How to remove Agho ransomware, Decrypt .agho files.

What is Agho file extension

.Agho file extension is a file extension that is used by the newest version of widespread ransomware called STOP (Djvu) to mark files that have been encrypted. Agho ransomware was discovered by the security researchers recently. Upon infecting a computer, it encrypts files on the computer, renames the affected files, appending .agho extension at the end of their filenames, and demands a ransom for a key that will allow the computer owner to decrypt the files. Fortunately, there is a free Agho File Decrypt Tool called ‘STOP (Djvu) Decryptor’ that allows in some cases to decrypt encrypted files. Scroll through this article below to learn more about this decrypt tool and how to use it, as well as alternative ways to recover the contents of encrypted files.

Screenshot of files encrypted by Agho ransomware virus (‘.agho’ file extension)

What is Agho ransomware virus

First discovered recently, Agho ransomware is the newest version of STOP ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on the victim’s computer and demands a ransom payment to restore access to the contents of these files. Agho targets users running Microsoft Windows. In most cases, this malware requires user actions in order to be installed on the computer. Typically, criminals use various tricks, for example, disguising the malicious software as a freeware, cracks, activators and key generators, so that victims download and run Agho virus on their computer.

Upon infecting a computer, the Agho ransomware performs the following steps as part of its preparation for encrypting files: creates a folder in the Windows system directory and copies itself to it; adds itself to the list of programs that start up every time the computer is turned on; collects information about the victim’s computer; establishes connection with its command server (C&C).

If Agho was able to establish a connection with the C&C server, then it sends some information about the victim’s computer to the server, and the server returns a key to it that must be used to encrypt files. Such a key is called ‘online key’ and it is unique for each case of ransomware infection. If a connection to the C&C server has not been established, the ransomware uses a fixed key (so called ‘offline key’), which is unique for each version of STOP (djvu) ransomware, but the same for each case of Agho infection.

Having determined which key to use, Agho ransomware virus goes to the main thing – it starts the file encryption process. Of course, it does not encrypt absolutely all files, since encryption of the Windows system files will cause the computer to stop working. Therefore, the ransomware does not encrypt files located in the system directory of Windows, as well as files with the following extensions: ‘.sys, .dll, .lnk, .ini, .bat’. In addition, Agho virus does not encrypt files named ‘_readme.txt’. All other files will become the target of the malware, for example, the following file types can be encrypted:

.rofl, .dwg, .y, .ybk, .x3f, .raw, .wpg, .vpk, .dxg, .upk, .0, .2bp, .zdc, .sie, .xls, .kdb, .orf, .pdd, .pem, .zip, .fsh, .docm, .flv, .py, .ai, .x3d, .mov, .p7b, .xyp, .wpd, .bik, .mdf, .3ds, .dbf, .dmp, .sid, .svg, .wp5, .hkdb, .wav, .bkf, .zabw, .wmd, .js, .wmo, .xwp, .csv, .slm, .menu, .zw, .hplg, .zif, .xlgc, .qic, .arw, .sis, .yal, .jpe, .hvpl, .bc7, .arch00, .wdb, .xlsb, .jpeg, .wbk, .ztmp, .wri, .webdoc, .xmind, .accdb, .tor, .cas, .wp7, .bsa, .xmmap, .avi, .rar, .rb, .pef, .iwi, .doc, .p7c, .sr2, .eps, .map, .xy3, .bc6, .r3d, .wp6, .vdf, .rw2, .psd, .crw, .mef, .d3dbsp, .sav, .cer, .der, .wpd, .docx, .fpk, .wgz, .big, .pptx, .rim, .m3u, .pfx, .sql, .wotreplay, .xdl, .erf, .odt, .xf, .xlsx, .das, .lrf, .kdc, wallet, .ltx, .wma, .t13, .lbf, .syncdb, .mcmeta, .sb, .wma, .m4a, .wbd, .pdf, .qdf, .mddata, .3fr, .dba, .esm, .txt, .zdb, .pptm, .rgss3a, .xdb, .xls, .wps, .cfr, .ncf, .sidd, .ptx, .srf, .wn, .xml, .yml, .cr2, .xlsm, .x, .xar, .webp, .wmv, .raf, .ff, .wdp, .zi, .xll, .mp4, .w3x, .asset, .wmf, .psk, .wpe, .xpm, .wbmp, .css, .wpw, .wmv, .wbc, .dcr, .wsh, .rwl, .itm, .xbplate, .odp, .pak, .wbz, .ods, .xxx, .x3f, .hkx, .db0, .srw, .zip, .wpt, .pkpass, .itl, .wp, .mdb, .ysp, .xlsm, .desc, .wire, .xx, .xbdoc, .wot, .dng, .nrw, .xld, .z3d, .odm, .bkp, .fos, .bay, .t12, .mpqge, .p12, .vfs0, .xlk, .gho, .1st, .png, .bar, .kf, .ntl, .wpb, .wsc, .vcf, .vtf, .3dm, .mlx, .snx, .ppt, .blob, .sidn, .z, .lvl, .sum, .wcf, .wpa, .litemod, .wps, .wbm, .cdr, .apk, .forge, .pst, .wm

