The Bkqfmsahpt virus falls under the Snatch ransomware family. Harmful software of this type encrypts all the data on your PC (photos, documents, excel sheets, music, videos, etc) and appends its specific extension to every file, creating the HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT text files in every folder with the encrypted files.
What is known about the Bkqfmsahptvirus?
☝️ A scientifically accurate denomination for the Bkqfmsahpt would be “a Snatch family ransomware-type malicious agent”.
Bkqfmsahpt will append its extra .bkqfmsahpt extension to every file’s name. For instance, an image entitled “photo.jpg” will be altered to “photo.jpg.bkqfmsahpt”. Just like the Excel table with the name “table.xlsx” will be renamed to “table.xlsx.bkqfmsahpt”, and so forth.
In every folder containing the encrypted files, a HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT text document will be found. It is a ransom money memo. Therein you can find information on the ways of paying the ransom and some other information. The ransom note usually contains instructions on how to buy the decryption tool from the Bkqfmsahpt developers. That is pretty much the scheme of the malefaction.
Bkqfmsahpt overview:
| Name | Bkqfmsahpt Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | Snatch ransomware |
| Extension | .bkqfmsahpt |
| Ransomware note | HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT |
| Detection | Win32/GenKryptik.GCRJ, VHO:Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Deyma.cyv, Generic.Trojan.HackTool.DDS |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .bkqfmsahpt extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Bkqfmsahpt virus |
In the picture below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Bkqfmsahpt looks like. Each filename has the “.bkqfmsahpt” extension added to it.
That is how encrypted “.bkqfmsahpt” files look.
How did my computer get infected with Bkqfmsahpt ransomware?
There is a huge number of possible ways of ransomware injection.
Nowadays, there are three most popular methods for tamperers to have ransomware acting in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer networks.
If you access your inbox and see emails that look just like notifications from utility services companies, delivery agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is strange to you, beware of opening those letters. They are most likely to have a viral file enclosed in them. Therefore, it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan horse scheme2. A Trojan is an object that gets into your PC disguised as something else. For instance, you download an installer for some program you want or an update for some software. However, what is unpacked reveals itself a harmful agent that corrupts your data. Since the installation file can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the resource of the stuff you’re downloading. The best thing is to use the software developers’ official websites.
As for the peer file transfer protocols like BitTorrent or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Web. You can never know what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy resources. Also, it is a good idea to scan the directory containing the downloaded items with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is finished.
How to remove the Bkqfmsahpt virus?
It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your data, the Bkqfmsahpt virus will probably install the Azorult Spyware on your machine to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That program can extract your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Often tamperers would decode several of your files so you know that they do have the decryption program. Since Bkqfmsahpt virus is a relatively recent ransomware, safety measures designers have not yet found a method to undo its work. Nevertheless, the decoding tools are constantly updated, so the solution may soon be available.
Sure thing, if the hackers do the job of encoding someone’s essential files, the hopeless person will most likely fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying to criminals does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your data back. It is still dangerous. After getting the ransom, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the victim. There were reports about malefactors just disappearing after getting the ransom without even bothering to reply.
The optimal countermeasure to ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud disk or at least on an external disk. Of course, that might be insufficient. Your most important thing could be that one you were working upon when it all went down. But at least it is something. It is also reasonable to scan your PC for viruses with the anti-malware utility after the OS is rolled back.
Bkqfmsahpt is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. For instance, Fatp, Powd, Bowd, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Bkqfmsahpt are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: files become encoded, their extensions changed, ransom notes are found in each directory containing encoded files.
Some lucky people were able to decrypt the blocked files with the aid of the free tools provided by anti-ransomware developers. Sometimes the hackers accidentally send the decryption key to the wronged in the ransom readme. Such an extraordinary fail allows the injured part to restore the files. But of course, one should never expect such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a bandits’ tool to pull the money out of their victims.
How сan I avoid ransomware injection?
Bkqfmsahpt ransomware has no superpower, so as any similar malware.
You can protect your computer from its attack within three easy steps:
- Ignore any letters from unknown mailboxes with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are waiting for (can you win in a money prize draw without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is likely something you are waiting for, check all elements of the dubious email with caution. A hoax email will surely contain mistakes.
- Avoid using cracked or unknown programs. Trojan viruses are often spreaded as an element of cracked software, possibly as a “patch” which prevents the license check. But untrusted programs are difficult to tell from trustworthy software, because trojans may also have the functionality you need. Try to find information about this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the best solution is not to use such programs at all.
- And to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, scan them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a powerful armor for your system.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft3
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft4.
Download Removal Tool.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
Run the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your system.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Press “Install” button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Bkqfmsahpt infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
Frequently Asked Questions
🤔 How can I open “.bkqfmsahpt” files?Can I somehow access “.bkqfmsahpt” files?
Unfortunately, no. You need to decipher the “.bkqfmsahpt” files first. Then you will be able to open them.
🤔 The encrypted files are very important to me. How can I decrypt them quickly?
Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. The rest of the methods require patience.
🤔 If GridinSoft deletes the Bkqfmsahpt malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?
No way! The encrypted files are not harmful, so they won’t be deleted.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with real threats. The ransomware that has infiltrated your device is most likely still active and launching checks every so often to arrest any new files you might create on your computer after the attack. As it has been said above, the Bkqfmsahpt virus comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide criminals with easy access to your PC in the future.
🤔 What should I do if the Bkqfmsahpt ransomware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation code.
In such an unfortunate situation, you need to prepare a flash memory card with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to execute the procedure. You see, the ransomware starts automatically as the system launches and encrypts any new files created or brought into your computer. To stop this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Some of the encrypted files can be located elsewhere.
- If you exchanged your important files by email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You might have shared photographs or videos with your friends or relatives. Just ask them to give those pictures back to you.
- If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Internet, you can try doing it again.
- Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud disks might have all those files as well.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old computer, a notebook, cellphone, flash memory, etc.
HINT: You can employ data recovery programs5 to get your lost data back since ransomware encrypts the copies of your files, deleting the authentic ones. In the tutorial below, you can see how to use PhotoRec for such a recovery, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you eradicate the virus with an antivirus program.
Also, you can contact the following official fraud and scam sites to report this attack:
- In the United States: On Guard Online;
- In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
- In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
- In Australia: SCAMwatch;
- In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
- In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;
To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.
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Brendan SmithHow to Remove BKQFMSAHPT Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: BKQFMSAHPT Virus
Description: BKQFMSAHPT Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .bkqfmsahpt extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
- Here’s the list of Top 10 Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
