The Quantum virus belongs under the ransomware type of infection. Harmful software of this type encrypts all user’s data on the PC (images, text files, excel tables, audio files, videos, etc) and appends its specific extension to every file, leaving the README_TO_DECRYPT.html files in every folder containing encrypted files.
What is known about the Quantumvirus?
☝️ A scientifically accurate denomination for the Quantum would be “a ransomware malicious agent”.
Quantum will add its specific .quantum extension to every file’s name. For example, a file named “photo.jpg” will be altered to “photo.jpg.quantum”. Just like the Excel table with the name “table.xlsx” will be changed to “table.xlsx.quantum”, and so on.
In each folder with the encoded files, a README_TO_DECRYPT.html file will be created. It is a ransom money note. It contains information on the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other remarks. The ransom note usually contains a description of how to buy the decryption tool from the ransomware developers. That is how they do it.
Quantum overview:
| Name | Quantum Virus |
| Extension | .quantum |
| Ransomware note | README_TO_DECRYPT.html |
| Detection | MSIL/Spy.Agent.DSV, TrojanSpy:Win32/Delgent, Trojan.Ransom.Magniber |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .quantum extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Quantum virus |
In the picture below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Quantum looks like. Each filename has the “.quantum” extension added to it.
An example of encrypted .quantum files.
How did my machine catch Quantum ransomware?
There are many possible ways of ransomware injection.
There are currently three most exploited methods for tamperers to have ransomware working in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer networks.
If you open your inbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose sender is unknown to you, be wary of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a ransomware file enclosed in them. So it is even more dangerous to open any attachments that come with letters like these.
Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan virus scheme1. A Trojan is a program that gets into your computer pretending to be something else. For example, you download an installer of some program you need or an update for some software. But what is unpacked reveals itself a harmful program that compromises your data. Since the update file can have any name and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the resource of the things you’re downloading. The optimal thing is to trust the software developers’ official websites.
As for the peer-to-peer file transfer protocols like torrent trackers or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never know what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy resources. Also, it is a good idea to scan the directory containing the downloaded objects with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is finished.
How do I get rid of the Quantum virus?
It is crucial to inform you that besides encrypting your data, the Quantum virus will probably install the Azorult Spyware on your PC to get access to credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned program can derive your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Sometimes criminals would decrypt few of your files so you know that they indeed have the decryption tool. Since Quantum virus is a relatively new ransomware, security software engineers have not yet found a way to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the decryption instruments are frequently upgraded, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available.
Of course, if the hackers succeed in encoding someone’s essential data, the hopeless person will probably fulfill their demands. Nevertheless, paying to racketeers does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your data back. It is still risky. After receiving the money, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption key to the injured party. There were reports about ransomware developers simply vanishing after getting the ransom without even writing back.
The best solution against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your critical files in the cloud disk or at least on an external drive. Obviously, that might be not enough. Your most crucial thing could be that one you were working on when it all went down. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also advisable to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the system is rolled back.
There are other ransomware products, besides Quantum, that work similarly. Examples of those are Ooii, Fgui, Rtgf, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Quantum are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is the same: documents become encoded, their extensions altered, ransom notes are created in each folder containing encoded files.
Some lucky users were able to decrypt the arrested files with the help of the free software provided by anti-ransomware specialists. Sometimes the criminals mistakenly send the decryption code to the wronged in the ransom note. Such an extraordinary fail allows the injured part to restore the files. But of course, one should never rely on such a chance. Make no mistake, ransomware is a criminals’ instrument to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How to avoid ransomware attack?
Quantum ransomware has no superpower, so as any similar malware.
You can defend your system from ransomware infiltration in several easy steps:
- Ignore any letters from unknown senders with unknown addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are expecting (can you win in a money prize draw without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is likely something you are expecting, scrutinize all elements of the dubious letter with caution. A hoax letter will always contain a mistake.
- Never use cracked or untrusted software. Trojan viruses are often distributed as an element of cracked products, possibly as a “patch” preventing the license check. But untrusted programs are very hard to distinguish from reliable software, as trojans may also have the functionality you need. Try searching for information on this software product on the anti-malware message boards, but the best way is not to use such software.
- And to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, use GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a perfect defense for your personal computer.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft2
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft3.
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 computer for Quantum 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 finished, 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.
FAQ
🤔 How can I open “.quantum” files?Is it possible to open“.quantum” files?
There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.quantum” files are decrypted.
🤔 I really need to decrypt those “.quantum” files ASAP. How can I do that?
If the “.quantum” files contain some really important information, then you probably have them backed up. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. There are other ways to beat ransomware, but they take time.
🤔 If GridinSoft deletes the Quantum malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?
Of course not. Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will delete the threats from your system. The ransomware that has infected your system is most likely still active and launching checks periodically to arrest any new files you might create on your computer after the infection. As it has already been said, the Quantum malware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide malefactors with easy access to your system after some time.
🤔 What should I do if the Quantum virus has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation key.
In such an unfortunate situation, you need to prepare a flash memory card with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the cleaning. The point is that the ransomware runs automatically as the system launches and encrypts any new files created or imported into your system. To stop this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential programs to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 And what should I do now?
Many of the blocked files might still be within your reach
- If you sent or received your critical files via email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You might have shared images or videos with your friends or relatives. Simply ask them to give those images back to you.
- If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Web, you can try doing it again.
- Your messengers, social networks pages, and cloud drives might have all those files as well.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old PC, a portable device, cellphone, memory stick, etc.
HINT: You can employ data recovery programs4 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, deleting the authentic ones. In the video below, you can learn how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but be advised: you can do it only after you kill the virus with an anti-malware program.
Also, you can contact the following governmental 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 QUANTUM Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: QUANTUM Virus
Description: QUANTUM Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .quantum extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated 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 Best Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
