Jhgn ransomware removal

Jhgn ransomware is a file-encrypting malware, released by the cybercriminals operating the notorious Djvu/STOP ransomware family. These cybercriminals release new ransomware versions regularly, usually at least two a week. They are all more or less identical to one another but can be identified by the extensions they add to encrypted files. This ransomware adds .jhgn, which is why it’s known as Jhgn ransomware. You will be unable to open files with this extension because they have been encrypted. Decrypting them requires a special decryptor that only the cybercriminals have. They will try to sell you the decryptor for $980 but buying it comes with many risks.

 

 

Jhgn ransomware is mostly identical to all other more recently-released Djvu/STOP versions. But they all add different extensions to encrypted files, which is how they can be differentiated. For example, this one adds .jhgn so an encrypted image.jpg file would become image.jpg.jhgn. Files with this extension will be unopenable because they’ve been encrypted. Generally, ransomware infections target personal files, including photos, videos, images, documents, etc. The only way to recover the original files is to use a specific decryptor on them. However, the decryptor is not easily available. The only ones who have it are the cybercriminals operating this ransomware.

Once the ransomware is done encrypting files, it will drop a ransom note in all folders that contain encrypted files. The _readme.txt ransom note explains that victims can buy a decryptor from the ransomware operators for $980. According to the note, there is a 50% discount for users who make contact with them within the first 72 hours. Whether that is actually true or not is debatable but we don’t recommend trusting the cybercriminals to help you. In general, paying the ransom is quite risky because you have no way of knowing whether you will actually get the decryptor. Keep in mind that you are dealing with cybercriminals, and there’s nothing to ensure that they will follow their end of the deal. Unfortunately, many users in the past have not received their decryptors.

If you have a backup, recovering files should be relatively easy. However, it’s essential that you fully remove Jhgn ransomware from your computer first. Use anti-malware software for Jhgn ransomware removal because otherwise, you could cause additional damage. Once the ransomware has been fully removed, you can connect to your backup to start file recovery.

File recovery is not guaranteed if you do not have a backup. There currently is no free Jhgn ransomware decryptor but it’s not impossible that one will be released in the future. Back up your encrypted files and store them safely until you gain access to a free Jhgn ransomware decryptor. However, you should be very careful when searching for free decryptors because there are many fake ones, downloading which could result in additional malware. If a free Jhgn ransomware decryptor is ever released, it would appear on NoMoreRansom. If you cannot find it on NoMoreRansom, you’re unlikely to find a legitimate decryptor anywhere else.

How to avoid malware infections?

Most malware infections, including ransomware, spread via known methods so becoming familiar with them can allow you to avoid quite a lot of malware in the future. Developing good browsing habits can also significantly reduce your chances of picking up a malware infection. Malware is often spread via email attachments, torrents, ads, etc.

There are many great reasons why pirating copyrighted content, especially using torrents, is not a good idea. One of the main reasons is that it’s illegal and essentially stealing content. However, it’s also dangerous for the computer. It’s a known fact that torrent sites are quite badly regulated. This allows cybercriminals to upload torrents with malicious content to those sites. Malware can usually be found in torrents for movies, TV shows, software, and video games. The more popular something is, the more likely its torrents are to contain malware. Thus, if you use torrents to pirate, you’re risking infecting your computer with all kinds of malware infections.

It’s also very common for cybercriminals to distribute malware using emails. Cybercriminals attach malicious files to emails and send them to email addresses they purchase from various hacker forums. It’s not difficult to find leaked email addresses, so this is a pretty low-effort method of malware distribution. Fortunately, those emails are fairly obvious most of the time. Malicious senders often pretend to be from legitimate companies and claim that users use their services. This is a tactic to pressure users into opening the attached files. But for an unknown reason, such emails are often full of grammar/spelling mistakes. This makes the email immediately obvious because no official correspondence by a legitimate company will ever contain obvious grammar/spelling mistakes. Another thing to take note of is how an email addresses you. If an email is actually sent by a company whose services you use, you will be addressed by name. But because malicious senders usually do not know the names of potential victims, they use generic words like User, Member, Customer, etc. It’s also worth mentioning that when cybercriminals have certain information about potential victims, malicious spam attempts may be much more sophisticated. Therefore, it’s a good idea to always scan email attachments with anti-virus software or VirusTotal before opening them.

How to remove Jhgn ransomware

It’s generally not a good idea to try to delete Jhgn ransomware manually unless you know exactly what to do. If you’re not careful, you could accidentally cause additional damage. Furthermore, it’s not difficult to miss some parts of the ransomware, which could later allow it to recover. This could lead to encrypted files in your backup if you were to connect to it while ransomware was still present on the computer. We strongly recommend you use anti-malware software to remove Jhgn ransomware. If you have a backup, you can access it to start file recovery as soon as the ransomware is removed. If you do not have a backup, back up the encrypted files in case a free Jhgn ransomware decryptor becomes available in the future.