How to remove Hhwq ransomware, Decrypt .hhwq files.

What is Hhwq virus?

Hhwq virus is a ransomware that belongs to the ransomware family called STOP (Djvu). Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts the victim’s files and demands a ransom for decrypting them. The Hhwq virus encrypts files, renames them by appending the .hhwq extension, and creates files named “_readme.txt” containing the ransom demand message. For example, a file named “image.jpg” will be renamed to “image.jpg.hhwq”, a “document.docx” file to “document.docx.hhwq”, “invoice.pdf” to “invoice.pdf.hhwq”, and so on.

QUICK LINKS

• What is Hhwq virus?
• Remove Hhwq virus (ransomware)
• Decrypt .hhwq files
• Restore .hhwq files
• Video Guide

Hhwq ransomware is a malware that is created to encrypt files located on the victim’s computer, and then extort money to decrypt them. Hhwq virus sneaks into the system without any visible symptoms, which is why users notice that their computer is infected too late, when the files are already encrypted.

Typically, ransomware like Hhwq can infect a computer when installing programs downloaded from torrent web-sites as well as when running cracked games, freeware, key generators and other similar software. Upon execution, the virus creates a directory in the Windows system directory, copies itself to this directory, changes some OS settings, and also collects information about the infected computer. After that, Hhwq virus tries to connect to its command server. If this succeeds, the virus sends data about the infected computer to the server, and from it receives a key (so-called ‘online key’) necessary for file encryption. If the connection to the command server has not been established, then the virus uses a fixed key (so-called ‘offline key’).

The online key and the offline key have a significant difference, which is that the online key is in the hands of criminals and cannot be hacked (obtained) in any way. The offline key is fixed and security researchers have a way to get it in some cases. This gives hope that the ransomware victims will be able to decrypt files without paying ransom.

Hhwq file is a file that has been encrypted by the Hhwq ransomware and therefore the contents of this file are locked. Each file that has been affected by the virus is renamed in such a way that the ‘.hhwq’ extension is added to its old name on the right. This means the following, if the file was named ‘document.docx’, then after it is encrypted, it will be called ‘document.docx.hhwq’. Each file on the victim’s computer becomes the target of the Hhwq virus. No matter where the file is located, on the internal drive or network storage, this file will be encrypted. The ransomware only does not encrypt files in the OS system directories, files with the extension .dll, .lnk, .bat, ini, .sys and files named ‘_readme.txt’. Thus, the following types of files can be encrypted:

.xxx, .pdf, .wps, .1, .mdbackup, .hplg, .esm, .sb, .sql, .bc7, .pst, .pfx, .xls, .wbk, .wpg, .gho, .rofl, .xll, .x, .vtf, .dazip, .mdb, .w3x, .hvpl, .litemod, .wp6, .itdb, .vpp_pc, .pem, .vcf, .wri, .icxs, .wcf, .wpw, .fos, .t12, .raf, .d3dbsp, .mdf, .bkf, .mlx, .ybk, .7z, .srw, .mpqge, .xpm, .js, .fpk, .xlsx, .kdc, .zip, .xbdoc, wallet, .odm, .snx, .xbplate, .wp4, .flv, .wdb, .avi, .arw, .zi, .wm, .xld, .svg, .crw, .epk, .ws, .xlsm, .wbm, .accdb, .odc, .sidn, .xwp, .cdr, .z, .zif, .z3d, .psd, .qdf, .das, .forge, .cas, .odb, .sav, .xlsx, .wpd, .sid, .p7c, .3ds, .yml, .xmmap, .ppt, .1st, .wav, .sie, .ibank, .indd, .xx, .ai, .lrf, .iwd, .kf, .0, .dbf, .m4a, .pkpass, .dmp, .db0, .wsc, .syncdb, .wpb, .bar, .3dm, .wb2, .yal, .wn, .bay, .blob, .raw, .vdf, .dcr, .p12, .wbc, .lvl, .wma, .mddata, .desc, .srf, .xmind, .bc6, .ysp, .x3f, .xlsb, .iwi, .bik, .pptm, .dwg, .wpe, .wpa, .pdd, .rim, .orf, .zw, .css, .mef, .wmd, .itm, .fsh, .wp5, .zdb, .mrwref, .sr2, .vpk, .ltx, .map, .docm, .y, .qic, .crt, .wmo, .re4, .asset, .xyw, .xdl, .ptx, .m2, .sum, .pef, .t13, .wsh, .csv, .webp, .ncf, .xf, .big, .2bp, .xls, .rar, .wdp, .mp4, .ods, .hkx, .pptx, .sidd, .lbf, .eps, .wsd, .layout, .png, .ntl, .doc, .wpl, .upk, .wp7, .vfs0, .wp, .docx, .odp, .odt, .x3f, .psk, .der, .mcmeta, .xlsm, .bsa, .m3u, .mov, .slm, .jpe, .xar, .zdc, .apk, .xyp, .rtf, .wpt, .rw2, .py, .ztmp, .nrw, .cer, .wps, .jpg, .itl, .menu, .hkdb, .dng, .bkp

