Iicc Virus Ransomware (.iicc File) Removal

What is Iicc ransomware?

Becoming infected with Iicc ransomware entails severe repercussions. This virus implements a range of system setting modifications that severely hamper usability. Beyond altering settings, the malware encrypts your files, rendering them inaccessible.

Iicc ransomware employs the Salsa20 encryption algorithm, consistent across the STOP/Djvu ransomware family, to which Iicc belongs. While decryption tools exist that may restore access to your files without necessitating a ransom, success partially hinges on luck. Files encrypted with an offline key present a substantial chance for recovery. Conversely, files encrypted with an online key are typically irrecoverable.

Preventing ransomware attacks is paramount. Iicc ransomware often infiltrates systems through software obtained from questionable sources. Despite being freely available, these applications should be legitimately purchased from their respective official websites. Additionally, some programs are crafted for illicit purposes, such as cheating or unauthorized Windows activation. During the process of making these programs freely usable, hackers are at liberty to embed any form of malware, determined by the highest bidder.

Encryption process

The Iicc ransomware 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 - ".iicc". Then, ransomware creates a _readme.txt file in the folder where the encrypted file is located, and goes to the next folder.

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 Iicc 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.

Ransom note: _readme.txt

Ransom note is the same for the whole ransomware 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:

External Links:

🔗 HowToFix.Guide: How To Decrypt .iicc Files?

Indicators of Compromise(IOC)

File Name	MD5	File Size
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	c049d23ee3b5dd31a5ac6247270fd7a5	253440
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	c4c37f846a209f85cbbb3523d0f3ef78	338432
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	6546d5e5b1ca1ca127c18126c60457ba	260608
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	b1a5989a68740cdc624c3578be9ccd59	260608
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	7a9b281afb998b0d5e5cc8a6950de379	260096
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	ccc7561758adc6701c00be27dd608d4e	1273856
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	4648f1589e5b0adf3602bc3af6fdbf04	253440
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	72324ba92cf7136afc5c5157f81650ad	280576
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	42900649650da79e1f0872fab0ddcd6e	280576
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	081c823c42b0bc763906b6b9992ba7d5	344576