Vatq Virus Ransomware (.vatq File)

Vatq Virus is a strain within the STOP/Djvu Ransomware family, employing the Salsa20 encryption algorithm to encrypt files on compromised systems. Victims are coerced into paying a ransom ranging from $490 to $980 in Bitcoins for the decryption key.

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About Vatq Ransomware:


NameVatq Virus
Version0716
File Extension.vatq
Contact[email protected], [email protected]
FamilySTOP/Djvu Ransomware
Note_readme.txt
Offline IDBUcuB8PRg0LNi380axIJs5BS8nCUdeo9U88L2Lt1
Last seenMay 29, 2023
AlgorithmSalsa20 encryption. If Vatq cannot establish a connection to crooks server before starting the encryption process, it uses the offline key. This key is the same for all victims(!), making it possible to decrypt .vatq files in the future.
RansomFrom $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins)
Damage
  1. ⮞ Can delete Volume Shadow copies to make victim’s attempts to restore data impossible;
  2. ⮞ Adds a list of domains to HOSTS file to block access to certain security-related sites;
  3. ⮞ Installs password-stealing trojan virus, like Redline Stealer, Vidar Stealer, Smokeloader, Azorult and others;
DistributionThird-party downloaders, installers, peer-to-peer networks, RDP exploits, etc.,
RSA Public Key-----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY----- MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEA50iTgpK4WqHRCxsCP+Ko i6Rfb9WWM4K/vgKVvZi/+pA7wR6QvFBURdJ1Z9mdw8kYkafMfVuTEgbW+j4RDepy RMc6ZcYdxsu2f4+XgrCWmwJw8wVmodWyLZqqeb1k4FONQs+uAP0AxLLTUbcAfP75 gGAW9KhqPhoYKVhzDqtFOqCvYqMylrgCNwHpTp75Bv5up3OfAE5h6+t/TfjQjDFJ JY0Tgum721KiGGppZfsBDqY1Zv/F45h+MVk9mhfvBd3UZNJUZI5ewP1zbnOU1llz dETA6WbQWWm4u4pamw3U0ZLnFDJQkUgOAbxOfVM4xpi0lrPyV+oTCXnpOgcF4YvU 2wIDAQAB -----END PUBLIC KEY-----
Other variants
  • Vaze Ransomware (.vaze encrypted files)
  • Gapo Ransomware (.gapo encrypted files)
  • Gatq Ransomware (.gatq encrypted files)
  • Vatq Virus Ransomware (.vatq) File - How does it work?

    What is Vatq ransomware?

    The appearance of the .vatq files on your computer mean that you are attacked by Vatq ransomware. This malware is targeted at your wallet - it encrypts the files and then asks you to pay the ransom to decrypt them. Before the encryption, it makes several changes in your system to disable any security mechanisms and prevent the launch of antivirus programs.

    Vatq ransomware uses Salsa20 encryption. This cipher is not the most strong encryption but still cannot be decrypted in familiar ways.

    The changes Vatq virus does to the security of your system are pretty heavy. The malware disables the Microsoft Defender and alters some configurations, so you will not launch the installation files of most antivirus tools. It also changes the HOSTS file, leading to an inability to open some of the websites with ransomware removal and file decryption guides.

    Encryption process

    The Vatq 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 - ".vatq". Then, ransomware creates a _readme.txt file in the folder where the encrypted file is located, and goes to the next folder.

    .VATQ Files

    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 Vatq 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:

    ATTENTION!

    Don't worry, you can return all your files!
    All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
    The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
    This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
    What guarantees you have?
    You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
    But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
    You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
    https://we.tl/t-tnzomMj6HU
    Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
    Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
    Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
    Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.


    To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
    [email protected]

    Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
    [email protected]

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    🔗 HowToFix.Guide: How To Decrypt .vatq Files?

    Indicators of Compromise(IOC)

    File NameMD5File Size
    📜 SAMPLE.EXEfe874c2a0e2a364b007af13709abf8a0800768
    📜 SAMPLE.EXE15bc205c2caf7196ee2267087c3b2bb8809984
    📜 SAMPLE.EXE6c09e099c3187d9b5bf048b08ea1f87b1273856