All encrypted files become completely useless, their contents cannot be read in any way. To clearly show that the files are encrypted, the ransomware virus appends a new ‘.agho’ extension at the end of the filename of each encrypted file. This means the following: if the file had the name ‘photo-image.jpg’, then after it has been encrypted, it will be called ‘photo-image.jpg.agho’. In all directories where there are encrypted files, Agho virus drops a file named ‘_readme.txt’

Screenshot of the contents of ‘_readme.txt’ file (Agho ransom demand message)

This file contains text written by Agho authors. In this message, the criminals report that the user’s files were encrypted and the only way to get them back is to purchase a key and a decryptor. Attackers give the victim 72 hours. At this time, the key will cost $490, after 72 hours the ransom will increase to $980. The message also contains the contact information of the criminals, using which the victim can check the ability of the attackers to decrypt .agho files, as well as find out where to send the ransom.

Text presented in the _readme.txt file:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-72VNKmoPkb
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
helpmanager@mail.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
restoremanager@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:

Threat Summary

In file ‘_readme.txt’, criminals scare victims by saying that encrypted files cannot be decrypted without paying a ransom. And unfortunately this is true, the contents of the files cannot be read while the files are encrypted, and a key and decryptor are needed to decrypt them.

Fortunately, there is a free Agho File Decrypt Tool. This decryptor can help each victim to decrypt .agho files for free. But in addition to the decryptor, the key is still necessary. As we reported above, the virus can use two types of keys. An offline key can be determined by researchers, but only criminals have an online key. Thus, files encrypted with so called ‘offline key’ can be decrypted. And all files that have been encrypted with so called ‘online key’ cannot yet be decrypted. In this case, the alternative methods listed below in this article can be used to recover the contents of these files.

How to remove Agho ransomware and Descrypt (restore) .agho files

If your documents, the files of your friends or colleagues, were encrypted by the Agho ransomware virus, then you need to follow the steps listed below that will help you to find and remove Agho, as well as decrypt or restore the encrypted files. It is very important to read the entire instruction manual carefully and make sure to understand it all. We advise you not to skip any steps, each of the steps is very important and must be completed by you. In order not to get confused and not miss an important point in the instructions, we recommend that you print this article or open it on your smartphone.

1. How to remove Agho ransomware virus
2. How to decrypt .agho files
3. How to restore .agho files
4. How to protect your PC from Agho ransomware

How to remove Agho ransomware virus

Before you start decrypting or recovering .agho files, you need to remove the Agho autostart entries. This must be done since otherwise the ransomware may re-encrypt the restored files. You can stop the ransomware from working, as it is not difficult to do. Another option is to perform a full system scan using free malware removal tools capable of detecting and removing ransomware infection.

It is very important to scan the computer for malware, as security researchers found that spyware could be installed on the infected computer along with the Agho ransomware. Spyware is a very dangerous security threat as it is designed to steal the user’s personal information such as passwords, logins, contact details, etc. If you have any difficulty removing the Agho virus, then let us know in the comments, we will try to help you.

To remove Agho ransomware, follow the steps below:

1. Kill Agho ransomware
2. Disable Agho ransomware Start-Up
3. Delete Agho ransomware Task
4. Delete Agho virus file
5. Scan computer for malware

Kill Agho ransomware

Press CTRL, ALT, DEL keys together.

