How to remove Goaq Ransomware and decrypt .goaq files

What is Goaq Ransomware

Developed by the Djvu family, Goaq Ransomware is a malicious program that runs extensive encryption of personal data. It uses popular, yet strong algorithms to put the stored files under severe lock. This, therefore, prevents users from succeeding in manual decryption. Knowing that users will not be able to recover files on their own, cybercriminals offer to decrypt data using their tools for a certain amount of money. The details that are presented inside a text note called _readme.txt, which is created after Goaq assigns new extensions to data. Specifically, it adds the .goaq extension so that encrypted files would look something like this 1.pdf.goaq. As soon as such changes are done, users will be no longer eligible to access their data.

Developers behind the Djvu family have published a lot of ransomware versions thus far (e.g. Sspq, Paas, Ehiz, Nusm, Pcqq, etc.). Yet all of them contain the same information inside of ransom notes. Cybercriminals say that data like pictures, documents, databases, and other kinds of intel have been strongly encrypted. To return access to them, users are offered to buy the decryption software, as there is no other way to unlock it for free. The cost of such software is $980, however, there is an option to drop the price 50%-off in case you contact the swindlers within 72 hours. Besides that, it is also proposed to test free decryption. For this, victims are required to send max. 1 file that does not contain valuable information to their e-mail address (support@freshmail.top or datarestorehelp@airmail.cc). Even though they will decrypt one file indeed, there are doubts about their trustworthiness still. Most cybercriminals tend to fool their victims and not send any decryption tools even after receiving the ransom. This is why the best and only way to recover your data yourself is using the latest backup copies that were created and stored on external devices prior to the infection. You can try to use third-party tools as well, but there is little chance they will decrypt your data. Moreover, using third-party utilities other than those offered by cyber criminals might lead to permanent data loss. Ransomware developers install certain entries that help them detect a third-party presence. Whatever the case, it is important to delete Goaq Ransomware to prevent further encryption and infiltration of other networks. All information on that can be found in the article below.

How Goaq Ransomware infected your computer

It is quite common for ransomware infections to exploit various distribution channels to reach their victims. This list is pretty broad and includes e-mail spam messages with malicious attachments, trojans, fake software cracking tools, unprotected RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, untrustworthy downloads, fake software updates, unreliable torrents trackers, malicious ads, and so forth. E-mail spam messages are fabricated letters sent by ostensibly legitimate campaigns with malicious attachments. Cybercriminals insert files with .docx, .pdf, .js, .exe, and other files making the infection less suspicious. It is also likely to see a link leading to dubious websites that promote malware via fake or unwanted software. Once users end up tricked into interacting with such content, they become at risk of being struck with malicious software. Another popular method abused by ransomware developers is trojans. It is a type of malware causing chains infections. They get installed on your system and download additional malware from the server of cybercriminals. Usually, they can be hidden inside fake software crackers, updates, and other suspicious kinds of software. The only way to fully evade these types of infections downloading only trusted and legitimate software. Of course, you can increase your protection with the help of anti-malware software, but it is still important to be more careful whilst surfing around the web. Scroll down to see more tips on preventing malware attacks like Goaq Ransomware in the article below.

1. Download Goaq Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .goaq 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 Goaq Ransomware

Virus modifies “hosts” file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. Goaq 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. Goaq 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 Goaq Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

How to remove Goaq Ransomware manually

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

Goaq Ransomware files:

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

Goaq Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .goaq files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.goaq 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 .goaq files, encrypted by Goaq 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 .goaq 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 Goaq 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 .goaq 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.

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 .goaq

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 Goaq 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

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. Goaq 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

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