ZQ [email protected] Ransomware - How to remove

ZQ is a recent ransomware virus that is not known to be related to any major family of cryptoviruses. ZQ is traditional file-encrypting ransomware, sifting through the infected system and encrypting all files.

Most ransomware infections are very devastating because of the strong encryption, but not in this case. Emsisoft has actually developed a decryptor that can be used to fix the files locked by ZQ.

Symptoms

Computers and storage servers which have been seized by ZQ will have their files (except for the ones which are important for the operating system to run properly) locked. The locked files can be opened and viewed, but the content is not parseable anymore. That’s how encryption works — it makes the message or text that’s been encrypted impossible to understand.

The ZQ locked files can immediately be recognised because their names have been edited with a new suffix: [email protected], the email address for contacting ZQ’s developer, and zq, which this virus is named after:

[file name].[file type].[[email protected]].zq

A really short ransom note is left behind by ZQ, called {HELP__DECRYPT}.txt. It just says:

All of _our files are encr_pted* to decr_pt them write me to email::[email protected]

And then a unique key is written, usually, you would need it to get your files decrypted by the person behind [email protected].

Solution

Luckily, there has been a decryptor made to unlock the files locked by ZQ. This decryptor was developed by Emsisoft. Heres the link to the free decryptor for ZQ.

This is unusual and really good for the victims of ZQ. Ransomware decryption is most often unbreakable without having the private key, and the private key is unique to each victim and usually only known to the developers of that particular ransomware, which is why each victim of one cryptovirus would be forced to pay their own ransom. The currently active Dharma/CrySiS, STOP/DJVU, GlobeImposter 2.0 cryptovirus families do not have decryptors available (though GlobeImposter’s first version did get one).

Free decryptors are great because they don’t finance the extortionists who develop ZQ and other cryptoviruses. Paid decryption, on the other hand, even when it does not come from the developers of ransomware, is a bit suspicious. Some companies who claim to be able to decrypt files, just go to the same ransomware developer and negotiate the price, then buy the decryptor from them. It’s a reality that some decryption (though not ZQ’s) is not realistically breakable, but paying the developers of ransomware is still financing criminals.

Distribution

Some ransomware developers use malicious spam campaigns to try to infect computers. It’s expected that, if thousands of emails are sent, at least a few malicious attachments/links will be opened, infecting those systems with ZQ. If the target is a large company, the virus could spread through the network, encrypting multiple computers and crippling the system. Without backups, some businesses cave in and pay for decryption.

Everyone should be aware of the social engineering techniques used by malicious actors. Security should be put first, before any perceived urgency of the message: malicious spam tries to make people impatient, excited, curious, and sometimes even scared in order to trick them to open/run the attached files and unwittingly infect their computer.

zq ransomware

 

Remote Desktop access is another popular way to try to infect computers with ransomware. The RD connection might be exposed unnecessarily, like using the default RDP port (TCP 3389). The login credentials might weak, for example, using passwords from the lists of most popular passwords. There could be known and unpatched security bugs in the operating system, which are then exploited by developers of ZQ. If breaking into a network or a computer is made too easy, online criminals will take advantage of that sooner or later.

Access through your Remote Desktop should only be available to the people that you expect, on the time that you expect them, with strong passwords and the lowest privileges that they need.

Remove ZQ and other malware

In case the criminals were distributing more than just ransomware, scan your computer with a good-quality antivirus program (maybe Spyhunter). The ZQ likely deleted itself, but these malicious programs sometimes come in groups. Trojans, spyware, or just adware — it’s important to make sure that these programs are not lurking on your computers, and that your antivirus program is functioning and updating properly.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Download Spyhunter for Malware detection
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How to recover ZQ [email protected] Ransomware 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 RestartOK.
  • Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
  • Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Windows 7 enter safe mode

for Windows 8 / 10
  • Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart. Windows 8-10 restart to safe mode
  • Choose TroubleshootAdvanced OptionsStartup Settings and click Restart.
  • When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings. Windows 8-10 enter safe mode
 

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.CMD commands
  • Click “Next” in the windows that appeared. Restore point img1
  • Select one of the Restore Points that are available before ZQ has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”. Restore point img2
  • To start System restore click “Yes”. Restore point img3
 

Step 2. Complete removal of ZQ [email protected] Ransomware

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 ZQ. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore ZQ [email protected] Ransomware 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 ZQ 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 PropertiesPrevious 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.
Previous version
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.
Shadow explorer

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover ZQ [email protected] Ransomware 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. Data Recovery Pro
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.
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