Click Task Manager. Select the “Processes” tab, look for something suspicious that is the Agho ransomware then right-click it and select “End Task” or “End Process” option. If your Task Manager does not open or the Windows reports “Task manager has been disabled by your administrator”, then follow the guide: How to Fix Task manager has been disabled by your administrator.

It is not difficult to detect a process related to the Agho ransomware. When looking for a malicious process, pay attention to the process icon and its name. Most often, this ransomware has a process name in the following format: 4-characters.tmp.exe or 4-characters.exe. For example: 7533.tmp.exe, A4b1.exe, CD15.tmp.exe, 19b2.exe. The process name can also contain “(32 bit)”. If you do not find a process with a similar name in the list of processes, then most likely the Agho ransomware has finished working. But keep in mind, if you do not remove the ransomware autostart entries, as demonstrated below, and do not delete its file, then after a while it may start again, and if it finds unencrypted files, immediately encrypt them.

Disable Agho ransomware Start-Up

Select the “Start-Up” tab, look for something similar to the one shown in the example below, right click to it and select Disable.

Close Task Manager.

Delete Agho ransomware Task

Type “Task Scheduler” in the search bar. Click Task Scheduler app in the search results. Click “Task Scheduler Library” in the left panel. On the right panel, right-click to “Time Trigger Task” and select Delete.

Close Task Scheduler.

Delete Agho virus file

Run Task Manager and select the “Start-Up” tab. Right click to the Agho ransomware Start-Up entry and select Open File Location as shown below.

A directory containing one file will open in front of you, this file is the Agho ransomware. It needs to be removed. If you try to delete it immediately, then you will not succeed, since this file is protected from deletion.

To delete this file, you need to do the following. Right-click on the file, select Properties. In the window that opens, select Security tab. Next, click the Advanced button below. A window will open as shown in the following example.

Click Disable inheritance. In the Block inheritance dialog box that opens, select the first item (Convert inherited permissions…) as shown below.

In the Permission entries list, select “Deny Everyone”, click Remove button and then OK. Close the file properties window. You should now be able to remove the Agho ransomware File. Right-click on the file and select Delete.

Scan computer for malware

Zemana is a complete package of antimalware utilities that can help you remove Agho virus. Despite so many features, it does not reduce the performance of your PC. Zemana Anti-Malware can remove almost all the types of malware including ransomware, trojans, worms, adware, hijackers, potentially unwanted programs and other security threats. Zemana has real-time protection that can defeat most malware and crypto malware. You can run Zemana Anti-Malware with any other anti-virus without any conflicts.

1. Download Zemana Free on your Windows Desktop from the following link.
   
   

   Zemana AntiMalware
   164032 downloads
   Author: Zemana Ltd
   Category: Security tools
   Update: July 16, 2019
   
2. Once you have downloaded the installation file, make sure to double click on the Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. This would start the Zemana install on your personal computer.
3. Select setup language and click ‘OK’ button.
4. On the next screen ‘Setup Wizard’ simply click the ‘Next’ button and follow the prompts.
   
5. Finally, once the installation is done, Zemana will start automatically. Else, if doesn’t then double-click on the Zemana icon on your desktop.
6. Now that you have successfully install Zemana Anti-Malware, let’s see How to use Zemana to delete Agho virus from your computer.
7. After you have started the Zemana Anti Malware, you’ll see a window as shown below, just click ‘Scan’ button to start checking your PC for the Agho virus.
   
8. Now pay attention to the screen while Zemana Anti Malware scans your PC.
   
9. When Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) is done scanning your personal computer, you can check all items found on your computer. Once you have selected what you wish to delete from your PC system press ‘Next’ button.
   
10. Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) may require a restart device in order to complete the Agho ransomware removal process.
11. If you want to permanently delete ransomware virus from your PC, then click ‘Quarantine’ icon, select all malicious software, adware software, PUPs and other items and click Delete.
12. Reboot your computer to complete the ransomware virus removal procedure.

In order to be 100% sure that the computer no longer has the Agho ransomware virus, we recommend using Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT). It is a free portable application that scans your computer for spyware, ransomware virus, adware, potentially unwanted software, trojans, worms, malware and helps delete them easily. Moreover, it will also help you delete any other security threats for free.

Download Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT) on your device from the link below.

