Going further into the _readme.txt note contents, the victim discovers that the QPSS ransomware encrypted all of computer-stored data with robust encryption algorithm and unique key. Documents, photos, videos and other data formats were affected. Furthermore, the cybercriminals recommend contacting them via two of provided email addresses – support@sysmail.ch and supportsys@airmail.cc. According to the note, if the victim does this within 72 hours, the decryption tool will cost $490. If delayed any longer, the cybercriminals will demand $980. One way or another, the only accepted payment method is via cryptocurrency since the attackers want to remain anonymous and prevent law enforcement agencies from tracking their location. That said, if the victim writes to the attackers via email, they will suggest cryptocurrency exchange platforms to use for purchasing the settled amount and instruct to transfer it to provided wallet address. In addition, the ransom note also suggests that the victim can attach one encrypted file to the email for test decryption. They promise to reply with a decrypted file version, but only if the attached file doesn’t contain any valuable information for the victim. This way, the crooks seek to encourage the victim to pay up. According to cybersecurity professionals and FBI, paying a ransom is not a recommended option. It rarely guarantees successful data recovery, besides, it helps to fund cybercriminals’ operations. Another disadvantage of paying the ransom is that the crooks will identify you as a victim who is willing to comply with their orders and might target you again. Speaking about STOP/DJVU variants, cybersecurity researchers have noticed that these viruses are programmed to avoid encrypting files in computers located in the following countries: Russia, Belarus, Syria, Armenia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Kazachstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The virus connects to https[:]//api.2ip.ua/geo.json and saves the response in a geo.json file, which contains details such as IP address, country, city, zip code, longitude and latitude. The virus checks if the computer’s location matches any of the whitelisted countries and then decides whether to abort its operations or continue. Unfortunately, data encryption isn’t the only malicious functionality of QPSS virus. It tends to install additional malware, such as information-stealing Remote Access Trojans (RATs). The latest spotted Trojans travelling alongside STOP/DJVU variants are VIDAR and AZORULT. With their hands on user’s sensitive data including passwords, browsing history, cryptocurrency wallets and other information, the scammers can continue blackmailing the victim. If you have fallen victim to the described computer threat, we advise you to remove QPSS ransomware virus along other malware without a delay. To initiate a system scan using a trustworthy antivirus, do not forget to boot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking as explained below. Next, consider downloading and scanning your PC with RESTORO to repair virus damage inflicted on Windows OS files.

Ransomware Summary

REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE Files encrypted by this ransomware are marked with additional .qpss extension as shown in the screenshot below. Contents of _readme.txt ransom note dropped by the virus are shown below.

How to avoid ransomware infections?

Ransomware-type computer threats are mostly distributed via illegal online downloads, fake software update tools and malicious email attachments. When it comes to STOP/DJVU malware including QPSS virus, these threats are specifically distributed via pirated software versions available via torrent listings or rogue websites online. Victims who have previously experienced STOP/DJVU attacks report downloading suspicious torrents or password-protected archives from malicious websites offering 100% working full premium software versions. Therefore, if you have a habit of searching for ways to bypass software license fees, you risk becoming a victim of a ransomware attack. To illustrate, STOP/DJVU victims report getting infected after downloading pirated versions of these programs:

Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop/Premiere Pro;AutoCad;Cubase;VMware Workstation;Tenorshare 4ukey;Corel Draw;League of Legends;Internet Download Manager.

There were people who were trying to download various KMSPico versions only to find out a residing ransomware variant in them. Therefore, we strongly recommend you to download software and updates only from reputable websites, more specifically software developer websites or confirmed partner sites only. In order to avoid ransomware and malware infections you should be extremely cautious when checking your email as well. Cybercriminals often use deceptive techniques to spark target’s curiosity. For example, they might pretend to be someone from a well-known company and send you an email with a file attached to it. Malicious email attachments often come in PDF, XLS, DOCX and similar formats that support macro functions or scripts. After opening such file, the malicious script in it downloads and runs the payload on the computer instantly. We recommend that you avoid interacting with email contents marked as spam. Moreover, look out for other signs such as unfamiliar greeting line, typo mistakes or even spoofed sender’s email address. In general, try to only view emails that you expected to receive and avoid all others, especially if they seem even at least suspicious. Finally, victims of STOP/DJVU ransomware should stay away from rogue online websites suggesting they provide ransomware decryption tools. The only confirmed tools that can help victims of this ransomware family are Emsisoft and DiskTuna. Reckless attempts to search for a working decryption tools can result in a double file encryption. One example of ransomware that was distributed via fake STOP/DJVU decryption tools is ZORAB.

