Remove Kasp ransomware. Decrypt .kasp files. Kasp File Recovery Guide.

What is Kasp file extension

.Kasp file extension is a file extension that is used by a new version of the STOP ransomware to mark files that have been encrypted. Kasp ransomware is a malware that is created to encrypt the victim’s files, and then demand a ransom for decrypting them. Fortunately, there is a free Kasp File Decrypt Tool called STOP Djvu Decryptor that can decrypt encrypted files in some cases. In addition to this decryptor, there are several more methods that can help restore the contents of encrypted files. Read more about Kasp File Decrypt Tool, as well as how to remove Kasp ransomware, how to recover .Kasp files and how to protect the computer from such ransomware below.

Screenshot of files encrypted by Kasp ransomware (‘.kasp’ file extension)

What is Kasp ransomware

Kasp ransomware is new version of STOP (Djvu) ransomware. According to security researchers, this version is not much different from previous versions of the STOP ransomware, such as Geno and Boop, which were discovered earlier. The Kasp ransomware is spread by websites offering to download freeware, key generators, activators, cracked games, torrents and so on.

Upon execution, Kasp creates a folder in the Windows system directory where it places a copy of itself and changes some Windows settings so that it starts up every time the computer is restarted or turned on. The virus collects information about the victim’s computer and then tries to establish a connection with its command server (C&C). If the connection has been established, then it sends information about the infected computer to the server, and in response receives the encryption key (the so-called ‘online key’) and additional commands and malware that must be executed on the victim’s computer. If the virus could not establish a connection with its command server, then it uses a fixed key (the so-called ‘offline key’).

The Kasp ransomware encrypts files using a strong encryption algorithm and a key (‘offline key’ or ‘online key’, as described above). The virus tries to encrypt as many files as possible, for this it only encrypts the first 154kb of the contents of each file and thus significantly speeds up the encryption process. Kasp has the ability to encrypt files on all drives connected to the computer: internal hard drives, flash USB disks, network storage, and so on. It skips without encryption: files located in the Windows system directories, files with the extension .ini, .bat, .dll, .lnk, .sys and files with the name ‘_readme.txt’. The remaining files located on the victim’s computer can be encrypted. For example, the following file types may be the target of ransomware attack:

.svg, .fos, .xdb, .raw, .ptx, .sis, .xls, .blob, .xlsm, .zdb, .wp7, .xdl, .sid, .bkf, .xxx, .raf, .zdc, .avi, .x3f, .wire, .mpqge, .tax, .ysp, .wmd, .wp5, .slm, .crt, .lrf, .wmv, .wbd, .dxg, .xll, .odm, .wn, .wpd, .wpe, .wsd, .xy3, .t12, .wot, .zw, .wp4, .wpb, .xyw, .wotreplay, .pst, .mlx, .asset, .qdf, .xwp, .jpe, .forge, .xbdoc, .pkpass, .vdf, .xlsx, .cdr, .qic, .pptm, .pak, .lvl, .pem, .dbf, .hvpl, .p7c, .itm, .tor, .mdbackup, .map, .jpeg, .flv, .big, .sidd, .rb, .layout, .der, .w3x, .mp4, .bay, .wbc, .srw, .odb, .3ds, .kdc, .snx, .vfs0, .wbk, .wsh, .wps, .wpg, .wps, .1st, .odt, .wpl, .accdb, .pdd, .ods, .zip, .py, .ws, .eps, .xmind, .psd, .wb2, .mcmeta, .dba, .ncf, .bc7, .pptx, .db0, .ltx, .mrwref, .wma, .dcr, .gho, .wbz, .apk, .png, .xlsb, .bkp, .rim, .rtf, .ibank, .das, .cas, .wmo, .m2, .itl, .xld, .wdb, .dng, .webdoc, .wsc, .upk, .m4a, .xlsx, .sum, .css, .re4, .desc, .wbm, .psk, .pdf, .xls, .xlk, .bar, .ztmp, .wp, .cr2, .webp, .xlgc, .hkdb, .sidn, .dmp, .dwg, .wpt, .vcf, .wpw, .syncdb, .fsh, .3dm, .menu, .wdp, .erf, .vtf, .doc, .xml, .docm, .litemod, .z3d, .icxs, .crw, .xar, .iwd, .js, .mddata, .yal, .jpg, .rofl, .dazip, .itdb, .r3d, .0, .mdb, .xpm, .zip, .ntl, .wm, .xbplate, .d3dbsp, .p12, .1, .gdb, .kf, .esm, .cer, .rw2, .cfr, .arch00, wallet, .z, .wgz, .sie, .rwl, .p7b, .x, .ybk, .wri, .bik, .sr2, .2bp, .wpa, .hplg, .zi, .wma, .odc, .rgss3a, .docx, .7z, .m3u, .x3f, .srf, .zif, .ppt, .iwi, .3fr, .fpk, .wmf, .wpd, .sav, .hkx, .ai, .csv, .pfx, .sb, .x3d, .vpk, .txt, .wbmp, .kdb, .zabw, .t13, .nrw, .wp6, .rar, .indd, .odp, .bsa, .sql, .wav, .xx, .arw, .pef

Kasp encrypts file-by-file. Each file that has been encrypted will be renamed, the .kasp extension will be added at the end of its name. Thus, it marks all encrypted files. In every directory where there is at least one encrypted file, the virus places a file named ‘_readme.txt’. The file contains a message from the Kasp authors. An example of the contents of this file is given below.

