Sqpc Ransomware - How to remove

Sqpc is a new ransomware infection. Sqpc breaks files by encrypting them and then adds a second extension, “.sqpc”, to their names. Then it tells you to pay hundreds of dollars to get your data back. And there’s no easy way to fix or decrypt it. Additionally, Sqpc installs adware and spyware that can lead to more problems in the future. Overall, this malware attack is pretty devastating.

In short about Sqpc:

Classification	Ransomware, trojan.
Problems caused by Sqpc	Broken (encrypted) files, blocked cybersecurity websites, Task Manager doesn’t work, a trojan steals private data and installs adware.
How to fix your files	Restore from a backup, repair the files manually, use the free decrypter, use data recovery software.
How to remove Sqpc	Unblock websites, find and remove all malware with an antivirus program (such as Spyhunter).

How Sqpc works

Sqpc is file-encrypting ransomware. It’s a malicious program that tries to extort people of money by locking their files and hiding the key.

Sqpc encrypts files

Files of various types (documents, images, videos – many file types) are modified by Sqpc. First, they’re encrypted (at least partially) so that the internal data is garbled and impossible for your programs to read. Then, those files are renamed with “.sqpc” as the second file type extension, like “picture.jpg.sqpc”. This means that even removing the extension does not fix the files.

There are some exceptions. Since Sqpc only encrypts a limited amount of data in each file, it’s possible to repair some files and restore the unencrypted data. For example, here’s a blog post by a professional on how to repair encrypted JPEG files. You may also be able to open audio tracks, videos, and archives – but a portion of each file will be lost. Remember – don’t experiment with the Sqpc files without making a backup copy of each file first.

Being ransomware, Sqpc asks for ransom in little notes called _readme.txt. These notes ask for up to $980 and provide email contacts of the people behind Sqpc – [email protected] and [email protected], the same addresses as those used by Nppp, Bboo, Alka, and a few other Djvu family ransomware. These ransomware attacks have been going on for many months. Now that more people are at home, on their PCs, they’re more vulnerable than ever.

The trojan and other problems

The issues with Sqpc don’t end with broken files. It also:

• installs an adware trojan that can download more adware,
• blocks a bunch of websites that have something to do with cybersecurity,
• makes the browser open random websites,
• disables the Task Manager,
• deletes antivirus updates,
• slows down the internet.

Azorult comes with Sqpc, and it’s a pretty serious trojan that steals data (usernames, passwords, contacts) and installs malware.

Sqpc disables Task Manager to make it harder to end malicious processes. It also blocks sites that talk about cyber threats, like this website, to make it more difficult for Sqpc’s victims to find information.

Sqpc gets downloaded with cracking tools and “free” programs. It can be found on fake file download sites and on low-quality pirating sites. A lot of pirated files are infected with some kind of trojan, adware, etc. If you insist on pirating programs, make sure to use reputable files with moderation teams. Check the comments for each file and scan each downloaded file before running it (for example, this is a scan of an Sqpc file).

Can the files be decrypted?

Fixing the broken files broken is the main thing on most people’s minds after an Sqpc attack. Many people don’t have backups for all of their important files. Sometimes, Sqpc disappears important family pictures, a personal project, or sensitive files for a job.

Download the Emsisoft decrypter and scan the encrypted files. The decrypter will tell you if there’s hope of getting your files decrypted for free.

The way that Sqpc works is that it uses a unique encryption key for each victim. The decryption key is never on your computer, it’s only known to Sqpc’s makers. So, each individual victim of Sqpc has to contact the cybercriminals and pay their own ransom to get their unique decryption key. There’s no hope or guessing the keys or breaking the encryption, at least not with current technology. Cryptography is just that secure.

However, if you or the criminals’ internet connection dropped or something, and Sqpc failed to download a unique key for you, it’ll use a generic one called the offline key. This one is shared among all the Sqpc’s victims who are in this circumstance. If someone else with the offline key pays the ransom, they could share the decryption key with everyone, including you.

Other options for restoring your files, including data recovery, are listed at the bottom of this post.

How to remove Sqpc

Fix the Task Manager, start your PC in safe mode, and use an anti-malware program to scan your device and remove all the threats. There are going to be more issues than just the Sqpc ransomware. You need to remove all the malware and adware.

However, you don’t need to remove the files that were broken by Sqpc – these files are not dangerous.

Because Sqpc breaks the antivirus, you might need to reinstall it or download a new one. Which requires unblocking all the sites that Sqpc blocked.

Important -- edit the hosts file to unblock security websites

TL DR : The hosts file is edited to block security sites Before the virus can be removed, it's necessary to fix the hosts file (the file which controls which addresses connect to which IPs). That is the reason the majority of security websites is inaccessible when infected with this particular parasite. This infection edits this file to stop certain websites, including anti-malware download sites, from being accessed from the infected computer, making browsers return the "This site can't be reached" error. Luckily, it's trivial to fix the file and remove the edits that were made to it.

Find and edit the hosts file

The hosts file can be found on C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/etc/hosts. If you don't see it, change the settings to see hidden files.

1. In the Start Menu, search for Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, find Appearance and Personalization.
3. Select Folder Options.
4. Open the View tab.
5. Open Advanced settings.
6. Select "Show hidden files...".
7. Select OK.

Open this file with administrator privileges.

1. Open the Start Menu and enter "notepad".
2. When Notepad shows up in the result, right-click on it.
3. In the menu, choose "Run as administrator"
4. File->Open and browse for the hosts file.

The hosts file should look like this: Delete additional lines that they connect various domain names to the wrong IP address. Save the file.

Download and run the antivirus program

After that, download antivirus programs and use them to remove the ransomware, the trojan, and other malware. Spyhunter (https://www.2-viruses.com/reviews/spyhunter/dwnld/).

Automatic Malware removal tools

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

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Sqpc 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 Sqpc Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Sqpc 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 Sqpc 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 Sqpc 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.