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AZOP Ransomware (.azop File Extension)

AZOP a strain within the STOP/Djvu Ransomware family, employing the Salsa20 encryption algorithm to encrypt files on compromised systems. Victims are coerced into paying a ransom ranging from $490 to $980 in Bitcoins for the decryption key.

You may be interested in taking a look at our other antivirus tools:
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About Azop:


NameAzop Virus
Version0792
File Extension.azop
Contact[email protected], [email protected]
FamilySTOP/Djvu Ransomware
Note_readme.txt
Offline IDGQ9DjFmWFDqpsyzsOnaxE1Xr4MPL1dG4vPfPDNt1
Last seenSeptember 26, 2023
AlgorithmSalsa20 encryption. If Azop cannot establish a connection to crooks server before starting the encryption process, it uses the offline key. This key is the same for all victims(!), making it possible to decrypt .azop files in the future.
RansomFrom $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins)
Damage
  1. โฎž Can delete Volume Shadow copies to make victimโ€™s attempts to restore data impossible;
  2. โฎž Adds a list of domains to HOSTS file to block access to certain security-related sites;
  3. โฎž Installs password-stealing trojan virus, like Redline Stealer, Vidar Stealer, Smokeloader, Azorult and others;
DistributionThird-party downloaders, installers, peer-to-peer networks, RDP exploits, etc.,
RSA Public Key-----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY----- MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEArBrneEIQdBFXZaeBUAS8 wH7aMn3xZ2P0+v6VCnLGeU0C+9nPdY0vEKTGhmQmX5mTPxHx0YOio0MNfJigIngF UurP7GwIzjiA9Vhh+E4oU4l3QncQbThKRZ3+N6k71ySVwL+15TJ00FBKk/z41dQu QZqSgIS0T/7wW4CWCTLD3dewnt9CTD6UUN9A5dXBa3pxJf6gQeGgcF9MGkbaYsFn ucGyW1ppYe/4pPXENEo7OYgQDnJgch+X4BgMzRga6ix18adWGZj41gMHdRpFkjHE sNZtuU5QQIgVkfWjmhv3PWTRQ5raftzMIvvycBmhiPeFwoDt8w3u1DFrAi65hWiD WQIDAQAB -----END PUBLIC KEY-----
Other variants
  • Azqt Ransomware (.azqt encrypted files)
  • Wwza Ransomware (.wwza encrypted files)
  • Wwhu Ransomware (.wwhu encrypted files)
  • AZOP Virus Removal Tool

    What is Azop?

    Azop ransomware is a formidable adversary, encrypting your files and demanding a ransom, while also compromising several critical system functions. You may find yourself struggling to access certain websites or perform basic tasks. Yet, understanding your opponent is half the battle won.

    Employing the Salsa20 encryption algorithm, this ransomware presents a near-impossible challenge to overcome. With an extensive key length and an astronomical number of potential keys, brute-force attacks are impractical without extraordinarily powerful computing resources. While utilizing already compromised decryption keys is one approach, the success rate of such decryption tools is generally low.

    The intrusion of ransomware into your PC is no mysterious affair. Azop ransomware predominantly spreads through dubious means, including "free" versions of well-known software, cheat engines, Windows activators, and keygens. These methods are common across all STOP/Djvu ransomware family members, with Azop being no exception. Investing in legitimate software licenses is not only simpler but also significantly cheaper than the hefty sum demanded for file decryption.

    Azop Encryption process

    The Azop uses the Salsa20 encryption algorithm. That is not the strongest method, but it still provides an overwhelming amount of possible decryption keys. To brute force the 78-digit number of keys, you need 3.5 unvigintillion years (1*10^65), even if you use the most powerful regular PC. Quantum computers can show a bit better results, but it is still too slow to get your files back while you are alive.

    The exact algorithm of encryption is next: malware scans each folder for the files it is able to encrypt. Then, when it finds the target, it makes a copy of your file, removes the original one, encrypts the copy and leaves it instead of the removed original. Such a procedure is done to prevent the situation when you have already opened the file, so ransomware is not able to read it because of the Windows restrictions. To each encrypted copy, the virus adds the specific extension - ".azop". Then, ransomware creates a _readme.txt file in the folder where the encrypted file is located, and goes to the next folder.

    .AZOP Files

    Such an encryption method can be exploited for file recovery. Since the original file is deleted, you may try to recover it using the file recovery tools. The less time is passed - the bigger the chance to get your files back, so hurry up!

    Another specific moment that can help you to use the files even after the encryption is the fact that Azop ransomware encrypts only the first 150KB of each file. Hence, you can try to run a big file, such as video or music, without the encryption. Similar feature also works with other ransomware families - Dharma, Conti and Makop encrypt the same 150KB.

    Azop note:

    Ransom note is the same for the whole STOP/DJVU family. In fact, it is one of the main signs of to which family the certain ransomware belongs. Here is the typical note for STOP/Djvu family:

    ATTENTION!

    Don't worry, you can return all your files!
    All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
    The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
    This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
    What guarantees you have?
    You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
    But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
    You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
    https://we.tl/t-e5pgPH03fe
    Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
    Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
    Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
    Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.


    To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
    [email protected]

    Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
    [email protected]

    Your personal ID:
    ****************

    ๐Ÿ”— HowToFix.Guide: How To Decrypt .azop Files?

    Indicators of Compromise(IOC)

    File NameMD5File Size
    ๐Ÿ“œ SAMPLE.EXE36fb54b6e26b357f58f098f21ac0cd06317952
    ๐Ÿ“œ SAMPLE.EXEc082d1ba8c66d2c5adee770992c8c249837120
    ๐Ÿ“œ SAMPLE.EXE37a19aaf3071c39904a5c0ee8d648097849408
    ๐Ÿ“œ SAMPLE.EXEd6bb124eeec7b9e1db803e4e8d3216b2196096
    ๐Ÿ“œ SAMPLE.EXEc98fba753137c3f36eb816e6a31065d4204288
    ๐Ÿ“œ SAMPLE.EXE137738acaa65534389455145fa1b993b192512
    ๐Ÿ“œ SAMPLE.EXEb601d81d4004f43c394a697140a9b626205824
    ๐Ÿ“œ SAMPLE.EXE00d7a93c04bd6b8109594d79e63ce3c2223744
    ๐Ÿ“œ SAMPLE.EXEe00d940074426874a881b3528d394208229376
    ๐Ÿ“œ SAMPLE.EXE3b12da9ed460eaf2752fdf20a4a22899223232