How to remove Nzoq Ransomware and decrypt .nzoq files

What is Nzoq Ransomware

Nzoq Ransomware is a malicious software that encrypts files, rendering them inaccessible. It is a member of the Djvu ransomware family and might be distributed alongside other malware like RedLine or Vidar. The primary goal of Nzoq Ransomware is to extort money from its victims by encrypting their files and demanding a ransom for decryption. Once Nzoq Ransomware infects a system, it targets various types of files, such as photos, videos, and documents. It alters the file structure and appends the .nzoq extension to each encrypted file, making them inaccessible and unusable without the decryptor. Nzoq Ransomware leaves a ransom note titled _readme.txt. The note provides payment and contact details and urges victims to reach out to the threat actors within 72 hours. It states that not doing so can increase the payment from $490 to $980, which covers the decryption tools necessary for file recovery.

Nzoq Ransomware uses a complex encryption method that requires a private key for decryption. Emsisoft offers free ransomware decryption tools, but these tools may only work with specific ransomware versions and may not work with versions released after a tool was created. Technical support for the tools is available only to customers using a paid Emsisoft product. Keep in mind that paying the ransom does not guarantee automatic file decryption, and renowned security experts strongly discourage impulsive payments due to the uncertainty of complete file retrieval and the risk of criminals absconding without decryption solutions. Instead, explore alternative methods for file restoration and ransomware removal, provided on this page.

How Nzoq Ransomware infected your computer

Nzoq Ransomware spreads through various methods, including:

• Spam emails containing infected attachments: Cybercriminals often send phishing emails with malicious attachments disguised as important documents, such as invoices or bank statements. When users open these attachments, the ransomware infects their systems.
• Fake software cracks and keygens: Nzoq Ransomware can be distributed using fake software cracks or free programs downloaded from the internet. Users who download and install these counterfeit tools unknowingly introduce the ransomware into their systems.
• Exploiting vulnerabilities in the operating system and installed programs: Cybercriminals can take advantage of security flaws in software and operating systems to infiltrate and infect systems with Nzoq Ransomware.
• Bundled freeware, porn, or torrent sites: Downloading content from untrustworthy sources can lead to the inadvertent installation of ransomware alongside the desired files.

To protect your computer from ransomware infections, it is essential to invest in robust cybersecurity measures, such as backup solutions, anti-malware software, and regular software updates.

1. Download Nzoq Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .nzoq 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 Nzoq Ransomware

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

How to remove Nzoq Ransomware manually

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

Nzoq Ransomware files:

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

Nzoq Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .nzoq files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.nzoq 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 .nzoq files, encrypted by Nzoq 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 .nzoq 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 Nzoq 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 .nzoq 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 .nzoq

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 Nzoq Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use G-DATA STOP/Djvu vaccine

G DATA has released a vaccine to block STOP/DJVU ransomware from encrypting victims’ files after infection. The vaccine prevents the ransomware from encrypting files anymore, but it does not prevent the infection itself. The vaccine is available on GitHub. Download it below:

Download STOP/Djvu vaccine

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. Nzoq 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