Kaspersky virus removal tool
129056 downloads
Author: Kaspersky® lab
Category: Security tools
Update: March 5, 2018

When the downloading process is complete, double-click on the Kaspersky virus removal tool icon. Once initialization process is complete, you’ll see the KVRT screen as displayed on the image below.

Click Change Parameters and set a check near all your drives. Click OK to close the Parameters window. Next click Start scan button . Kaspersky virus removal tool will scan through the whole personal computer for the Agho ransomware virus and other known infections. Depending on your personal computer, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. During the scan Kaspersky virus removal tool will scan for threats exist on your PC.

Once the system scan is complete, the results are displayed in the scan report as displayed on the screen below.

In order to delete all items, simply click on Continue to start a cleaning process.

How to decrypt .agho files

Files with the extension ‘.agho’ are encrypted files. The virus uses a long key and a strong encryption algorithm, so it is impossible to decrypt files without a key and decryptor. Criminals demand a ransom for the key and the decryptor. Of course, even paying a ransom, there is no guarantee that victims will receive the required key and decryptor. Fortunately, there is a free Agho File Decrypt Tool that allows everyone to decrypt .agho files for free.

Agho File Decrypt tool (STOP Djvu decryptor)

To decrypt .agho files, use Agho File Decrypt tool:

• Go to the following link to download Agho File Decrypt tool.
  STOP Djvu decryptor
• Scroll down to ‘New Djvu ransomware’ section.
• Click the download link and save the ‘decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe’ file to your desktop.
• Run decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe, read the license terms and instructions.
• On the ‘Decryptor’ tab, using the ‘Add a folder’ button, add the directory or disk where the encrypted files are located.
• Click the ‘Decrypt’ button.

Agho File Decrypt Tool is a free software that can decrypt the encrypted files only in some cases, when the files were encrypted with an ‘offline key’. If the files were encrypted with an ‘online key’, then they cannot be decrypted. The reason for this is that the decryption key is in the hands of criminals and this key can not be determined. This does not mean that if your files are encrypted with an online key, then their contents are lost forever. Fortunately, there are several ways to recover encrypted files. These methods do not involve the use of decryption and therefore can be used in any case, no matter what key the ransomware used to encrypt files.

How to find out which key was used to encrypt files

Below we show two ways to help you determine what type of key was used to encrypt your files. This is very important, since the type of key determines whether it is possible to decrypt .agho files. We recommend using the second method, as it is more accurate.

Personal ID is highlighted here

Find out the type of key using ‘_readme.txt’ file

• Open the ransom demand message (‘_readme.txt’ file).
• Scroll down to the end of the file.
• There you will see a line with the text ‘Your personal ID’.
• Below is a line of characters – this is your personal id.

Find out the type of key using ‘PersonalID.txt’ file

• Open disk C.
• Open directory ‘SystemID’.
• Open file named ‘PersonalID.txt’. This file lists ‘Personal ID’s that match the keys that the Agho ransomware used to encrypt files.

The ‘Personal ID’ is not a key, it is an identifier related to a key that was used to encrypt files. If the ID ends with ‘t1’, then the files are encrypted with an offline key. If the ID does not end with ‘t1’, Agho ransomware virus used an online key. If you could not figure out how to determine which key was used to encrypt files, then we can help. Just write a request here or in the comments below.

Agho File Decrypt Tool : “No key for New Variant online ID”

If, when you try to decrypt .agho files, Agho File Decrypt Tool reports:

No key for New Variant online ID: *
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible

It means that your files are encrypted with an ‘online key’ and their decryption is impossible, since only the Agho authors have the key necessary for decryption. In this case, you need to use alternative methods listed below to restore the contents of encrypted files.

Agho File Decrypt Tool : “No key for New Variant offline ID”

If, during decryption of .agho files, Agho File Decrypt Tool reports:

No key for New Variant offline ID: *t1
Notice: this ID appears be an offline ID, decryption MAY be possible in the future.

It means the following: your files are encrypted with an ‘offline key’, but the key itself has not yet been obtained by security researchers, in this case, you need to be patient and wait a while, in addition, you can also use alternative ways for recovering encrypted data.

If for some reason you were unable to decrypt the encrypted files, then We recommend to follow the news on our Facebook or YouTube channels. So you ‘ll know right away that it ‘s possible to decrypt .agho files.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to remove Agho ransomware and Decrypt/Recover .agho files.

