Avast Decryption Tool for Jigsaw

Free Jigsaw Ransomware Decryption: A Guide to Using Avast’s Tool

Jigsaw ransomware is one of the most stressful malware threats a user can face. Unlike other ransomware strains that simply lock your data, Jigsaw actively destroys it. It displays an image of the infamous puppet from the Saw horror franchise and starts a countdown timer. If you do not pay the ransom, it deletes a portion of your files every hour, increasing the count as time ticks away.

Fortunately, you do not need to pay the cybercriminals. Cybersecurity firm Avast has created a free, reliable decryption tool that can safely recover your files without losing data. Step 1: Isolate and Secure Your Computer

Before attempting to decrypt your files, you must stop the ransomware from actively deleting data.

Do not restart your computer: Restarting or shutting down your system can trigger Jigsaw to delete thousands of files instantly as a penalty.

Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.

Terminate the processes: Look for firefox.exe or drpbx.exe (Jigsaw often disguises itself under these names). Right-click them and select End Task.

Disable Startup Items: Open the Startup tab in Task Manager and disable these suspicious entries to prevent them from running if the system reboots. Step 2: Download the Avast Decryption Tool

Once the active deletion process is halted, you need to download the official decryption software from a safe, clean device or directly from your browser if it is stable.

Visit the official Avast Free Ransomware Decryption Tools website. Locate and download the Avast Decryption Tool for Jigsaw.

Save the executable file (usually named avast_decryptor_jigsaw.exe) to your desktop. Step 3: Run the Decryptor and Select Files

The Avast tool is designed with a simple wizard interface, making it easy for non-technical users to navigate.

Right-click the downloaded Avast file and select Run as administrator. Click Next on the welcome screen.

Choose the locations you want to scan. By default, the tool includes local drives, but you can add specific network drives or folders where your encrypted files are stored. Click Next to proceed. Step 4: Complete the Decryption Process

The final phase involves letting the software crack the encryption lock and restore your original files.

Provide a file pair (if prompted): The tool may ask for one encrypted file and its original, unencrypted version. This helps the tool determine the exact key structure. If you have an unencrypted backup of just one file, use it here.

Choose backup options: Tick the box that asks to back up encrypted files before decryption. This is a safety measure in case something goes wrong during the process.

Start the process: Click Decrypt and let the tool scan your drive.

Once completed, a summary screen will show how many files were successfully restored. Step 5: Clean the Infection and Protect Your System

Decrypting your files restores your data, but it does not remove the core malware files from your hard drive.

Run a full system scan using a reputable antivirus program like Avast, Malwarebytes, or Windows Defender to wipe the Jigsaw binaries completely.

Change your passwords for any sensitive accounts used on that computer.

Implement a robust backup strategy, keeping your data copied to an external offline hard drive or a secure cloud service to safeguard against future attacks.

To help me tailor this guide or add more details, let me know: What version of Windows is the infected machine running?

Are you currently experiencing an active countdown, or are you preparing for a potential scenario?