As we said, ‘Hhwq file’ is an encrypted file. To decrypt it, you must use the key and the decryptor. This is reported by the authors of Hhwq virus, in a message that they leave on the infected computer. This message is in a file called ‘_readme.txt’. The criminals place such a file in every directory where there is at least one encrypted file. An example of the contents of this file is given below.

The contents of this file are a ransom demand message. Criminals report that all files on the computer are encrypted, and only the key and decryptor can decrypt these files and restore access to their contents. Attackers demand a ransom of $980 in exchange for a key and a decryptor. If the victim is ready to pay the ransom quickly, within 72 hours, the size of the ransom is halved to $490. The authors of the virus offer to decrypt one Hhwq file for free and thus prove the possibility that the files can be decrypted.

Text presented in the Hhwq ransomnote:

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-sac7bmVIKJ
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:
support@bestyourmail.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
supportsys@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
0520xxxxxxxx

Threat Summary

Name	Hhwq ransomware, Hhwq file virus
Type	File locker, Crypto malware, Filecoder, Ransomware, Crypto virus
File extension	.hhwq
Ransom note	_readme.txt
Contact	support@bestyourmail.ch, supportsys@airmail.cc
Ransom amount	$980 or $490 in Bitcoins
Detection Names	Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj], W32/Kryptik.GDH.gen!Eldorado, Trojan.Win32.CryptInject, W32/Packed.GBE!tr, Trojan.Win32.Scarsi.4!c, Ransom.Stop.P6, Trojan.Win32.Save.a, Trojan.MalPack.GS, Trojan:Win32/RedlineStealer.UA!MTB
Symptoms	When you try to open your file, Windows notifies that you do not have permission to open this file. Your files have odd extension appended at the end of the file name. Files named such as ”, ‘READ-ME’, ‘_open me’, _DECRYPT YOUR FILES’ or ‘_Your files have been encrypted” in every folder with an encrypted file. New files on your desktop, with name variants of: ‘HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt’, ‘DECRYPT.txt’ or ‘README.txt’.
Distribution methods	Malicious e-mail spam. Drive-by downloads (ransomware is able to infect the PC simply by visiting a web site that is running malicious code). Social media, such as web-based instant messaging applications. Flash Drives containing malicious software.
Removal	Hhwq virus removal guide
Decryption	Hhwq File Decrypt Tool
Recovery	Hhwq File Recovery Steps

 

Security researchers confirm that files with .hhwq extension are encrypted and to decrypt them you need to use a key and special software – decryptor. Fortunately there is a free Hhwq File Decypt Tool which is created by Emsisoft and named Stop (djvu) decryptor. This tool allows everyone to decrypt .hhwq files completely free. Unfortunately, this decryptor is limited in that it can only decrypt files encrypted with an offline key, files encrypted with an online key cannot yet be decrypted. The reason for this is that only the Hhwq ransomware creators have the online key and this key cannot be determined or cracked. In addition to using the Hhwq File Decypt Tool from Emsisoft, there are several other ways to restore the content of encrypted files.

The instructions below detail how to remove Hhwq ransomware virus, decrypt .hhwq files, and also how to recover encrypted files if the decryptor failed to decrypt the files. Read the entire manual carefully. To make it easier for you to follow the instructions, we recommend that you print it or open it on your smartphone.

