Kvag File Virus - How to remove

Kvag ransomware is file-encrypting malware that can result in most of the data on the infected computer being lost. Similar infections include the recent Domn, as well as Nasoh, Meds — all derived from Djvu.

Kvag is malware that turns your files into ciphertext, making them unreadable. The files themselves are not infected or dangerous, but the Kvag virus is — and it might continue to encrypt any new files that you create, making it impossible to use the infected computer normally.

Moreover, Kvag usually installs AZORult, which is a spyware trojan. Before you remove Kvag and any other malware from your computer, it’s best if you don’t use it for anything important, or else the spyware might steal data and send it to some fraudsters who will use it later.

There are two parts to dealing with this situation.

The first is to get Kvag and other malware removed from the computer so that they can’t do any more damage.

The second is to restore the lost files somehow. This is the more difficult part — and it might even be impossible, depending on your situation. But don’t give up until you’ve tried all the options!

Kvag should be removed before the computer can be used normally again:

Possible harm of a Kvag infection	Lost files Exposed passwords and hacked online accounts Lost money (if you paid the ransom)
Effect on the computer	Disabled anti-malware Edited hosts file Important files are broken Other malware installed in the background
File restore options	Backups System Restore Shadow Volume Copies Data recovery
Kvag removal	Automatic scan using anti-malware programs (SpyHunter) Password changes Updated software and fixed system files

 

It’s obvious that files have been renamed to include the suffix “.kvag” and they can’t be opened anymore. But it might not be immediately clear why this is happening.

But the criminals themselves explain it in a ransom note called “_readme.txt”, which they place in every folder where your files were encrypted. There, the criminals demand money — up to $980 — for restoring the files. This is possible in theory — they could send you the decryption software and your personal decryption key and reverse the encryption to return your files to normal. However, there are enough reports of ransomware victims being ignored, demanded more money from, or sent a nonfunctional decrypter to establish that paying the ransom is far from guaranteed to restore the files.

As if that wasn’t enough, scammers sometimes message victims who are looking for help and promise to restore the files for a sum of money. There are legitimate researchers who can try to recover some files, but scammers also exist, and they’re very eager to get your upfront — please don’t fall for them.

 

How Kvag infects a computer

Kvag might start working by displaying a fake Windows Update window to explain why random programs might shut down or why the drive is being used so much. Kvag also tries to disable your anti-malware protection by deleting malware definitions and robbing the security program of the ability to recognize infections. Finally, it edits your hosts file to stop various cybersecurity websites (including ours) from loading.

But how does it all start?

There are a few ways that ransomware can infect a computer.

• Infected email attachments and download links from malicious senders.
• Hacked Remote Desktop connection.
• Drive-by downloads of malware on infected websites, usually targeting outdated browsers and operating systems.
• Trojans already on the system can download new malware.
• Ransomware posing as attractive programs can be manually downloaded from the internet.

That last one is how Kvag most likely infects its victims. Many have reported that they downloaded a program, usually illegitimately, before the files started getting encrypted. Pirating is dangerous.

This isn’t surprising — pirated files are not always well-regulated and it’s hard to hold anyone accountable if they spread illegal malware by infecting illegal programs. Even trusted people sometimes turn and start handing out infected files — maybe they made a deal with Kvag’s developers.

Unwillingness to admit piracy might be part of why ransomware infections are rarely reported to the police.

Recover from a Kvag file virus

How successful you are in restoring your files that were broken by Kvag depends on how ready you were for such an infection before it even happened. Data backup is something we all should take seriously — it helps out files stay safe against accidental deletion, theft of the device, everyday hazards like water, as well as ransomware attacks.

But whether or not you still have your files, the malware needs to be removed, probably using an automatic anti-malware tool like Spyhunter).

Important -- edit the hosts file to unblock security websites

TL DR : The hosts file is edited to block security sites Before the virus can be removed, it's necessary to fix the hosts file (the file which controls which addresses connect to which IPs). That is the reason the majority of security websites is inaccessible when infected with this particular parasite. This infection edits this file to stop certain websites, including anti-malware download sites, from being accessed from the infected computer, making browsers return the "This site can't be reached" error. Luckily, it's trivial to fix the file and remove the edits that were made to it.

Find and edit the hosts file

The hosts file can be found on C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/etc/hosts. If you don't see it, change the settings to see hidden files.

1. In the Start Menu, search for Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, find Appearance and Personalization.
3. Select Folder Options.
4. Open the View tab.
5. Open Advanced settings.
6. Select "Show hidden files...".
7. Select OK.

Open this file with administrator privileges.

1. Open the Start Menu and enter "notepad".
2. When Notepad shows up in the result, right-click on it.
3. In the menu, choose "Run as administrator"
4. File->Open and browse for the hosts file.

The hosts file should look like this: Delete additional lines that they connect various domain names to the wrong IP address. Save the file.

Download and run the antivirus program

After that, download antivirus programs and use them to remove the ransomware, the trojan, and other malware. Spyhunter (https://www.2-viruses.com/reviews/spyhunter/dwnld/).

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Kvag File Virus encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Kvag File Virus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Kvag File Virus

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Kvag File Virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Kvag File Virus affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Kvag File Virus tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Kvag File Virus encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.