The Qilin ransomware belongs under the Agenda family. Malware of this type encrypts all user’s data on the computer (photos, documents, excel tables, audio files, videos, etc) and adds its extra extension to every file, leaving the [random_string]-RECOVER-README.txt text files in every folder containing encrypted files.
What is known about the Qilin virus?
☝️ Qilin is a Agenda family ransomware infection.
After the encryption, a file entitled, for example, “report.docx” will be turned into “report.docx.KaFnGL81v3ez”. In every directory containing the encrypted files, a [random_string]-RECOVER-README.txt text file will be created. It is a ransom money memo. Therein you can find information on the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other information. The ransom note usually contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the tamperers. That is it.
Qilin (Agenda) Summary:
| Name | Qilin Ransomware |
| Ransomware family1 | Agenda ransomware |
| Extension | .random_string |
| Ransomware note | [random_string]-RECOVER-README.txt |
| Detection | Trojan:Win32/Tnega!MSR Removal, Win32:Adware-DNA [Adw] Virus Removal, Win32:Secat [Trj] Virus Removal |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .random_string extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Qilin virus |
The [random_string]-RECOVER-README.txt document accompanying the Qilin or Agenda states the following:
-- Qilin
Your network/system was encrypted.
Encrypted files have new extension.
-- Compromising and sensitive data
We have downloaded compromising and sensitive data from you system/network
If you refuse to communicate with us and we do not come to an agreementyour data will be published.
Data includes:
- Employees personal dataCVsDLSSN.
- Complete network map including credentials for local and remote services.
- Financial information including clients databillsbudgetsannual reportsbank statements.
- Complete datagrams/schemas/drawings for manufacturing in solidworks format
- And more...
-- Warning
1) If you modify files - our decrypt software won\'t able to recover data
2) If you use third party software - you can damage/modify files (see item 1)
3) You need cipher key / our decrypt software to restore you files.
4) The police or authorities will not be able to help you get the cipher key. We encourage you to consider your decisions.
-- Recovery
1) Download tor browser: hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/
2) Go to domain
3) Enter credentials
-- Credentials
Extension: -
Domain:
login: -
password: -(EXTRA string=same as login)In the picture below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Qilin looks like. Each filename has the random string as extension appended to it.
That is how encrypted files look.
How did my PC catch Qilin ransomware?
There is a huge number of possible ways of ransomware injection.
There are currently three most popular methods for criminals to have ransomware settled in your system. These are email spam, Trojan injection and peer networks.
- If you access your inbox and see emails that look just like notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose sender is strange to you, be wary of opening those letters. They are most likely to have a malware file attached to them. Thus it is even riskier to download any attachments that come with letters like these.
- Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan file scheme. A Trojan is a program that infiltrates into your PC pretending to be something legal. For instance, you download an installer of some program you want or an update for some software. But what is unboxed turns out to be a harmful program that encodes your data. As the update wizard can have any name and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the resource of the files you’re downloading. The best way is to trust the software companies’ official websites.
- As for the peer file transfer protocols like torrents or eMule, the threat is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never guess what you download until you get it. So you’d better be using trustworthy websites. Also, it is reasonable to scan the folder containing the downloaded items with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is complete.
How to remove ransomware?
It is important to inform you that besides encrypting your data, the Qilin virus will most likely deploy Vidar Stealer on your PC to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That spyware can extract your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Remove Qilin with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware
We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked the most common Ransomware as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove Qilin as well as other malware hiding on your computer.
To use Gridinsoft for remove malicious threats, follow the steps below:
1. Begin by downloading Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, accessible via the blue button below or directly from the official website gridinsoft.com.
2.Once the Gridinsoft setup file (setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe) is downloaded, execute it by clicking on the file.
3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.
4. Access the "Scan Tab" on the application's start screen and launch a comprehensive "Full Scan" to examine your entire computer. This inclusive scan encompasses the memory, startup items, the registry, services, drivers, and all files, ensuring that it detects malware hidden in all possible locations.
Be patient, as the scan duration depends on the number of files and your computer's hardware capabilities. Use this time to relax or attend to other tasks.
5. Upon completion, Anti-Malware will present a detailed report containing all the detected malicious items and threats on your PC.
6. Select all the identified items from the report and confidently click the "Clean Now" button. This action will safely remove the malicious files from your computer, transferring them to the secure quarantine zone of the anti-malware program to prevent any further harmful actions.
8. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. This step is crucial to ensure thorough removal of any remaining threats. After the restart, Gridinsoft Anti-Malware will open and display a message confirming the completion of the scan.
Remember Gridinsoft offers a 6-day free trial. This means you can take advantage of the trial period at no cost to experience the full benefits of the software and prevent any future malware infections on your system. Embrace this opportunity to fortify your computer's security without any financial commitment.