How to restore .agho files

If the Agho File Decrypt tool cannot decrypt the encrypted files or your data is encrypted with an online key, then there is no need to despair. Fortunately, there are several alternative methods that can allow everyone to recover the contents of encrypted files. Each of these methods does not involve the use of special knowledge and paid programs and can be performed by everyone. We have prepared an instruction with illustrations, which describes in detail the process of data recovery. Before you begin data recovery, if you have not completed step 1, then go back. You must be 100% sure that Agho ransomware virus is completely removed. We recommend using free malware removal tools.

Use ShadowExplorer to recover .agho files

The first and very simple way to restore encrypted files to the state in which they were before encryption is to restore files from their Shadow Copies. The Shadow Volume Copies are copies of files and folders that Windows automatically saved as part of system protection. This feature is fantastic at rescuing personal files that were locked by Agho ransomware. The guide below will give you all the details.

First, visit the following page, then press the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of ShadowExplorer.

ShadowExplorer
438669 downloads
Author: ShadowExplorer.com
Category: Security tools
Update: September 15, 2019

Once downloading is finished, extract the saved file to a folder on your device. This will create the necessary files as displayed on the image below.

Launch the ShadowExplorerPortable program. Now choose the date (2) that you want to restore from and the drive (1) you wish to recover files (folders) from like the one below.

On right panel navigate to the file (folder) you want to recover. Right-click to the file or folder and click the Export button as displayed in the figure below.

And finally, specify a directory (your Desktop) to save the shadow copy of encrypted file and click ‘OK’ button.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to recover encrypted files using Shadow Explorer.

Recover .agho files with PhotoRec

Another way to recover encrypted files is to use data recovery programs. There are many such programs, but most of them are paid. We recommend using a program called PhotoRec. It has all the necessary functions and is completely free.

Download PhotoRec by clicking on the link below. Save it directly to your MS Windows Desktop.

PhotoRec
220576 downloads
Author: CGSecurity
Category: Security tools
Update: March 1, 2018

After downloading is finished, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to testdisk-7.0.win and choose Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the testdisk-7.0 folder as shown below.

Double click on qphotorec_win to run PhotoRec for Windows. It will display a screen as displayed in the following example.

Select a drive to recover as displayed below.

You will see a list of available partitions. Select a partition that holds encrypted photos, documents and music as on the image below.

Click File Formats button and choose file types to restore. You can to enable or disable the restore of certain file types. When this is complete, click OK button.

Next, press Browse button to choose where recovered photos, documents and music should be written, then click Search. We strongly recommend that you save the recovered files to an external drive.

Count of restored files is updated in real time. All recovered files are written in a folder that you have chosen on the previous step. You can to access the files even if the recovery process is not finished.

When the recovery is complete, press on Quit button. Next, open the directory where restored files are stored. You will see a contents as displayed in the figure below.

All recovered files are written in recup_dir.1, recup_dir.2 … sub-directories. If you are searching for a specific file, then you can to sort your recovered files by extension and/or date/time.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to recover encrypted files using PhotoRec.

How to protect your PC from Agho ransomware

Most antivirus apps already have built-in protection system against the crypto virus. Therefore, if your machine does not have an antivirus program, make sure you install it. As an extra protection, use the HitmanPro.Alert. HitmanPro.Alert is a small security tool. It can check the system integrity and alerts you when critical system functions are affected by malware. HitmanPro.Alert can detect, remove, and reverse ransomware effects.

Please go to the link below to download HitmanPro.Alert. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

HitmanPro.Alert
6826 downloads
Author: Sophos
Category: Security tools
Update: March 6, 2019

When the downloading process is finished, open the file location. You will see an icon like below.

Double click the HitmanPro Alert desktop icon. When the utility is opened, you will be shown a window where you can select a level of protection, as displayed in the figure below.

Now press the Install button to activate the protection.

Finish words

This article was created to help all victims of the Agho ransomware virus. We tried to give answers to the following questions: how to remove ransomware; how to decrypt .agho files; how to recover files, if the decryptor does not help; what is an online key and what is an offline key. We hope that the information presented in this article has helped you.

If you have questions, then write to us, leaving a comment below. If you need more help with Agho ransomware related issues, go to here.