How to remove ITSA Ransomware and decrypt .itsa files

What is ITSA Ransomware

ITSA Ransomware is a recently discovered file-encrypting malware that targets Windows users by stealthily locking personal and business files. Upon successful execution, this threat systematically encrypts documents, images, archives, and a wide variety of other file types, then appends the .itsa extension to every compromised item—so files such as holiday.jpg become holiday.jpg.itsa. Creation of its ransom note is an automatic process: after the encryption routine, the ransomware generates a text file called Decryption Instructions.txt and drops it into every affected folder. The note informs victims that their files are irreversibly locked and promises restoration only in exchange for a cryptocurrency payment. Victims are instructed not to alter or rename their encrypted files, threatening that such actions could make decryption impossible. Contact is demanded via the email address ventutusa@gmail.com, with all further extortion details sent by the attacker. ITSA employs strong crypto algorithms—generally a mix of AES and RSA or other modern ciphers—making manual decryption infeasible without the private key, which remains exclusively in the attacker’s possession. Backups and shadow copies are often deleted or rendered useless during the infection process, compounding data loss. This calculated approach makes ITSA particularly dangerous for users and organizations that lack robust backup strategies and multi-layered security measures.

Lack of publicly available decryption tools for ITSA means that victims cannot currently restore .itsa files for free. Security researchers and reputable anti-malware vendors have not yet published a solution, because the ransomware’s encryption method is solid and does not exhibit any fundamental flaws like reused keys or offline keys—common vulnerabilities that sometimes enable free decryption tools for other ransomware families. Users are strongly discouraged from paying the ransom; not only does it fund further criminal activity, but there is also no actual guarantee that files will be recovered even after payment. To attempt recovery, affected users are advised to disconnect from all networks immediately to prevent further spread, then scan and clean their system with a robust anti-malware solution. Once the computer is disinfected, users should check for any available data backups or previous file versions via System Restore, cloud syncs, or external devices that were offline at the time of the attack. In rare cases, file recovery tools may help retrieve shadow copies if ITSA’s deletion attempts were unsuccessful, but successful data restoration is unlikely without a dedicated decryptor. Reporting the incident to authorities and submitting ransomware samples to services such as ID Ransomware and No More Ransom Project may also help, as they monitor for breakthroughs and may notify users if a decryption tool becomes available in the future. Vigilance, regular backups, and strong endpoint protection remain the best defenses against this sophisticated ransomware.

How ITSA Ransomware infects computers

ITSA Ransomware infiltrates computers primarily through deceptive means that exploit user vulnerabilities and software weaknesses. Cybercriminals often employ phishing emails as a key distribution method, embedding malicious attachments or links that, once executed, initiate the ransomware’s encryption process. These emails are crafted to appear legitimate, often mimicking trusted entities to trick recipients into clicking. Additionally, ITSA can spread through compromised websites, malicious advertisements, and downloads from unreliable sources, such as pirated software or peer-to-peer networks. This ransomware also leverages software vulnerabilities, exploiting outdated systems and applications to gain unauthorized access and deploy its encryption payload. To mitigate the risk of infection, users should adopt strict email scrutiny, maintain updated software, and avoid downloading content from unverified sources.

1. Download ITSA Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .itsa 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 ITSA Ransomware

ITSA Ransomware files:


Decryption Instructions.txt
{randomname}.exe


ITSA Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .itsa files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

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

Download RakhniDecryptor

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 .itsa 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 ITSA 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 .itsa files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select the type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose the 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.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose a 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 are no items in the list, choose an alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it, and you will see a 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 an 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 ITSA Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

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.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

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. ITSA 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.

Download MailWasher Pro