Trojan Killer for “Qilin” removal on locked PC
In situations where it becomes impossible to download antivirus applications directly onto the infected computer due to malware blocking access to websites, an alternative solution is to utilize the Trojan Killer application.
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. This term will definitely be 100% enough to wipe malware out.
Trojan Killer is a valuable tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, helping you to effectively remove malware from infected computers. Now, we will walk you through the process of using Trojan Killer from a USB flash drive to scan and remove malware on an infected PC. Remember, always obtain permission to scan and remove malware from a computer that you do not own.
Step 1: Download & Install Trojan Killer on a Clean Computer:
1. Go to the official GridinSoft website (gridinsoft.com) and download Trojan Killer to a computer that is not infected.
2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.
3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.
4. Once the installation is complete, launch Trojan Killer.
Step 2: Update Signature Databases:
5. After launching Trojan Killer, ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet.
6. Click "Update" icon to download the latest signature databases, which will ensure the tool can detect the most recent threats.
Step 3: Scan the Infected PC:
7. Safely eject the USB flash drive from the clean computer.
8. Boot the infected computer to the Safe Mode.
9. Insert the USB flash drive.
10. Run tk.exe
11. Once the program is open, click on "Full Scan" to begin the malware scanning process.
Step 4: Remove Found Threats:
12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.
13. Click on "Cure PC!" to remove the identified malware from the infected PC.
14. Follow any additional on-screen prompts to complete the removal process.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer:
15. Once the threats are removed, click on "Restart PC" to reboot your computer.
16. Remove the USB flash drive from the infected computer.
Congratulations on effectively removing Qilin and the concealed threats from your computer! You can now have peace of mind, knowing that they won't resurface again. Thanks to Gridinsoft's capabilities and commitment to cybersecurity, your system is now protected.
Sometimes tamperers would decrypt few of your files to prove that they really have the decryption program. Since Qilin virus is a relatively new ransomware, security software engineers have not yet found a way to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the decoding tools are constantly upgraded, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available.
Understandably, if the criminals do the job of encrypting someone’s essential data, the hopeless person will most likely fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying to criminals gives no guarantee 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 victim. 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 critical files in the cloud storage or at least on an external drive. Of course, that might be insufficient. Your most important thing could be that one you were working on when it all started. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also reasonable to scan your PC for viruses with the antivirus program after the OS restoration.
There are other ransomware products, besides Qilin, that work similarly. For instance, Pomoch, Netforcez, Labour, and some others. The two major differences between them and the Qilin are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is almost identical: files become encrypted, their extensions changed, ransom notes emerge 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 developers. Sometimes the racketeers mistakenly send the decryption key to the wronged in the ransom readme. Such an extraordinary fail allows the user to restore the files. But naturally, one should never rely on such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a bandits’ instrument to pull the money out of their victims.
How to avoid ransomware infection?
Qilin ransomware doesn’t have a endless power, neither does any similar malware.
You can armour your system from its attack 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 expecting (can you win in a lottery without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is likely something you are waiting for, check all elements of the dubious email carefully. A fake email will surely have a mistake.
- Do not use cracked or untrusted programs. Trojan viruses are often distributed as an element of cracked products, most likely as a “patch” preventing the license check. But untrusted programs are difficult to tell from trustworthy software, as trojans sometimes have the functionality you need. Try to find information on this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal solution is not to use such programs at all.
- And finally, to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, use GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a perfect armor for your personal computer.
FAQ
🤔 Is it possible to open encrypted files?
Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode files you will not be able to access them.
🤔 The encrypted files are very important to me. How can I decrypt them quickly?
It’s good if you have fаr-sightedly saved copies of these important files elsewhere. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. All other solutions require time.
🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Qilin virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?
Absolutely not! Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will remove the viruses from your system. The ransomware that has attacked your PC is must be still functional and it scans your system periodically to encode any new files you might create on your computer after the initial attack. As it has been mentioned above, the Qilin ransomware does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide hackers with easy access to your computer in the future.
🤔 What should I do if the Qilin malware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation key.
In such an unfortunate situation, you need to prepare a flash memory drive with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to do the cleaning. The point is that the ransomware runs automatically as the system boots and encodes any new files created or imported into your system. To stop this process – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run upon system start. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Some of the blocked data can be found elsewhere.
- If you sent or received your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You might have shared images or videos with your friends or relatives. Just ask them to give those pictures back to you.
- If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Internet, you can try downloading them again.
- Your messengers, social media 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, flash memory, etc.
USEFUL TIP: You can employ file recovery programs2 to get your lost data back since ransomware encodes the copies of your files, deleting the original ones. In the video below, you can learn how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but be advised: you won’t be able to do it before you remove the ransomware itself with an anti-malware program.
