The Gaqtfpr virus falls under the Snatch ransomware family. Malware of this type encrypts all the data on your computer (photos, documents, excel sheets, music, videos, etc) and appends its extra extension to every file, leaving the HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT text files in each folder which contains the encrypted files.
What is known about the Gaqtfprvirus?
☝️ A scientifically correct denomination for the Gaqtfpr would be “a Snatch family ransomware-type infection”.
Gaqtfpr will add its extra .gaqtfpr extension to the name of every encoded file. For instance, a file named “photo.jpg” will be changed to “photo.jpg.gaqtfpr”. In the same manner, the Excel sheet named “table.xlsx” will be renamed to “table.xlsx.gaqtfpr”, and so on.
In every folder that contains the encrypted files, a HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT text file will be created. It is a ransom money memo. It contains information on the ways of paying the ransom and some other remarks. The ransom note usually contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the racketeers. That is it.
Gaqtfpr outline:
| Name | Gaqtfpr Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | Snatch ransomware |
| Extension | .gaqtfpr |
| Ransomware note | HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT |
| Detection | Win32.Virlock.Gen.2, Ulise.133670, Trojan:Win32/CryptInject.CD!MTB |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .gaqtfpr extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Gaqtfpr virus |
In the image below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Gaqtfpr looks like. Each filename has the “.gaqtfpr” extension added to it.
An example of encrypted .gaqtfpr files.
How did my computer get infected with Gaqtfpr ransomware?
There is a huge number of possible ways of ransomware injection.
Nowadays, there are three most popular methods for evil-doers to have ransomware working in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan injection and peer-to-peer networks.
If you open your inbox and see letters that look like familiar notifications from utility services companies, postal agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is unknown to you, beware of opening those letters. They are very likely to have a viral item attached to them. Therefore, it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with letters like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan horse scheme2. A Trojan is a program that infiltrates into your PC disguised as something legal. For example, you download an installer for some program you want or an update for some software. But what is unpacked turns out to be a harmful program that corrupts your data. As the installation file can have any name and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the source of the things you’re downloading. The optimal way is to trust the software developers’ official websites.
As for the peer-to-peer networks like torrent trackers 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. So you’d better be using 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 done.
How do I get rid of the Gaqtfpr virus?
It is important to inform you that besides encrypting your files, the Gaqtfpr virus will probably deploy the Azorult Spyware on your computer to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned spyware3 can extract your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Sometimes racketeers would decode few of your files to prove that they really have the decryption program. As Gaqtfpr virus is a relatively recent ransomware, anti-malware engineers have not yet found a method to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the anti-ransomware tools are frequently updated, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available.
Of course, if the evildoers succeed in encrypting someone’s critical data, the hopeless person will probably comply with their demands. However, paying a ransom does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your data back. It is still risky. After obtaining the money, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports of hackers just disappearing after getting the money without even writing back.
The best countermeasure to ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud drive or at least on an external disk. Surely, that might be insufficient. Your most crucial thing could be that file you were working upon when it all happened. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also reasonable to scan your PC for viruses with the anti-malware utility after the OS restoration.
Gaqtfpr is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. Examples of those are Qqmt, Qqjj, Vvyu, and some others. The two major differences between them and the Gaqtfpr are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: documents become encrypted, their extensions changed, ransom notes appear in every directory containing encoded files.
Some lucky victims were able to decrypt the blocked files with the help of the free software provided by anti-ransomware specialists. Sometimes the criminals mistakenly send the decoding key to the wronged in the ransom note. Such an extraordinary fail allows the user to restore the files. But obviously, one should never rely on such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a bandits’ tool to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How сan I avoid ransomware infiltration?
Gaqtfpr ransomware has no superpower, so as any similar malware.
You can armour your computer from ransomware injection within three easy steps:
- Never open any letters from unknown senders with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are waiting for (can you win in a lottery without participating in it?). If the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the suspicious email carefully. A fake letter will always have mistakes.
- Do not use cracked or unknown programs. Trojan viruses are often spreaded as an element of cracked products, most likely as a “patch” preventing the license check. Understandably, dubious programs are very hard to tell from trustworthy ones, because trojans sometimes have the functionality you seek. You can try searching for information about this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal solution is not to use such programs at all.
- And to be sure about the safety of the files you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a powerful defense for your PC.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft4
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft5.
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 PC.
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 PC for Gaqtfpr 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 “.gaqtfpr” files?Can I somehow access “.gaqtfpr” files?
There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.gaqtfpr” files are decrypted.
🤔 I really need to decrypt those “.gaqtfpr” files ASAP. How can I do that?
It’s good if you have fаr-sightedly saved copies of these important files elsewhere. In case you haven’t, there is still a chance that you do have a Restore Point from some time ago to roll back the whole system to the moment when it had no virus yet, but already had your files. The rest of the methods require patience.
🤔 Will GridinSoft Anti-Malware remove all the encrypted files alongside the Gaqtfpr virus?
Absolutely not! Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will delete the threats from your computer. The malware that has attacked your computer is must be still functional and running scans periodically to encrypt any new files you might create on your PC after the infection. As it has been mentioned above, the Gaqtfpr malware does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide criminals with easy access to your computer after some time.
🤔 What to do if the Gaqtfpr virus has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation code.
If that happened, you need to prepare a flash memory card with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the procedure. The point is that the ransomware starts automatically as the system launches and encrypts any new files created or brought into your machine. To stop this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 And what should I do now?
Many of the encrypted files might still be within your reach
- If you exchanged your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You might have shared images or videos with your friends or family members. Simply ask them to send those images back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Web, you can try doing it again.
- Your messengers, social networks pages, and cloud storage might have all those files as well.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old computer, a portable device, phone, memory stick, etc.
USEFUL TIP: You can employ data recovery programs6 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware encodes the copies of your files, removing the authentic ones. In the tutorial below, you can see how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you kill 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 GAQTFPR Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: GAQTFPR Virus
Description: GAQTFPR Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .gaqtfpr 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.
- You can read more on spyware variants and nature in the respective 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 are Top 10 Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
