Remove EQZA Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .eqza Files)

Eqza ransomware is a sort of computer virus that infiltrates your computer, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unwanted actions, that virus also changes some important settings and can even suspend your anti-malware program.

Eqza malware – what is it?

Eqza malware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That sort of virus is targeted at individuals. This specification supposes that Eqza does not carry any sort of additional malware, 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 malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

The typical signs of Eqza ransomware activity is the emersion of .eqza files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.eqza, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.eqza and so on. You cannot to stop this operation, and can’t open that files – they are ciphered with quite strong algorithm.

You can also spectate different other signs of malware activity. Suddenly disabled Microsoft Defender and inability to check the popular anti-malware forums or web pages, where the ransomware removal and file decryption guides are posted. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to delete Eqza virus and get the .eqza files back.

How did Eqza ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Eqza virus starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by malware maintainers – fraudsters who manage the spreading of this ransomware. Another activity which is done by these crooks is answering the email messages of sufferers, who want to decrypt their files.

The documents are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The digit in the name of this algo means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible password variations – it is not real to brute force it. As cipher analysts say, it will need more time than the Earth can estimate to exist, even in case if you use the most powerful computers. In each folder that has the encrypted documents, Eqza 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 run some of your documents. The Eqza malware ciphers only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other part of this file can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is capable of open these files – WinAmp is the best choice, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every file will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Eqza ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was mentioned several paragraphs above, ransomware is not only about encrypting the files. Eqza ransomware makes the changes in your OS in order to prevent searching the ransomware removal and file decryption guides. Eqza virus does not create the software obstacle – it just changes the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Among the networking configurations, the most changed item is the HOSTS file. This text file contains the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the web browsers while requesting to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain site, your browser will connect that website through this DNS next time. Ransomware modifies 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 changes done by the virus are aimed at prevention of operative detection of itself, and also blocking the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Eqza malware makes several changes in Group Policies – the system setting app which allows to modify the abilities of each app. In such a way, ransomware stops the Microsoft Defender and various other security programs, and also blocks the launch of anti-malware installation files.

How did I get infected?

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

Such apps may be distributed in many ways – through the website that offers a downloading link, and also through the seeding networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the most popular computer piracy resources. People use these pages to get various programs or games for free, even if they must be purchased. Nobody can stop the users who hack these programs from adding viruses of some sort to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw actions, so their developers may easily insert the virus under the guise of some program element.

These hacked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often sources for various viruses, and surely the most widespread one for Eqza ransomware. It is better to avoid making use of it, and not only because of virus installation 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 Eqza ransomware?

The Eqza virus is really hard to delete manually. In fact, because of the number of changes it makes in your Windows, it is almost impossible to detect them all and fix. The best decision is to use anti-malware software. But which one to choose?

You may spectate the advices to use Microsoft Defender, which is already inside of your Windows. Nonetheless, as it was mentioned before, the majority of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples block it even before the encryption process. Making use of the third-party tool is the only possible option – and I can recommend you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for this case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the malware will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, that is heavily demanded after the Eqza virus attack.

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

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Ransomware removal is required to prevent the repeating encryption of your files: while Eqza ransomware is active, it will not pass any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .eqza files?

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

Another way to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your physical disks. Since Eqza virus deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the files are still stored on the disk drive. After the removal, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk drive. Special apps, 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 some files unintentionally.

Decrypting the .eqza 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 .eqza files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk. 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