Remove PTQW Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .ptqw Files)

Ptqw virus is a type of computer virus that infiltrates your PC, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant activities, that malware also modifies some important settings and can even stop your security tool.

Ptqw malware – what is it?

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

The usual signs of Ptqw virus activity is the emersion of .ptqw files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.ptqw, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.ptqw and so on. You are not able to stop this action, as well as can’t open these documents – they are encrypted with quite strong cipher.

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

How did Ptqw ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Ptqw virus starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by ransomware maintainers – fraudsters who manage the spreading of this ransomware. Another activity which is conducted by those crooks is answering the email messages of victims, who want to get their files back.

The files are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The “256” 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 unreal to brute force it. As analysts say, it will need more time than the Earth can approximately exist, even in case if you use the most powerful computer system. In each folder that contains the encrypted file(s), Ptqw ransomware creates 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

Nonetheless, you can still open some of your files. The Ptqw ransomware ciphers only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other piece of this document can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every file will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the video or music will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Ptqw ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was mentioned several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about encrypting the files. Ptqw virus makes the changes in your operating system in order to prevent looking for the ransomware removal and file decryption guides. Malware does not establish the software obstacle – it just alters the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Through the networking configurations, the most damaged item is the HOSTS file. This text file contains the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the browsers while requesting to the server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain website, your browser will connect that website through this DNS next time. Ransomware alters that file, adding the unknown DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other modifications done by the ransomware are targeted on prevention of fast spotting of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of security tools. Ptqw malware makes several alterations in Group Policies – the system configuration interface which allows to change the abilities of each app. In such a way, malware blocks the Microsoft Defender and several other security apps, and also prevents the launch of anti-malware installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using dubious software as a primary method of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable software I mean apps that are already not supported by the developer and distributed through the file sharing websites. These programs may be cracked, to make them possible to use without purchasing any license. Another example of such a program class is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

Such programs may be spread in different methods – through the site that offers a downloading link, as well as through the p2p networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy websites. Folks use these sites to get different programs or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. Nobody can stop the users who hack these apps from adding malware of some type to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw purposes, so their creators can easily insert the malware under the guise of some program part.

These hacked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various viruses, and 100% the most popular one for Ptqw ransomware. The best solution is to stop using of it, and not only because of malware spreading risks. Avoiding the license buying is an illegal action, and both hackers and users who use cracked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Ptqw ransomware?

The Ptqw malware is really hard to delete manually. Really, because of the amount of modifications it makes in your Windows, it is almost unreal to detect them all and fix. The best option is to make use of antivirus programs. But which one to choose?

You may read the advices to use Microsoft Defender, which is already inside of your Windows. But as it was mentioned earlier, the majority of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples block it even before the encryption procedure. Using the third-party tool is the only possible solution – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the Ptqw ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, that is heavily needed after the Ptqw virus attack.

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

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Virus removal is needed to prevent the repeating encryption of your files: while Ptqw ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .ptqw files?

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

Another option to get your files back is to try to recover them from your physical disks. Since Ptqw virus deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the files are still kept on the disk. After the removal, the information about them is removed from the file system, but not from a disk. Special tools, 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 .ptqw 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 .ptqw files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk. It checks each disk sector for the residues of deleted files, and then tries 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