The GAQQ virus is a STOP/DJVU family of ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts your files (video, photos, documents) that can be tracked by a specific “.gaqq” extension. It uses a strong encryption method, which makes it impossible to calculate the key in any way.
The Gaqq ransomware employs a unique key for each victim, with one exception:
- If Gaqq fails to establish a connection with the command and control server (C&C Server) before initiating the encryption process, it resorts to the offline key. This particular key is shared among all victims, offering the possibility of decrypting files affected by a ransomware attack.
I have compiled an extensive list of potential solutions, tips, and best practices to neutralize the Gaqq virus and recover encrypted files. Depending on the circumstances, file recovery may be either straightforward or impossible.
What is Gaqq virus?
GAQQ
🤔 GAQQ virus is ransomware that originates from the DJVU/STOP family. Its primary purpose is to encrypt files that are important to you. After that ransomware virus asks its victims for a ransom fee ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Gaqq ransomware is a specific kind of malware that encrypted your files and then forces you to pay to restore them. The image below gives a clear vision of how the files with “.gaqq” extension look like:
Gaqq File (STOP/DJVU Ransomware)
| Name | Gaqq Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .gaqq |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
| Contact | support@fishmail.top, datarestorehelp@airmail.cc |
| Detection | Win32/Sality.NDH, Win32/Adware_AGen.H, Trojan:MSIL/RedLine.MC!MTB |
| Symptoms |
|
| 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 scary alert demanding from users to pay the ransom to decrypt the encoded files contains these frustrating warnings
The Gaqq ransomware performs a series of processes on the victim’s computer, with the initial process being the launch of winupdate.exe. This deceptive process presents a fake Windows update prompt to the victim, leading them to believe that a sudden system slowdown is caused by a legitimate update. Simultaneously, another process with a randomly generated name starts scanning the system for specific files and encrypts them. Additionally, the ransomware employs the CMD command
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
to delete Volume Shadow Copies, eliminating the possibility of restoring the computer to a previous state using System Restore Points.
The ransomware operators intentionally remove any Windows OS-based methods that could assist victims in restoring their files without charge. Furthermore, the criminals modify the Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of domains and mapping them to the localhost IP address. Consequently, when the victim attempts to access one of the blocked websites, they encounter a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.
It has come to our attention that the ransomware specifically targets websites that provide various how-to guides for computer users. This deliberate restriction of specific domains aims to hinder the victim’s access to relevant and helpful information related to ransomware attacks. The virus also generates two text files on the victim’s computer, which contain crucial details about the attack – the victim’s public encryption key and personal ID. These files are named bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.
After all these modifications, the malware doesn’t stop. Variants of STOP/DJVU tend to drop Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat has a lengthy list of capabilities, such as:
- Stealing Steam, Telegram, Skype login / password;
- Stealing cryptocurrency wallets;
- Downloading 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 cryptography algorithm used by DJVU/STOP virus is Salsa20. So, if your documents got encrypted with an online decryption key, which is totally unique. The sad reality is that it is impossible to decrypt the files without the unique key.
In case if this virus worked in online mode, it is impossible for you to gain access to the AES-256 key. It is stored on a distant server owned by the frauds who distibute the Gaqq virus.
For receiving decryption key the payment should be $980. To obtain the payment details, the victims are encouraged by the message to contact the frauds by email (support@fishmail.top).
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: support@fishmail.top Reserve e-mail address to contact us: datarestorehelp@airmail.cc Your personal ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The ransom note provides contact information for the attackers, which includes the email addresses support@freshmail.top and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc. It emphasizes the importance of reaching out to them within 72 hours to prevent the ransom fee from increasing to $980. The fee is in exchange for the decryption software and key needed to restore the encrypted files, with the original price being $490.
Furthermore, the note offers victims the option to send one encrypted file to the cybercriminals, which they will decrypt free of charge. However, it is specified that the chosen file should not contain any critical or important data.
Do not pay for ransom!
Please, try to use the available backups, or Decrypter tool
The _readme.txt file also indicates that the computer owners must get in touch with the Gaqq representatives during 72 hours starting from the moment of files were encrypted. On the condition of getting in touch within 72 hours, users will be granted a 50% rebate. Thus the ransom amount will be minimized down to $490). However, stay away from paying the ransom!
I certainly recommend that you do not contact these crooks and do not pay. The one of the most real working solution to recover the lost data – just using the available backups, or use Decrypter tool from Emsisoft.
The peculiarity of all such viruses apply a similar set of actions for generating the unique decryption key to recover the ciphered data.
Thus, unless the ransomware is still under the stage of development or possesses with some hard-to-track flaws, manually recovering the ciphered data is a thing you can’t perform. The only solution to prevent the loss of your valuable data is to regularly make backups of your crucial files.
