Q1G Ransomware

What is Q1G Ransomware?

If your computer gets infected with a malicious application called Q1G Ransomware, your personal data should become encrypted. Also, you ought to see a pop-up window with a message on top of your screen. It is called a ransom note and as you can imagine the text inside of it says you have to pay to get your files restored. The only thing is that the note does not say how much you are supposed to pay. That is, if you are willing to deal with the malware’s creators, which we do not recommend if you do not want to risk getting scammed. For more details on how the threat works and how it may enter your system, you should read our full article. Moreover, if you want to know how to delete Q1G Ransomware manually, you could have a look at the removal instructions provided at the end of this page.

Where does Q1G Ransomware come from?

According to our specialists at Anti-spyware-101.com, Q1G Ransomware is spread through unsecured RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) connections or malicious Spam emails. Naturally, if your computer is accessible remotely, you should ensure that it could be accessed only by you. Thus, you should not only use a strong password but also consider utilizing extra precautions like Two-Factor Authentication. As for Spam emails, we recommend against opening any data sent to you by someone you do not know or if the message that comes with it raises suspicion. Whenever you receive a file or a link you did not expect, you should check whether the sender’s email address is not forged and have a closer look to the URL addresses of the links such emails might contain. Additionally, we highly advise having a legitimate antimalware tool installed on your device that could stop threats if you accidentally interact with them.

How does Q1G Ransomware work?

As most of the ransomware applications distributed nowadays, the malware encrypts personal files. Consequently, the hackers who might be the only ones who have the tools that could decrypt such files gain leverage over their victims. Each file that gets encrypted by Q1G Ransomware should get a second extension that consists of a unique ID number, hackers’ email address, and the .Q1G extension, for example, id-3C9E098B.[getbtc@aol.com].Q1G. Next, the malicious application should open a window with a ransom note.

The text in the displayed message should explain that it is impossible to decrypt files on your own or, to be more accurate, without particular decryption tools. Of course, Q1G Ransomware’s developers should claim to have them and ask to pay a ransom in exchange. Usually, hackers ask a particular amount of US dollars paid in Bitcoins, and the sums often vary between 20 and 1000 US dollars. In this case, there is no exact amount mentioned on the note. Probably, the threat’s developers will decide it after they are contacted via the given email address. Even though the note suggests hackers can prove they have the offered decryption tools by allowing to send one unimportant file for free decryption, you should understand that it does not reassure you will receive such tools. There is always a chance a victim could get scammed, and if you do not like taking risks, you should ignore the malware’s ransom note.

How to eliminate Q1G Ransomware?

Leaving this malicious application on the system could be dangerous to the new files, which you might create or transfer to the infected device. As you see, the threat can launch itself with the operating system, which means it might begin encrypting files it has not enciphered yet after each restart. To ensure this does not happen, you should erase Q1G Ransomware. To delete it manually, you could use the instructions provided at the end of this paragraph. If they seem too challenging, we advise installing a legitimate antimalware tool. Scan your system with it and wait till it detects the infection and other possible threats. Then click its provided removal button, and Q1G Ransomware should be erased.

Erase Q1G Ransomware

1. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Pick Task Manager and select Processes.
3. Locate a process belonging to the threat.
4. Select it and click End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Click Windows key+E.
7. Locate these paths:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
8. Locate the malicious application’s launcher.
9. Right-click it and select Delete.
10. Navigate to these locations:
    %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %WINDIR%\System32
    %APPDATA%
11. Find files called Info.hta, right-click them and select Delete.
12. Navigate to these specific Startup directories:
    %WINDIR%\System32
    %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
13. Identify suspicious executable files, for example, file.exe; right-click them and choose Delete.
14. Exit File Explorer.
15. Press Windows key+R.
16. Insert Regedit and click Enter.
17. Locate the given directory: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
18. See if there are any value names dropped by the threat, for example, file.exe.
19. Right-click such value names and press Delete.
20. Exit Registry Editor.
21. Empty your Recycle Bin.
22. Restart the computer. Download Removal Tool100% FREE spyware scan and
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