Moqs Virus Ransomware (.moqs File) Removal

What is Moqs ransomware?

Ransomware manifests in numerous forms, with Moqs ransomware representing a particularly insidious variant. This virus specifically targets individual users, encrypting any accessible files on the infected device. Moreover, it incapacitates your security defenses and significantly complicates networking activities.

Recovering the encrypted files is an arduous task. The malware employs the formidable Salsa20 encryption algorithm, rendering brute-force hacking attempts futile. Subsequently, it transfers the decryption keys to a command server under cybercriminal control. These adversaries will only relinquish the decryption key upon receiving a ransom payment or if they are apprehended by law enforcement.

The distribution of Moqs ransomware follows conventional pathways common to many viruses. Software obtained from peer-to-peer networks (such as eMule or ThePirateBay), often touted as "free," serves as an ideal vector for ransomware dissemination. Users are likely to dismiss security warnings during download and installation, leaving them oblivious to the antivirus's incapacitation following the attack.

Encryption process

The Moqs ransomware uses the Salsa20 encryption algorithm. That is not the strongest method, but it still provides an overwhelming amount of possible decryption keys. To brute force the 78-digit number of keys, you need 3.5 unvigintillion years (1*10^65), even if you use the most powerful regular PC. Quantum computers can show a bit better results, but it is still too slow to get your files back while you are alive.

The exact algorithm of encryption is next: malware scans each folder for the files it is able to encrypt. Then, when it finds the target, it makes a copy of your file, removes the original one, encrypts the copy and leaves it instead of the removed original. Such a procedure is done to prevent the situation when you have already opened the file, so ransomware is not able to read it because of the Windows restrictions. To each encrypted copy, the virus adds the specific extension - ".moqs". Then, ransomware creates a _readme.txt file in the folder where the encrypted file is located, and goes to the next folder.

Such an encryption method can be exploited for file recovery. Since the original file is deleted, you may try to recover it using the file recovery tools. The less time is passed - the bigger the chance to get your files back, so hurry up!

Another specific moment that can help you to use the files even after the encryption is the fact that Moqs ransomware encrypts only the first 150KB of each file. Hence, you can try to run a big file, such as video or music, without the encryption. Similar feature also works with other ransomware families - Dharma, Conti and Makop encrypt the same 150KB.

Ransom note: _readme.txt

Ransom note is the same for the whole ransomware family. In fact, it is one of the main signs of to which family the certain ransomware belongs. Here is the typical note for STOP/Djvu family:

Indicators of Compromise(IOC)

File Name	MD5	File Size
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	579d6e44ca1a31c9fd59b2be609fc338	715776
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	295b636a33123c6637710a85f81521a3	724992
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	04535d027119e09a31f99b3662094339	792064
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	0034fb4c9f4696e96869134f94de64e7	805376
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	0be025bf04921af9c118e9ca39f6f87e	805376
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	09658e82a53147211507d4586d098574	792064
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	16e20e1102df1349955260f57270c654	865792
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	0b862b9c889d4bdc6f0bac7d702d8753	805888
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	0e208d94bbad2063fe6866f1f73640db	857600
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	172185a84017f3c2378fcdd116437aa6	805376