Remove Dutan ransomware and decrypt .dutan file virus

STOP Djvu ransomware operators have released a new variant that speckles encrypted files with the .dutan extension and drops _readme.txt ransom note.

1. What is the Dutan ransomware?
2. Dutan ransomware automated removal and data recovery
3. Dutan ransomware manual removal and file recovery
4. Ransomware Prevention Tips

What is the Dutan ransomware?

A ransomware attack isn’t only about putting cryptography to malicious use. It’s also about serious damage incurred by every victim, where every incident is a whole separate story. Some of the infected users run the risk of losing precious digital memories, while others are at their wit’s end finding ways to restore important work documents. The adversaries who masterminded this phenomenon should definitely be ashamed of themselves, but the fact persists that these pests are out there hitting numerous users and organizations every single day. One of the latest ruthless electronic contrivances from this category is referred to as the .dutan file virus based on the extension it appends to hostage data items. It is also identifiable by a peculiar filename of the rescue note being created on a compromised host, namely _readme.txt document that the culprit embeds into every folder with encrypted objects and additionally drops onto the desktop.

As per behavioral analytics and code properties, it turns out that this sample is a spinoff of a large family dubbed STOP Djvu ransomware. A few specimens from this lineage that gained a great deal of traction earlier include .djvu (.djvuu) and .pdff file versions. As a matter of fact, the crooks in charge of this campaign have been showing unprecedented productivity lately. During the past week alone, they have coined a handful of iterations that stain files with the following extensions: .kiratos, .todarius, .hrosas, .verasto, .moresa, .quvara, .etols, and .norvas, not to mention the edition being described in this post. Obviously, the offending operation is underway and the risk of encountering this strain is higher than ever. When the Dutan ransomware infects a Windows computer, it instantly begins a surreptitious scan of the hard disk, removable drives and network shares in search of files that match its built-in list of popular formats. This way, it spots a vast majority of the victim’s personal and important data that eventually becomes the core element of defiant extortion.

This sample employs a cipher to make it impossible for the victim to access their information the normal way. The biggest change takes place on the invisible inside of the files, where the digital structure of each one gets scrambled to render all regular methods of opening or editing it futile. The outer manifestation of the targeted entities becomes skewed as well, not to such a big extent though. While the original filenames are modified, they get the .dutan string added to them so that a sample document Novel.docx turns into Novel.docx.dutan. The only touchpoint of the malefactors with the plagued user is the decryption manual named _readme.txt, something the victim doesn’t have to spend hours looking for because it appears right within their sight on the desktop as well as inside all directories affected by the crypto virus. Here’s a snippet of the introductory text from this note:

ATTENTION!
Don’t worry my friend, 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.

Notice the hypocrisy in the friendly way that the villains address the victim. Also, the statement about “strongest encryption” doesn’t really hold true, because security analysts and cryptography gurus have managed to crack quite a few versions of the STOP Djvu ransomware. Unfortunately, the .dutan edition isn’t supported by these benign recovery techniques at the time of writing. Anyway, the attackers demand $980 worth of cryptocurrency for their decryptor. Interestingly, they claim to provide a 50% discount if the user reaches out to them within the first 72 hours after the incursion. Speaking of which, the contact email addresses for the .dutan file variant are vengisto@firemail.cc and gorentos@bitmessage.ch. Additionally, the extortionists provide their Telegram account @datarestore in the rescue file. When sending the message, the victim is supposed to insert their personal ID so that the black hats can identify the specific instance.

However, it’s in every affected user’s best interest to avoid dealing with the felons and try every alternative option instead. Not only is this a way to save hundreds of dollars, but it’s also a reasonable refusal to fund the disgusting business. So start the remediation with the steps below and, hopefully, bid farewell to the cyber predators.

Dutan ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When faced with ransomware like Dutan, one of the best shortcuts in terms of removal is to use Combo Cleaner, a lightweight and incredibly effective application with PC security and optimization features under the hood. It detects and thoroughly deletes threats while giving you insights into the overall health of your computer.

This program’s protection power spans modules that forestall all known types of malware, including ransomware and browser hijackers, and take your online security to the next level by blocking phishing sites and other suspicious web pages. Follow these simple steps to eliminate the infection for good:

1. Download Combo Cleaner installer.

Download Dutan remover

^{Combo Cleaner scans your PC with no strings attached, but you’ll have to buy its fully functional version to remove the threats it detects. The disk optimization tools that find large files and duplicates are free to use.}

2. Open the CCSetup.exe file to get started. Several subsequent screens will allow you to make initial customizations so that the program works exactly as you need from the get-go.

3. The installation will be followed by an update of malware signatures. Once this process is through, click the Start Scan button in the left-hand sidebar.

4. Combo Cleaner will then check system locations that are most often polluted by Windows malware. The first scan can take a while to finish.

5. Combo Cleaner will display a system tray notification as soon as the scan is over. Click the Resolve found threats button to view the results.

6. The scan summary shows the names and types of the detected threats as well as their statuses and locations. Click the Remove all threats button and follow further on-screen prompts to get rid of these items.

Data recovery toolkit to the rescue

Some strains of ransomware are known to delete the original files after the encryption routine has been completed. As hostile as this activity appears, it can play into your hands. There are applications designed to revive the information that was obliterated because of malfunctioning hardware or due to accidental removal. The tool called Stellar Data Recovery features this type of a capability and therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So use the app to get an idea of what data can be restored and let it do the recovery job. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

2. Open the application, select the types of recoverable files to look for, and click Next.

3. Choose the areas you want the tool to recover from and click the Scan button.

4. Having scanned the specified locations, the program will display a notification about the total amount of recoverable data. Close the dialog and click the Recover button. This will hopefully help you get some of your valuable files back.

Dutan ransomware manual removal and file recovery

Some ransomware strains terminate themselves after completing the encryption job on a computer, but some don’t. Furthermore, the Dutan virus may prevent victims from using popular antimalware tools in order to stay on board for as long as possible. Under the circumstances, it may be necessary to utilize the Safe Mode with Networking or System Restore functionality.

Be advised that even after the ransomware is removed, files will still be encrypted and inaccessible. The malicious code cleanup part, however, is important because it keeps a relapse of the infection from occurring further on and eliminates all opportunistic malware.

Ways of non-ransom recovery of .dutan files

Cracking the crypto used by this ransom Trojan is more of a science fiction thing rather than an attainable prospect for the masses. This is why the troubleshooting in predicaments of this sort is a matter of two approaches: one is to pay the ransom, which isn’t an option for many victims; and the other is to apply instruments that take advantage of the ransomware’s possible weaknesses. If the latter is your pick, the advice below is a must-try.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid Dutan ransomware and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:

These techniques are certainly not a cure-all, but they will add an extra layer of ransomware protection to your security setup.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup. Another benefit of using the antimalware tool is that it will keep ransomware threats from intruding on your computer further on.

Download Dutan removal tool