How to remove Pouu Ransomware and decrypt .pouu files

What is Pouu Ransomware

.pouu extension was used twice, first one .pouu (version 634) appeared in January 2023, second one (version 755) was released in August 2023. These variations are identical and should be treated equally.

EmsiSoft company managed to create his decoder for some versions and variants of STOP Ransomware, when the encryption tool uses an offline key for encryption. Tool is called STOP Djvu Decryptor and can be downloaded below.

Pouu Ransomware (subtype of STOP Ransomware) continues its malicious activity in the end of January 2023 (and the again in August 2023), and now adding .pouu extensions to encrypted files. The malware aims most important and valuable files: photos, documents, databases, videos, archives and encrypts them using AES-256 algorithms. Encrypted files become unusable and cybercriminals start extorting ransom. If the hacker server is unavailable (the PC is not connected to the Internet, the server itself does not work), then the encrypter uses the key and identifier that is hard-coded in it and performs offline encryption. In this case, it will be possible to decrypt the files without paying the ransom. Pouu Ransomware creates _readme.txt file, that is called “ransom note”, on the desktop and in the folders with encrypted files. Developers use the following e-mails for contact: support@freshmail.top and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc. Here is the message from the file:

Hackers demand $980 for the decryption of your files (the message states, that victims will get a 50% discount if they’ll contact cybercriminals within 72 hours after the encryption). According to many reports, malefactors often don’t reply to victims, when they receive ransom payment. We strongly do not recommend paying any money. Files encrypted by some versions of Pouu Ransomware can be decrypted with help of STOP Djvu Decryptor. Dr.Web specialists decrypted files encrypted with some variants of Pouu Ransomware in private. Dr.Web does not have a public decoder. Before trying to decode the files, you need to stop the active process and remove Pouu Ransomware. Most effective applications to prevent ransomware infections, according to the tests, are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. This page contains step-by-step instructions to remove Pouu Ransomware and decrypt or restore .pouu files in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

How Pouu Ransomware infected your computer

Pouu ransomware can infect a computer through various means, such as downloading programs from torrent websites, running hacked games, freeware, or using Microsoft Windows/Office key generators. Upon execution, the virus creates a directory in the Windows system directory, copies itself to this directory, changes some OS settings, and also collects information about the infected computer. It is also common for ransomware to be distributed via P2P networks, third-party downloaders, free file hosting pages, fake installers and software updating tools, and certain Trojans (malicious programs that inject other malware). Threat actors use malicious MS Office, PDF documents, ISO files, executables, JavaScript files, archives, and other files to lure users into infecting computers. To avoid Pouu ransomware, users should avoid downloading programs from untrusted sources, avoid opening suspicious email attachments, and keep their operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches.

1. Download Pouu Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .pouu 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 Pouu Ransomware

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

How to remove Pouu Ransomware manually

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

Pouu Ransomware files:

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

Pouu Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .pouu files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.pouu 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 .pouu files, encrypted by Pouu 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 .pouu 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 Pouu 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 .pouu 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 .pouu

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 Pouu Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use G-DATA STOP/Djvu vaccine

G DATA has released a vaccine to block STOP/DJVU ransomware from encrypting victims’ files after infection. The vaccine prevents the ransomware from encrypting files anymore, but it does not prevent the infection itself. The vaccine is available on GitHub. Download it below:

Download STOP/Djvu vaccine

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. Pouu 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