How to remove Qarj Ransomware and decrypt .qarj files

What is Qarj Ransomware

Qarj is a new ransomware variant developed and published by a template of notorious STOP/Djvu family. This particular variant was released in March 2023. Being a file-encrypting virus, it blocks access to personal data by using secure encryption algorithms. This means that files stored on a PC will no longer be opened by users until they are decrypted. Currently, there are smal chances for decryption of files encrypted by Qarj. Only 1-2% of cases are decryptable, when certain conditions are met. Use all instructions on this page until you get some data restored. In order to show that all files have been put under a lock, developers append the new .qarj extension to each of the files. For instance, a file sample like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.qarj and reset its icon eventually. After this part of encryption is finished, the virus creates a text note (_readme.txt) with ransom instructions.

Alike other Djvu/STOP ransomware versions, Qarj states that all data has been strongly encrypted. To regain access, victims are encouraged to pay for the decryption kit (both software and keys) to unblock their files. Contacting cybercriminals via e-mail (support@freshmail.top or datarestorehelp@airmail.cc) will be the way to get payment instructions. If you manage to reach out to them within 72 hours time frame, the price required to pay will be twice lower (from 980$ to 490$) than mentioned. Despite such an offer, it is still a high price to pay for most of the victims. Plus, there are many cases when users did not get any promised decryption even after paying the ransom. This is why it is hard to rely solely on offers thrown by swindlers (e.g. free decryption, price discounts, etc.) as testaments of their integrity. At present, there are sadly no third-party tools that could guarantee full and loss-free decryption of data. Because Qarj uses online keys for encryption, it is hard to crack up their cipher without cybercriminals themselves. The only feasible way, unless you want to pay a ransom, is recovering data from backup. Not having one will more likely result in failure to unblock your data, but you can still give it a try using our tutorial below.

How Qarj Ransomware infected your computer

Very often ransomware infections are spread via e-mail spam attachments, unprotected RDP configuration, hacked network-attached storage, trojans, backdoors, keyloggers, fake software disguised as legitimate programs, and other dangerous channels like that. Each time analyzing the distribution methods, it turns out that e-mail spam ends up being the most popular out of all mentioned. This is because it is the easiest way to deliver malware to users. Cybercriminals send a number of similar messages bundled with malicious attachments. As they are often identical, e-mail services classify such messages as spam. However, some adventurous people tend to open these messages for curiosity reasons. The enclosed content usually claims people to be winning a prize or having a post package on the way to them. Such titles are usually accompanied by files or links ostensibly showing the information above. Instead, they will simply initiate the installation of malware right to your system. Sometimes the infection can be evaded in case you have anti-malware installed. However, it is also important to be self-attentive when interacting with suspicious software. Below, we will show you a pack of security tips that will be your best friend at combatting new threats in the future.

1. Download Qarj Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .qarj files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. Restore media files with Media Repair
7. How to protect from threats like Qarj Ransomware

Virus modifies “hosts” file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. Qarj Ransomware comes along with AZORult trojan, which was initially created to steal logins and passwords. The process of infection also looks like installing Windows updates, the malware shows a fake window, that mimics the update process.

It uses rdpclip.exe to replace a legal Windows file and to launch an attack on a computer network. After encrypting the files, the encrypter is deleted using the delself.bat command file. Qarj Ransomware virus is propagated via spam attack with malicious e-mail attachments and using manual PC hacking. Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged, and infected installers. The virus assigns a certain ID to the victims, which is used to name those files and supposedly to send a decryption key. Great tools to protect against Qarj Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

How to remove Qarj Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Qarj Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Qarj Ransomware files:

_readme.txt
rdpclip.exe
delself.bat
{randomname}.exe

Qarj Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .qarj files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.qarj variations)

IMPORTANT: Read this detailed guide on using STOP Djvu Decryptor to avoid file corruption and time wasting.

STOP Djvu Decryptor is able to decrypt .qarj files, encrypted by Qarj Ransomware. This tool was developed by EmsiSoft. It works in automatic mode, but in most cases works only for files encrypted with offline keys. Download it here:

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .qarj files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analysis of files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with Qarj Ransomware and removed it from your computer, you can try decrypting your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .qarj files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

Use Media Repair to decrypt media files encrypted with .qarj

1. Download Media Repair tool.
2. Right-click on the downloaded archive, and select Extract to Media_Repair\.
3. Then double-click on the extracted .exe file to launch the utility.
4. At first, you have to choose which file type you want to decrypt. You can do it from the drop-down menu in the utility.
5. Next, browser the folder with encrypted or reference files. Choose any of them and click on the Test icon located in the top right corner.
6. Media Repair will display a pop-up message with information on whether it can repair the selected file or not.
7. After checking if it is possible or not, select your reference file and click on the icon right under the Test button we used in step #5.
8. If the file pair is properly matched, you can move on and hit the Play button to start repairing. You can also stop the process anytime by clicking on the Stop button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Qarj Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Qarj Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.