{"id":1155,"date":"2021-01-05T10:42:26","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T10:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zerothcode.com\/blog\/?p=1155"},"modified":"2021-01-05T10:42:26","modified_gmt":"2021-01-05T10:42:26","slug":"qlkm-virus-qlkm-file-ransomware","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zerothcode.com\/blog\/qlkm-virus-qlkm-file-ransomware\/","title":{"rendered":"QLKM Virus (.qlkm File) Ransomware \u2014 \u2705Remove & Decrypt Files"},"content":{"rendered":"
ransomware Qlkm<\/strong>\u00a0is a DJVU family of ransomware-type infections<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span>. This ransomware encrypts your privatefiles (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by specific \u201c.qlkm\u201d extension. So, you can\u2019t open them at all. In this guide, I will try to help you remove Qlkm virus\u00a0without any payment. As bonus I will assist you\u00a0decrypt\u00a0and\u00a0restore\u00a0encrypted files.<\/h5>\n

Qlkm<\/strong>\u00a0virus?<\/h2>\n
\u261d\ufe0f Qlkm can be correctly identified as a STOP\/DJVU ransomware family.<\/h5>\n

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ransomware The Qlkm ransomware is a specific kind of threat that encrypted your files and then forces you to pay for them. Note that Djvu\/STOP ransomware family was first revealed and analyzed by virus analyst Michael Gillespie<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Qlkm virus is similar to other the same DJVU family:\u00a0Igdm,\u00a0BOOA,\u00a0Omfl. This virus encrypts all popular file types and adds its particular \u201c.qlkm\u201d extension into all files. For instance, the file \u201c1.jpeg<\/strong>\u201c, will be changed into \u201c1.jpeg.qlkm<\/strong>\u201c. As soon as the encryption is accomplished, Qlkm drops a specific file \u201c_readme.txt\u201d and drop it into all folders that contain the modified files.<\/p>\n

The image below gives a clear vision of how the files with \u201c.qlkm\u201d extension look like: ransomware<\/p>\n

\"Qlkm<\/a><\/p>\n

Example of encrypted .qlkm files<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Name<\/td>\nQlkm Virus<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ransomware family<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/td>\nDJVU\/STOP<\/strong><\/span>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0ransomware<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Extension<\/td>\n.qlkm<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ransomware note<\/td>\n_readme.txt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ransom<\/td>\nFrom $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contact<\/td>\nhelpmanager@mail.ch<\/strong>,\u00a0restoremanager@airmail.cc<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Detection<\/span>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/td>\nTrojan: Win32\/Glupteba<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Symptoms<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Encrypted most of your files (photos, videos, documents) and adds a particular \u201c.qlkm\u201d extension;<\/li>\n
  • Can delete Volume Shadow copies to make victim\u2019s attempts to\u00a0restore data\u00a0impossible;<\/li>\n
  • Adds a list of domains to HOSTS file to block access to certain security-related sites;<\/li>\n
  • Installs password-stealing Trojan on the system, like Azorult Spyware;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fix Tool<\/td>\n\n
<\/i>\u00a0GridinSoft Anti-Malware<\/a><\/div>\n

See If Your System Has Been Affected by .qlkm file virus<\/em><\/small><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

This text asking payment is for restore files via decryption key: ransomware<\/p>\n

\"Qlkm<\/a><\/p>\n

The scary alert demanding from users to pay the ransom to decrypt the encoded data contains these frustrating warnings<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The cryptography algorithm used by Qlkm is AES-256. So, if your documents got encrypted with a specific decryption key, which is totally unique and there are no other copies. The sad reality is that it is impossible to recover the information without the unique key available.<\/p>\n

In case if Qlkm worked in online mode, it is impossible for you to gain access to the AES-256 key. It is stored on a remote server owned by the criminals who promote the Qlkm virus.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Do not pay for Qlkm!<\/h2>\n
Please, try to use the available backups or the Decrypter tool<\/h5>\n

_readme.txt file also indicates that the computer owners must get in touch with the Qlkm representatives during 72 hours starting from the moment of files where encrypted. On the condition of getting in touch within 72 hours, users will be granted a 50% rebate. Thus the ransom amount will be minimized down to $490). Yet, stay away from paying the ransom!<\/p>\n

I certainly advise that you do not contact these crooks and do not pay. The one of the most real working solution to recover the lost data \u2013 just using the available backups, or use\u00a0Decrypter tool.<\/p>\n

The peculiarity of all such viruses apply a similar set of actions for generating the unique decryption key to recover the ciphered data.<\/p>\n

Thus, unless the ransomware is still under the stage of development or possesses with some hard-to-track flaws, manually recovering the ciphered data is a thing you can\u2019t perform. The only solution to prevent the loss of your valuable data is to regularly make backups of your crucial files.<\/p>\n

Note that even if you do maintain such backups regularly, they ought to be put into a specific location without loitering, not being connected to your main workstation.<\/p>\n

For instance, the backup may be kept on the USB flash drive or some alternative external hard drive storage. Optionally, you may refer to the help of online (cloud) information storage.<\/p>\n

Needless to mention, when you maintain your backup data on your common device, it may be similarly ciphered as well as other data.<\/p>\n

For this reason, locating the backup on your main computer is surely not a wise idea.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/span>How I was infected?<\/h2>\n
Qlkm has a various methods to built into your system. But it doesn\u2019t really matter what way had place in your case.<\/em><\/h5>\n
<\/div>\n
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Warning! Qlkm virus infections<\/div>\n
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 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Qlkm<\/p>\n

Qlkm attack following a successful phishing attempt.<\/em><\/p>\n

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N<\/span>evertheless, these are the common leaks through which it may be injected into your PC:<\/p>\n