Opqz File Locker - How to remove

Opqz is a file-encrypting Windows infection, a type of Djvu ransomware. Its main characteristic is changing file names to include “.opqz” as the second extension. Opqz changes files on the inside, completely breaking some of them. If you don’t have file backups, some of your files may be gone forever. In addition, Opqz may install a trojan that steals your passwords and shows pop-up ads.

Details on Opqz:

Type of threat	Ransomware, spyware.
Opqz infection symptoms	Files having a second extension “.opqz”, files not opening, ad pop-ups, blocked cybersecurity sites.
How to remove Opqz	Use antivirus programs (Spyhunter, others) to remove malware, set new passwords.
How to restore your files	Restore from backup, use data recovery tools, use the free decrypter, repair the files that can be repaired.

How Opqz Infects Computers

Most ransomware attacks that we hear of are those targeted at big businesses and organizations. Those ransomware attacks are targeted specifically at those companies, often done by teams of experienced criminals with lots of preparation.

On the other hand, infections like Opqz get way less coverage but are a lot more widespread. Opqz is part of the Djvu family of ransomware (together with Npsk, Bboo, Kodg, and others) and these viruses infect Windows computers all over the globe. They can do this because they’re uploaded online as free downloads, disguised as some wanted program. It could be a key generator, a cracking tool, a popular new game, a free version of a good program, etc. Infecting pirated Office installers is a pretty common example.

Once people download the infected file and open/run it (by double-clicking it), Opqz can start:

• first, it deletes file backups, such as shadow volume copies,
• it tries to delete the data of some antivirus programs to make them blind,
• it blocks some cybersecurity sites and blogs by messing with your hosts file,
• then it starts going through your files, encrypting them and marking them with the new extension.

The main sign that Opqz has infected your computer is files having “.opqz” appended to their names. For example, “picture.jpg” having become “picture.jpg.opqz”. These files are not dangerous, you don’t have to delete them, and they’re safe to move to a different device. It might be possible to fix them, but the chances are small.

With Opqz being active, you may see strange system pop-ups, your computer may even crash. If you suspect ransomware or another serious malware, turn off your computer immediately and then scan it from another device. As long as you don’t turn on the infected computer, Opqz can’t harm it any further.

On top of all that, Opqz may install a trojan (Azorult) that does two things:

• downloads and installs adware, which results in hijackers and pop-ups galore,
• all the spyware things, including reading your files, taking screenshots, and extracting saved data (like your passwords) from web browsers and other applications.

How to Remove Opqz Ransomware

Scan your computer with an antivirus program (like Spyhunter or whatever program that you trust) and remove all the detected malware. You may need to unblock security sites by fixing your hosts file before you can download any antivirus programs or updates.

Also, do not redownload the files that infected your computer in the first place. If you can, report the link to the admins of the site where you downloaded it so that it’s taken down.

If spyware was found on your machine, remember to change your passwords (unless you were using a password manager), make sure that 2-step verification is turned on.

How to Restore the Files

In the last section of this post are a few suggestions for getting your files back, such as using data recovery programs.

Then there is the Emsisoft decrypter. If your Opqz ransomware failed to contact its Command & Control server, like if your internet was down while it was running, then this decrypter may offer a solution sometime in the future. Try running it on your files, it’s free.

Some of the bigger Opqz files may be partially recoverable thanks to the fact that Opqz only encrypts a portion of each file. Archives, audio files, videos, even images (blog post on repairing photographs).

Opqz is file-encrypting ransomware, which means that it uses math to scramble data in a way that makes it appear random. That’s why your programs can’t open the locked files – they try to read the data and find a bunch of noise. Most of your files, like documents, spreadsheets, text files, etc. are indeed broken and there may be no way to fix them. That’s why regular file backups are so important.

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 Opqz File Locker 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 Opqz File Locker has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Opqz File Locker

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 Opqz File Locker. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Opqz File Locker 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 Opqz File Locker 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 Opqz File Locker 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.