Stone Virus Removal Guide (+Decode .stone files) – Djvu Ransomware

Stone – General Info

The Stone mean a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the Djvu ransomware family. Stone was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. Stone adds the “.stone” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, as soon as encrypted by Stone, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.stone“. As soon as the encryption is completed, Stone places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by Stone text file asking for the ransom is definitely the like the statements given by other ransomware representatives coming from the Djvu family. It actually discusses that the information is encrypted and that the only way to restore it is to use a a special decryption key. Unfortunately, this is absolutely true. The type of cryptography mechanism applied by Stone is still not correctly examined. Still, it is absolutely specific that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is absolutely unique. It is impossible to bring back the files without the key available.

Another technique of Stone is that the victims cannot get to the key. The key is stored on a particular server run by the frauds connected with Stone ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people need to pay the ransom, which totals up to $980. To obtain the payment information users are instructed to contact the frauds through e-mail or telegram. The alert likewise suggests that the users need to contact the Stone developers within 72 hours after the files encryption happened. The message says that doing so users will get a 50% discount, so the ransom amount will fall to $490.

However, irrespective of the asked for amount, people need to stay away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are unfair, so they tend to entirely ignore what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not give any positive outcome and people just waste their money for absolutely nothing.

We highly recommend that you do not contact these crooks and absolutely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack Stone ransomware and to recover the data data for free. Therefore, the only right decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	Stone Ransomware
File Extension	.stone
Type	Ransomware
Family	Djvu
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
Symptoms	File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special stone extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Similar Infections	Doples, Rezuc, Mogera
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Bear in mind that the web is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to Stone ransomware. It is similar Doples and many other ransomware-type threats. Harmful programs of such kind are usually elaborated to encrypt crucial data and to state the demand before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to create the special decryption key for files decryption.

Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is simply not feasible. The only method to prevent the loss of your essential information is to routinely create backups of your important information.

Bear in mind that even if you create such backups, they should be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the USB Flash Drive or external hard disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you keep your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted along with other files, so it’s absolutely not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my system?

There are several methods used by online frauds to distribute Stone virus. Even though it is uncertain how precisely Stone injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

• integration with third-party software, especially freeware;
• spam e-mails from unidentified senders;
• websites rendering free hosting services;
• pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Often Stone ransomware may be presented as some genuine software application, for instance, in the pop-ups instructing users to carry out some important software application updates. This is the typical trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing Stone infection manually, by methods of their direct participation in the installation process.

In addition, the criminals might refer to various e-mail spam strategies to inject harmful codes into Windows PC. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones motivating users to open some receipts, files, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade informs may result in Stone ransom injection. As for the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may also include malicious codes leading to Stone secret installation. Finally, injection of Stone may happen by methods of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and set up malicious tools without the user’s approval.

Is there any way to prevent the injection of Stone ransom virus?

Even though there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your PC from getting infected, there are some pieces of recommendations we wish to show with you. Firstly, be really careful when you browse the web and especially while downloading totally free programs. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Bear in mind that some freeware installers may contain other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be destructive. Make sure that your current anti-virus and your entire operating system is always duly updated.

Naturally, downloading pirated software is prohibited and may result in important damage to be made for your PC. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise strongly advised to reconsider your existing security software and potentially switch to another security solution that can render better services of defending your system.

Below please find the quotation from the Stone text file:

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.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-P9I5e3nXb8
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
 
 
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
bufalo@firemail.cc
 
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
gorentos@bitmessage.ch
 
Our Telegram account:
@datarestore

Screenshot of files with “.stone” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove Stone ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.