HappyDayzz is a string added to the files encrypted for ransom, hence the name of ransomware. The virus is in the wild since Match 2017. Users filed a number of reports on the invasion by the end of the month. The outbreak is ongoing as of the time of this article release.
A prevailing propagation scheme that disseminates copies of the ransomware is a large-scale spamming campaign. This may steal the identity of actual users. The identity theft enables to approach real people under the name of their trusted contact. The unsuspecting victims open the infecting link, which yet does not necessarily install the ransomware. Most of the victims also open an item attached to the email and even allow the macro to execute.
Needless to say, one may easily get paranoid if any incoming mail, even from trusted contacts, needs to be verified. Since most of the people are reasonably open to any contents sent from their partners, the ransomware proliferates.
HappyDayzz leverages asymmetric encryption. This method transforms the input with a sophisticated key. The key is public. Basically, anyone can get one. The key matches respective private key. The private key enables its holder to decrypt the items processed with the public key. Unfortunately, any computations available with current technical capacity cannot produce the private key within a reasonable timeframe. The crooks force their victims to buy the decryptor. To enhance anonymity of the parties to the transactions, threat actors accept payments in Bitcoins only. Besides, they force the victims to communicate via TOR. TOR is also the only browser for paying the ransom.
HappyDayzz ransomware is one of the infamous Globe3 family. The viruses of this strain are extremely greedy. They may set the ransom amount per single victim to USD 3,000 and over. Again, the payments are only valid in Bitcoins.
IT security does not suggest any ransom-based options for the victims of HappyDayzz. Get rid of HappyDayzz malicious encryption, as well as remove the virus itself applying the guidance below.
Automatic removal of HappyDayzz file virus
The benefits of using the automatic security suite to get rid of this infection are obvious: it scans the entire system and detects all potential fragments of the virus, so you are a few mouse clicks away from a complete fix.
- Download and install recommended malware security suite
- Select Start Computer Scan feature and wait until the utility comes up with the scan report. Proceed by clicking on the Fix Threats button, which will trigger a thorough removal process to address all the malware issues compromising your computer and your privacy.
Restore files locked by HappyDayzz file virus
new Locky variant aka HappyDayzz ransomware represents a unique category of malicious software whose attack surface reaches beyond the operating system and its components, which is why removing the virus itself is a part of the fix only. As it has been mentioned, it encrypts one’s personal information, so the next phase of the overall remediation presupposes reinstating the files that will otherwise remain inaccessible.
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Launch data recovery software
Similarly to the rest of its fellow-infections, HappyDayzz file virus most likely follows an operational algorithm where it erases the original versions of the victim’s files and actually encrypts their copies. This peculiarity might make your day, because forensics-focused applications like Data Recovery Pro are capable of restoring the information that has been removed. As the virus further evolves, its modus operandi may be altered – in the meanwhile, go ahead and try this.
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Take advantage of Volume Shadow Copy Service
This technique is based on using the native backup functionality that’s shipped with Windows operating system. Also referred to as Volume Snapshot Service (VSS), this feature makes regular backups of the user’s files and keeps their most recent versions as long as System Restore is on. HappyDayzz ransomware hasn’t been found to affect these copies therefore the restoration vector in question is strongly recommended. The two sub-sections below highlight the automatic and manual workflow.
- a) Use Shadow Explorer
Shadow Explorer is an applet that provides an easy way of retrieving previous versions of files and folders. Its pro’s include an intuitive interface where the computer’s entire file hierarchy is displayed within one window. Just pick the hard disk volume, select the object or directory to be restored, right-click on it and choose Export. Follow the app’s prompts to get the job done.
- b) Use file properties
Essentially, what the above-mentioned Shadow Explorer tool does is it automates the process that can otherwise be performed manually via the Properties dialog for individual files. This particular approach is more cumbrous but just as effective as its software-based counterpart, so you can proceed by right-clicking on a specific file, which has been encrypted by HappyDayzz file virus, and selecting Properties in the context menu. The tab named Previous Versions is the next thing to click – it displays available versions of the file by date of the snapshot creation. Pick the latest copy and complete the retrieval by following the prompts.
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Data backups work wonders
Ransomware like HappyDayzz file virus isn’t nearly as almighty and destructive in case you run regular file backups to the cloud or external data media. The virus itself can be completely removed in a matter of minutes, and the distorted information can then be just as easily recovered from the backup. Luckily, this is a growing trend, so ransom Trojans are hopefully going to become less subversive in the near future.
Verify thoroughness of the removal
Having carried out the instructions above, add a finishing touch to the security procedure by running an additional computer scan to check for residual malware activity
