Remove MOQS Ransomware Virus (DECRYPT .moqs FILES)

MOQS ransomware used as a virtual extortion tool by STOP/DJVU operators

MOQS ransomware is recognized as variant of STOP/DJVU virus that is designed to encrypt all files on victim’s computer. For this task, the virus used RSA Salsa20 encryption algorithm. During the attack, the malware saves _readme.txt ransom note in every folder and marks each file with an additional .moqs extension. For example, file initially called 1.jpg will appear as 1.jpg.moqs after the virus affects it. The whole point of data encryption is to make it inaccessible for the victim and demand a ransom for its decryption. As explained in the ransom note, cybercriminals promise to decrypt .moqs files if the victim pays $490 within first three days or $980 later. The note also includes two emails – manager@mailtemp.ch or helpmanager@airmail.cc which the victim can use to contact the criminals.

The primary aim of MOQS ransomware is to “secure” victim’s files with military-grade encryption algorithms and keep them this way so that the victim can no longer access them. The malware is designed to encrypt the first 150 KB of each file. This is enough to corrupt files yet keep the whole attack process short. However, this encryption method also allows victims to repair certain data formats with some data loss at the beginning of the file as explained in this decrypt/repair STOP/DJVU files guide.

MOQS decryption tool price depends on how quickly the victim manages to arrange a deal with the criminals. They state that the victim needs to write and pay the ransom within 72 hours from the initial infection timestamp (the malicious program saves it on victim’s computer and also sends it to criminals Command and Control server). This guarantees a 50% discount on the ransom price and means that it will cost $490 to decrypt .moqs data. However, if the victim won’t manage to pay within the given timeframe, the decryption will cost $980 instead. An important detail to mention is that the attackers will ask to pay in Bitcoins rather than regular currency as this guarantees that the transaction will be untraceable and prevents hunting the attackers down. The _readme.txt file contents also include an encouragement to pay the ransom by suggesting test decryption service on one small file.

Our experts’ team as well as FBI suggest that paying the ransom is wrong choice. Here are a list of reasons why you shouldn’t do so:

• No matter how much you pay the criminals, there is no guarantee that criminals will do as they said and decrypt your files. Their sole aim is money, so after receiving it, they might simply stop replying to you.
• Criminals earn millions of US dollars each year from ransomware attacks. We encourage you to stop contributing to the growth of ransomware industry and not transfer your hard-earned money to attackers. Instead, we suggest investing in data backups to keep your files safely from now on.
• Remember that in some countries paying the ransom is as illegal as asking for it. Therefore, you might be breaking laws by paying the ransom.
• Viruses that belong to STOP/DJVU ransomware family such as MOQS virus run AZORULT Trojan on compromised systems. It is designed to steal valuable information such as passwords and other details that can be used to blackmail you further. We will provide more information about this threat later in this article.

Ransomware damage: what has been done to your computer, explained

MOQS ransomware arrives as a set of processes, each designed to perform various illegal modifications on your computer. One of the first ones that signals you’re infected with STOP/DJVU virus variant is called winnupdate.exe, a simple program that mimics Windows update prompt. We can tell you that it looks nothing like the real update screen as it is simple small window. However, the attackers use it to trick the victims into thinking that the computer is under some essential operating system updates that cause a sudden system slowdown. However, the slowdown is caused by data encryption process called by four-character executable file (for example, G6F5.exe). Another thing that this virus does is deleting Volume Shadow Copies from the system by running the following command in Command Prompt:

^{vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet}

Deleting VSS blocks victim’s attempts to use System Restore Points to restore computer to a previously saved state. Next modification is adding a list of domains to Windows HOSTS file. The virus maps them to victim’s localhost IP, which results in DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error appearance when trying to access them via web browser (all of them). To explain this, it has been noticed that the virus attempts to block various computer-related domains that publish various cybersecurity-related information, how-to guides, virus removal instructions, and similar online communities (forums) where the victim could find some relevant information regarding the ransomware attack. The victim might also find some ransomware-dropped files on the computer that contain some information used to identify the victim – bowsakkdestx.txt (contains victim’s public encryption key and personal ID) and PersonalID.txt (only includes victim’s identification string). An example of the said file is shown in the image down below.

