How to remove Hgew Ransomware and decrypt .hgew files

What is Hgew Ransomware

Hgew Ransomware is a malicious software that belongs to the STOP/Djvu family of ransomware. It is designed to encrypt files on the infected computer and append the .hgew extension to the filenames, rendering them inaccessible. For example, a file named 1.jpg would be renamed to 1.jpg.hgew. After encrypting the files, Hgew Ransomware generates a ransom note named _readme.txt. The perpetrators provide guidance and contact email addresses (support@freshmail.top and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc) within the ransom note. Hgew Ransomware uses the Salsa20 encryption algorithm to encrypt files on the infected computer. Salsa20 is not the strongest encryption method, but it still provides an overwhelming number of possible decryption keys, making it extremely difficult to brute force the decryption.

As of now, there are no known decryption tools available for Hgew Ransomware. Many of the new variants of this ransomware are impossible to decrypt independently, and even experts are still having difficulties in finding a recovery solution for the encrypted files. Paying the ransom is not recommended, as there is no guarantee that the attackers will provide a working decryption key. Stellar Data Recovery Pro is a popular file recovery tool that can retrieve deleted, lost, and inaccessible files from a hard drive, USB stick, or other storage devices. When it comes to recovering Hgew-encrypted files, Stellar Data Recovery Pro might be able to retrieve some files if they were deleted or lost before the encryption process. However, it is not designed to decrypt files encrypted by ransomware like Hgew. As mentioned earlier, there are currently no known decryption tools available for Hgew Ransomware. The best course of action is to prevent infection in the first place and maintain regular backups of your data.

How Hgew Ransomware infected your computer

Hgew Ransomware typically infiltrates a computer or network through deceptive email attachments, malicious downloads, or by exploiting vulnerabilities in software. Once inside the system, it scans for various file types, including photos, videos, and documents, and encrypts them using a powerful algorithm. To prevent Hgew Ransomware infection, it is essential to maintain up-to-date antivirus software, avoid opening suspicious email attachments, and keep your software updated to patch any vulnerabilities. In case of infection, it is recommended to disconnect from the internet to stop the ransomware from spreading and use antivirus software to eliminate the threat.

1. Download Hgew Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .hgew 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 Hgew Ransomware

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

How to remove Hgew Ransomware manually

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

Hgew Ransomware files:

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

Hgew Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .hgew files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.hgew 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 .hgew files, encrypted by Hgew 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 .hgew 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 Hgew 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 .hgew 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 .hgew

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 Hgew Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use G-DATA STOP/Djvu vaccine

G DATA has released a vaccine to block STOP/DJVU ransomware from encrypting victims’ files after infection. The vaccine prevents the ransomware from encrypting files anymore, but it does not prevent the infection itself. The vaccine is available on GitHub. Download it below:

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. Hgew 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.