How to remove Hhoo Ransomware and decrypt .hhoo files

What is Hhoo Ransomware

Hhoo has been classified as a ransomware-type virus, which encrypts personal data using cryptographic algorithms. Being yet another version of the Djvu/STOP family, Hhoo can target both individuals and organizations to demand high amounts of ransom. It appeared in the middle of February 2023 and hit thousands of users. Ransom is a so-called payment required by cybercriminals in exchange for the blocked data. Extortionists provide detailed information on that inside of a text note (_readme.txt) which is created after Hhoo ends up file encryption. The encryption process can be easily spotted by new extensions that are assigned to each of the files. This virus appends the .hhoo extension so that an encrypted piece ends up looking like this 1.pdf.hhoo. As we already mentioned, Hhoo creates a text note containing ransom instructions:

It is said that users are able to decrypt their files only by opting for the paid decryption tool sold by extortionists. In order to get it, victims have to contact developers via support@bestyourmail.ch or datarestorehelp@airmail.cc e-mail addresses. After this, you will be given a payment address to commit the transfer of money. If you manage to contact developers within the first 72 hours, you will receive a 50% discount on the main price ($490 instead of $980). Before doing so, you are also offered to test free decryption. For this, users are asked to send up to 1 encrypted file that does not contain valuable information. Such an offer helps cybercriminals appear more trusted in the eyes of inexperienced users. In fact, they can still play a trick on you not sending any decryption tools. This happens to a lot of victims that decide to pay the demanded ransom. Unfortunately, although trusting cyber criminals is highly unadvisable, there are only figures being able to provide full decryption of data. There are no free tools at the moment that could crack open the cipher assigned by Hhoo Ransomware. The only free ad secure option available – is to restore data from backup copies. It is important that such were created and stored prior to the infection on a separate device. If you do not have one in-store, more likely you will not be able to decrypt your files for free. Whatever the case, it is necessary to delete Hhoo Ransowmare as it might encrypt more files or spread further on neighboring networks. Then, you can try to use some decryption tools developed by anti-malware vendors, but note that there is no guarantee you will get successful decryption eventually. Follow our guide below to get rid of Hhoo Ransomware and learn more about ways to decrypt your data.

How Hhoo Ransomware infected your computer

Cybercriminals have found a lot of success distributing ransomware programs via malicious attachments that are hidden inside e-mail letters. These messages are sent to millions of users and disguised as something legitimate. Normally, cybercriminals will use a template of legitimate delivery companies that tend to attach links for tracking down your parcel. The biggest favorite of many swindlers appears to be the DPD company. In order to know the location of your package, users have to download some software using the link attached to a message. Even though most users have not ordered anything from the web, they still dare to open such links or download files. Because of inexperience and curiosity, users end up infected with malware like Hhoo. It is also quite often to see MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, or JavaScript files promoted in such messages. Although they are looking to be legitimate, chances are they have been configured to store a malicious program. In some cases, your e-mail service will warn you that one of the files may be malicious as it is blocked from being checked for malware activity. This is why it is important to not open such files or links received for unknown reasons. Better delete such messages, especially if they are stored in “Spam” folders. Before closing this part, it is important to mention that e-mail spam is not the only way used for the distribution of malware. There are countless others like unprotected RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, trojans, untrustworthy cracked or pirated software, fake software updates, and so forth. Make sure to follow our guide below in order to elevate your protection against such threats in the future.

1. Download Hhoo Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .hhoo 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 Hhoo Ransomware

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

How to remove Hhoo Ransomware manually

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

Hhoo Ransomware files:

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

Hhoo Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .hhoo files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.hhoo 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 .hhoo files, encrypted by Hhoo 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 .hhoo 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 Hhoo 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 .hhoo 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 .hhoo

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 Hhoo 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. Hhoo 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