Screenshot of the contents of ‘_readme.txt’ file (Kasp ransom note)

This message says that all files on the computer are encrypted and the only way to decrypt them is to purchase a key and a decryptor from the authors of the Kasp ransomware. That is, criminals demand a ransom for unlocking the victim’s files. The size of the ransom is $980, but if the victim is ready to pay the ransom within 72 hours, then its size is halved to $490. Attackers offer victims to verify that encrypted files can be decrypted. To do this, the victim must send them a small file to one of the email addresses specified in the ‘_readme.txt’ file. Of course, it is obvious that a single decrypted file cannot guarantee that after paying the ransom, the criminals will provide the victim with a working key and decryptor.

Threat Summary

How to remove Kasp ransomware, Recover, Decrypt .kasp files

Security researchers confirm the words of the authors of the Kasp ransomware. All files with the extension ‘.kasp’ are encrypted and thus cannot be read and used. The only way to decrypt them is to use the key and the decryptor. Fortunately, there is some good news. As we already reported above, the Kasp virus belongs to the STOP ransomware family, which means that you can use a Kasp File Decrypt Tool called “STOP Djvu decryptor” that is created by Emsisoft to decrypt the encrypted files for free. Even if the decryptor does not help, there are some alternative ways that can help restore the contents of the encrypted files. To learn more about decrypting files, simply scroll down to section ‘How to decrypt .kasp files’. Read the entire manual carefully. To make it easier for you to follow the instructions, we recommend that you print it or open it on your smartphone.

1. How to remove Kasp ransomware virus
2. How to decrypt .kasp files
3. How to restore .kasp files
4. How to protect your computer from Kasp ransomware

How to remove Kasp ransomware virus

Before you start decrypting or recovering .kasp files, you need to remove Kasp ransomware and its 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 Kasp 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 Kasp virus, then let us know in the comments, we will try to help you.

To remove Kasp ransomware, follow the steps below:

1. Kill the Kasp ransomware process
2. Disable the Kasp ransomware Start-Up
3. Delete the Kasp ransomware Task
4. Delete the Kasp ransomware File
5. Scan computer for malware

Kill the Kasp ransomware process

Press CTRL, ALT, DEL keys together.

Click Task Manager. Select the “Processes” tab, look for something suspicious that is the Kasp 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 Kasp 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. If you do not find a process with a similar name in the list of processes, then most likely the Kasp 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 the Kasp 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 the Kasp 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 the Kasp ransomware File

Run Task Manager and select the “Start-Up” tab. Right click to the Kasp 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 Kasp 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 Kasp ransomware File. Right-click on the file and select Delete.

Scan computer for malware

Zemana can detect all kinds of malicious software, including ransomware, as well as a variety of Trojans, viruses and rootkits. After the detection of the Kasp ransomware virus, you can easily and quickly remove it.

Click the link below to download Zemana installer named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your PC. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop.

Zemana AntiMalware
164068 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019

Start the setup file after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to install this utility on your machine.

During setup you can change certain settings, but we suggest you don’t make any changes to default settings.

When installation is finished, this malware removal tool will automatically start and update itself. You will see its main window as shown in the figure below.

Now click the “Scan” button . Zemana program will scan through the whole computer for the Kasp crypto virus, other malicious software, worms and trojans. This task can take some time, so please be patient. When a malicious software, adware or potentially unwanted apps are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

Once the system scan is done, you can check all threats detected on your computer. All found threats will be marked. You can remove them all by simply press “Next” button.

The Zemana Free will start to remove Kasp crypto malware related folders,files and registry keys. Once the cleaning procedure is complete, you can be prompted to reboot your personal computer to make the change take effect.

In order to be 100% sure that the computer no longer has the Kasp malware, we recommend using the Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT). It is a free removal utility that can be downloaded and used to remove ransomware, adware software, spyware, trojans, worms, PUPs, malware and other security threats from your personal computer. You can use this utility to look for threats even if you have an antivirus or any other security program.

Download Kaspersky virus removal tool on your computer by clicking on the following link.

Kaspersky virus removal tool
129074 downloads
Author: Kaspersky® lab
Category: Security tools
Update: March 5, 2018

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

Click Change Parameters and set a check near all your drives. Click OK to close the Parameters window. Next press Start scan button . Kaspersky virus removal tool program will scan through the whole PC system for the Kasp ransomware and other known infections. This process may take quite a while, so please be patient. While the tool is checking, you may see number of objects and files has already scanned.

When the scanning is done, the results are displayed in the scan report as shown on the image below.

In order to delete all threats, simply click on Continue to start a cleaning task.

