see their data changed with the .gaze extension. This means a compromised file like 1.pdf will change to something like 1.pdf.gaze. Then, Gaze developers set up their virus to create the _readme.txt file that features decryption guidelines.

They say victims can recover the data only by paying for a special decryption kit (a tool and key) stored by the developers. Unfortunately, this is the only way to decrypt files unless ransomware contains some serious vulnerabilities that help third-party tools crack open the ciphers. Despite this, your files can be recovered in case you possess backup copies held on virtual (cloud) or physical (USB) storage. In all other cases, the decryption of Gaze files is hardly possible unless the aforementioned. The cost of decryption offered by cybercriminals is $980, but can be reduced down to $490 if victims contact developers within 72 hours after getting infected. Communication between victims and ransomware developers is written to be established via one of the e-mail addresses (support@fishmail.top or datarestorehelp@airmail.cc). In addition to that, frauds behind Gaze Ransomware and the entire STOP/Djvu family offer the victims to send 1 file with no valuable information for free decryption. This is why ransomware developers will prove their capability of decrypting your data. Unfortunately, whatever they do to elevate their trust and push victims into performing the requested steps is still not enough to be 100% sure about their trustworthiness. Just like other fraudulent figures, they may be able to fool you and not send any decryption tools even after paying the ransom. If you do not have money to pay the ransom, or simply do not want to risk your money, we recommend using backup copies as mentioned above. It is also possible some victims do not have very important data encrypted, so they can afford to lose it without regrets. However, if you are the opposite case and willing to decrypt your data without having any backup copies, you can give it a try nonetheless. Along with removal instructions, we have prepared a list of the most popular and effective tools able to decrypt compromised data in some scenarios down below.

How Gaze Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware infections can penetrate systems in a number of ways – trojans, malicious e-mail spam letters, fake updates and license cracking tools, infected installers of pirated or cracked software, unprotected RDP configuration, unreliable ads, backdoors, keyloggers, and other doubtful channels. At this point, the leader of all channels happens to e-mail spam with malicious attachments or links. Cybercriminals abuse this vector quite often. They disguise malicious letters as something “important” or “urgent” sent by popular companies like DHL, FedEx, or similar. By doing so, they tug future victims into opening the concealed attachments. As a rule, the range of attachments consists of MS Office documents, PDFs, Executable, Archive, and JavaScript files. Such files fit the goals of cybercriminals the most as they can change their configuration to execute malicious scripts. In other words, after initiating malicious files, the installation of malware will come afloat making your PC infected immediately. This is why it is recommended to stay away from opening files or links received from suspicious addresses. If you are careful whilst online activities, you will minimize the risk of getting infected with malware almost to zero. Below, we have prepared a step-by-step manual with handy tips to protect your system and files from threats like Gaze Ransomware in the future.

1. Download Gaze Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .gaze 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 Gaze Ransomware

Virus modifies “hosts” file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. Gaze 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. Gaze 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 Gaze Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

How to remove Gaze Ransomware manually

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

Gaze Ransomware files:

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

Gaze Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .gaze files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.gaze 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 .gaze files, encrypted by Gaze 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 .gaze 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 Gaze 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 .gaze 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 .gaze

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 Gaze 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. Gaze 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