Note that even if you do maintain such backups regularly, they ought to be put into a specific location without loitering, not being connected to your main workstation.
For instance, the backup may be kept on the USB flash drive or some alternative external hard drive storage. Optionally, you may refer to the help of online (cloud) information storage.
Needless to mention, when you maintain your backup data on your common device, it may be similarly ciphered as well as other data.
For this reason, locating the backup on your main computer is surely not a wise idea.
How I was infected?
Ransomware has a various methods to built into your system. But it doesn’t really matter what concrete way had place in your case.
Gaqq attack following a successful phishing attempt.
There are common leaks through which the Gaqq ransomware may be injected into your PC. These include hidden installation along with other apps, especially utilities that work as freeware or shareware. Another method is through a dubious link in spam emails that leads to the virus installer. Additionally, online free hosting resources can also be a source of injection. Lastly, using illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) resources for downloading pirated software is another way the ransomware can infiltrate your system.
Instances have been reported where the Gaqq virus disguises itself as a legitimate tool. For example, it may appear in messages demanding the initiation of unwanted software or browser updates. This is a common tactic used by online fraudsters to trick users into manually installing the Gaqq ransomware. They aim to involve you directly in the installation process.
It is important to note that the bogus update alert will not explicitly indicate that you are installing the virus. Instead, it will be disguised as an alert prompting you to update Adobe Flash Player or some other dubious program.
Cracked apps are also a potential source of damage. It is essential to understand that using P2P resources for downloading pirated software is both illegal and can result in the injection of serious malware, including the Gaqq ransomware.
To summarize, what can you do to avoid the injection of the Gaqq ransomware into your device? While there is no foolproof guarantee to prevent PC damage, there are certain precautions you can take to minimize the risk of Gaqq penetration. When installing free software, carefully read what the installers offer in addition to the main program. Exercise caution when dealing with dubious email attachments and refrain from opening files from unknown senders. Additionally, it is crucial to keep your security program up to date.
The malware operates discreetly, not openly revealing its presence. It will not appear in the list of your available programs. Instead, it disguises itself as a malicious process that runs in the background once you launch your computer.
How To Remove Gaqq Virus?
In addition to encode a victim’s files, the Gaqq infection has also started to install the Vidar Stealer on PC to steal account credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, desktop files, and more.
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 computer.
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 complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Gaqq 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.
Trojan Killer for special instances
In some certain instances, Gaqq ransomware can block the running of setup files of different anti-malware programs. In this situation, you need to utilize the removable drive with a pre-installed antivirus tool.
There is a really little number of security tools that are able to be set up on the USB drives, and antiviruses that can do so in most cases require to obtain quite an expensive license. For this instance, I can recommend you to use another solution of GridinSoft – Trojan Killer Portable. It has a 14-days cost-free trial mode that offers the entire features of the paid version 3. This term will definitely be 100% enough to wipe malware out.
How To Decrypt .gaqq Files?
How to restore big .gaqq files?
Try removing .gaqq extension on a few BIG files and opening them. Either the =ransomware read and did not encrypt the file, or it bugged and did not add the filemarker. If your files are very large (2GB+), the latter is most likely. Please, let me know in comments if that will work for you.
The newest extensions released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Waqq, Gazp, Gayn, etc.
As a result of the changes made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer supported. It has been removed and replaced with the Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP Djvu Ransomware developed by Emsisoft.
You can download free decryption tool here: Decryptor for STOP Djvu.
Download and run decryption tool.
Start downloading the decryption tool.
Make sure to launch the decryption utility as an administrator. You need to agree with the license terms that will come up. For this purpose, click on the “Yes” button:
As soon as you accept the license terms, the main decryptor user interface comes up:
Select folders for decryption.
Based on the default settings, the decryptor will automatically populate the available locations in order to decrypt the currently available drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. Extra (optional) locations can be selected with the help of the “Add” button.
Decryptors normally suggest several options considering the specific malware family. The current possible options are presented in the Options tab and can be activated or deactivated there. You may locate a detailed list of the currently active Options below.
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 gaqq files:
✓ Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]
✓ No key for New Variant online ID: [your ID]
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption 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.
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
How to Restore .gaqq Files?
In some case Gaqq ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Gaqq viirus encryption mechanism feature is next: it encrypts every file byte-by-byte, then saves a file copy, deleting (and not overriding!) the original file. Hence, the information of the file location on the physical disk is lost, but the original file is not deleted from the physical 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 disk after the deletion. Hence, it is possible to recover your files using special software.
