How to remove Zaqi ransomware

Zaqi ransomware is a data-locking computer infection built for direct money extortion

Zaqi ransomware is a program created for direct cryptocurrency extortion purposes. Criminals rely on the infection and make false claims about file recovery to get money from the victims. This is a malicious program designed to encrypt all personal data on the computer and then demand ransom for its return.

Once inside the system, it encrypts all personal pictures, videos, documents, archives, and other files by using a strong encryption algorithm,^[1] which also appends a .zaqi extension in the process. Victims can no longer access these files and require a unique key. The decryption key is sold by criminals and the sum is starting with $490 at the start of the infection procedure.

When the main encryption process is complete, the _readme.txt file gets dropped on the computer. These files get added in folders with encoded files and on the desktop. It explains to victims what happened to their files and claims that the only method to return them is by paying a ransom for a decryption tool. 

Zaqi virus files require a unique decryption key to unlock them, but these particular promise from criminals is not the thing victims should believe. Official decryption tool is not made yet, and the recovery process is very difficult. Experts^[2] recommend not paying the ransom, as cybercriminals might not keep their promises, resulting in financial losses.^[3] In this article, we will explain how to get rid of malware and use alternative methods for data recovery.

Zaqi ransomware is a virus that attacks Windows computers only. The infection spreads by using various infiltration methods. Most of the spreading techniques include malicious files and misleading or stealthy techniques. Once inside, it uses an encryption algorithm to lock up all documents, archives, videos, music, and other files.

The file-locking directly alters files that users are commonly using and gravitating towards, but there are many issues created on the system besides the file encryption. Files become locked and useless after that. Then ransomware delivers a ransom note named _readme.txt. This text file includes instructions on how to recover the encrypted data and reads:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-ZYodHvPkHI
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
manager@mailtemp.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
helprestoremanager@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:

1. Removing the infection

According to the virus authors, victims need to contact them and provide their personal ID if the locked data is an issue. Unfortunately, once that is done, users rarely receive the decryption keys or tools. Criminals deliver further instructions to proceed with the payment, provided in bitcoin cryptocurrency.

This is the encouragement for payments, so people fall for the claims and provide the cryptocurrency believing that files can be restored. This is not the solution, so we do not recommend contacting the attackers because they might not deliver the required decryption tool. Check out the alternative methods we provide below instead and remove the Zaqi file virus instead.

This is the version of Djvu ransomware that released 370 variants already. The latest ransomware versions on the list are not decryptable, even though the previous versions have been. The alterations were done to file encryption procedures, and evading detection techniques affected the persistence of the whole family. The list gets bigger each week with Miia, Vgkf, Dehd being the last ones released.

These threats are known for accessing user machines without permission and encrypting all files on them. This way, cybercriminals behind the attack can ask for a ransom payment in return for a unique key. However, paying is not recovering your files affected by the Zaqi virus.

It is completely normal that your files are the main subject of your worries. However, you need to remove the infection before doing anything with your data affected by the infection. You can run the anti-malware tool like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes and clear the machine properly. By doing, so you can terminate malicious processes and save your data next.

2. Repair the functions of the PC

The 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 like this Zaqi file virus, antivirus software is not capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is. Consequently, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required.

Therefore, we highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology of FortectIntego repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application is also capable of fixing 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.

3. Check the possible decryption options

The particular ransomware family relies on the strong encryption algorithm, but there are a few methods when it comes to ID forming during the process. Zaqi ransomware can connect to the servers and make each victim a unique key for identification.

If the connection fails, the online ID is not made for each affected device. Once that is happening, the offline IDs get used. It can be a plus for particular victims because offline keys are the same for all victims of the same version. The research team can obtain the key and make the decryption tool working for many victims at once. This is the method previously working tool is based on. 

However, the recent changes and these methods that are used with the latest hundred variants mean that decryption is no longer possible. You cannot easily recover those encrypted files because tools like this are not easily made. Note that anti-malware tools are not enough for file recovery, but things are still possible even with the Zaqi ransomware virus.

If your computer got infected with one of the Djvu variants, you should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to mention that this tool will not work for everyone – it only works if data was locked with an offline ID due to malware failing to communicate with its remote servers.

Even if your case meets this condition, somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately. 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.

There are additional tips that we could share with you. Zaqi ransomware is a seriously dangerous virus that affects the machine significantly. You need to be sure that the infection is no longer present and active, so the encryption and other malicious processes cannot happen again.

The removal process of the infection is crucial because eliminating the threat stops malware completely. You can run the app like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or the tool like MalwarebytesMalwarebytes and remove all virus pieces, trojans, other programs that are running on the machine and causing issues with the performance and security of the computer. Once the Zaqi ransomware virus is terminated, you can recover data yourself.

Files like images and documents get directly damaged, but other files on the system can get damaged too. The file-locker virus is relying on the persistence and issues that can be triggered by system changes in the registry and other parts of the machine. Rely on the techniques included in the FortectIntego functions and repair the performance completely.