Vvyu Virus Ransomware (.vvyu File) Removal

What is Vvyu ransomware?

The Vvyu virus can accurately be categorized as ransomware. It encrypts your files and then demands a ransom for their release. Vvyu is part of the STOP/Djvu ransomware family, currently among the most prolific. This group predominantly preys on individuals downloading software from third-party websites.

During an attack by the Vvyu malware, your files are encrypted using the Salsa20 algorithm. This encryption technique implies approximately 2^256 possible decryption keys, equating to a 78-digit number. Regrettably, obtaining the key through brute force or other common hacking methods is practically unfeasible.

The distribution method of the Vvyu malware is critical to understand. It's established that dubious websites offering "cracked" software and unreliable tools are the main distribution channels for the entire STOP/Djvu family, and Vvyu is no exception. This ransomware is typically embedded in software presented as "free", despite being paid products on official sites. Users who bypass license verification in these programs inadvertently incorporate malware into the "final product", as virus developers compensate them for this. Similarly, questionable tools like cheat engines, Windows activators, or keygens often require disabling your antivirus software, leaving you vulnerable and likely unaware of the infection until it's too late.

Encryption process

The Vvyu 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 - ".vvyu". 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 Vvyu 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 .vvyu Files?

Indicators of Compromise(IOC)

File Name	MD5	File Size
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	84ef1af1a3962fc31e56148ca2922dee	1273856
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	87173b73a09857b493d985d71149ecab	747008
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	4653c7c009befc6d2fc5d13c5bb167f7	851456
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	2e3369caa2405f7500cf0f0d46d0cbe0	850944
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	2e6f66d70b6115ed729125e022c16d1f	850944
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	0b3c0e4003edea059481bb9aceb4c7d9	747008
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	ff11a30dec84b3b88c8f6ef424e42144	837120
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	d7f8938be92a734d74106d5594a37e1b	851456
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	a80f738d8ef8e31bcfcab4fe83f24d26	851456
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	d44cc4e8b1fd6b3ad55d9753de11a767	851456