In this article, you will find more information about .QH24 files virus as well as a step-by-step guide on how to remove malicious files from an infected system and how to potentially recover files encrypted by this ransomware.
The .QH24 files virus is another ransomware that belongs to Matrix threat family. Once activated on a computer system it interferes with essential settings in an attempt to localize certain types of files and encodes them with sophisticated cipher algorithm. Following encryption, corrupted files display the extension .QH24 in their names. The fact that you are no longer able to access them is misused by hackers who blackmail you into transferring them a ransom for a decryption tool.
Threat Summary
| Name | .QH24 Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A data locker ransomware that utilizes strond cihper algorithm to encrypt files on stored on the infected computer. Then it demands a ransom for decryption solution. |
| Symptoms | Important files are locked and renamed with .QH24 extension. They remain unusable until a ransom is paid. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by .QH24 Files Virus Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .QH24 Files Virus. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
.QH24 Files Virus (Matrix) – Distribution and Impact
The spread of .QH24 files virus’s payload files is probably realized via email spam messages. These messages often attempt to deliver malicious code on computer devices by posing as representatives of well-known businesses, websites, and even governmental institutions. As regards these malicious components they could appear in the form of a file attachment or a URL address of an infected web page.
According to security researchers’ reports the so-called .QH24 files virus is a strain of
Matrix ransomware.
The infection process with this threat begins when its payload file loads on your system. Such a file is usually designed to trigger lots of malicious commands that support the smooth infection process. Before .QH24 could reach the main infection stage – data corruption, it needs to modify the settings of some essential system components. By doing so, the ransomware becomes able to evade detection and obtain a persistent presence.
Once the ransomware reaches the encryption stage it activates an in-built encryption module to localize target files and transform their original code. During this stage, .QH24 files virus utilizes a combination of two sophisticated cipher algorithms – RSA 2048 bit and AES 128 bit. As a result, it lefts corrupted files inaccessible and renamed with a long sequence of extension that starts with hackers’ contact email (quickhelp24@protonmail.com) and ends with the extension .QH24.
Like previous variants of Matrix ransomware variant, .QH24 is likely to corrupt types of files that store valuable data including:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc
At the end of the attack, .QH24 files virus could drop a ransom note file. The message presented by this file is likely to force you into contacting hackers at the given email address or transferring them a specified amount as a ransom fee. Either way, it is better to avoid its instructions and attempt to cope with the problem in a secure way.
Remove .QH24 Files Virus (Matrix) and Restore Data
The so-called .QH24 files virus is a threat with highly complex code designed to corrupt both system settings and valuable data. So the only way to use your infected system in a secure manner again is to remove all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. For the purpose, you could use our removal guide that reveals how to clean and secure your system step by step. In addition, in the guide, you will find several alternative data recovery approaches that may be helpful in attempting to restore files encrypted by Matrix .QH24 ransomware. We remind you to back up all encrypted files to an external drive before the recovery process.
Gergana Ivanova
Gergana has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She has been with the STF team for five years, researching malware, reporting on the latest computer infections, and following digital marketing trends.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove .QH24 Files Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of .QH24 Files Virus from Mac OS X.
How to Remove .QH24 Files Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .QH24 Files Virus
Step 2: Uninstall .QH24 Files Virus and related software 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .QH24 Files 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 .QH24 Files Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.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: Scan for .QH24 Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .QH24 Files Virus.
Ransomware infections and .QH24 Files 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.
If the above link does not work for you and your region, try the other two links below, that lead to the same product:
Get rid of .QH24 Files Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall .QH24 Files Virus and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove .QH24 Files Virus via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove .QH24 Files Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as .QH24 Files Virus, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .QH24 Files Virus on your Mac.
Ransomware for Mac .QH24 Files Virus aims to encode all your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decode, unless you pay money. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files, but only in some cases. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
