HHWQ VIRUS (.hhwq FILE) RANSOMWARE — FIX & DECRYPT DATA

The Hhwq 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 “.hhwq” extension. It uses a strong encryption method, which makes it impossible to calculate the key in any way.

Hhwq uses a unique key for each victim, with one exception:

• If Hhwq cannot establish a connection to its command and control server (C&C Server) before starting the encryption process, it uses the offline key. This key is the same for all victims, making it possible to encrypt files during ransomware attacks.

I have gathered a complete collection of all possible solutions, tips, and practices in neutralizing the Hhwq virus and decrypting files. In some cases, it is easy to recover your files. And sometimes it is just impossible.

There are several universal methods for recovering encrypted .hhwq files, which will be demonstrated below. Reading the full instruction manual carefully and understanding it all is vital. Do not skip any steps. Each of these steps is very important and must be completed by you.

Hhwq virus?

☝️ Hhwq can be correctly identify as a STOP/DJVU ransomware-type virus.

The Hhwq ransomware is a specific kind of malware that encrypted your documents and then forces you to pay for them. Note that Djvu/STOP ransomware family was first revealed and discovered by virus analyst Michael Gillespie.

Hhwq virus is basically similar to other representatives of the same DJVU family: Jjww, Jjll, Jjyy. This virus encrypt all popular file types and adds its particular “.hhwq” extension into all files. For instance, the file “1.jpg”, will be amended into “1.jpg.hhwq“. As soon as the encryption is successfully accomplished, virus creates a specific message file “_readme.txt” and drop it into all folders that contain the modified files.

The image below gives a clear vision of how the files with the “.hhwq” extension look like:

Hhwq File (STOP/DJVU Ransomware)

This _readme.txt file 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 data contains these frustrating warnings

Hhwq ransomware arrives as a set of processes meant to perform different tasks on a victim’s computer. One of the first ones being launched is winupdate.exe, a tricky process that displays a fake Windows update prompt during the attack. This is meant to convince the victim that a Windows update causes a sudden system slowdown. However, simultaneously, the ransomware runs another process (usually named by four random characters) which starts scanning the system for target files and encrypting them. Next, the ransomware deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the system using the following CMD command:

vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet

Once deleted, it becomes impossible to restore the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The thing is, ransomware operators are getting rid of any Windows OS-based methods that could help the victim to restore files for free. In addition, the crooks modify the Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of domains to it and mapping them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim will run into a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when accessing one of the blocked websites.

We noticed ransomware attempts to block websites that publish various how-to guides for computer users. By restricting specific domains, crooks are trying to prevent the victim from reaching relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. The virus also saves two text files on the victim’s computer that provide attack-related details – the victim’s public encryption key and personal ID. These two files are called bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.

After all these modifications, the malware doesn’t stop. Variants of STOP/DJVU tend to drop AZORULT 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 ransomware is AES-256. So, if your documents got encrypted with an online decryption key, which is distinct. The sad reality is that it is impossible to decrypt the files without the unique key.

In case Hhwq worked in online mode, you can’t gain access to the AES-256 key. It is stored on a remote server owned by the criminals who distribute the Hhwq infection.

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 ([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

Do not pay for Hhwq!

Please, try to use the available backups, or Decrypter tool

_readme.txt file also indicates that the computer owners must get in touch with the Hhwq representatives for 72 hours starting from when files were encrypted. Upon getting in touch within 72 hours, users will be granted a 50% rebate. Thus the ransom amount will be minimized down to $490). Yet, stay away from paying the ransom!

I definitely 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.

The peculiarity of all such viruses apply similar 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 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 make backups of your crucial files regularly.

Note that even if you maintain such backups regularly, they should be put into a specific location without loitering, not connected to your main workstation.

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 good idea.

How I was infected?

Ransomware has a various methods to built into your system. But it doesn’t really matter what method had place in your case.

Hhwq attack following a successful phishing attempt.

How To Remove Hhwq Virus?

In addition to encode a victim’s files, the Hhwq virus has also started to install the Azorult Spyware on system to steal account credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, desktop files, and more.³

Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft⁴

1. Run the setup file.

   
   

2. Press “Install” button.

   

3. Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.

   

4. Wait for complete.

   

5. Click on “Clean Now”.