Geek's Advice

YJQS ransomware aims to encrypt all of your files, then extort you

YJSQ ransomware is the latest addition to the infamous STOP/DJVU file-encrypting virus family. If it manages to infect the target computer, it encrypts all files found in the system, such as photos, documents, videos, archives and other data formats. During the attack, the virus marks each file with .yjqs extension and drops ransom-demanding text notes called _readme.txt in every folder. To illustrate, a file originally named 1.jpg becomes 1.jpg.yjqs after being encrypted. The provided ransom note then explains that the only way to access YJQS decryption tool is to pay a hefty ransom for ransomware operators.

The primary aim of YJQS ransomware is to extort the computer user by locking all of files stored on the computer running Windows operating system. The virus uses a combination of Salsa20 and RSA-2048 encryption algorithms to make data inaccessible – after being encrypted, they become impossible to open, view or edit. As a consequence, the computer user loses access to relevant work, study files or simply personal memories stored on the computer. While encryption is used as a method to secure information transmission in various circumstances, for example, sending passwords through the Internet or securing military-grade secrets, the cybercriminals put it to a bad use.

The _readme.txt note explains that the victim needs to contact the attackers via provided emails – either manager@mailtemp.ch or helprestoremanager@airmail.cc. The note also explains the pricing of the decryption service – it costs $490 if the victim writes to the crooks within 72 hours, or $980 after this given time period passes. The ransom note also recommends attaching one encrypted file for test decryption service, although this file should not contain any valuable information. This test service is provided only to prove the victim that the attackers actually are the ones capable of recovering encrypted data.

If the victim contacts the cybercriminals via email, further instructions will be provided. The attackers may provide online resources where the victim can purchase cryptocurrency to make the transaction for the criminals. This method of virtual payment keeps the attackers anonymous so that the law enforcement institutions could not track down the transaction.

However, cybersecurity experts from our team as well as FBI advise against ransom payments. There are various reasons why you should not comply with the cyber criminals’ demands. First of all, remember that paying the ransom doesn’t mean that you will recover your files. The criminals are greedy for money and they might refuse to provide the decryption means after receiving your transaction. Next, paying up helps to fuel the ransomware business and help the criminals employ more people – such as more skilled software developers or distributors. The whole file-encrypting malware business grows each year and the attackers earn millions in US dollars annually.

Finally, let us mention the fact that this specific ransomware strain is known to spread information-stealing viruses such as AZORULT or VIDAR Trojans. These malware pieces are known to steal various sensitive data from compromised computers and sending it to criminals. For example, these Trojans might steal your browser or software-saved passwords, browsing history, banking details, cryptocurrency wallets, chat histories and more. Such information can be useful for the attackers when planning further blackmailing attacks, especially if you let them know that you’re willing to pay up.

The most important thing to do after being infected with such severe malware is to clean your computer from threats as soon as possible. We strongly advise you to start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking as explained in the guide below this article and remove YJQS ransomware virus using a robust antivirus program. If you do not have one yet, you may want to use the one recommended by our team – INTEGO Antivirus. Additional software that we recommend to download is RESTORO. You can use it to identify virus damage on Windows OS file and repair it using the tool’s full version.

Ransomware Summary

REMOVE MALWARE & REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE

Ransomware distribution explained: avoid getting infected again

When it comes to ransomware distribution, cybercriminals tend to rely on several well-known techniques – malicious downloads, RDP vulnerabilities, malicious email spam, compromised ad networks or vulnerabilities in the target’s computer or software installed on it. Most of the time, ransomware designed to target home computer users mainly rely on malicious downloads and email spam. When it comes to STOP/DJVU variants, the primary technique is hiding the malicious code in torrent downloads meant to activate paid software versions for free.

Cybercriminals prey for computer users who search for pirated software copies online because it is relatively a simple target for them. Moreover, such computer users go extreme lengths when trying to install premium software or games for free, often times even ignoring their antivirus software warnings. Computer users who have already fallen victims for STOP/DJVU ransomware attack report trying to download these popular programs via unconfirmed online resources:

• League of Legends;
• Fifa 20;
• Tenorshare 4ukey;
• AutoCad;
• Internet Download Manager;
• Cubase;
• Opera browser;
• Corel Draw;
• VMware Workstation;
• Adobe Illustrator;
• Adobe Photoshop;
• KMSPico (illegal Windows activation tool).

Please remember that the given list of software isn’t finite and that the ransomware might await for you in other software cracks or keygens. The victims typically find these malicious torrents in various online torrent libraries and then use peer-to-peer file sharing clients to download these programs to their computers. Unfortunately, opening and interacting with such download contents can be fatal for your personal files.

We’d like to emphasize the importance of using legitimate or confirmed online resources when searching for the software you need. Attempts to download bogus copies of software and games can result in various computer infections, not only limited to ransomware. For example, you may get infected with less noticeable threats such as Trojans, backdoors, cryptocurrency miners and similar. The damage caused by such viruses can result in much higher expenses than a genuine software license would cost to you. Therefore, we’d like to encourage you to support legitimate software developers rather than greedy criminals.

