Remove QEZA Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .qeza Files)

Qeza malware is a type of computer virus that injects your system, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant actions, that malware also modifies some important settings and can even suspend your anti-malware program.

Qeza virus – what is it?

Qeza ransomware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu ransomware family. That type of virus is aimed on single users. This specification supposes that Qeza does not carry any sort of additional viruses, which usually helps ransomware of various other families to take control of your computer. Since most people do not have anything valuable , there is no need to use other malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

The typical signs of Qeza virus activity is the appearance of .qeza files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.qeza, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.qeza and so on. You cannot to suspend this process, as well as can’t open these documents – they are encrypted with pretty strong cipher.

You can also see various other signs of malware activity. Suddenly blocked Microsoft Defender and inability to check the famous anti-malware forums or websites, where the ransomware removal and file decryption guides are published. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – read below how to remove Qeza virus and get the .qeza files back.

How did Qeza ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Qeza ransomware starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by virus maintainers – people who manage the spreading of this virus. Another activity which is conducted by those crooks is answering the emails of sufferers, who wish to get their files back.

The files are ciphered 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 password variations – it is impossible to brute force it. As cipher analysts say, it will need more time than the Earth can approximately exist, even when you use the most powerful computer system. In each folder that contains the encrypted file(s), Qeza ransomware 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

Nonetheless, you can still run some of your files. The Qeza ransomware encrypts only the first 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 file will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the file will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Qeza ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

Among the networking configurations, the most damaged item is the HOSTS file. This text file keeps 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 web page, your web browser will connect that site through this DNS next time. Ransomware alters this 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 ransomware are targeted on prevention of operative spotting of itself, and also blocking the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Qeza virus makes some modifications in Group Policies – the system configuration app which allows to change the rights of each program. In such a way, malware stops the Microsoft Defender and various other antivirus 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 questionable applications as the main way of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious programs I mean applications that are already not supported by the creator and distributed through the third-party websites. These applications 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.

This sort of applications may be spread in different methods – through the site that offers a downloading link, or through the seeding networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy resources. Folks use these sites to get a wide range of programs or games for free, even if these programs must be purchased. Nobody can prevent the users who crack these programs from adding viruses of some type to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw actions, so their developers can easily insert the virus under the guise of some program element.

These hacked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various malware, and 100% the most popular one for Qeza virus. The best solution is to avoid making use of it, and not only because of virus spreading risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an illegal action, and both hackers and persons who make use of hacked apps fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Qeza ransomware?

The Qeza malware is pretty hard to remove manually. In fact, because of the amount of changes it makes in your PC, it is almost impossible to detect them all and repair. The best decision is to make use of antivirus programs. But which one to choose?

You may see the advices to make use of Microsoft Defender, that is already in your system. However, as it was mentioned before, the majority of STOP/Djvu malware examples block it even before the encryption process. Using the third-party application is the only solution – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for this case. It has perfect detection abilities, so the virus will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, which is heavily needed after the Qeza virus attack.

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

How to decrypt the .qeza files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Qeza virus attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed 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 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 disk drives. Since Qeza virus deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the documents 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. 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 .qeza 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 .qeza 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 remains of deleted files, and then tries to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different extensions. 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