How to remove Hhwq ransomware virus

Before you start decrypting or recovering .hhwq files, you need to remove Hhwq ransomware and its autostart entries. This must be done since otherwise the ransomware may re-encrypt the restored files. You can stop the ransomware from working, as it is not difficult to do. Another option is to perform a full system scan using free malware removal tools capable of detecting and removing ransomware infection.

It is very important to scan the computer for malware, as security researchers found that spyware could be installed on the infected computer along with the Hhwq ransomware. Spyware is a very dangerous security threat as it is designed to steal the user’s personal information such as passwords, logins, contact details, etc. If you have any difficulty removing the Hhwq virus, then let us know in the comments, we will try to help you.

To remove Hhwq ransomware, follow the steps below:

1. Kill Hhwq virus
2. Disable Hhwq Start-Up
3. Delete Hhwq Task
4. Remove Hhwq virus

Kill Hhwq virus

Press CTRL, ALT, DEL keys together.

Click Task Manager. Select the “Processes” tab, look for something suspicious that is the Hhwq ransomware then right-click it and select “End Task” or “End Process” option. If your Task Manager does not open or the Windows reports “Task manager has been disabled by your administrator”, then follow the guide: How to Fix Task manager has been disabled by your administrator.

It is not difficult to detect a process related to the Hhwq ransomware. When looking for a malicious process, pay attention to the process icon and its name. Most often, this ransomware has a process name in the following format: 4-characters.tmp.exe or 4-characters.exe. For example: C5D0.tmp.exe, b3c0.tmp.exe, A78C.tmp.exe, cd32.exe. The process name can also contain “(32 bit)”. If you do not find a process with a similar name in the list of processes, then most likely the Hhwq ransomware has finished working. But keep in mind, if you do not remove the ransomware autostart entries, as demonstrated below, and do not delete its file, then after a while it may start again, and if it finds unencrypted files, immediately encrypt them.

Disable Hhwq Start-Up

Select the “Start-Up” tab, look for something similar to the one shown in the example below, right click to it and select Disable.

Close Task Manager.

Delete Hhwq Task

Type “Task Scheduler” in the search bar. Click Task Scheduler app in the search results. Click “Task Scheduler Library” in the left panel. On the right panel, right-click to “Time Trigger Task” and select Delete.

Close Task Scheduler.

Remove Hhwq virus

Run Task Manager and select the “Start-Up” tab. Right click to the Hhwq ransomware Start-Up entry and select Open File Location as shown below.

A directory containing one file will open in front of you, this file is the Hhwq virus. It needs to be removed. If you try to delete it immediately, then you will not succeed, since this file is protected from deletion.

To delete this file, you need to do the following. Right-click on the file, select Properties. In the window that opens, select Security tab. Next, click the Advanced button below. A window will open as shown in the following example.

Click Disable inheritance. In the Block inheritance dialog box that opens, select the first item (Convert inherited permissions…) as shown below.

In the Permission entries list, select “Deny Everyone”, click Remove button and then OK. Close the file properties window. You should now be able to remove the Hhwq virus. Right-click on the file and select Delete.

Scan computer for malware

MalwareBytes is a malware removal tool that can be used to remove spyware, trojans, worms, adware, malware, ransomware and other security threats. This program is one of the most efficient anti-malware tools. It helps in ransomware removal and and defends all other types of malware. One of the biggest advantages of using MalwareBytes Anti Malware is that is easy to use and is free. Also, it constantly keeps updating its virus/malware signatures DB. Let’s see how to install and scan your computer with MalwareBytes in order to remove Hhwq ransomware from the computer.

Installing the MalwareBytes is simple. First you’ll need to download it from the following link. Save it to your Desktop.

When the download is complete, close all apps and windows on your device. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s called MBSetup as displayed in the following example.

When the installation begins, you will see the Setup wizard which will help you setup Malwarebytes on your computer.

Once the installation is done, you will see window similar to the one below.

Now click the “Scan” button to scan your computer for the Hhwq ransomware, spyware, worms, trojans and other malware. This process can take some time, so please be patient. When a threat is detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

When the scan is done, MalwareBytes will show a list of malware found on the computer. Review the list and then click “Quarantine” button.

