NZQW Virus (.NZQW File) 🔐 Decrypt & Removal Guide

The Nzqw virus is a ransomware infection, a part of the infamous STOP/DJVU family. This malware is known for its malicious file encryption capabilities. When the Nzqw ransomware infects a system, it searches for files like photos, videos, documents, and more. It changes the file structure and adds the “.nzqw” extension to each file, making them inaccessible and unusable without the decryptor.

Nzqw Virus Overview

The Nzqw ransomware aims at encrypting your files and making you pay for their decryption. This ransomware ciphers a wide selection of file types. Encrypted files can be identified by a distinct “.nzqw” extension. The files touched by ransomware become impossible to access and use.

After that, the ransomware asks for a ransom payment in Bitcoin from the victims, that ranges from $490 to $980, depending on the time passed after the attack. In all cases, a text file with ransom payment guidances is named as “_readme.txt“.

Nzqw Ransomware uses Salsa20 encryption algorithms to cipher the files. Since Nzqw virus uses such a strong encryption method, it becomes incredibly hard, if not impossible, to pick the decryption key without cooperating with the attackers.

Once the files are encrypted, the malware generates a ransom note. In the text file, it notifies about what happened and asks for a ransom payment to receive the decryption key. The ransom note also contains instructions on how to make the payment and threats of system wipeout or increased ransom amounts if the ransom is not paid within a specified timeframe.

I have made a comprehensive list of potential solutions, advice, and methods to disable the Nzqw ransomware and decrypt and recover your .nzqw files. In some cases, you can recover the files, but sometimes, it may be impossible.

Nzqw uses a unique key for every victim, with one exception:

The Nzqw virus is highly similar to other DJVU ransomware variants like Nzer, Nzoq, Nztt, and Wzer. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.nzqw” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.nzqw” and “2.png” to “2.png.nzqw“.

After successful encryption, malware creates 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 “nzqw” extension:

Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware

This message asking payment is for restore files via decryption key:

_readme.txt (STOP/DJVU Ransomware) – The terrifying notification insisting users to pay the ransom to decrypt the encoded data contains these exasperating cautions.

Nzqw ransomware arrives as a set of actions that are needed to carry out certain activities on a victim’s computer. One of the first ones being launched is winupdate.exe, a deceptive process that displays a fraudulent Windows update prompt 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 (named as 4 random chars) which commences scanning the disk for target files and ciphering them. Then the ransomware deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the system disk through the following CMD command:

vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet

Once deleted, it becomes virtually impossible to restore the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The concern is, ransomware operators are eliminating any built-in Windows methods that could help the victim to regain files for free. In addition, the hackers modify the Windows HOSTS file by appending a list of domains to it and redirecting them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim will witness a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when accessing one of the blacklisted websites.

It has come to our attention that ransomware tries to block websites that publish various how-to guides for computer users. It is evident that by restricting specific domains, the malefactors are trying to hinder the victim from accessing relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. Malware also stores two text files on the victim’s computer that offer details related to the attack – the victim’s public encryption 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 install Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat carries an large list of capabilities, including:

• Infiltrating the victim’s computer with malware and executing it to gain unauthorized access.
• Obtaining unauthorized access to login credentials of Steam, Telegram, and Skype.
• Manipulating and viewing files on the victim’s computer without their knowledge.
• Stealing cryptocurrency wallets from the victim’s system.
• Granting the hackers remote control over the victim’s computer for various malicious activities.
• Extracting sensitive information such as browser cookies, saved passwords, and browsing history.

The cryptography algorithm used by DJVU/STOP virus is AES-256. So, if your data got encrypted with an online decryption key, the possibility to get your files back are quite low. Thing is, this key is unique for each victim, and picking it will take too much time.

Obtaining the online key in another way is also close to impossible. It is stored on a server owned by the crooks who spread the Nzqw malware. For receiving unlocking 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

Do not pay the ransom!

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

_readme.txt file also indicates that the computer user must get in touch with the hackers’ representatives within 72 hours starting from the moment of files were encrypted. If user contacts hackers during 72 hours, hackers grant a 50% off. Thus the ransom amount will be minimized down to $490.

Yet, stay away from paying the ransom! I strongly recommend that you do not contact these frauds and do not pay. An efficient solution to recover the lost data is just using the backups you have, or using Decrypter tool from Emsisoft.

The distinctiveness of all such viruses is the application a similar set of actions for generating the unique decryption key to recover the ciphered data. Thus, unless the ransomware is still in development or exhibits some hard-to-track flaws, manual data recovery is a thing you can’t perform. The sole remedy to prevent the data loss is to regularly make backups of your important files.

Remember that even if you do create such backups regularly, they ought to be placed 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. Alternatively, you may rely to the help of online (cloud) information storage.

Unnecessary to mention, when you keep your backup on your regular device, it may be ciphered together with other data. For this reason, placing the backup on your computer’s disk 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 way had place in your case.

Ransomware attack following a successful phishing attempt.

How To Remove Ransomware?

Video Guide

How To Decrypt .nzqw Files?

The newest extensions released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Nzer, Nzoq, Nztt etc.

As a result of the changes 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.

1. Select folders for decryption.

   Based on the default configurations, the decryptor will by default choose the available directories in order to decode the currently reachable drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. You can choose extra locations with the “Add” button.

   Decryptors typically offer several options considering the specific malware family. The existing possible options are displayed in the Options tab and can be activated or turned off there. You may locate a comprehensive list of the currently active Options below.

2. 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]

✓ 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.

✓ Remote name could not be resolved

How to Restore .nzqw Files?

In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…

The Nzqw ransomware encryption mechanism feature is next: it encodes every file byte-by-byte, then saves a duplicate, deleting (not overriding!) the initial file. Thus, the information of the file location on the physical disk is lost, but the original file is not removed from the drive. The cell, or the sector where this file was stored, can still contain this file, but it is not present in the file system and can be replaced by data that has been loaded to this disk after the removal. Hence, it is possible to recover your files using special software.

Recovering your files with PhotoRec

PhotoRec is an free open-source program, which is originally created for data recovery from damaged disks, or for file retrieval in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, with time flow, this program received the ability to recover the files of 400 different file types. Hence, it can be used for data recovery after the Nzqw attack.

First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer states that there is no assurance that the files will be retrieved. PhotoRec is distributed together with another utility of the same developer – TestDisk. The downloaded archive will bear 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 setup is needed – 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 friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Nzqw ransomware.

Upon the start, you will see the screen showing you the complete list of your disk drives. However, this information is presumably irrelevand, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this tab, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.

After opting for the disk, you need to pick 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 indicate the file formats. This choice is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can restore the files of about 400 different formats.

Finally, you can initiate files recovery by pressing the “Search” button. You will view the screen where the findings of the scan and recovery are shown.

Nzqw files recovery Video Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
2. About DJVU (STOP) Ransomware.

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