How to remove GAZPROM Ransomware and decrypt .GAZPROM files

What is GAZPROM Ransomware

GAZPROM is a ransomware infection developed on the basis of another ransomware called CONTI. Similarly to other malware of this type, GAZPROM targets the encryption of personal files and then demands victims to pay a ransom for their decryption. Along with encryption, the virus creates two files containing decryption instructions (GAZPROM_DECRYPT.hta and DECRYPT_GAZPROM.html). Also, the encrypted data gets renamed with the .GAZPROM extension. As a result, restricted files start looking the following way: 1.pdf.GAZPROM, 1.png.GAZPROM, and so forth.

To return the locked data, victims are instructed to contact cybercriminals on the Telegram messenger and pay for the decryption of data. Should victims fail to establish communication within the first 24 hours since the encryption, the price is said to increase. Threat actors assure they are capable of returning access to the blocked data and can provide all possible evidence to prove it. In addition, the message written by the extortionists warns victims against modifying encrypted files and using third-party restoration tools. As a rule, developers behind ransomware infections are the only figures able to recover access to data. In very exceptional cases, it is possible to decrypt access with the help of free third-party tools when ransomware has flaws/vulnerabilities that make independent decryption successful. Unfortunately, this has not been observed to be the case with GAZPROM Ransomware. At the moment of writing this article, the best and always guaranteed way to recover your data is via your own backup copies. Otherwise, you can also try some third-party recovery tools from our guide, however, as mentioned before, there is a high probability of failure and even a chance to damage your data. Whether you choose to pay the ransom (not recommended), try recovering data yourself, or simply ignore the committed encryption, it is important to delete the ransomware infection in the first order. This way you will ensure it does not encrypt other pieces of data or spread to other neighboring systems within the same network. To remove the ransomware and explore third-party recovery options, follow our guide below.

How GAZPROM Ransomware infected your computer

There is no single way how ransomware infiltrates systems. Cybercriminals might leverage multiple channels to distribute their malicious software: via phishing e-mail letters, deceptive third-party downloads, fake software updates/installers, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, system exploits, and others as well. Most often cybercriminals tend to employ phishing techniques to deceive unsuspecting users into opening malicious attachments or links. For instance, users may receive phishing letters disguised as some legitimate entities, such as banks, tax authorities, delivery companies, and other trustworthy-looking organizations to lure users into opening a malicious attachment or link. These e-mails often claim that the attachment is “urgent” or “important”. By doing so, they trick users into opening it. Unless there is proper anti-malware software in place, opening such attachments can lead to the installation of hidden infection on the targeted system. The most common file formats that get abused by cybercriminals are .DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, and .JS files. It is important to avoid trusting suspicious emails that can be potentially malicious and also download software only from verified and official resources. Do not rely on pages that spread pirated or cracked software. We also encourage you to follow our guide below in order to learn how to protect yourself against ransomware and other threats in the future.

1. Download GAZPROM Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .GAZPROM 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 GAZPROM Ransomware

GAZPROM Ransomware files:


GAZPROM_DECRYPT.hta
DECRYPT_GAZPROM.html
{randomname}.exe


GAZPROM Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .GAZPROM files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .GAZPROM 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 .GAZPROM 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 GAZPROM 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 .GAZPROM 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 GAZPROM 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. GAZPROM 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