Remove TTWQ Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .ttwq Files)

Ttwq ransomware is a type of computer virus that infiltrates your computer, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these bad actions, that malware also modifies some important settings and can even stop your anti-malware program.

Ttwq virus – what is it?

Ttwq ransomware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu ransomware family. That type of computer virus is targeted at single users. This feature supposes that Ttwq does not bring any type of additional viruses, which often helps malware of other families to take control of your PC. Since the majority users do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no need to carry other viruses that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The common signs of Ttwq ransomware activity is the emersion of .ttwq files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.ttwq, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.ttwq and so on. You are not able to stop this operation, and can’t open these documents – they are encrypted with pretty strong cipher.

You can also see various other signs of ransomware activity. Abruptly blocked Microsoft Defender and inability to check the popular anti-malware forums or websites, where the malware removal and decryption guides are posted. You will see how it is conducted in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to wipe out Ttwq ransomware and get the .ttwq files back.

How did Ttwq ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Ttwq ransomware establishes a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by virus maintainers – people who manage the spreading of this malware. Another activity which is conducted by these crooks is answering the emails of victims, who intend to decrypt their files.

The documents are ciphered with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The digit in the name of this algorithms means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption password variations – it is impossible to brute force it. As cipher analysts say, it will need more time than our planet can approximately exist, even in case if you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that keeps the encrypted documents, Ttwq virus leaves the _readme.txt file with the following contents:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees you have?

You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku

Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.

Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.

Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:

support@fishmail.top

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

However, you can still open some of your files. The Ttwq virus encrypts only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the other part of this document can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player can open these files – WinAmp is the best option, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every recording will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Ttwq ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was described several paragraphs above, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Ttwq malware makes the changes in your OS in order to prevent looking for the ransomware removal and file decryption guides. Ttwq virus does not create the software barrier – it just alters the system settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Among the networking settings, the most changed item is the HOSTS file. This text file keeps the DNS-address instructions, which are used by the web browsers while requesting to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain website, your browser will connect that page through that DNS next time. Ransomware edits that file, adding the non-existent DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other alterations done by the ransomware are targeted on prevention of early spotting of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Ttwq malware implements some changes in Group Policies – the system configuration application which allows to modify the rights of each application. In such a way, malware stops the Microsoft Defender and different other security apps, as well as disables the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using dubious software as a primary way of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable applications I mean apps that are already not controlled by the developer and distributed through the third-party websites. These programs may be hacked, to make them usable without buying any license. One more example of such a program class is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This kind of software may be distributed in many ways – through the site that offers a downloading link, and also through the peering networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy sites. Folks use these sources to get various apps or games for free, even if these programs must be purchased. No one can prevent the users who crack these programs from adding malware of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw targets, so their creators may easily add the virus under the guise of some program element.

These cracked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various viruses, and surely the most popular one for Ttwq ransomware. It is better to avoid making use of it, and not only because of virus installation risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an illegal action, and both hackers and persons who use cracked apps fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Ttwq malware?

The Ttwq virus is really hard to delete manually. In fact, because of the amount of modifications it makes in your system, it is almost impossible to find them all and repair. The best solution is to use anti-malware programs. But which one to choose?

You may see the advices to use Microsoft Defender, which is already in your computer. However, as it was mentioned before, most of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples block it even before the ciphering procedure. Making use of the third-party application is the only possible option – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, which is heavily demanded after the Ttwq virus attack.

To remove Ttwq malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Malware removal is required to prevent the repeating ciphering of your files: while Ttwq ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .ttwq files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Ttwq virus attack. First one and the most popular is file decryption. It is conducted with a special tool, designed by Emsisoft, and called Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is free. Analysts update its decryption keys databases as often as possible, so you will definitely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another option to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your disks. Since Ttwq virus deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the files are still kept on the disk drive. After the removal, the information about them is removed from the file system, but not from a disk drive. Special programs, like PhotoRec, are able to recover these files. It is free, too, and may also be used for file recovery in case when you have deleted something unintentionally.

Decrypting the .ttwq files with Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu

Download and install Emsisoft Decrypter tool. Agree with its EULA and continue to the interface.

The interface of this program is extremely easy. All you have to do is to select the folder where the encrypted files are stored, and wait. If the program has the decryption key which corresponds to your ransomware case – it will decrypt it.

During the use of Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu, you may observe various error messages. Don’t worry, that does not mean that you did something wrong or a program does not work properly. Each of these errors refer to a specific case. Here is the explanation:

Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]

The program does not have a corresponding key for your case. You need to wait for some time until the key database will be updated.

No key for new variant online ID: [your ID]

Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible.

This error means that your files are encrypted with an online key. In such a case, the decryption key is unique and stored on the remote server, controlled by crooks. Unfortunately, the decryption is impossible.

Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]

This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.

Ransomware uses the offline key to encrypt your files. This key is not unique, so you likely have it in common with another victim. Since offline keys must be collected, too, it is important to keep calm and wait until the analysts team finds one which will fit your case.

Remote name could not be resolved

This error indicates that the program has problems with DNS on your computer. That’s a clear sign of malicious alterations in your HOSTS file. Reset it using the official Microsoft guide.

Recovering the .ttwq files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk drive. It checks each disk sector for the residues of deleted files, and then attempts to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different formats. Because of the described feature of ransomware encryption mechanism, it is possible to use this tool to get the original, unencrypted files back.

Download PhotoRec from the official website. It is absolutely free, however, its developer warns that he does not guarantee that this program will be 100% effective for file recovery purposes. Moreover, even paid apps can barely give you such a guarantee, because of the chain of random factors that can make the file recovery harder.

Unzip the downloaded archive to the folder you like. Don’t worry because of its name – TestDisk – this is the name of the utility developed by the same company. They decided to spread it together since PhotoRec and TestDisk are often used together. Among the unzipped files, search for qphotorec_win.exe file. Run this executable file.

Before you can start the recovery process, you need to specify several settings. In the drop-down list, choose the logic disk where the files were stored before the encryption.

Then, you need to specify the file formats you need to recover. It may be difficult to scroll all 400+ formats, luckily, they are sorted by alphabetical order.

Finally, name the folder you want to use as a container for recovered files. The program will likely dig out a lot of useless files, which were deleted intentionally, so desktop is a bad solution. The best option is to use the USB-drive.

After these easy manipulations, you may just press the “Search” button (it turns active if you specified all required parameters). The recovery process may take several hours, so keep patient. It is recommended not to use the computer during this term, since you may overwrite some files you are intending to recover.

Frequently Asked Questions