The Eqew virus, also known as a ransomware infection, belongs to the STOP family. This malware is known for malignant file encryption operations. Once the Eqew virus infects a system, it scans the system for files such as videos, photos, documents, and more. It modifies the file structure and appends the “.eqew” extension to each encrypted file, making them inaccessible and unusable without the decryption key.
Eqew Virus Overview
Eqew
🤔 Eqew virus is ransomware that belongs to the DJVU/STOP family. Its main target is to cipher your files. After that ransomware virus asks its victims for a ransom fee – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Eqew virus is a malicious program that encrypts your files and coerces you into paying for their recovery. This ransomware encrypts various file types. Encrypted files become identifiable by a distinct “.eqew” extension. As a result, the files touched by ransomware become impossible to access and use.
Subsequently, the ransomware demands a file decryption payment in Bitcoin from its victims, that ranges from $490 to $980, depending on the time passed after the attack. Typically, a text file with ransom payment guidances is named as “_readme.txt“.
Eqew Ransomware uses Salsa20 encryption algorithms to cipher the targeted files. Since Eqew virus uses such a robust encryption method, it becomes quite hard, if not impossible, to find the decryption key without cooperating with the attackers.
Once Eqew malware finishes the encryption, it shows a ransom note to the victim, asking for a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. The ransom note contains instructions on how to pay off the bill and often contains threats of permanent data loss or ransom amounts surge if the ransom is not paid within a specified timeframe.
I have compiled an all-encompassing list of potential solutions, tips, and methods to neutralize the Eqew malware and recover access to your files. In some cases, you can decrypt the files, while sometimes, it may be impossible.
📌 Important Reminder!
It is essential to note that paying off the bill does not guarantee the successful files recovery. The scoundrels behind the Eqew virus are not trustworthy. There have been instances where people have paid the ransom, only to be denied by the cybercriminals with the decryption key provision.
Eqew employs a unique key for each victim, with one exception:
The Eqew virus bears resemblance to other DJVU ransomware samples such as Eqza, Jzqe, Jzie, and Jzeq. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.eqew” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.eqew” and “2.png” to “2.png.eqew“.
Upon successful encryption, malware spawns a special text file named “_readme.txt” and places it in every folder containing the encrypted files. It also adds this file to the desktop, so the victim will not miss its appearance even without opening folders.
The image below provides a visual representation of files with the “eqew” extension:
Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware
| Name | Eqew Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .eqew |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
| Contact | [email protected], [email protected] |
| Detection | Trojan:MSIL/Seraph.AAUW!MTB, Virus:Win32/Nabucur.D, WinGo/RanumBot.AV |
| Symptoms |
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| Fix Tool |
To remove possible malware infections, scan your PC:
6-day free trial available. |
This message asking payment is for restore files via decryption key:
_readme.txt (STOP/DJVU Ransomware) – The alarming warning requesting users to pay the ransom to decrypt the encrypted data contains these exasperating cautions.
Eqew ransomware arrives as a set of tasks that are used to carry out certain functions on a victim’s computer. One of the first ones being launched is winupdate.exe, a sneaky process that shows a false Windows update pop-up during the attack. Such a trick helps to convince the victim that their PC has become slow because of a Windows update.
Simultaneously, the ransomware runs another process (named as 4 random chars) which starts scanning the disk for target files and ciphering them. Then the ransomware removes Volume Shadow Copies from the system using the following CMD command:
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Once removed, it becomes impossible to recover the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The problem is, ransomware operators are getting rid of any built-in Windows techniques that could aid the victim to recover files for free. In addition, the rascals modify the Windows HOSTS file by appending a list of domains to it and mapping them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim will see a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when trying to access one of the listed websites.
We’ve observed that ransomware attempts to block websites that promote various how-to guides for computer users. It is evident that by limiting specific domains, the malefactors are trying to prevent the victim from reaching relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. Malware also stores two .txt files on the victim’s computer that present attack-related particulars – the victim’s public key and personal ID. These two files are named bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.
After all these alterations, the malware doesn’t cease. Variants of STOP/DJVU have a tendency to deploy Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat carries an large list of capabilities, including:
- Manipulating and viewing files on the victim’s computer without their knowledge.
- Extracting sensitive information such as browser cookies, saved passwords, and browsing history.
- Obtaining unauthorized access to login credentials of Steam, Telegram, and Skype.
- Granting the hackers remote control over the victim’s computer for various malicious activities.
- Stealing cryptocurrency wallets from the victim’s system.
- Gathering sensitive data by running malicious software on the victim’s computer.
The encryption algorithm in STOP/Djvu ransomware is AES-256. So, once your data is encrypted with an online decryption key, the chances to get your files back are quite low. Thing is, this key is unique for each victim, and finding a suitable one will take exceptionally big amount of time.
Retrieving the online decryption key in another way is also close to impossible. It is kept on a command server owned by the criminals who spread the Eqew infection. For receiving unlocking key the payment should be $980. To see the payment details, the victims should contact the fraudsters by email ([email protected]).
