A Cautionary Tale of Ransomware: My Encounter with DJVU/STOP

Facing the looming threat of a panic attack, I find myself reflecting on a recent and devastating incident in my life. It all began with a seemingly innocent download: a plugin for FL Studio from an unreliable source. Little did I know that this would lead to my system being compromised by the DJVU/STOP ransomware.

The moment I executed that .exe file, my worst fears unfolded. All my personal files were swiftly encrypted, now bearing the .SGHL extension, turning cherished memories and important documents into unreadable data.

After the attack, I was confronted by a chilling text file left by the ransomware. It contained a message promising the return of all my files—for a price, of course. The ransom demand was a staggering $980, although they offered a 50% discount if I acted quickly, reducing the cost to $490. They even claimed to provide free decryption of a single file, but only if it didn’t contain anything valuable.

The ransomware operators made it clear: recovery was only possible through their software, which they insisted was the only way to reclaim my lost data. They encouraged me to verify their claims by sending a file for free decryption under the condition that it held no significant information. As if decrypting a random file could restore my confidence in their offer.

I couldn’t help but wonder if my data had been copied elsewhere or if it was just encrypted on my machine. This thought weighed heavily on my mind—is there a chance my sensitive information now roams free on the dark web?

As I navigate this unsettling experience, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to anyone who has offered advice or support during this challenging time. Your insights have been invaluable, and knowing I am not alone in this battle has provided me with some comfort.

To anyone reading this, I urge you to prioritize your cybersecurity. Always download software from trusted sources and, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, tread carefully. The threats are real, and prevention is the best medicine.

If you have dealt with ransomware or have any advice on recovering files encrypted by .SGHL, please share your experiences. Your contributions could help someone else in distress. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.