How to remove Decaf Ransomware and decrypt .decaf files

What is Decaf Ransomware

Decaf is categorized as a ransomware program designed to blackmail victims into paying money for the recovery of blocked data. Its first attacks were registered at the beginning of November 2021 and continue taking place across multiple users. The virus employs its own extension called .decaf which is assigned during encryption. An example of how encrypted files would like after encryption is this 1.pdf.decaf. It is impossible to blink the infection because all files lose their accessibility and icons as well. Upon successful installation of cryptographic ciphers, Decaf creates a text note named README.txt that contains info on how to recover your data. You can see the detailed summary of this note down here:

Cybercriminals say all server and PC data has been encrypted with strong algorithms preventing any third-party decryption. The only possible way to restore access to the entire data is to use a special “universal” decryptor stored by the extortionists. To learn further instructions regarding decryption, victims should write to the attached e-mail address (22eb687475f2c5ca30b@protonmail.com). From there, will be likely informed about the price of decryption software and ways to obtain it. As a rule, cybercrooks request their victims to send varying amounts of money in some cryptocurrency to their wallets. The range can fluctuate from hundreds to thousands of dollars for the restoration of data. If you are a company that got attacked by Decaf Ransomware, then you will be required to pay a higher ransom. For now, there are no feasible options to decrypt data apart from paying the ransom itself. You can restore files only with backup copies if such were created prior to the infection and stored in a separate and protected location. Whatever the case, it is important to delete the virus firsthand and only then decide which recovery option to choose. You may try some third-party utilities from our guide, but they are less likely to help at this moment. Keep in mind that third-party decryptors always evolve so they may decrypt some files in the future that they could not before. All information regarding the topic you will find below.

How Decaf Ransomware infected your computer

The easiest and most effective way preferred by cybercriminals to distribute malware is via e-mail spam letters. Such e-mails contain similar branding names to make them look more trustworthy and legitimate. The purpose of these letters is to deliver malicious attachments and bait users into opening them. Swindlers may use malicious script/links or macros-enabled documents like Word, Excel, or PDF. Some old-fashioned messages used to include JavaScript or Archive files with malicious files inside. In order to push users into initiating the attached files, cybercriminals use tempting headlines about “Your Invoice”, “Pending Orders”, “Ongoing Shipment”, or something else that raises the interest of users. Do not trust them and delete such messages once you received them. Even though they may look familiar or even legitimate, it is often a ruse meant to spread malware into your system. With that said, it is important to stay vigilant and not click on suspicious content scattered around the web. Even nice-looking ads may end up a channel for spreading some malicious infections. Besides e-mail spam letters, there is a number of other distribution techniques used by cybercriminals quite regularly, such as trojans, unprotected RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, web-infects, malicious ads, exploits, botnets, and other vectors like that. To learn more about protecting yourself against them, follow our tutorial below.

1. Download Decaf Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .decaf 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. How to protect from threats like Decaf Ransomware

Decaf Ransomware files:


README.txt
{randomname}.exe


Decaf Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .decaf files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .decaf files. Download it here:

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

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 .decaf files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing 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 Decaf Ransomware and removed from your computer you can try to decrypt 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 .decaf 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.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Decaf 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. Decaf 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.