Fdcz Ransomware - How to remove

Fdcz is a malicious program that encrypts files and then demands a ransom in exchange for fixing them. It attacks documents, images, videos, and various user files, but it leaves the operating system (mostly) intact.

Fdcz ransomware spreads with pirated software. Unlike some ransomware that only targets large companies, Fdcz affects regular PC users – people who may not be able to afford to pay a ransom of hundreds of dollars.

In short about Fdcz:

Classification	Ransomware, trojan.
How Fdcz ransomware works	It gets downloaded with pirated software and installed with additional malware, it deletes backups and breaks settings, it encrypts files and changes their names.
Can you get your data back?	Restore backups, use data recovery programs.
How to delete Fdcz	Remove malware (with Spyhunter, other antivirus programs) or reset Windows, reset passwords and use multi-factor authentication.

How Fdcz ransomware works

Fdcz infection symptoms

Fdcz ransomware is a malicious program that spreads with pirated software (How ransomware spreads) and affects Windows PCs. Here are a few things you may notice if your computer was attacked by Fdcz:

• Many files can’t be opened.
• Some websites don’t open.
• Their icons are blank pages – just like those of files of unknown type.
• The names of unopenable files end with .fdcz (you need to enable file type extensions to see them).
• Notes called _readme.txt can be found in multiple folders. These are Fdcz’s ransom notes, where the criminals give their contacts and ask you to send money.
• Excessive ads, pop-ups, redirects in web browsers.
• Hacked online accounts.
• Task Manager doesn’t work.

When Fdcz gets on a computer, it tries to disable antivirus programs and delete backups. In addition, other malware may be downloaded at the same time.

Fdcz is part of a well-known family of ransomware – Djvu (this family also includes Pola, Ytbn, and at least a hundred other variants). And it’s also known that these variants used to spread the AZORult spyware – a malicious program that steals files, clipboard contents, passwords and payment methods saved in your browsers, cryptocurrency wallets, screenshots, and other data.

As long as there might be spyware on your computer, avoid connecting it to the internet, as that’s how stolen data is sent to cybercriminals.

Fdcz encrypts files

Fdcz uses cryptography to break files. Imagine someone password-protected all of your data but they won’t give you the password. They are holding the decryption code – the bit of information that can fix all of your files – hostage.

The reason that the files locked by Fdcz can’t be opened is that they’ve basically been corrupted. The new “fdcz” extensions have nothing to do with that and only serve as labels to make it easy to tell which files have been locked.

The people behind Fdcz ask for a ransom of $490 to $980. There’s no guarantee that they’ll fix your files if you pay the money. Cybercriminals sometimes take the ransom money and ignore the victim or ask for more.

The best defense against ransomware is regularly creating backups of your important files – either cloud backups (not to be confused with cloud sync – that’s vulnerable to ransomware) or offline backups (such as external drives).

How to get your files back

Besides restoring data from backups, you can try and repair your files. Fdcz might only partially encrypt the bigger files, so it might be possible to extract some data or even restore some files.

There’s also the tiny but real chance that the Fdcz encryption/decryption code, the “password” needed to repair your files, is not unique and is shared with a few other victims. Scan your Fdcz-locked files with the Emsisoft decryptor to check for that possibility.

Check out data recovery tools like EaseUS to see if you can get valuable data back from deleted files.

It’s not recommended to contact the cybercriminals behind Fdcz. If you do it, then keep a couple of things in mind:

• Keep your identity secret.
• Do not pay more money than you’re willing to lose.

How to delete Fdcz ransomware

Below are instructions for how to remove malicious programs (spyware, ransomware, etc.) from your device. You may need to use safe mode (to stop unnecessary programs from running autonomously) and to fix your hosts file (after Fdcz likely filled it with unwanted entries).

Like most malware, Fdcz can be deleted with good quality antivirus programs (Spyhunter and others). Alternatively, you can reset Windows, but if you keep any of your files, it’s still important to scan your PC with an antivirus tool afterward.

And because Fdcz likely spreads with info-stealing spyware, it’s very important to protect your accounts from being hacked. Make sure that you’re using multi-factor authentication and/or use a clean computer to reset your passwords. Use strong and unique passwords. Keep an eye on your bank accounts – spyware infections can be really dangerous.

Important -- edit the hosts file to unblock security websites

TL DR : The hosts file is edited to block security sites Before the virus can be removed, it's necessary to fix the hosts file (the file which controls which addresses connect to which IPs). That is the reason the majority of security websites is inaccessible when infected with this particular parasite. This infection edits this file to stop certain websites, including anti-malware download sites, from being accessed from the infected computer, making browsers return the "This site can't be reached" error. Luckily, it's trivial to fix the file and remove the edits that were made to it.

Find and edit the hosts file

The hosts file can be found on C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/etc/hosts. If you don't see it, change the settings to see hidden files.

1. In the Start Menu, search for Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, find Appearance and Personalization.
3. Select Folder Options.
4. Open the View tab.
5. Open Advanced settings.
6. Select "Show hidden files...".
7. Select OK.

Open this file with administrator privileges.

1. Open the Start Menu and enter "notepad".
2. When Notepad shows up in the result, right-click on it.
3. In the menu, choose "Run as administrator"
4. File->Open and browse for the hosts file.

The hosts file should look like this: Delete additional lines that they connect various domain names to the wrong IP address. Save the file.

Download and run the antivirus program

After that, download antivirus programs and use them to remove the ransomware, the trojan, and other malware. Spyhunter (https://www.2-viruses.com/reviews/spyhunter/dwnld/).

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Fdcz Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Fdcz Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Fdcz Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Fdcz Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Fdcz Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Fdcz Ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Fdcz Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.