The message by the ransomware states the following information:
ATTENTION! Don't worry, you can return all your files! All your files like photos, 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: https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku 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: [email protected] Reserve e-mail address to contact us: [email protected] Your personal ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
How To Remove STOP/Djvu Ransomware?
Video Guide
How To Decrypt .eqew Files?
How to restore big files?
Try deleting .eqew extension on a few big files and opening them. This malware has issues with large files encryption. Either the virus scanned and did not lock the file, or it bugged and did not add the filemarker. If you have files that are very large (2GB+), such a situation is highly probable. Please, text me in the comments whether this helped you or not.
The newest extensions released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Eqza, Jzqe, Jzie etc.
As a outcome of the alterations made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer backed. It has been replaced with the Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP Djvu Ransomware developed by Emsisoft.
You can download free decryption tool here: Decryptor for STOP Djvu.
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Select folders for decryption.
Based on the default configurations, the decryptor will by default choose the accessible directories in order to decode the currently reachable drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. Extra (optional) locations can be selected with the assistance of the “Add” button.
Decryptors generally offer several options depending on the specific malware family. The present possible options are presented in the Options tab and can be turned on or disabled there. You may locate a detailed list of the currently active Options below.
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Click on the “Decrypt” button.
As soon as you add all the desired locations for decryption into the list, click on the “Decrypt” button in order to initiate the decryption procedure.
Note that the main screen may turn you to a status view, letting you know of the active process and the decryption statistics of your data:
The decryptor will notify you as soon as the decryption procedure is completed. If you need the report for your personal papers, you can save it by choosing the “Save log” button. Note that it is also possible to copy it directly to your clipboard and to paste it into emails or messages here if you need to do so.
The Emsisoft Decryptor might display different messages after a failed attempt to restore your files:
✓ Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]
Emsisoft failed to find a correspondnig decryption key in their database.
✓ No key for New Variant online ID: [your ID]
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible
Your original files were encrypted with an online key. There is no one to share the decryption key with you. File recovery without paying the ransom is impossible. 🙁
✓ Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]
This ID appears be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.
An offline key was used, though the file recovery operation failed (the offline decryption key isn’t available yet). But, this message is a good news for you, because it might be possible to restore your files in the future. 🙂
It can take a few weeks or months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. Please follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here.
✓ Remote name could not be resolved
It’s an indication of a DNS issue on your PC. Try resetting your HOSTS file to default.
How to Restore .eqew Files?
In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Eqew ransomware encryption mechanism is next: it ciphers every file byte-by-byte, then saves a file copy, erasing (not overriding!) the initial file. Hence, the data of the file placement on the disk drive is lost, but the original file is not removed from the disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was stored, can still contain this file, but it is not listed by the file system and can be overwritten by data that has been loaded to this drive after the deletion. Hence, it is possible to retrieve your files using special software.
Anyway, after realizing it was an online algorithm, it is impossible to retrieve my encrypted files. I also had my backup drive plugged in at the time of the virus, and this was also infected, or so I thought. Every folder within my backup drive had been infected and was encrypted. However, despite losing some important files, I retrieved almost 80% of my 2TB storage.
When I started going through the folders, I noticed the readme.txt ransom note in every folder. I opened some of the folders and found that all files that were not in a subfolder within that folder had been encrypted. However, I found a flaw and glimmer of hope when I went into the subfolders in other folders and found that these files had not been encrypted. Every folder within my c and d drives, including subfolders, had been encrypted, but this was not the case with the backup drive. Having subfolders created within a folder has saved 80% of my data.
As I said, I believe this to be only a small loophole on a backup drive. I’ve since found a further 10 % of my data on another hard drive on a different pc. So my advice is if you use a backup drive, create subfolders. I was lucky, I guess. But I was also unlucky that the virus hit as I was transferring some files from my backup.
Hopefully, this can help some other people in my situation.
Jamie NewlandRecovering your files with PhotoRec
PhotoRec is an free program, which is initially created for file retrieval from damaged disks, or for data recovery in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, as time has gone by, this program got the ability to restore the files of 400 different formats. Hence, it can be used for file restoration after the Eqew attack.
First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer notifies that there is no assurance that your files will be restored. PhotoRec is spread together with other utility of the same developer – TestDisk. The resulting archive will have TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.
To run PhotoRec, you need to find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No installation is required – this program has all the files it need within the archive, hence, you can fit it on your USB drive, and try to help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Eqew ransomware.
Upon the start, you will witness the screen showing you the complete list of your disk spaces. However, this information is likely futile, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this menu, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.
After opting for the disk, you need to choose the destination folder for the restored files. This menu is located at the lower part of the PhotoRec window. The best decision is to export them on USB drive or any other type of removable disk.
Then, you need to designate the file formats. This choice is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can recover the files of about 400 different formats.
Finally, you can begin files restoration by pressing the “Search” button. You will observe the screen where the findings of the scan and recovery are shown.
Eqew files recovery Video Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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