Win32/Qhost.OWS

What is the Win32:Evo-gen [Trj] virus?
Written by Robert Bailey

What is Win32/Qhost.OWS infection?

In this post you will discover regarding the definition of Win32/Qhost.OWS as well as its adverse effect on your computer. Such ransomware are a type of malware that is clarified by online scams to require paying the ransom by a victim.

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In the majority of the situations, Win32/Qhost.OWS ransomware will advise its targets to start funds move for the objective of neutralizing the amendments that the Trojan infection has actually introduced to the target’s gadget.

Win32/Qhost.OWS Summary

These alterations can be as complies with:

  • Executable code extraction. Cybercriminals often use binary packers to hinder the malicious code from reverse-engineered by malware analysts. A packer is a tool that compresses, encrypts, and modifies a malicious file’s format. Sometimes packers can be used for legitimate ends, for example, to protect a program against cracking or copying.
  • A process attempted to delay the analysis task.;
  • Unconventionial language used in binary resources: Spanish (Modern);
  • Installs itself for autorun at Windows startup. There is simple tactic using the Windows startup folder located at:
    C:\Users\[user-name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\Startup. Shortcut links (.lnk extension) placed in this folder will cause Windows to launch the application each time [user-name] logs into Windows.

    The registry run keys perform the same action, and can be located in different locations:

    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
  • Attempts to modify proxy settings. This trick used for inject malware into connection between browser and server;
  • The sample wrote data to the system hosts file.;
  • Anomalous binary characteristics. This is a way of hiding virus’ code from antiviruses and virus’ analysts.
  • Ciphering the papers found on the target’s hard disk — so the sufferer can no more use the information;
  • Preventing normal access to the target’s workstation. This is the typical behavior of a virus called locker. It blocks access to the computer until the victim pays the ransom.
Similar behavior
Related domains
hashmd5.universal.compress.to Ransom:Win32/Blocker.bb947b5e

Win32/Qhost.OWS

The most normal networks whereby Win32/Qhost.OWS are injected are:

  • By methods of phishing emails;
  • As a consequence of customer winding up on a resource that hosts a destructive software application;

As quickly as the Trojan is efficiently infused, it will either cipher the information on the target’s computer or avoid the gadget from operating in a correct manner – while also positioning a ransom money note that mentions the need for the sufferers to impact the payment for the function of decrypting the files or bring back the documents system back to the initial condition. In the majority of circumstances, the ransom note will certainly come up when the customer restarts the COMPUTER after the system has already been damaged.

Win32/Qhost.OWS distribution networks.

In numerous edges of the world, Win32/Qhost.OWS grows by leaps and bounds. Nevertheless, the ransom notes as well as methods of extorting the ransom money amount might vary depending on certain local (regional) settings. The ransom notes as well as methods of obtaining the ransom money amount may vary depending on specific neighborhood (regional) setups.

Ransomware injection

For instance:

    Faulty informs about unlicensed software program.

    In certain locations, the Trojans usually wrongfully report having actually spotted some unlicensed applications allowed on the sufferer’s tool. The sharp then requires the user to pay the ransom.

    Faulty statements regarding unlawful web content.

    In countries where software program piracy is less prominent, this technique is not as effective for the cyber fraudulences. Conversely, the Win32/Qhost.OWS popup alert might wrongly claim to be deriving from a police institution and will certainly report having located youngster porn or various other illegal information on the gadget.

    Win32/Qhost.OWS popup alert might wrongly assert to be obtaining from a legislation enforcement organization and will report having situated kid porn or other unlawful data on the gadget. The alert will similarly include a need for the customer to pay the ransom money.