Remove QPSS ransomware virus and decrypt your files

In order to remove QPSS ransomware virus remains and related malware from your computer, we recommend following instructions provided below. First, you will need to boot your PC in Safe Mode with Networking and run a trustworthy antivirus software. This helps to deactivate malicious processes and start the system with limited functionality. Make sure you use a genuine antivirus copy only. Once this is done, consider downloading this tool – RESTORO to repair virus damage on Windows OS files. After completing QPSS ransomware removal, follow these tips:

Inform your local police department about the ransomware incident.Use data backups to restore as many files as you can. You can restore the majority of files from the Downloads folder as these are most likely downloaded from external sources such as email, cloud or other online locations.Read about ways STOP/DJVU encrypted files could be decrypted or repaired.Change all passwords associated with the compromised computer.

OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system: GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs. Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer. Read full review here. RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically. RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them. Read full review here.

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove QPSS Ransomware Virus virus, you must start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Below, we provide the easiest ways to boot PC in the said mode, but you can find additional ones in this in-depth tutorial on our website – How to Start Windows in Safe Mode. Also, if you prefer a video version of the tutorial, check our guide How to Start Windows in Safe Mode on Youtube. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users Now, you can search for and remove QPSS Ransomware Virus files. It is very hard to identify files and registry keys that belong to the ransomware virus, Besides, malware creators tend to rename and change them repeatedly. Therefore, the easiest way to uninstall such type of a computer virus is to use a reliable security program such as INTEGO Antivirus. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users After restoring the system, we recommend scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware software. In most cases, there won’t be any malware remains, but it never hurts to double-check. In addition, we highly recommend checking ransomware prevention guidelines provided by our experts in order to protect your PC against similar viruses in the future.

Alternative software recommendations

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense If you’re looking for an all-in-one system maintenance suite that has 7 core components providing powerful real-time protection, on-demand malware removal, system optimization, data recovery, password manager, online privacy protection and secure driver wiping technology. Therefore, due to its wide-range of capabilities, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense deserves Geek’s Advice approval. Get it now for 50% off. You may also be interested in its full review.

Disclaimer. This site includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission by recommending certain products, at no additional cost for you. We only choose quality software and services to recommend.

Decrypt QPSS files

Fix and open large QPSS files easily:

It is reported that STOP/DJVU ransomware versions encrypt only the beginning 150 KB of each file to ensure that the virus manages to affect all files on the system. In some cases, the malicious program might skip some files at all. That said, we recommend testing this method on several big (>1GB) files first.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. QPSS Ransomware Virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like BPTO, ISWR, ISZA, BPSM, ZOUU, MBTF, ZNSM (find full list here). This means full data decryption is now possible only if you have been affected by offline encryption key. To decrypt your files, you will have to download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP DJVU, a tool created and maintained by a genius security researcher Michael Gillespie. Note! Please do not spam the security researcher with questions whether he can recover your files encrypted with online key - it is not possible. In order to test the tool and see if it can decrypt QPSS files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The QPSS decryption tool might display several different messages after failed attempt to restore your files. You might receive one of the following messages: Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [example ID] This message typically means that there is no corresponding decryption key in the decryptor’s database. No key for New Variant online ID: [example ID]Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible This message informs that your files were encrypted with online key, meaning no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair, therefore data recovery without paying the criminals is impossible. Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future. If you were informed that an offline key was used, but files could not be restored, it means that the offline decryption key isn’t available yet. However, receiving this message is extremely good news, meaning that it might be possible to restore your QPSS extension files in the future. It can take a few months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. We recommend you to follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here. We strongly recommend backing up your encrypted data and waiting.

Victims of QPSS Ransomware Virus should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:

In the United States, go to the On Guard Online website.In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website.In Germany, go to the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik website.In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website.In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs Scams website.In the United Kingdom, go to the Action Fraud website.In Canada, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.In India, go to Indian National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.In France, go to the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information.

If you can’t find an authority corresponding to your location on this list, we recommend using any search engine to look up “[your country name] report cyber crime”. This should lead you to the right authority website. We also recommend staying away from third-party crime report services that are often paid. It costs nothing to report Internet crime to official authorities. Another recommendation is to contact your country’s or region’s federal police or communications authority.