Gzgzqc ransomware (virus) - Recovery Instructions Included
Gzgzqc virus Removal Guide
What is Gzgzqc ransomware?
Gzgzqc ransomware was flagged by 49 security vendors and 1 sandbox as malicious
Gzgzqc ransomware is one of the most recent strains that belongs to Snatch ransomware family. It uses complicated encryption algorithms to lock people's files, like photos, videos, and documents. Ransomware can target home users as well as businesses. Such infections can have devastating consequences.
During the encryption process, the ransomware appends every file with an extension .gzgzqc. For example, if the file name is picture.jpg, it is renamed to picture.jpg.gzgzqc. Data encryption is the main indication of the attack, although, within corporate environments, intrusion can often be spotted early.
Shortly after the encryption process is done, cybercriminals generate a ransom note named HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT on the device. This file includes a message from the malware developers along with the instructions on how people can get their data back.
| NAME | Gzgzqc |
| TYPE | Ransomware, cryptovirus, data locking malware |
| MALWARE FAMILY | Snatch |
| FILE EXTENSION | .gzgzqc |
| RANSOM NOTE | HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT |
| FILE RECOVERY | If no backups are available, recovering data is almost impossible. We list alternative methods that could help you in some cases below |
| REMOVAL | Scan your machine with anti-malware software to eliminate the malicious files. This will not recover your data. |
| SYSTEM FIX | To remediate your operating system and take care of errors, crashes scan it with the FortectIntego maintenance tool |
The ransom note
Dear Management!
We inform you that your network has undergone a penetration test, during which we encrypted your files and downloaded more than 55 GB of your and your customers data, including:
Accounting
Marketing data
Confidentional documents
Copy of some mailboxes
Databases backupsWe understand that if this information gets to your clients or to media directly, it will cause reputational and financial damage to your business, which we wouldn't want, therefore, for our part, we guarantee that information about what happened will not get into the media (but we cannot guarantee this if you decide to turn to third-party companies for help or ignore this message).
Important! Do not try to decrypt the files yourself or using third-party utilities.
The only program that can decrypt them is our decryptor, which you can request from the contacts below.
Any other program will only damage files in such a way that it will be impossible to restore them.You can get all the necessary evidence, discuss with us possible solutions to this problem and request a decryptor by using the contacts below. Please be advised that if we don't receive a response from you within 3 days, we reserve the right to publish files to the public.
Contact me:
RichardSHibbs@seznam.cz or RichardSHibbs@protonmail.comAdditional ways to communicate in tox chat
hxxps://tox.chat/
contact our tox id:
5BF6FF6E9633FDCF1441BF271CBE5DAE1B6B027FA5B85A6EE5704E8B7FEC8E50A323CD66F7D2
The note is directed towards a company but that does not mean that private individuals cannot be affected by Gzgzqc ransomware as well. Threat actors try to intimidate victims by threatening to release the stolen information to the public if not paid. The ransom amount is not specified in the message so perhaps it is a topic of negotiation.
We strongly recommend not to contact the crooks because they cannot be trusted. Many previous ransomware attack victims have come forward and told their stories. Most of them never heard back after paying the money. Fraudsters choose cryptocurrency[1] as a form of payment because it is anonymous.
Once you send a cryptocurrency transaction it is irreversible and you cannot get a refund. It is not worth it to take this risk because you may not only lose your data but your hard-earned money as well. In this guide, you will find a third-party recovery solution that helps some people restore encrypted files.
Remove Gzgzqc ransomware from your PC
The most important thing is – do not try to retrieve files first, as it might result in permanent data loss. The first step has to be the elimination of malware to stop it from encrypting your files again. To remove the Gzgzqc virus, you should use an anti-malware tool to scan your system, such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. This security software should find all the malicious files and entries and remove them automatically for you.
Once malware is deleted, you can proceed with the data recovery methods we provide below. If malware is not letting you use antivirus in normal mode, access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan from there:
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Data recovery
Many users do not back up their data properly, which is devastating because they might completely lose access to their files. Paying cybercriminals in cryptocurrencies is very risky as often, even after payment, victims do not receive decryption keys.[2] Paying them money also supports their activities further and leads to more victims.
You can try to get back your data with data recovery software. The recovery of the files is not guaranteed as there are thousands of ransomware strains. We suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, there are a couple of important things to note:
- Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
- Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.
Install data recovery software
- Download Data Recovery Pro.
- Double-click the installer to launch it.
- Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
- As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
- Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
- Press Next.
- At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
- Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
- You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
- Press Recover to retrieve your files.
Fix your operating system
After a malware infection, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required. These types of infections can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not going to help you.
This problem requires a different tool – FortectIntego. It can fix damage caused by the infection like Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc. By using this maintenance tool, you could avoid Windows reinstallation. To begin the process:
- Download the application by clicking on the link above
- Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
- If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
- Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
- The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
- Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
- You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
- If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.
