What Is QAQA Virus?
The QAQA Virus virus is a STOP/DJVU variant which aims to encrypt your files and demand a ransom in Bitcoin. It is a particularly dangerous threat which should be avoided at all costs. In this article, you can find out more about the QAQA Viruss virus and its associated .QAQA Virus files, the _readme.txt note, and what to do if your computer has been infected.
QAQA Virus – Why Is My Windows Infected?
This ransomware can infect your device through opening malicious emails, downloading software from unsecured websites, clicking on malicious online ads and links, or connecting to an infected external device such as a USB drive. The malicious software is designed to stay undetected by employing an obfuscator.
QAQA Virus Virus – How Did I Get Infected?
QAQA ransomware is typically spread via malicious email attachments, malicious websites, and downloads from untrustworthy sources. It can even be propagated through legitimate websites that have been infiltrated and the following methods:
- If it is sent to you as an e-mail attachment or a URL.
- By being downloaded from a shady site.
QAQA Virus Virus – What Does It Do?
QAQA Virus ransomware is a virus that locks up all of the files on the infiltrated computer and then necessitates a payment in return for the decryption key. The virus also modifies the file extensions of the locked files to “.QAQA Virus”. Its malicious files may be located in the following folders of Windows:
- %Local%
- %Temp%
- %Windows%
- %SystemDrive%
- %LocalLow%
- %AppData%
- %System%
- %system32%
This threat also leaves its _readme.txt file, which has the following content:
Some value entries may be added by this ransomware, located accross the Run and RunOnce Registries.
QAQA Virus Virus – Details
Name | QAQA Virus virus, also known as UDS:Trojan.Win32.Chapak.gen, Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.KM!MTB, Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj], Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj], A Variant Of Win32/GenKryptik.FHJB – more detections of this virus on VirusTotal |
File Extension | .QAQA Virus |
Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
Symptoms | The QAQA Virus Virus ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .QAQA Virus extension to them. |
Ransom Demanding Note | _readme.txt |
Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by QAQA Virus
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
What Are .QAQA Virus Files
Files secured using the AES encryption algorithm are the .QAQA Virus encrypted files. This encryption technique combines symmetric-key and public-key cryptography to secure the privacy and integrity of the files. These files may be vulnerable to virus attacks that can encrypt them.
- Videos (.mp4, .avi, etc.).
- Audio (.mp3, .wav, etc.).
- Picture file kinds (.jpg, .png, .etc).
- Archive file formats (.zip, .rar, etc).
- Documents of different types (.docx, .pptx, etc.).
- Others.
How to Open .QAQA Virus Files
It is not suggested to purchase a decryption key from the ransomware authors, however there is no guaranteed way to open .QAQA Virus virus encrypted files without one. You can attempt to use data recovery software or system backup to retrieve your files, as the ransomware may not have totally eliminated the original files. Additionally, you can reach out to the ransomware authors to check if they offer a free decryption key.
What To Do If My Files Are .QAQA Virus?
The most effective way of dealing with this ransomware attack is to delete the malicious program from your computer and recover your .QAQA Virus files from a backup. If you do not possess a backup, you may be able to use a trustworthy decryption software to attempt to decrypt your data. However, since this is a relatively recent ransomware, presently there is no available free decryption tool, unless you have the offline decryption key.
QAQA Virus Virus – Details
Name | QAQA Virus virus, also known as UDS:Trojan.Win32.Chapak.gen, Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.KM!MTB, Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj], Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj], A Variant Of Win32/GenKryptik.FHJB – more detections of this virus on VirusTotal |
File Extension | .QAQA Virus |
Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
Symptoms | The QAQA Virus Virus ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .QAQA Virus extension to them. |
Ransom Demanding Note | _readme.txt |
Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
Detection Tool |
See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by QAQA Virus
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
How To Protect Windows from QAQA Virus In The Future?
To protect yourself from DJVU ransomware and other malicious software, it is essential to regularly update your system with the latest security updates and to have an up-to-date antivirus program installed. Additionally, it is important to know how to safely store your files to protect them from ransomware.
How to Remove QAQA Virus Virus?
To effectively remove the QAQA Virus virus, you should use a trusted anti-malware program. Additionally, advanced users can try to manually delete any suspicious or malicious files related to the virus. After the anti-malware program has quarantined and removed any malicious files, it is important to update your security software and change all of your passwords. Lastly, you should always make sure to backup your data regularly in case of future attacks.
How to Decrypt / Fix .QAQA Virus Files?
To attempt to decrypt the .QAQA Virus files, you can refer to the STOP Ransomware decryption steps linked here, as they are encrypted and require either an online or offline decryption key.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for QAQA Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall QAQA Virus and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by QAQA Virus on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- 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
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by QAQA Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove QAQA Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by QAQA Virus.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and QAQA Virus aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
QAQA Virus-FAQ
What is QAQA Virus Ransomware?
QAQA Virus is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does QAQA Virus Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does QAQA Virus Infect?
Via several ways.QAQA Virus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, containing virus attachment. This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
Another way you may become a victim of QAQA Virus is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open .QAQA Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .QAQA Virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .QAQA Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".QAQA Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .QAQA Virus files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of QAQA Virus Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate QAQA Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .QAQA Virus files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can QAQA Virus Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the QAQA Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this QAQA Virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the QAQA Virus ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.