How to decrypt .kasp files

As we already reported above, files with .kasp extension are files that have been encrypted by the Kasp ransomware. Their contents will remain locked until decrypted using the decryptor and the key. Fortunately, there is a free Kasp File Decrypt Tool that can decrypt .kasp files. Below we provide instructions on where to download and how to use this decryptor.

Kasp File Decrypt Tool (STOP Djvu decryptor)

To decrypt .kasp files, use Kasp File Decrypt Tool

• Download Kasp File Decrypt Tool from the following link.
  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.

Kasp File Decypt Tool is a free software that can decrypt files that were encrypted with an offline key, as Emsisoft found a way to determine this key. Unfortunately, files encrypted with an online key cannot yet be decrypted. The online key is unique to each infected computer, and at the moment there is no way to obtain this key. Of course, criminals have this key, but we do not think that paying a ransom is a way to decrypt .kasp files. In the case when the files are encrypted with an online key, there is a chance to restore the encrypted files using alternative methods, which are described below.

How to find out which key was used to encrypt files

Below we will demonstrate how to find out the type of key with which files were encrypted. This is very important, since knowing the type of key you can understand if you can decrypt .kasp files for free using the Kasp File Decypt Tool. We recommend using the second method, as it is more accurate.

Personal ID is highlighted here

How to find out the type of a 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.

How to find out the type of a 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 virus 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’, Kasp 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.

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

If, when you try to decrypt .kasp files, Kasp 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 kasp 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.

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

If, during decryption of .kasp files, Kasp 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 .kasp files.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to remove Kasp ransomware, Decrypt/Recover .kasp files.

How to restore .kasp files

As we mentioned above, in addition to using the free decryptor, there are several more methods for recovering encrypted files. These methods do not require the use of a decryptor and a key, and therefore are suitable for all cases when the virus used an online key, and for the case when the virus used an offline key. It is very important to check your computer for malware before you try to recover encrypted files. You must be 100% sure that Kasp virus is completely removed. To scan your computer for ransomware, use free malware removal tools.

Use ShadowExplorer to recover .kasp files

The Microsoft Windows has a feature called ‘Shadow Volume Copies’ that can help you to recover .kasp files encrypted by the ransomware. A small tool called ShadowExplorer will allow you to easily access the Shadow copies and restore the encrypted files to their original state. Unfortunately, the ransomware can delete these Shadow copies before it starts encrypting files. Therefore, if ShadowExplorer did not help you, then try another method, which is given below.

Click the following link to download ShadowExplorer. Save it directly to your Windows Desktop.

ShadowExplorer
438740 downloads
Author: ShadowExplorer.com
Category: Security tools
Update: September 15, 2019

After downloading is done, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to ShadowExplorer-0.9-portable and select Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the ShadowExplorerPortable folder as displayed on the image below.

Run the ShadowExplorer tool and then choose the disk (1) and the date (2) that you want to recover the shadow copy of file(s) encrypted by the Kasp crypto malware like below.

Now navigate to the file or folder that you wish to restore. When ready right-click on it and click ‘Export’ button as shown in the figure below.

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

Recover .kasp files with PhotoRec

The last chance to restore encrypted files to their original state is using data recovery tools. We recommend a program called PhotoRec. It has all the necessary functions to restore the contents of encrypted files. It helped many victims recover data when it seemed like there was no more hope.

Download PhotoRec by clicking on the following link. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

PhotoRec
220615 downloads
Author: CGSecurity
Category: Security tools
Update: March 1, 2018

After the download is complete, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to testdisk-7.0.win and select Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the testdisk-7.0 folder as displayed in the figure below.

Double click on qphotorec_win to run PhotoRec for MS Windows. It will display a screen as displayed on the image below.

Select a drive to recover as on the image below.

You will see a list of available partitions. Choose a partition that holds encrypted personal files like below.

Press File Formats button and specify file types to recover. You can to enable or disable the recovery of certain file types. When this is done, click OK button.

Next, click Browse button to select where restored documents, photos and music should be written, then press 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 personal 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 restore is done, click on Quit button. Next, open the directory where restored photos, documents and music are stored. You will see a contents as shown in the following example.

All recovered files are written in recup_dir.1, recup_dir.2 … sub-directories. If you’re 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 computer from Kasp ransomware

Most antivirus programs already have built-in protection system against the crypto malware. Therefore, if your computer does not have an antivirus application, make sure you install it. As an extra protection, run the HitmanPro.Alert. All-in-all, HitmanPro.Alert is a fantastic utility to protect your computer from any ransomware. If ransomware is detected, then HitmanPro.Alert automatically neutralizes malware and restores the encrypted files. HitmanPro.Alert is compatible with all versions of Windows operating system from Windows XP to Windows 10.

Visit the following page to download HitmanPro Alert. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

HitmanPro.Alert
6829 downloads
Author: Sophos
Category: Security tools
Update: March 6, 2019

After the downloading process is done, open the folder in which you saved it. You will see an icon like below.

Double click the HitmanPro Alert desktop icon. After the utility is opened, you will be shown a window where you can select a level of protection, as on the image below.

Now press the Install button to activate the protection.

Finish words

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

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