Technical details

File Info:

crc32: 9C097209
md5: 7ef884ca3f6274113211c09aedc310a3
name: 7EF884CA3F6274113211C09AEDC310A3.mlw
sha1: 3ee90435ba62ae3ce177097f1c138c41eb6710a3
sha256: 9788dbb6e28e894348037fcd5038294fb28e0abb153cee68dbec9cd3bb500c18
sha512: e40456e5abfb14d7adf0c8e16d6270617ce9a12f8c3aa8ee34af8108d53525759fa2199c3d2eee3d210254663986f4f06bdba95f1e7e6db12d2d712dd314c0d4
ssdeep: 768:6S/4onpVck3XMVniC4qOO7OO+jAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADx:6S/vXXMVivqOO7OO+6
type: PE32 executable (GUI) Intel 80386, for MS Windows

Version Info:

LegalCopyright: Copyright xa9 2005-2013 Piriform Ltd
ProductName: CCleaner
FileDescription: CCleaner Installer
FileVersion: 2.0.0.0
CompanyName: Piriform Ltd
Translation: 0x0000 0x04b0

Win32/Qhost.OWS also known as:

GridinSoft Trojan.Ransom.Gen
Bkav W32.AIDetect.malware2
K7AntiVirus Riskware ( 0040eff71 )
Elastic malicious (high confidence)
DrWeb Trojan.Siggen7.7507
Cynet Malicious (score: 99)
Cylance Unsafe
Zillya Trojan.Blocker.Win32.5048
Sangfor Trojan.Win32.Save.a
Alibaba Ransom:Win32/Blocker.bb947b5e
K7GW Riskware ( 0040eff71 )
Cybereason malicious.5ba62a
Symantec ML.Attribute.HighConfidence
ESET-NOD32 Win32/Qhost.OWS
APEX Malicious
Avast Win32:VBCrypt-CSU [Trj]
Kaspersky Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Blocker.hpmw
NANO-Antivirus Trojan.Win32.Blocker.bihlsp
Tencent Win32.Trojan.Blocker.Anqe
Sophos Mal/Generic-S
Comodo Malware@#1sk2u0t8jdw1a
BitDefenderTheta Gen:NN.ZevbaF.34686.cm0@ayFGDCV
VIPRE Trojan.Win32.Generic!BT
McAfee-GW-Edition BehavesLike.Win32.Generic.pt
FireEye Generic.mg.7ef884ca3f627411
SentinelOne Static AI – Malicious PE
Avira TR/Rogue.KD.854463
eGambit Generic.Malware
Kingsoft Win32.Troj.Undef.(kcloud)
Microsoft Trojan:Win32/Tiggre!rfn
AhnLab-V3 Malware/Gen.Generic.C1065634
McAfee Artemis!7EF884CA3F62
MAX malware (ai score=100)
VBA32 TScope.Trojan.VB
Panda Trj/OCJ.D
Rising Ransom.Blocker!8.12A (CLOUD)
Yandex Trojan.Blocker!VRg0yw8d+uw
Ikarus Trojan.Win32.Qhost
Fortinet W32/Blocker.AQGG!tr
AVG Win32:VBCrypt-CSU [Trj]
Paloalto generic.ml

How to remove Win32/Qhost.OWS virus?

Unwanted application has ofter come with other viruses and spyware. This threats can steal account credentials, or crypt your documents for ransom.
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There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent PC threats than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft2.

Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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 system.

Run Setup.exe

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.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Setup

Press “Install” button.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Install

Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Splash-Screen

Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your system for Win32/Qhost.OWS files 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.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scanning

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.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan Result

Are Your Protected?

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will scan and clean your PC for free in the trial period. The free version offer real-time protection for first 2 days. If you want to be fully protected at all times – I can recommended you to purchase a full version:

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If the guide doesn’t help you to remove Win32/Qhost.OWS you can always ask me in the comments for getting help.

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References

  1. GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
  2. More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison

About the author

Robert Bailey

I'm Robert Bailey, a passionate Security Engineer with a deep fascination for all things related to malware, reverse engineering, and white hat ethical hacking.

As a white hat hacker, I firmly believe in the power of ethical hacking to bolster security measures. By identifying vulnerabilities and providing solutions, I contribute to the proactive defense of digital infrastructures.

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