This article has been created with the purpose to explain what is the .TQV files virus and how you can remove this ransomware virus effectively from your computer system plus how you can restore files that have been encrypted by it on your computer.
A new ransomware has been detected on the block, reportedly encrypting the files on the computer systems, compromised by it. The infection’s primary purpose is to convince victims to have their files encrypted by the virus after which have the .TQV file extension added to them. The .TQV files virus then aims to get users to pay a hefty ransom fee, by dropping a ransom note, called @@README.txt, containing the ransom message, which demands from victims to pay a hefty ransom in order to recover the files and make them able to be opened again. If your computer system has been attacked by the .TQV files virus, it is strongly advisable to follow the instructions that are underneath this article as they aim to show you how you can effectively remove this ransomware and restore the files, encoded by it.
Threat Summary
| Name | TQV Ransomware |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | Encrypts the files on your computer and leaves them no longer able to be opened until you pay ransom. Also threatens to leak the files if you do not pay ransom. |
| Symptoms | Your important files are encrypted with an added .TQV file extension to them. A ransom note, called @@README.txt is also added. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss TQV Ransomware. |
| 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. |
.TQV Files Virus – Spread
For the .TQV file ransomware to be spread onto the computers of victims, the malware may pretend to be various types of legitimate files. The types of files it may mask if you see it in your e-mail inbox are usually believed to be different fake documents, like:
- Invoices.
- Order receipts.
- Banking letters.
- Account activity reports.
The e-mails that are usually used tend to contain deceptive tactics, such as pretend to come from various big companies from the likes of PayPal, LinkedIn, FedEx, DHL and even banking institutions. The messages themselves may be very convincing, for example:
But malicious e-mails are not the only way that can help replicate this virus. The malicious files may also come onto victims’ computers as a downloaded file from what appears to be a malicious website, for example:
- Software setup.
- Software or games crack.
- Pach.
- Keygen.
- A Driver setup.
- Portable software or games.
.TQV Files Virus – Analysis
The TQV ransomware virus is the type of malware which has been associated with a number of malicious files dropped in various folders on the computers of victims. The virus’s main goal is to make the important files on your PC a weapon against you and hold them hostage until a ransom has been paid. To reach it’s end goal, the ransomware drops it’s main payload file, that has the following information:
→ SHA-256:d9a1afc8536fb2bb27e7155d8506baf1ff38ffd5dd12a84b50e63c94b961f553
Name:TQVRansomware.exe
Size:148 KB
The file and other files that may be complementary to it may be dropped in the following Windows directories:
- %LocalLow%
- %Local%
- %AppData%
- %Temp%
- %Roaming%
Among the dropped files is the ransom note of TQV ransomware, which is named @@README.txt and has the following message to victims:
Your files had been encrypted Please send me $100 to get your files back
Send your information includes Security code, Computer name and Username to {e-mail}
Your security code is: {CODE HERE} After receiving password, run TQVDecrypt on your desktop to decrypt files
In addition to this, the TQV ransomware virus is also the type of infection that may modify the Windows registry sub-keys below. The modification is composed of created registry entries in different sub-keys in order to get this malware to perform different automatic activities, like run on Windows start-up or open files automatically as well.
→ 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
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
But the TQV ransomware threat does not stop there. The virus may also delete the system backups and shadow volume copies. The deletion of those usually occurs by running the following Windows Command Prompt commands as an administrator on the victim PC:
→ process call create “cmd.exe /c vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet & bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryeenabled no & bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures”
TQV Ransomware – Encryption Process
The encryption process of TQV ransomware has been created in order to help victims to perform a scan of the files the virus is about to encrypt. The virus aims to look for files based on their file extensions. These files are usually the following types:
“PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ .BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”
After encrypting the files on the compromised computer system, the TQV ransomware virus’s primary purpose is to render the files to no longer be able to be used. To reach it’s end goal, the TQV Ransomware may delete the original files and create copies of them which are basically their encrypted analogues. To “mark” the copies with it’s own signature, TQV Ransomware leaves the files with it’s custom file extension and they begin to appear like the following:
Remove TQV Ransomware and Restore .TQV Files
In order to make sure that this version of .TQV file ransomware is gone from your computer, it is recommended that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They have been created with the purpose of assisting you into removing the .TQV files virus either manually or automatically by following the removal instructions below. If manual removal is not something you feel confident in, it is natural that you try the most effective method according to security experts – using an advanced anti-malware software to take care of the removal for you at a click of a button.
If you want to restore files that have been encrypted by ransomware virus, one method is to try and use the alternative methods underneath in step “2. Restore files, encrypted by TQV Ransomware” They have been created in order to help you restore as many encrypted files as possible without having to pay ransom, even though they are not 100% effective.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for TQV Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall TQV Ransomware 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by TQV Ransomware 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 TQV Ransomware 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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove TQV Ransomware
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by TQV Ransomware.
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 TQV Ransomware 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.
TQV Ransomware-FAQ
What is TQV Ransomware Ransomware?
TQV Ransomware 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 TQV Ransomware 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 TQV Ransomware Infect?
Via several ways.TQV Ransomware 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 TQV Ransomware 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 .TQV Ransomware files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .TQV Ransomware 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 .TQV Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".TQV Ransomware" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .TQV Ransomware 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 TQV Ransomware 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 TQV Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .TQV Ransomware 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 TQV Ransomware 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 TQV Ransomware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this TQV Ransomware 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 TQV Ransomware 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.
Hello, I am the author of this ransomware. I created this ransomware just for studying purpose. It I uploaded this malware to virustotal just to check without sending to anyone. This post contain my personal e-mail. Please censor it!
Hello, If you did create this malware sample for educational purpose, please note that it still could be exploited by malicious hackers. Hackers also have access to VirusTotal and can easily obtain this sample. In fact, it is highly likely that this has already happened. We will censor your e-mail address as requested but please be more careful in the future.