Recently, my PC was infected by the Gaqq virus, which managed to bypass two antivirus software and two malware fighters.
Despite realizing that it was an online algorithm, I came to the unfortunate realization that retrieving my encrypted files was impossible. Even my backup drive, which was plugged in during the virus attack, was infected. Every folder within the backup drive had been encrypted. However, there was a glimmer of hope as I managed to recover nearly 80% of my 2TB storage.
While going through the folders, I noticed the presence of a ransom note, readme.txt, in every folder. Upon investigation, I found that all files outside of subfolders within a folder had been encrypted. However, there was a flaw that gave me hope. When I entered the subfolders in other folders, I discovered that these files had not been encrypted. All folders, including subfolders, within my C and D drives were encrypted, but this was not the case with the backup drive. The creation of subfolders within a folder turned out to be a lifesaver, allowing me to salvage 80% of my data.
I believe this to be a small loophole specific to the backup drive. Additionally, I was able to find an additional 10% of my data on another hard drive connected to a different PC. Therefore, my advice to others facing a similar situation is to create subfolders if using a backup drive. I consider myself fortunate in this regard, although I was unlucky that the virus struck while I was transferring files from my backup.
Hopefully, sharing my experience can assist others in similar predicaments.
Jamie NewlandRecovering your files with PhotoRec
PhotoRec is an open-source program, which is originally created for files recovery from damaged disks, or for files recovery in case if they are deleted. However, as time has gone by, this program got the ability to recover the files of 400 different extensions. Hence, it can be used for data recovery after the ransomware attack
At first, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer states that there is no guarantee that your files will be recovered. PhotoRec is distributed in a pack with other utility of the same developer – TestDisk. The downloaded archive will have TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.
To open PhotoRec, you need to find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No installation is required – this program has all the files it need inside of the archive, hence, you can fit it on your USB drive, and try to help your friend/parents/anyone who was been attacked by DJVU/STOP ransomware.
After the launch, you will see the screen showing you the full list of your disk spaces. However, this information is likely useless, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this bar, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.
After choosing the disk, you need to choose the destination folder for the recovered files. This menu is located at the lower part of the PhotoRec window. The best desicion is to export them on USB drive or any other type of removable disk.
Then, you need to specify the file formats. This option is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can recover the files of about 400 different formats.
Finally, you can start files recovery by pressing the “Search” button. You will see the screen where the results of the scan and recovery are shown.
Gaqq files recovery guide
Frequently Asked Questions
No way. These files are modified by ransomware. The contents of .gaqq files are not available until they are decrypted.
If your data remained in the .gaqq files are very valuable, then most likely you made a backup copy.
If not, then you can try to restore them through the system function – Restore Point.
All other methods will require patience.
Of course not. Your encrypted files do not pose a threat to the computer. What happened has already happened.
You need GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove active system infections. The virus that encrypted your files is most likely still active and periodically runs a test for the ability to encrypt even more files. Also, these viruses install keyloggers and backdoors for further malicious actions (for example, theft of passwords, credit cards) often.
In this situation, you need to prepare the memory stick with a pre-installed Trojan Killer.
Have patience. You are infected with the new version of STOP/DJVU ransomware, and decryption keys have not yet been released. Follow the news on our website.
We will keep you posted on when new keys or new decryption programs appear.
The Gaqq ransomware encrypts only the first 150KB of files. So MP3 files are rather large, some media players (Winamp for example) may be able to play the files, but – the first 3-5 seconds (the encrypted portion) will be missing.
You can try to find a copy of an original file that was encrypted:
- Files you downloaded from the Internet that were encrypted and you can download again to get the original.
- Pictures that you shared with family and friends that they can just send back to you.
- Photos that you uploaded on social media or cloud services like Carbonite, OneDrive, iDrive, Google Drive, etc)
- Attachments in emails you sent or received and saved.
- Files on an older computer, flash drive, external drive, camera memory card, or iPhone where you transferred data to the infected computer.
If the guide doesn’t help you to remove Gaqq infection, please download the GridinSoft Anti-Malware that I recommended. Do not forget to share your experience in solving the problem. Please leave a comment here! This can help other victims to understand they are not alone. And together we will find ways to deal with this issue.
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Brendan SmithGAQQ Ransomware — How To Restore & Decrypt Files?
Name: GAQQ Virus
Description: The GAQQ Virus belongs to the STOP/DJVU family of ransomware infections. This malicious software encrypts various file types, including videos, photos, and documents, which become identifiable by a distinct .gaqq extension. As a result, the affected files become inaccessible and unusable.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
- About DJVU (STOP) Ransomware.
- Trojan Killer Review: https://howtofix.guide/trojan-killer/
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