How to remove Sato Ransomware and decrypt .sato files

What is Sato Ransomware

Sato Ransomware is a computer virus-extortioner, with a global impact, that belongs to the largest family of STOP/Djvu Ransomware. It was developed by cyber-racketeers to blackmail users worldwide. Malware blocks access to users’ documents, photos, databases, music, mail, archives by encrypting them with an AES encryption algorithm and demands ransom: from $490 to $980 in Bitcoins. The modification of the virus, that we are investigating now adds .sato extensions to affected files and has many other characteristic signs. It appeared in the end of April – beginning of May. For example, all latest versions of STOP Ransomware use _readme.txt ransom note file with typical message. The particular version, under research today, uses the following e-mail addresses: support@freshmail.top and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc. Here are the contents of the file it creates on the desktop and in the folders with encrypted files:

Developers of Sato Ransomware promise to send a decryption tool in exchange for $980 (or for $490, if the ransom is paid within 72 hours). There is no reason to trust the hackers and succumb to intimidation. There is a chance to return your data and decrypt .sato files without paying the ransom. You need to remove malware from your computer using one of the certified tools provided in the article. Then you can attempt to decrypt files using STOP Djvu Decryptor or by manual instructions, described below. Often users successfully recover some information using file recovery software, and we found one of the best tools available on the market and prepared an easy tutorial below. In case all methods failed for you we recommend keeping and storing all affected files with help of CryptoSearch utility until there will be way to restore them. Read this guide carefully to remove Sato Ransomware and decrypt .sato files in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

How Sato Ransomware infected your computer

Sato Ransomware typically spreads through various methods, including email spam campaigns, malicious software downloads, and software cracks. Hackers may send emails with infected attachments or links to malicious websites, and they may also bundle the malware with software downloads from untrusted sources or disguise it as legitimate software to trick users into installing it. In the case of software cracks, hackers may embed the malware in the crack and distribute it through file-sharing sites or other channels.

Once the ransomware infects a computer, it encrypts the user’s files and demands a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. It is essential to keep your computer’s software up to date, use antivirus software, and be cautious when downloading files or clicking on links to avoid ransomware infections. Additionally, it is crucial to back up your files regularly, so you can restore them in case of a ransomware attack.

1. Download Sato Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .sato 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 Sato Ransomware

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

How to remove Sato Ransomware manually

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

Sato Ransomware files:

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

Sato Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .sato files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.sato 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 .sato files, encrypted by Sato 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:

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 .sato 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 Sato 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 .sato 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.

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 .sato

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 Sato Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

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.

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. Sato 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.

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.