What is Gatq Ransomware

Gatq Ransomware is, in fact, a subtype of notorious STOP Ransomware (DjVu Ransomware), that has been active since December 2017. The virus uses AES-256 (CFB-mode) encryption algorithm. This new version appeared in the middle of May 2023 and adds .gatq extension to encrypted files. STOP Ransomware belongs to a family of crypto-viruses, that demand money in exchange for decryption. The good news is, that most of previous versions of Gatq Ransomware could be decrypted using a special tool called STOP Djvu Decryptor (download link below in the article), developed by EmsiSoft. Gatq Ransomware uses exactly the same e-mails, ransom note patterns and other parameters as dozens of its predecessors: support@freshmail.top and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc. Malware creates _readme.txt ransom note file with all the contact information and explanations. Here is the text, that is inside this file:

STOP Ransomware (.gatq extensions)
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-O1iz3esfm2
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
support@freshmail.top
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
datarestorehelp@airmail.cc
Your personal ID:
{alphanumeric sequence}

The price of decryption is set to $980 (developers claim a 50% discount if the ransom is paid within 72 hours). However, often, malefactors don’t reply after receiving the payment and don’t send decryptors. Files encrypted by Gatq Ransomware can be decoded using specialized tools. You can utilize STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft, free decryption utility, that is regularly updated by its developers. According to the last updates, this tool is able to decrypt .gatq files for free. To make sure, your PC is safe, you need to remove the executable of Gatq Ransomware, and install an antivirus to avoid reinfection. Among the best protection tools against ransomware are Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. This article contains all information needed to remove Gatq Ransomware and decrypt .gatq files in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

gatq ransomware

How Gatq Ransomware infected your computer

Apart from strong antivirus protection, that every PC should have we recommend protecting your mailbox with quality anti-spam solution. This is very important, especially for Gatq Ransomware and other versions of STOP Ransomware, as they exploit this vulnerability and use mass spam attcaks with malicious attachments. Often, such attacks are targeted wich means e-mails may seem very natural, realistic and relevant.

  1. Download Gatq Ransomware Removal Tool
  2. Get decryption tool for .gatq 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 Gatq Ransomware

Virus modifies “hosts” file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. Gatq 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.

fake windows update from Gatq Ransomware

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. Gatq 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 Gatq Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Download Gatq Ransomware Removal Tool

Download Removal Tool

To remove Gatq Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Gatq Ransomware. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.

Alternative Removal Tool

Download Norton Antivirus

To remove Gatq Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Gatq Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.

How to remove Gatq Ransomware manually

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

Gatq Ransomware files:

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

Gatq Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .gatq files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.gatq variations)

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

STOP djvu ransomware decryptor from emsisoft

STOP Djvu Decryptor is able to decrypt .gatq files, encrypted by Gatq 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:

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor

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 .gatq 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 Gatq 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 .gatq files

stellar data recovery professional

  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.
Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

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 .gatq

media repair tool

  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 Gatq Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

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.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

idrive backup

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. Gatq 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.

Download iDrive

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

mailwasher pro

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.

Download MailWasher Pro
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