Remove LOQW Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .loqw Files)

Loqw ransomware is a sort of computer virus that injects your PC, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unwanted actions, that malware also alters some important settings and can even stop your anti-malware program.

Loqw ransomware – what is it?

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

The common signs of that virus activity is the emersion of .loqw files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.loqw, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.loqw and so on. You are not able to suspend this process, and can’t open that documents – they are ciphered with pretty strong algorithm.

You can also see various other signs of ransomware activity. Suddenly stopped Microsoft Defender and inability to check the popular anti-malware forums or websites, where the malware removal and decryption guides are published. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to delete Loqw malware and get the .loqw files back.

How did Loqw ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Loqw ransomware creates a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by virus maintainers – crooks who manage the distribution of this ransomware. Another activity which is performed by these crooks is answering the email messages of sufferers, who wish to get their files back.

The documents are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The “256” digit in the name of this algo 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 take more time than our planet can estimate to exist, even in case if you use the most powerful computer system. In each folder that contains the encrypted file(s), Loqw virus 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 documents. The Loqw ransomware ciphers only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other piece of this file can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are definitely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best option, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every song or video will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Loqw ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

Through the networking settings, the most damaged item is the HOSTS file. This text file contains the DNS-address instructions, which are used by the web browsers while sending a request to the server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain web page, your web browser will connect that site through this DNS next time. Ransomware alters 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 modifications done by the virus are aimed at prevention of operative detection of itself, and also disabling the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Loqw virus implements some alterations in Group Policies – the system setting interface which gives you the right to alter the abilities of each program. In such a way, the virus disables the Microsoft Defender and different other antivirus tools, 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 software as a primary method of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious programs I mean programs that are already not updated 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. One more example of such a program type is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

Such applications may be distributed 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 known as the biggest computer piracy resources. Folks use these sites to get various programs or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. Nobody can prevent the users who hack these apps from adding malware of some sort to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw actions, so their developers can easily add the virus under the guise of some program part.

These cracked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various malware, and surely the most used one for Loqw malware. The best solution is to stop using of it, and not only because of malware injection risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an outlaw action, and both hackers and folks who make use of hacked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Loqw ransomware?

The Loqw malware is really hard to remove manually. In fact, because of the number of modifications it makes into your PC, it is almost unreal to spot them all and repair. The best option is to make use of anti-malware programs. But which one to choose?

You can see the offers to make use of Microsoft Defender, which is already in your computer. But as it was mentioned earlier, most of STOP/Djvu malware examples disable it even before the encryption process. Making use of the third-party application is the only solution – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the Loqw ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, that is heavily demanded after the Loqw virus attack.

To remove Loqw 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 ciphering of your files: while Loqw ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .loqw files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Loqw ransomware attack. First one and the most popular is file decryption. It is conducted with a special program, 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 definitely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another way to get your files back is to try to recover them from your disk drives. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the documents are still stored on the disk drive. After the deletion, the information about them is removed 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 .loqw 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 .loqw 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 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