Another technique used by ransomware operators to reach potential victims is called malicious email spam. In these attacks, the criminals usually make use of leaked email lists and send thousands of emails with malicious files attached to them. The crooks typically attach WORD, PDF or XLS files that contain either JavaScript or Macros, both capable of running a script that downloads the ransomware payload from a remote source and runs it on the victim’s computer.

The criminals may pretend to be someone from a well-known company or even your colleague or boss and ask you to open attached contents as soon as you can. Urgent message tone is one of the most frequent red flags when it comes to malicious email spam; moreover, you should look out for unfamiliar greeting line, wrong name or spoofed sender’s email address. You may also see suspicious-looking logos or grammar mistakes in the email. Our general recommendation is to never open email attachments or included links if the email seems unexpected or even slightly suspicious. Do not let your curiosity trick you into opening something that can severely impact your computer.

Finally, beware of fake STOP/DJVU ransomware decryptors online. Cybersecurity professionals warn that cybercriminals are using fake decryption tools as a bait for potential victims. Unfortunately, downloading such tools can result in double file encryption. Remember that decryption tools for various ransomware strains are usually created by giant cybersecurity-related companies and their research teams, so if they all claim that a specific ransomware strain cannot be decrypted at the moment, do not let a suspicious small site somewhere in nth online search results page trick you into thinking that such tool exists. Believe us when we say that in case of creation of a successful decryption tool, all reputable online resources will write about it.

How YJQS ransomware operates: overview of its activity on your computer

If you’re interested to learn more about YJQS ransomware virus activities on your computer, this section might draw your attention. In it, we’ll overview how this malware operates and how it affected your computer.

This ransomware starts its operations as a set of processes named build.exe, build2.exe and build3.exe. The virus may also launch a deceptive Windows update prompt under a process name of winupdate.exe. The next thing this ransomware does is it inspects the infected system and attempts to decide whether the computer can be compromised further. Therefore, it then collects computer’s name, Windows operating system version, hardware specifics (such as processor type, CPU count, RAM and VideoCard information), active processes and installed software list. An example of file which the malware writes such information in (information.txt) is provided down below.

Another information that the virus gathers about the infected computer is related to the PC’s geolocation. The virus connects to https[:]//api.2ip.ua/geo.json and saves the response from it to a file called geo.json or geo[1].json. This file contains details such as country code, region, longitude, latitude, zip code, city, time zone and similar. Several examples of this file are depicted in the image below.

It appears that STOP/DJVU ransomware operators tend to avoid compromising computers located in the following countries: Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Russia, Syria, Kazachstan, Armenia, Belaru, Tajikistan or Uzbekistan. It is not uncommon for ransomware to operate this way – while some bypass countries that are known to have lower ransom payment rates, it is believed that some ransomware operators tend to whitelist countries they are based in themselves. If the virus detects that the computer’s geolocation matches one from the exception list, it stops its operations immediately.

Once the ransomware decides that the computer is eligible for encryption, it then connects to its Command&Control server to request a unique encryption key as well as victim’s ID. If this fails, the ransomware then uses offline encryption key that is hidden in the malware code. The ransomware also saves the collected key and ID into bowsakkdestx.txt file and PersonalID.txt file. If you’re wondering how to distinguish which encryption type was used – online or offline, you can look at the ending characters in PersonalID.txt file which you can find in C:\SystemID folder. If the last two characters are t1, it indicates offline encryption and it gives you hope to recover your files in the future as explained here. All other combinations are associated with online key encryption. You can see some examples of bowsakkdestxt.txt and PersonalID.txt files created by the virus down below.

The ransomware then begins encrypting all data on victim’s computer and marking each file with additional extension. You can see a screenshot of affected file folder in the screenshot below.

After entering a new folder, the virus drops _readme.txt note in it. An example of the ransom note is depicted in the image below.

Some versions of STOP/DJVU have a tendency to delete Volume Shadow Copies using the following Command Line task:

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

The final alterations done by the virus are associated with Windows HOSTS file. The virus uploads a list of domain names to it and maps them to localhost IP, thus causing a DNS resolution error. This technique is believed to be used so that the victim could not access relevant cybersecurity related information online and run into DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error whenever the victim attempts to visit one of the blacklisted domains.

Remove YJQS Ransomware Virus and Recover Your Files

Victims of the described malware variants are advised to take action and remove YJQS ransomware virus as quickly as possible. We have provided a detailed guide on how to run your PC in Safe Mode in Networking and run your antivirus software from there. Make sure that you update your antivirus before doing so. If you do not have a security software yet, you may want to use one recommended by our team – INTEGO Antivirus. You can read its review here. It has excellent malware detection rate and can protect your computer in real-time. Additionally, we recommend downloading RESTORO to repair virus damage on Windows OS files.

If you have already taken care of YJQS ransomware virus removal, we recommend you to change all of your passwords saved in web browsers or associated with software present on your computer. Additionally, we recommend reporting cybercrime incident to your local law enforcement agencies.

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.