QAQA ransomware: Removal and Decryption

The term QAQA ransomware is a new file encrypting virus that comes from STOP/DJVU ransomware family. Obviously, it will manage to encrypt all possible file types stored on device and demand you to pay off a certain amount of ransom fee to get your files accessible once again. If you have noticed the signs of a ransomware attack, and it’s probably the .qaqa virus, then here’s mentioned what you should do in order to overcome negative impacts.

Summary About QAQA ransomware

Name: QAQA ransomware
Type: Ransomware, cryptovirus, file locking virus
Symptoms: Files turning to be inaccessible, File extensions appended as .qaqa, and a ransom note striking screen on attempt to access files.
Distribution: Bundled software installers, malicious links, intrusive advert campaigns, email campaigns, and so on.
Removal: In order to remove QAQA ransomware from infected devices, check through guidelines here, after which the file recovery can be accomplished either through backups or other data recovery channels.

More about QAQA ransomware in detail

QAQA ransomware is another vicious malware that can be technically classified into ransomware category and derived from a parent ransomware variant named DJVU ransomware. Getting installed on computer, the malware runs its built in encryption mechanism over files stored on computer and prevent victims against accessing such files. Further, the victims are asked to pay a specified ransom fee to hackers in order to purchase a valid decryption key or tool with the help of which the encrypted files can be restored back.

Being a bit more precise to work of QAQA ransomware on a compromised computer, it usually encrypts all possible file types stored on computer using strong encryption algorithms. During the encryption, the files are appended with a new extension which appears as .qaqa extension. In addition to this, a text file based ransom note is also deployed on computer which is named as _readme.txt

As per the details included in the ransom note, it provides contact and payment information to targeted users. It actually instructs users to contact the criminals through included email addresses [email protected] or [email protected]. Further, it encourage users to pay off a sum of around $980 to criminals to purchase decryption requisites, however, it claims to offer a 50 percent discount to those users who contact criminals within next 72 hours following encryption of files.

It’s likely to see some warnings or scary messages at the end of ransom note deployed by ransomware variants, and the victims are encouraged to try no tampering with encrypted files or to attempt decryption through third party decryptor. It claims that victims won’t be able to restore their files without a valid decryption key, and technically it’s true as well. So, the question is, what a user should do? let’s discuss this further.

Is it good to pay off ransom fee?

According to researchers, it’s true that victims can’t restore or recover their files easily without a valid decryption key or tool, but believing the criminals and paying them with such a huge ransom demand is still not a great idea. it’s better for users to try removing QAQA ransomware and its related files from their machine to prevent further encryption, following which the files should be restored using backups or other alternative solutions.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove QAQA ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete QAQA ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove QAQA ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete QAQA ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with QAQA ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to QAQA ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove QAQA ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of QAQA ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by QAQA ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like QAQA ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by QAQA ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with QAQA ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove QAQA ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.