Malwarebytes will now move the selected threats to the program’s quarantine. Once disinfection is complete, you may be prompted to reboot your computer.

In order to be 100% sure that the computer no longer has the Hhwq malware, we recommend using the Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT). This tool, as its name suggests, is created by the Kaspersky lab and uses the core of the Kaspersky Antivirus. Unlike the Kaspersky Antivirus, KVRT has a smaller size and, most importantly, it can work together with an already installed antivirus software. This utility has great capabilities and therefore we suggest using KVRT in the last turn to be sure that the Hhwq ransomware virus has been removed.

Download KVRT on your personal computer from the following link.

After downloading is finished, double-click on the KVRT icon. Once initialization procedure is complete, you’ll see the Kaspersky virus removal tool screen like below.

Click Change Parameters and set a check near all your drives. Press OK to close the Parameters window. Next click Start scan button to perform a system scan for the Hhwq ransomware. A scan may take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your PC and the speed of your PC. When a threat is found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

When Kaspersky virus removal tool is finished scanning your device, it will prepare a list of found threats similar to the one below.

Once you have selected what you wish to delete from your computer press on Continue to begin a cleaning task.

How to decrypt .hhwq files

All files with .hhwq extension are encrypted and the only way to access their contents is to decrypt them. To decrypt .hhwq files, you need to use a unique key and the Hhwq File Decypt Tool. As we said above, Emsisoft company was able to create a decryptor and found a way to obtain the key that was used to encrypt the files. This allows victims of the virus to decrypt .hhwq files for free.

To decrypt .hhwq files, use free Hhwq File Decypt Tool

• Download Hhwq File Decypt Tool from the following link.
  STOP Djvu decryptor
• Scroll down to ‘New Djvu ransomware’ section.
• Click the download link and save the decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe file to your desktop.
• Run decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe, read the license terms and instructions.
• On the ‘Decryptor’ tab, using the ‘Add a folder’ button, add the directory or disk where the encrypted files are located.
• Click the ‘Decrypt’ button.

Hhwq File Decypt Tool is a free software that can decrypt files that were encrypted with an offline key, as Emsisoft found a way to obtain the key. Unfortunately, files encrypted with an online key cannot yet be decrypted. The online key is unique to each infected computer, and at the moment there is no way to find this key. Of course, criminals have this key, but we do not think that paying a ransom is a way to decrypt .hhwq files. In the case when the files are encrypted with an online key, there is a chance to restore the encrypted files using alternative methods, which are described below.

How to find out which key was used to encrypt files

Below we show two ways to help you determine what type of key was used to encrypt the files. This is very important, since the type of key determines whether it is possible to decrypt .hhwq files for free. We recommend using the second method, as it is more accurate.

Find out the type of key using ‘_readme.txt’ file

• Open the ransom demand message (‘_readme.txt’ file).
• Scroll down to the end of the file.
• There you will see a line with the text ‘Your personal ID’.
• Below is a line of characters that starts with ‘0520’ – this is your personal id.

Find out the type of key using ‘PersonalID.txt’ file

• Open disk C.
• Open directory ‘SystemID’.
• Open file named ‘PersonalID.txt’. This file lists ‘Personal ID’s that match the keys that the virus used to encrypt files.

The ‘Personal ID’ is not a key, it is an identifier related to a key that was used to encrypt files. If the ID ends with ‘t1’, then the files are encrypted with an offline key. If the ID does not end with ‘t1’, Hhwq ransomware virus used an online key. If you could not figure out how to determine which key was used to encrypt files, then we can help. Just write a request here or in the comments below.

Hhwq File Decrypt Tool : “No key for New Variant online ID”

If, when you try to decrypt .hhwq files, Hhwq File Decrypt Tool reports:

No key for New Variant online ID: *
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible

It means that your files are encrypted with an ‘online key’ and their decryption is impossible, since only the hhwq authors have the key necessary for decryption. In this case, you need to use alternative methods listed below to restore the contents of encrypted files.

Hhwq File Decrypt Tool : “No key for New Variant offline ID”

If, during decryption of .hhwq files, Hhwq File Decrypt Tool reports:

No key for New Variant offline ID: *t1
Notice: this ID appears be an offline ID, decryption MAY be possible in the future.

