VATQ Virus (.vatq File) Ransomware — Remove & Decrypt Files

If you cannot open your pics, documents, or other files and also see the .vatq extension on them, your system is surely infected with Vatq ransomware. It belongs to STOP/Djvu ransomware family

Vatq ransomware encrypts personal files spotted on the victim’s PC with the extension “.vatq” and after that generates the ransom note in each folder which contains encrypted files. The instructions are put on the victim’s desktop in the “readme.txt” file. Its activity is generally comparable to other variants of the same ransomware family: Vapo, Gatq, Gaze.

What is Vatq Ransomware?

Vatq is file-encrypting ransomware that prevents regular access to your text files, Excel tables, videos and images by ciphering them. It marks the encrypted files with the “.vatq” extension. Then Vatq ransomware adds a money ransom note (readme.txt) to each folder. In this note, you can see the instructions to pay the ransom ($490-$980 in Bitcoin) to a specified Bitcoin wallet. The AES-256 or RSA-1028 cipher it utilizes to encrypt the documents is not decryptable with modern computers. Even quantum computers that already exist will likely spend hundreds of years to find the decryption key.

How dangerous is the Vatq ransomware?

When Vatq ransomware appears on your PC, it will scan your system for photos, videos, and important documents. It encrypt] all widespread file formats- .psd, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .pdf, .jpeg, .png, et cetera. When these documents are found, the ransomware will encrypt them and also change their extension to “.vatq” to ensure that you understand what happened.

After the Vatq ransomware encrypted the data on your computer, it will drop the last “readme.txt” file on the desktop. Besides the ransom payment instructions, the victims also see the email addresses to contact the cybercriminals – datarestorehelp@airmail.cc and support@fishmail.top.

Here is the money ransom note that the Vatq ransomware shows to its victims:

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:
https://we.tl/t-fhnNOAYC8Z
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@fishmail.top

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

How did the Vatq ransomware get on my computer?

The Vatq ransomware spreads by placing websites to download hacked programs or games. Cybercriminals that distribute this ransomware are remarkably clever, and aim to keep in touch with current things. New games releases, new popular movies – Vatq developers make whatever to get their victims on that. One of the most popular strategies these crooks utilize is one-day websites with torrent downloading links. However, using the current things is not the only tactic these crooks use. Methods that have already become classic, such as e-mail spamming, are also usual for STOP/Djvu ransomware spreading.

The example of email spamming that may lead to Vatq ransomware injection

Preventing this ransomware does not require a lot of effort. Adhering to the ordinary principles of PC hygiene will noticeably minimize all hazards. Remember that opening all documents you get on e-mail is not a great habit. Even worse scenario is to allow macros in Microsoft Office files. However, it is much better to stop the malware intrusion at the moment when you have just opened the email message. Inspecting the sender’s address can say a lot about what you can anticipate, and also when you see things like “support@amazon.com”– it is likely a legit e-mail. At the same time, stuff that tries to look like Amazon or FedEx delivery notification, but uses the e-mail address of “amazonspurrot1363@gmail.com”– must make you get on the alarm. Above, you can see the example of such a message.

Illegal sources of various digital things need some additional explanation. Going against copyright regulation surely throws you to the chance of being fined. Nevertheless, utilizing torrent trackers or third-party websites to download “free” programs also exposes you to a wide range of malware. Nobody can control unidentified people that start the torrent seeding or release the hacked program version on the site with pirated program.

Vatq virus removal instructions.

This guide below shows how to use Trojan Killer Portable³ for Vatq virus detection and removal:

Restore the files encrypted by the Vatq ransomware

In most cases, it’s impossible to recover the files encrypted by the Vatq ransomware because the private key needed to unlock the encrypted files is only available through cybercriminals. However, we’ve listed one option you can use to recover your files below.

Warning! Make sure you remove the ransomware from your system first, otherwise, it will repeatedly encrypt your files.

If your files were encrypted with an offline key, there is a chance you can recover them by using Emsisoft Decryptor for the STOP/Djvu decryption tool. Follow the below guide to recover your files using the Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu.

1. You can download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP Djvu by clicking this link.
2. When the decryptor has finished downloading, double-click on “decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe” to run this program on your computer.
3. Click the “Decrypt” button to start the decryption process for Vatq files. The screen will switch to a status view, informing you about your files’ current process and decryption status.
4. The decryptor will inform you once the decryption process will be finished. If you require the report for your records, you can save it by clicking the “Save log” button.

If the Emsisoft Decryptor can’t decrypt your .vatq files and you do not plan on paying the ransom, it is advised that you make an image of the encrypted drives so that you can decrypt them in the future.

Your computer should now be free of the Vatq ransomware infection. However, suppose your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer. In that case, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Trojan Killer to protect against these types of threats in the future.

Remove VATQ Ransomware Virus (DECRYPT .vatq FILES)

Name: VATQ Virus

Description: VATQ Virus is a STOP/DJVU family of ransomware-type virus. It encrypts files, video, photos, documents. Encrypted files can be tracked by a specific vatq extension. VATQ ransomware asks victims for a ransom fee about $490 - $980 in Bitcoin.

Offer price: 480

Currency: $

Operating System: Windows

Application Category: Virus

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