How to remove OBZ Ransomware and decrypt .OBZ files

What is OBZ Ransomware

OBZ is a ransomware-type virus that encrypts access to data and blackmails victims into paying money for decryption. At the time of encryption, the virus alters targetted files with the .OBZ extension. For instance, a file originally named 1.pdf will turn into 1.pdf.OBZ or 1.pdf.obz depending on which ransomware version penetrated the system. In addition, victims also reported seeing a malicious process named Traffic Light in Windows Task Manager. Once the encryption process gets to a close, OBZ Ransomware creates a text document (ReadMe.txt) that features decryption instructions. It is worth noting that the content of this ransom note is identical to other previously discovered U2K and MME ransomware, which may indicate that OBZ was developed by the same group of developers.

The note displays brief information about what type has been encrypted and also says that purchasing a unique decryptor is the only way to recover the files. To do this, victims are guided to install the TOR Browser and establish communication with cybercriminals via the link written inside the note. After this, the extortionists will most likely give further instructions and payment details to purchase the tool. Unfortunately, it is indeed rarely possible to decrypt data without the help of attackers. You can try free third-party decryption/recovery tools from our guide, however, it is less likely that they will be able to help at the moment. For now, the only two methods to return your data are to either collaborate with extortionists (and purchase their decryption tool) or recover the files from available backups. Backups are copies of files stored on external storage (e.g., cloud, USB pendrives, etc.) that were not affected at the time of infection. Recovering data from backups is always a safer option as many cybercriminals tend to fool their victims and not send any decryption keys/tools eventually. Before trying to restore data without the involvement of cybercriminals, it is crucial to remove the infection from your computer and prevent its malicious activity. Follow our guide below to do so and get protection against such threats in the future.

How OBZ Ransomware infected your computer

Users tend to catch ransomware infections through e-mail spam letters, trojans, deceptive third-party downloads, fake software updates/installers, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, system exploits, and more. The most typical infection scenario is when inexperienced users get tricked into opening some malicious content (e.g., attachments or links). For instance, ransomware can be disguised as some legitimate file (.DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, or .JS extensions) and distributed through e-mail letters. Such letters usually imitate names of legal companies/entities (e.g., delivery companies, tax authorities, banks, and so forth). By naming files in click-bait ways, cybercriminals make users curious and increase the chances of getting the malicious file eventually opened. As a result, the contained infection will be deployed for installation on the targeted system. To prevent such and similar drive-by (stealth) installations of malware, you should avoid downloading software from unofficial resources (Peer-to-Peer websites, torrent pages, landing pages, etc.) and beware of opening content that looks suspicious. Read our guide below and learn how one can protect his PC against threats like ransomware (and other possible malware) in the future.

1. Download OBZ Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .OBZ 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 OBZ Ransomware

OBZ Ransomware files:


ReadMe.txt
{randomname}.exe


OBZ Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .OBZ files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .OBZ 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 .OBZ 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 OBZ 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 .OBZ 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 OBZ 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. OBZ 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.