How to remove QSCX ransomware and recover files

Complete tips to delete QSCX ransomware and decrypt data

Ransomware type of viruses prevents users’ access to their files stored on their systems and demands ransom payment to restore the access. It performs files encryption using some strong cipher algorithm that allows its authors to create a unique decryption key for which they demand ransom payment for exchange.

The malware QSCX ransomware belongs to infamous DJVU ransomware family. At present, more than 200 variants of this family have been released.  In august 2019, Emsisoft’s decryption tool decrypts all available DJVU variants at that time. Then, the DJVU’s actors came with change in their algorithm pattern use and release switch to online mode of files encryption.

So, every DJVU viruses that are released after 2019 are based on the new algorithm patterns and so the files encrypted by them can’t be recovered from Emsisoft’s decryptor. Unfortunately, QSCX ransomware belongs to this category. The files encoded by this virus will clearly be recognized with .qscx extension added to them. For example, a file 1.jpg would appear something like 1.jpg.qscz.

The QSCX ransomware creates its ransom note within _readme.txt file. Usually, ransom demanding message displayed by ransomware contains email address, price of the decryption tool and payment details. The Qscx’s ransom note informs the victims that their files have been encrypted and they need such a unique decryption tool for the files recovery.

The note states the price of this tool as $980, but offers a huge discount of 50% to the users if they contact the crooks behind it via the provided email address within 72 hours of the files encryption. It also includes a warning message to the users if they try to rename the filenames of the encrypted files or use any third party tool, they will lose their files for permanently.

While any such unique decryption tool is needed for the files recovery, we highly recommended against doing as the crooks can’t be trusted – they may provide no decryption tool and disappear, leaving the victims without their files once the payment is received. For the files recovery, you must rely on the existing backups you have.

If there is no backup option available, use Shadow Copies – the automatically created backups from OS or any third party data recovery tools. In the data recovery section, below the post, you will find more detailed guide how to recover the files using the stated options. Before that, remove QSCX ransomware from the system. Below the post, you will also find the ransomware removal guide.

How did QSCX ransomware enter my system?

Malware can be distributed through emails, Trojans, fake software updaters, unofficial software activation tools, files available for download on untrustworthy pages or other sources. Spam emails cause infection through infectious files or links in them. Such files could be in any formats including Microsoft Office, PDF documents, archive files like ZIP, RAR, executable files (like EXE), and JavaScript files. Fake software updaters are disguised as legit tools that are supposed to update, fix installed software. However, these tools install malware in regular way or by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software.

Trojans are malicious malware that cause chain infection on already compromised systems. In other word, they cause additional malware infection once being installed on systems. Peer-to-peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), free file hosting pages, download sites for freeware, unofficial websites, third-party downloaders, and other channels can be used as tools to trick people into downloading malware too. It is achieved by presenting some malicious files for download by presenting them as legit one. Unofficial software activation tools cause system infection by supposedly bypassing activation keys of paid software.

Full text presented in QSCX ransomware’s ransom note (_reamde.txt text file):

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like pictures, 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:

hxxps://we.tl/t-V2fE396VPW

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:

[email protected]

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

[email protected]

Your personal ID:

–

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Irrelevant and suspicious emails should never be clicked –especially the provided attachments in them. All downloads should have to be done using official websites and direct links. Installed software should have to be updated using the tools/ functions from official software developers. To protect the device integrity and personal safety, it is paramount to have a reputable antivirus tool installed and updated. Also, use this software for regular system scans and to remove any detected threats/ issues.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete QSCX ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove QSCX 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 QSCX ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with QSCX 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 QSCX 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 QSCX 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 QSCX 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 QSCX 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 QSCX 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 QSCX 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 QSCX 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 QSCX 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.