The Eqza virus, also known as a ransomware, is part of the STOP family. This malware family is known for its malicious file encryption capabilities. Once the Eqza virus infects a system, it scans the system for files such as videos, photos, documents, and more. It changes the file structure and adds the “.eqza” extension to each file, making them unusable without the decryptor.
Eqza Virus Overview
Eqza
🤔 Eqza malware can be classified as ransomware that belongs to the DJVU/STOP family. Its main target is to cipher your files. After that ransomware virus asks for a ransom payment – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Eqza virus is a malware type that ciphers your files and makes you pay for their decryption. This malware ciphers various file types. ciphered files are identifiable by a distinct “.eqza” extension. The affected files become inaccessible and unusable.
Subsequently, the ransomware asks for a ransom payment in Bitcoin from its victims, that ranges from $490 to $980, depending on the time passed after the attack. Usually, a ransom text file is named as “_readme.txt“.
Eqza Ransomware works with Salsa20 encryption algorithms to scramble the contents of the targeted files. Since Eqza virus applies such a strong ciphering method, it becomes particularly difficult, if not impossible, to pick the decryption key without the assistance of the attackers.
Once Eqza malware finishes the encryption, it shows a ransom note to the victim, demanding a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. The ransom note provides instructions on the ways of making the payment and also often includes threats of permanent data loss or ransom amounts surge if the ransom is not paid within a specified timeframe.
I have created a comprehensive list of potential solutions, advice, and practices to neutralize the Eqza ransomware and decrypt and recover your files. In some cases, it may be possible to restore your files, but sometimes, it may be impossible.
📌 Important Reminder!
It is important to note that paying off the bill does not guarantee the successful files recovery. The hackers behind the Eqza virus are known for their untrustworthiness. There have been instances where people have paid the ransom, only to be denied by the cybercriminals with the decryption key provision.
Eqza employs a unique key for every victim, with one exception:
The Eqza virus bears resemblance to other DJVU ransomware samples such as Jzqe, Jzie, Jzeq, and Yzqe. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.eqza” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.eqza” and “2.png” to “2.png.eqza“.
Upon successful encryption, malware creates a special text file named “_readme.txt” and places it in every folder containing the encrypted files. It as well adds the readme 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 “eqza” extension:
Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware
| Name | Eqza Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .eqza |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
| Contact | [email protected], [email protected] |
| Detection | Virus:Win32/Nabucur.D, WinGo/RanumBot.AV, Trojan:Win32/Bamital.G |
| 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 frightening alert requesting users to pay the ransom to unlock the encrypted data contains these annoying admonitions.
Eqza ransomware arrives as a set of procedures that are meant to execute different tasks on a victim’s computer. One of the initial processes being launched is winupdate.exe, a sneaky process that shows a fake Windows update alert during the attack. This is meant to convince the victim that their PC has become slow because of a Windows update.
Simultaneously, the ransomware runs another process (usually named by four random characters) which commences scanning the system for target files and encrypting them. Then the ransomware deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the system disk through the following CMD command:
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Once removed, it becomes virtually impossible to restore the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The problem is, ransomware operators are getting rid of any built-in Windows methods that could aid the victim to recover files for free. In addition, the hackers modify the Windows HOSTS file by appending a list of domains to it and linking them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim will witness a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when trying to access one of the blocked websites.
We noticed that ransomware tries to restrict websites that post various how-to guides for computer users. It is evident that by limiting specific domains, the malefactors are trying to stop the victim from reaching relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. The virus also saves two .txt files on the victim’s computer that provide particulars related to the attack – the victim’s public key and personal ID. These two files are named bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.
After all these changes, the malware doesn’t halt. Variants of STOP/DJVU are inclined to install Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat possesses an extensive list of capabilities, including:
- Stealing Steam, Telegram, Skype login / password;
- Stealing cryptocurrency wallets;
- Downloading other malware to the computer and running it;
- Stealing browser cookies, saved passwords, browsing history, and more;
- Viewing and manipulating files on victim’s computer;
- Allowing the hackers to perform other tasks on the victim’s computer remotely.
The encryption algorithm used by DJVU/STOP virus is AES-256. So, once your data is encrypted with an online decryption key, the possibility to get your files back are quite low. Thing is, online key is unique for each victim, and brute forcing it will take exceptionally big amount of time.
Retrieving the online key in any other way is also nearly impossible. It is kept on a server owned by the crooks who promote the Eqza malware. For receiving decryption key the payment should be $980. To obtain the payment details, the victims should contact the hackers 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 .eqza Files?
How to restore big files?
Try deleting .eqza extension on a few big files and opening them. This malware has issues with large files encryption. Either the virus accessed and did not encode the file, or it failed and did not add the filemarker. If you have files that are very large (2GB+), the latter is most likely. 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 Jzqe, Jzie, Jzeq etc.
As a outcome of the modifications made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer supported. 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 automatically choose the available directories in order to decrypt the currently accessible drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. You can choose additional locations with the “Add” button.
Decryptors usually offer several options considering the specific malware family. The present possible options are presented in the Options tab and can be turned on or turned off 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]
There is no corresponding decryption key in the Emsisoft decryptor’s database.
✓ No key for New Variant online ID: [your ID]
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible
Malware used an online key to cipher your files. There is no one to share the decryption key with you. File recovery is only possible through paying the ransom. 🙁
✓ 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, receiving this message is good news for you, because it is 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
This stands for a DNS issue present in your system. Our first recommendation is to reset your HOSTS file back to default.
How to Restore .eqza Files?
In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Eqza ransomware encryption mechanism is next: it ciphers every file byte-by-byte, then saves a duplicate, deleting (not overriding!) the original file. Thus, the information of the file placement on the physical disk is lost, but the original file is not erased from the disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was kept, can still hold this file, but it is not listed by the file system and can be rewritten by data that has been loaded to this disk 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 open-source program, which is initially created for data recovery from damaged disks, or for data recovery in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, with time flow, this program got the ability to recover the files of 400 different formats. Hence, it can be used for file recovery after the Eqza attack.
First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer notifies that there is no guarantee that your files will be restored. PhotoRec is distributed in a pack with other tool of the same developer – TestDisk. The downloaded archive will have TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.
To open PhotoRec, find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No installation process is needed – this program has all the files it need within the archive, hence, you can fit it on your USB drive, and help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Eqza ransomware.
After the start, you will observe the screen showing you the complete list of your drives. However, this data is likely useless, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this menu, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.
After picking the disk, you need to select the destination folder for the reclaimed files. This menu is located at the lower part of the PhotoRec window. The best choice is to export them on USB drive or any other type of removable disk.
Then, you need to specify the file formats. This choice is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can regain the files of about 400 different formats.
Finally, you can begin files recovery by pressing the “Search” button. You will see the screen where the outcomes of the scan and recovery are shown.
Eqza files recovery Video Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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