What is Qewe Ransomware?
Qewe Ransomware is a file-encryptor, and it is not one of those infections that was built to destroy your operating system. In fact, it avoids all system files because it needs your operating system to run orderly; otherwise, it would not be able to make the ransom demand. Instead, this malware only encrypts personal files, and that means that photos, documents, music files, and other pieces of data cannot be read anymore. File encryption is usually employed to secure files, but cybercriminals are using it to make it impossible for their owners to read them. This is done so that the attackers could sell you their own decryptor. Fortunately, a free decryptor (STOP Decryptor) was created by researchers, and you might be able to restore at least some of the files using it. Should you invest in the decryptor offered by the attackers? You should not because, according to the team at Anti-Spyware-101.com, that would be a waste of money. Unfortunately, even if you remove Qewe Ransomware, your files will remain encrypted.
How does Qewe Ransomware work?
Qewe Ransomware is not much different from most other file-encrypting threats. In fact, it has hundreds of identical clones, including Mpal Ransomware, Covm Ransomware, or Koti Ransomware. These threats are part of the STOP Ransomware family, and we believe that the same cybercriminal is responsible for at least most of them. Just like other threats from this group of malware, Qewe Ransomware is most likely to exploit bundled downloaders and spam email vulnerabilities to approach you. If you are tricked into executing the threat’s launcher, it is unlikely that you can stop the attack. In fact, you are unlikely to notice the threat at all, unless of course, security software is installed and can identify and stop it immediately. If security software does not exist and does not delete the infection immediately, it encrypts all personal files. The “.qewe” extension is appended to them to help you see which files were corrupted. These are the files that you cannot read unless you have a decryptor.
Qewe Ransomware is trying to push its own decryptor, and a file named “_readme.txt” is used for that. When you open this file, you can see a message, according to which, you need to send a unique ID code to helpmanager@mail.ch and elpdatarestore@firemail.cc so that the attackers could reveal to you how to pay a ransom of $490. It is alleged that you would obtain a decryptor as soon as you paid this ransom. Obviously, cybercriminals can tell you anything just to get you to pay it, and if you believe that you would get a decryptor in return for your money, we have to disappoint you. Unfortunately, some people might find the free decryptor ineffective, and they might also not have copies of the corrupted files. If you have copies stored in a secure location, remove Qewe Ransomware, and then use the copies to replace the corrupted files. If you do not have copies, you might consider fulfilling the attackers’ demands, but keep in mind that you are unlikely to achieve anything by doing that. In fact, if you disclose your personal email address, the attackers could expose you to new scams.
How to delete Qewe Ransomware
Qewe Ransomware, needless to say, needs to be removed as soon as possible. However, you need to think carefully about which removal method is best for you. If you want to eliminate this malware yourself, you need to think carefully if you have what it takes to get rid of it. Also, you need to look at the bigger picture and think if you can protect your operating system against malware afterward. If you doubt that you can secure your system and delete Qewe Ransomware without help, we advise implementing anti-malware software that is built to erase threats and secure your system against them in the future. Only after you take care of this, can you try to replace or recover your personal files. Note that ransomware is booming right now, and your chances of facing a new file-encryptor are pretty high, which is why besides securing your system you also want to secure your files, which is easiest to do by storing copies in a secure location.
Removal Instructions
- Launch File Explorer (tap Win+E) and enter %HOMEDRIVE% into the bar at the top.
- Delete the ransom note file, _readme.txt, and a folder named SystemID.
- Enter %LOCALAPPDATA% into the bar at the top.
- Delete the folder with a long random name (e.g., 0115174b-bd55-4caf-a89a-d8ff8132151f).
- Empty Recycle Bin and then scan your system for malware leftovers using a malware scanner.
100% FREE spyware scan and
tested removal of Qewe Ransomware*
0 Comments.