How to remove Nqsq ransomware

Nqsq ransomware is the threat focusing on serious file damage when the computer gets infected

Nqsq virus is considered one of the most dangerous cyber threats that exist because it involves direct blackmail when victims’ files get encoded, and money is asked for the alleged file recovery. The criminals behind this infection can claim to have the decryption tool and promise to offer that data repair option for you once the ransom amount of $980 is transferred to the provided wallet. The infection creators can be determined to get more payments as soon as possible. This is why criminals offer a 50% discount if the contact is initiated in the first 72 hours.

However, the payment and even the contact with criminals like that can create more issues than help to deal with the file-locking virus. The virus is starting the infiltration silently, without any symptoms. Still, when you cannot open your images, documents, or files and they have a .nqsq extension at the end of the original filename, you can be sure the virus is on the computer. DJVU ransomware family, that this threat belongs to will encrypt personal data found within the commonly used and opened folders. All the pictures, documents, audio, or video files can become locked and useless since files cannot be opened after encryption.

The ransom message gets placed as the _readme.txt file on the system. This note from criminals states that payment in Bitcoin needs to be made to receive the decryption key for this encrypted material but beware! This could just be another way of trapping folks into the scam. It is possible that the decryption tool is not created or not working. In most cases, the decryption is only a false advertisement that tricks people into contacting criminals. Then the threat actor can either send victims another malware or affect the security of the PC further.

There is an alarming trend of criminals who hold on to your property and demand payment in exchange for returning it. In some attacks, criminals not only lock the found data but also obtains some of the files and blackmails directly when the ransom payment is not transferred.^[1]

We recommend reporting this ransomware activity, so that police can investigate where the criminal act may have occurred most recently, as well as prioritizing their resources accordingly which will ultimately ensure more success when seeking justice against these individuals responsible for wrongdoing! However, in most cases, it is not giving quick results, and of course, this is not the way to get your files back or unlocked. Nqsq still is not terminated, and files are not recovered even if you report the encryption of your data as a crime.

What can be done right after the encryption

Law enforcement research, as well as malware analysis, take a long time. Experts^[2] note that ransomware is most dangerous and difficult to create/take apart for a reason. It is a difficult process to fight criminals and to find tools that can help victims with their data.

The decryption tool exists, but it was only working for the versions released before the significant updates. Last year the family made major changes, and the versions released after that have advanced encryption functions and cannot be decrypted. .nqsq file virus is one of those variants that can’t be easily decrypted. As well as .wiot, .tisc, .rigd, .koom.

If the virus cannot establish a connection to its command and control server (C&C Server) before starting the encryption process, it uses the offline key that is the same for many victims. This is not always identical for every victim of a ransomware attack making it possible to decrypt files. However, there are online IDs that threats use nowadays. Every victim of the same threat gets the unique key needed for the file decryption.

You might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately, but try to check if it is possible with this tool. Thus, if the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. You also need to upload a set of files – one encrypted and a healthy one to the company’s servers before you proceed.

• Download the app from the official Emsisoft website.
• After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up – click it.
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
• Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.
  
  
• After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
• The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
  
• Press Decrypt.
  

From here, there are three available outcomes:

1. “Decrypted!” will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully – they are now usable again.
2. “Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID:” means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
3. “This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible” – you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.

Fighting the virus: removal and system repair

The best way to get rid of the malware is to eliminate all malicious files using anti-malware tools. Detection rate^[3] shows that not all but many AV detection engines, can indicate files as dangerous and delete them thoroughly. You can firstly run the SpyHunterCombo Cleaner application or the MalwarebytesMalwarebytes and check for malware-related files on the computer. This way, you can find the threat, stop it from encrypting any other files.

By removing all the active code you stop the malicious behavior completely and can be sure that the threat is not going to damage any recovered or newly added files. Your files are still encrypted, even after the virus elimination. This means that they cannot be read until you provide the key to unlock them. Removal is not the same as decryption.

The same is for system damage too. Malware can affect the system and make the device operate differently. For example, an infection 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 cannot do anything about it, leaving it just the way it is.

We highly recommend using the FortectIntego application. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it can also remove malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application can also fix various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.

• 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.

Data recovery after the Nqsq virus encryption

As with any other more advanced and dangerous infection, the ransomware virus can spread silently and use various methods to achieve the goals of its creators. The code is written by one group that mainly relies on affiliates who help with the virus deployment and can distribute the payload around quickly. Then the file gets launched, and malware starts with encryption.

After the injection, the Nqsq virus starts connecting with its command and control server to get additional commands. This server is controlled by ransomware maintainers – fraudsters who manage to spread malware in this world! Another activity that they do is dropping other threats, for example, or initiating additional processes that can control particular security functions or keep file recovery options limited by deleting Shadow Volume Copies. 

Since many users do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by ransomware, they might often lose access to their files permanently. Paying criminals behind the Nqsq ransomware virus is also very risky, as they might not fulfill the promises and never send back the required decryption tool.

While this might sound terrible, not all is lost – data recovery software might be able to help you in some situations (it highly depends on the encryption algorithm used, whether ransomware managed to complete the programmed tasks, etc.). Since there are thousands of different ransomware strains, it is immediately impossible to tell whether third-party software will work for you.

Install data recovery software

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
8. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
9. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don’t forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
10. Press Recover to retrieve your files.

There is no way to recover your data fully once you have been infected with ransomware. It is a difficult process, you should consider that permanent data damage and losses are real and d possible consequences. However, you can stop the virus from accessing your restored data again. Keep anti-malware tools (SpyHunterCombo Cleaner and MalwarebytesMalwarebytes) running to avoid virus infections,

Criminals claim that you must pay the ransom in order for them to unlock data. You can sometimes restore those files with data backups and other third-party options, so you get access back to the files without help from criminals. Nevertheless, this doesn’t guarantee anything. You need to get rid of the virus to stop the malicious activity and get control over your PC back. Do not forget about the system file damage, and rely on FortectIntego for the performance optimization.