QwertyCrypt ransomware - How to remove

QwertyCrypt ransomware virus is a new crypto-malware project by Team Anonymous Brazil. Also, there are even more specific details about the creators of this malware: a person named Rodolfo whom can be contacted through Telegram program. The virus will append .qwerty extension to the data it encrypts with AES algorithm. Since the instructions of this virus are written in the Brazilian language, we think that people from Brazil are the main targets. This is not the first time when this region is being targeted by ransomware: remember variants like BugWare and DilmaLocker.

QwertyCrypt crypto-malware, targeting Brazilian-speaking users, is decryptable

Before getting more details about the infection, we should mention that the data, ruined by QwertyCrypt Ransomware, can be decrypted. If you are one of the victims of this infection, all you have to do is contact Michael Gillespie for assistance. It appears that the HiddenTearDecrypter should be able to restore data. This is very good news since there will be no need for victims to pay the demanded ransoms. The creators of QwertyCrypt crypto-virus require 0.05000000 BTC. The current exchange rates suggest that this number equals $550.10.

The payload of this infection is Instalador.exe. Therefore, the ransomware is probably distributed as an installer for a specific application. However, if users download the file, they will soon be introduced with a lock-screen called “Por favor aguarde” (“Please Wait”). This is when data-encryption takes place. After its done, many digital files are going to be unusable. Then the ransomware will reveal its demands in an additional window. The same strategies are used by creators of HeroPoint and Retis ransomware viruses.

Since this ransomware virus is decryptable, you should not even consider paying the ransom. It is also unrecommended that victims would contact the creators of this QwertyCrypt ransomware. The only thing that these hackers are going to say is that victims have to pay the fee for the passwords.

How to secure your files from this QwertyCrypt virus?

In order to protect digital data from being ruined, you must store them in backup storages. For instance, if you will have important digital files only in your computer, there will no way of recovering them. However, if data in your computer gets ruined and you have stored copies in an additional location, you will be able to recover them without paying the ransom. Since QwertyCrypt virus is decryptable, there is no reason to worry. However, many similar infections are not that easy to solve.

Therefore, we are strongly suggesting you to store important data in backup storages. If you will do this before a ransomware infection manages to slither into your operating system, you will have no issue with data recovery (Ransomware and the importance of backing up).

In order to recover data which has been encoded by QwertyCrypt ransomware, please contact Michael Gillespie. This security researcher will provide more information about decryption options. We understand that HiddenTearDecrypter has been adjusted to decode data, featuring .qwerty extension.

Distribution of ransomware infections like QwertyCrypt crypto-malware

For the purpose of spreading crypto-viruses like QwertyCrypt ransomware, hackers might start spam campaigns. In such email letters, users will notice attachments or links to unknown websites. Before downloading files or following links, you should make sure that the received letter is originating from a reliable source. If not, it would be best to avoid the message.

Before you can decrypt files, security researchers will require victims to get rid of the ransomware. QwertyCrypt ransomware virus is a nasty infection which can be removed either manually or automatically. For the manual option, please look down at the guidelines we have appended. However, a better option would be to run a scam with Spyhunter. These anti-malware tools are specifically designed for malware detection and removal. If you are looking for a high-quality security software, consider the two mentioned programs.

How to recover QwertyCrypt 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 QwertyCrypt ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of QwertyCrypt 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 QwertyCrypt ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore QwertyCrypt 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 QwertyCrypt 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 QwertyCrypt 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.