How to prevent ransomware infections?
To protect yourself from malware infection, you should always be careful when opening emails from unknown senders. Do not download attached files that you were not expecting especially if it is an MS Office file. The most important part is checking the sender, their email address, searching the text for grammar and spelling mistakes. If the message comes from an unidentifiable sender or includes many mistakes, you should delete it without opening it. Also, scan all received attachments with reliable anti-malware software.
Additionally, ransomware infections can get delivered via peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.[3] That includes “free” or “cracked” software. Also, malware can use the disguise of a fake software update.[4] Get all the upgrades only from official websites, never from a window that popped up or a random website that appeared suddenly.
Below, you will find additional information on how you can back up your files so you would not lose them if this happens again and organizations you can report to about the attacks.
Getting rid of Gzgzqc virus. Follow these steps
Isolate the infected computer
Some ransomware strains aim to infect not only one computer but hijack the entire network. As soon as one of the machines is infected, malware can spread via network and encrypt files everywhere else, including Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. If your computer is connected to a network, it is important to isolate it to prevent re-infection after ransomware removal is complete.
The easiest way to disconnect a PC from everything is simply to plug out the ethernet cable. However, in the corporate environment, this might be extremely difficult to do (also would take a long time). The method below will disconnect from all the networks, including local and the internet, isolating each of the machines involved.
- Type in Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter
- Go to Network and Internet
- Click Network and Sharing Center
- On the left, pick Change adapter settings
- Right-click on your connection (for example, Ethernet), and select Disable
- Confirm with Yes.
If you are using some type of cloud storage you are connected to, you should disconnect from it immediately. It is also advisable to disconnect all the external devices, such as USB flash sticks, external HDDs, etc. Once the malware elimination process is finished, you can connect your computers to the network and internet, as explained above, but by pressing Enable instead.
Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
One of the many countermeasures for home users against ransomware is data backups. Even if your Windows get corrupted, you can reinstall everything from scratch and retrieve files from backups with minimal losses overall. Most importantly, you would not have to pay cybercriminals and risk your money as well.
Therefore, if you have already dealt with a ransomware attack, we strongly advise you to prepare backups for future use. There are two options available to you:
- Backup on a physical external drive, such as a USB flash drive or external HDD.
- Use cloud storage services.
The first method is not that convenient, however, as backups need to constantly be updated manually – although it is very reliable. Therefore, we highly advise choosing cloud storage instead – it is easy to set up and efficient to sustain. The problem with it is that storage space is limited unless you want to pay for the subscription.
Using Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is a built-in tool that comes with every modern Windows version. By default, you get 5 GB of storage that you can use for free. You can increase that storage space, but for a price. Here's how to setup backups for OneDrive:
- Click on the OneDrive icon within your system tray.
- Select Help & Settings > Settings.
- If you don't see your email under the Account tab, you should click Add an account and proceed with the on-screen instructions to set yourself up.
- Once done, move to the Backup tab and click Manage backup.
- Select Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, or a combination of whichever folders you want to backup.
- Press Start backup.
After this, all the files that are imported into the above-mentioned folders will be automatically backed for you. If you want to add other folders or files, you have to do that manually. For that, open File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard, and then click on the OneDrive icon. You should drag and drop folders you want to backup (or you can use Copy/Paste as well).
Using Google Drive
Google Drive is another great solution for free backups. The good news is that you get as much as 15GB for free by choosing this storage. There are also paid versions available, with significantly more storage to choose from.
You can access Google Drive via the web browser or use a desktop app you can download on the official website. If you want your files to be synced automatically, you will have to download the app, however.
- Download the Google Drive app installer and click on it.
- Wait a few seconds for it to be installed.
- Now click the arrow within your system tray – you should see Google Drive icon there, click it once.
- Click Get Started.
- Enter all the required information – your email/phone, and password.
- Now pick what you want to sync and backup. You can click on Choose Folder to add additional folders to the list.
- Once done, pick Next.
- Now you can select to sync items to be visible on your computer.
- Finally, press Start and wait till the sync is complete. Your files are now being backed up.
Report the incident to your local authorities
Ransomware is a huge business that is highly illegal, and authorities are very involved in catching malware operators. To have increased chances of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help with stopping the cybercriminal activities and catching the threat actors. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, examples of encrypted files, or malware executables would also be beneficial.
Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:
- USA – Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
- United Kingdom – ActionFraud
- Canada – Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia – ScamWatch
- New Zealand – ConsumerProtection
- Germany – Polizei
- France – Ministère de l'Intérieur
If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
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- ^ The Wild World of Crypto Ransomware Payments. Financialexecutives. Technology Blog.
- ^ Key (cryptography). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- ^ Francis Dinha. The Dangers Of P2P File-Sharing Sites. Forbes. Innovation Blog.
- ^ Adrian. Detect and Avoid Fake Software Updates! – A Short Guide. InternetSecurity. Security Tips.