Qqqw ransomware removal

Qqqw ransomware is one of many ransomware from the Djvu/STOP ransomware family. It’s very generic ransomware that’s mostly identical to hundreds of other ransomware from this cybercrime gang. If it manages to infect your computer, it will encrypt your files and demand money in exchange for their decryption. You can recognize this ransomware by the .qqqw extension it adds to files it encrypts. You will not be able to open any of the files with this extension unless you first use a decryptor to decrypt them. But acquiring the decryptor is not easy because the only people who have it are the cybercriminals operating this ransomware. They will try to sell it to you, however.

 

 

Qqqw ransomware is more or less identical to Maak, Vfgj, Fhkf, Nqhd, and many more. They all come from the same Djvu/STOP ransomware family. The cybercriminals operating this ransomware are notorious for releasing new versions on a regular basis. They all, including Qqqw ransomware, target personal files. Your images, photos, videos, documents, etc., will be encrypted. All of those files will have .qqqw added to them. For example, text.txt would become text.txt.qqqw. As you’ve probably already noticed, those files cannot be opened. To recover them, you would first need to decrypt them. The ransom note will explain how you can obtain the decryptor.

While the ransomware is encrypting files, it shows a fake Windows update window to distract you. But when it’s done, it will become quite obvious. The ransomware will drop _readme.txt ransom notes in all folders that contain encrypted files. The note is pretty generic and mostly identical to the ones dropped by other ransomware versions released by this cybercrime gang. The note mentions that you can buy a decryptor for $980, though supposedly, there is a 50% discount for victims who contact the cybercriminals within the first 72 hours. Whether that is actually true or not, we do not recommend paying the ransom. The main reason is that there are no guarantees a decryptor will actually be sent to you. Keep in mind that you are dealing with cybercriminals, and there is nothing to force them to keep their end of the deal. And considering that they’re in the cybercrime business, they’re unlikely to feel any kind of obligation to help victims when they can just take money.

If you have copies of your files in a backup, you can start recovering files as soon as you remove Qqqw ransomware from your computer. Keep in mind that it’s a very complex malware infection, and if you try to get rid of it manually, you could end up causing even more damage. Or you may not fully delete Qqqw ransomware from your computer, which could allow it to recover later on. And if you connect to your backup while ransomware is still present, your backed-up files would become encrypted as well. So make sure to use reliable anti-malware software.

For users who have no backup, file recovery will be much more complicated, perhaps not possible at all. If you don’t have a backup, your only option may be to wait for a free decryptor to become available. You will not be able to find one now, though there is a free Djvu/STOP decryptor by Emsisoft. It’s unlikely to work on Qqqw ransomware, though it doesn’t hurt to try. The reason it’s difficult to develop a decryptor is that Qqqw ransomware uses online keys to encrypt files. That means the keys are unique to each user, and unless those keys are released, malware researchers will not be able to develop a universal decryptor. However, it’s not impossible that either the cybercriminals themselves or law enforcement will release those keys eventually. It has happened in the past. So back up your encrypted files and occasionally check NoMoreRansom for a free Qqqw decryptor.

Ransomware distribution methods

Ransomware, like most malware, is distributed via a variety of ways, including email attachments, torrents, ads, questionable sites, etc. If users have bad browsing habits, such as opening unsolicited email attachments, they’re much more likely to infect their devices with malicious software. Developing better habits can help avoid a lot of malware infections.

It’s no secret that torrent sites are quite badly moderated, which means that users who pirate copyrighted content via torrents are much more likely to pick up malware. Because of the poor moderation, malicious actors can easily upload malicious content disguised as torrents for movies, video games, TV shows, software, etc. It’s especially common to find malware in torrents for recently-released popular content. For example, when a new Marvel movie comes out, its torrents are usually full of malware.

Perhaps the most common way regular users pick up malware is via malicious email attachments. Threat actors buy email addresses from various hacking forums and use them to launch their malware spam campaigns. These malicious emails are usually sent from questionable email addresses, contain text written in poor English and a file attachment. Users who open the attachments end up infecting their computers with malware. But fortunately for users, those emails are full of grammar and spelling mistakes, as well as address users with generic terms (Member, User, Customer, etc.) while claiming to be emailing on behalf of a company whose services users supposedly use. When a company whose services you actually use sends you an email, you will always be addressed by your name. Furthermore, legitimate emails rarely contain spelling/grammar mistakes, certainly not obvious ones. But while the majority of malicious spam emails will be quite obvious, some attempts may be more sophisticated. Therefore, we strongly recommend always scanning unsolicited email attachments with anti-virus software or VirusTotal.

Qqqw ransomware removal

Do not try to delete Qqqw ransomware manually because you could end up causing even more damage. Ransomware is a very complex malware infection, and unless you know exactly what you’re doing, you should not try to get rid of it yourself. Instead, you should anti-malware software. Once the ransomware is gone, you can start recovering your files if you have a backup.

If you do not have a backup, back up your encrypted files and wait for a free decryptor that may be released in the future. Although there are no guarantees a free Qqqw ransomware decryptor will be released, you have nothing to lose by backing up your encrypted files.