Nqix Ransomware - How to remove

Nqix is a new cryptovirus that is based on Dharma/CrySiS, a brand of ransomware that isn’t decryptable at the moment. This is a serious virus that has cost many businesses and other victims either their files, a few thousand dollars, or both.

Nqix is similar to Harma, NWA, Crysis, and others. The behavior, distribution, the ransom note are very similar. Unfortunately, that only shows that this campaign has so far been successful enough for the criminals who are content to update the virus and continue to spread it like they always have. Besides Dharma, a close but distinct cryptovirus called Phobos looks and behaves very similarly and is suspected of being managed by the same people.

What is Nqix ransomware

Ransomware is a type of virus that online extortionists use to lock data on their victims’ computers. The virus is created and controlled by the extortionists who then expect to be contacted by the victims and paid money in exchange for the decryption keys. Nqix likely costs around $8000 — the price varies for each victim, as well as the possibility that the decrypter and the key are actually delivered after the payment.

To the victim, the files look like they suddenly have all been renamed by adding the “.id-[random].[[email protected]].nqix” string to their names. But after removing the strange extension and trying to open the file you notice that the file can’t be opened — it’s corrupted.

Nqix uses hybrid encryption to lock the files quickly and securely, and it is really fast. The virus crawls through and edits nearly all the files — it skips those that are needed for the operating system to work. You probably know that encryption is not generally breakable and, unless a bug in Nqix is discovered or the creators choose to release master decryption keys for everyone, it’s unlikely that Nqix files will be possible to fix.

How ransomware infected your computer

Dharma uses a variety of distribution methods which had helped Nqix and other viruses spread increasingly widely and become a larger threat than before.

Nqix, like a lot of its sibling viruses, might infect your device through infected emails. These emails always have either a link for downloading a file or an attached file. The file might be a disguised executable (a file with two extensions, for example, picture.jpg.exe), a locked archive (with the password provided in the email), or a file that can execute code, such as a macro-enabled document. Nqix can be downloaded on your machine if the infected file is run. This sort of infection is considered to be the most commonly used by ransomware.

More likely is a hacked Remote Desktop account. Nqix can be installed manually by the criminals if they suspect you of being a promising target. Weak passwords, no restrictions on who can attempt to connect can really make the RDP connection vulnerable. Besides Nqix, the criminals also have the opportunity to install additional malware to make future infections easier.

Careless and unsafe program downloads also result in ransomware infections, such as when a free program is downloaded off of an unofficial and untrustworthy source. The free and harmless front program would install Nqix in the background. Some Dharma versions have used this method, combined with the infected email strategy to encourage people to download a safe and trusted program which had the virus secretly bundled with it.

How to remove Nqix

If you boot the infected machine in Safe Mode and scan it with a professional antivirus program, like Spyhunter, it should be able to not only detect but also remove Nqix and most other malware. This VirusTotal page shows that most professional antivirus tools are able to detect Nqix, though it is sometimes worth using more than one to make sure that nothing slips through.

Below, a couple of ways to restore the encrypted files are listed. Since Nqix deletes the files that would allow System Restore to be performed, you would need an external drive to restore from. If you don’t have working backups and if data recovery doesn’t uncover anything useful, Nqix’s damage to your system is quite devastating. If the files are important but not urgent, you can wait and check nomoreransom.org to find out if a decrypter for Nqix is ever developed. However, for now, there isn’t a way to fix the files.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Nqix Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Nqix Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Nqix Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Nqix Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Nqix Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Nqix Ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Nqix Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.