Victims of MOQS virus should beware that this ransomware doesn’t arrive as sole thing – it also runs a malicious information stealer called AZORULT Trojan on the compromised computer. It falls into Remote Access Trojan (RAT) category and cybercriminals can use it to remotely perform various illegal actions on victim’s PC, such as:

• Downloading malware to the computer and running it;
• Stealing Steam, Telegram login credentials;
• Viewing or deleting files on victim’s computer;
• Stealing cryptocurrency wallets;
• Stealing browser cookies, saved passwords, visited websites list and more.

We strongly recommend you to remove MOQS ransomware virus as quickly as possible as well as AZORULT Trojan it launched on your computer. To get rid of malware, consider using a professional security software such as INTEGO Antivirus. After that, we strongly recommend downloading RESTORO to repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

Ransomware Summary

REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE

Ransomware infection vectors explained

Speaking of STOP/DJVU ransomware variants such as MOQS virus, it has been noticed that cybercriminals tend to hide them in illegal torrent downloads, mostly various software cracks, keygens and similar. Victims who have been infected with this ransomware strain report downloading the file-encrypting menace from cracks of these popular programs:

• Adobe Photoshop;
• Corel Draw;
• Cubase;
• Adobe Illustrator;
• Windows activation tools such as KMSPico.

Cybercriminals behind this malware target people who are trying to get paid programs for free. Therefore, if you’re trying to bypass paying for legitimate software license, you risk ending up with no software but all personal data encrypted instead. We strongly recommend you to avoid using such wrong methods to get desired software and visit official developers’ websites instead to get safe program download links only. We can assure you that license fees rarely surpass hefty ransoms asked by cybercriminals.

Ransomware as well as other malware variants are also actively distributed using malicious spam campaigns. Nowadays, one of the easiest methods to target loads of potential victims is sending specifically modified documents to them via email. Therefore, cybercriminals have been leveraging this technique for as long as we can remember. Injecting a malicious payload-downloading script into popular file formats such as DOCX, XLS or PDF allows criminals to disguise their intentions. In addition, they name these files as invoice/pending payment/parcel delivery tracking details or similarly to make the document look safe. Sadly, these file formats allow adding JavaScript or Macros that allow activation of the malicious code immediately after the victim opens the file and/or disables Protected Mode in them. As identifying malicious emails can be tricky nowadays, we provide a list of “red signs” that you should look for when opening a suspicious email:

• Urgent message tone and suggestions to open attached contents immediately;
• Claims about an invoice or another important document that needs to be reviewed instantly;
• The sender pretends to be someone from a well-known company;
• Spoofed email address;
• Your email box provider marks the letter as spam.

To stay on the safe side, we recommend ignoring emails that you didn’t expect to receive. For example, if you weren’t waiting for invoice from a specific company or if you aren’t expecting a parcel to reach you, do not open emails that claim you need to view attached files regarding the matter.

We must also inform you about another stealthy attack technique that ransomware distributors use. They tend to hide malware in fake decryption tools. One example is ZORAB malware that hides in fake STOP/DJVU ransomware decryption tools. Criminals know the popularity of this virus and use it to trick the victims into downloading a second payload only to have their files double-encrypted instead of recovering them.

Remove MOQS ransomware and decrypt your files

Remove MOQS ransomware virus safely using instructions provided by our team. First, you will need to use the guide given below to boot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking and eliminate the malware using professional software of your choice. For virus removal, we recommend using INTEGO Antivirus, which also provides robust real-time protection. Finally, download RESTORO and scan your PC to repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

As soon as you complete MOQS ransomware virus removal, consider taking recommended actions:

• Find your local cybersecurity authority and report that you’re fallen victim to a ransomware attack.
• Look for data backups created previously and use them to restore as many files as possible.
• Follow the given instructions to decrypt or repair files affected by STOP/DJVU versions.
• We also recommend changing your passwords, especially for sites that you chose to save login credentials for in your browser.

OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND

Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system:

STEP 1. REMOVE AUTOMATICALLY WITH ROBUST ANTIVIRUS

REMOVE & PROTECT WITH INTEGO

Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs.

Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer.

Read full review here.

STEP 2. REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER

DOWNLOAD RESTORO

RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically.

RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them.

Read full review here.

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Norbert Webb

Norbert Webb is the head of Geek’s Advice team. He is the chief editor of the website who controls the quality of content published. The man also loves reading cybersecurity news, testing new software and sharing his insights on them. Norbert says that following his passion for information technology was one of the best decisions he has ever made. “I don’t feel like working while I’m doing something I love.” However, the geek has other interests, such as snowboarding and traveling.