It means the following: your files are encrypted with an ‘offline key’, but the key itself has not yet been obtained by security researchers, in this case, you need to be patient and wait a while, in addition, you can also use alternative ways for recovering encrypted data.

If for some reason you were unable to decrypt the encrypted files, then We recommend to follow the news on our Facebook or YouTube channels. So you ‘ll know right away that it ‘s possible to decrypt .hhwq files.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to use STOP Djvu decryptor to Decrypt encrypted files.

How to restore .hhwq files

If your files were encrypted with .hhwq extension, then there is a chance that you can recover the files without decryption. We recommend using PhotoRec and ShadowExplorer that are designed to find and recover lost and deleted data. Mostly such programs are paid, but these tools can restore your files for free. Each of these tools has helped many times to recover files after ransomware infection in what would seem to be the most hopeless cases. We want to remind you that before you try to recover files, you need to check your computer for ransomware using free malware removal tools. It is very important to find the Hhwq virus and completely remove it.

Restore .hhwq files with ShadowExplorer

There is one very useful feature in modern versions of Windows OS. Windows automatically makes copies of the files you use. These copies are called “volume shadow copies” and are not directly visible to the user. ShadowExplorer will allow you to easily access these files and thus restore the original state of the encrypted files. Of course, not everything is so simple, unfortunately, very often ransomware deletes these copies, thereby preventing simple recovery of encrypted files. But in some cases, copies of the files remain and allow you to quickly restore the files. Therefore, in our opinion, you need to try this method.

Visit the following page to download ShadowExplorer. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.

Once downloading is complete, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to ShadowExplorer-0.9-portable and select Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the ShadowExplorerPortable folder as shown on the screen below.

Double click ShadowExplorerPortable to start it. You will see the a window as shown below.

In top left corner, choose a Drive where encrypted files are stored and a latest restore point similar to the one below (1 – drive, 2 – restore point).

On right panel look for a file that you want to restore, right click to it and select Export such as the one below.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to recover encrypted files using Shadow Explorer.

Use PhotoRec to recover .hhwq files

Another very good way to recover .hhwq files is to use a tool that finds and recovers deleted files. We recommend using PhotoRec. This is one of the few programs that allows you to do this for free. The reason that you can recover encrypted files using this method is simple – when you or any program, including ransomware, deletes a file, this file is not deleted, Windows marks it as deleted and hides it. PhotoRec finds such deleted files and restores them. Thus, at the output you get files in an unencrypted state. The only thing I want to draw your attention to is that the less you use your computer after a ransomware infection, the better your chances of recovering encrypted files.

Download PhotoRec by clicking on the following link. Save it on your MS Windows desktop.

When the downloading process is finished, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to testdisk-7.0.win and choose Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the testdisk-7.0 folder as displayed on the screen below.

Double click on qphotorec_win to run PhotoRec for Windows. It will display a screen like the one below.

Choose a drive to recover like below.

You will see a list of available partitions. Choose a partition that holds encrypted documents, photos and music as displayed in the following example.

Click File Formats button and specify file types to recover. You can to enable or disable the recovery of certain file types. When this is done, click OK button.

Next, press Browse button to select where restored personal files should be written, then click Search. We strongly recommend that you save the recovered files to an external drive.

Count of restored files is updated in real time. All restored personal files are written in a folder that you have selected on the previous step. You can to access the files even if the recovery process is not finished.

When the restore is complete, press on Quit button. Next, open the directory where recovered files are stored. You will see a contents as on the image below.

All restored photos, documents and music are written in recup_dir.1, recup_dir.2 … sub-directories. If you are looking for a specific file, then you can to sort your recovered files by extension and/or date/time.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to recover encrypted files using PhotoRec.

How to protect computer from Hhwq ransomware

Most antivirus programs already have built-in protection system against the ransomware virus. Therefore, if your PC does not have an antivirus, make sure you install it. As an extra protection, use HitmanPro.Alert. HitmanPro.Alert is a small security utility. It can check the system integrity and alerts you when critical system functions are affected by malware. HitmanPro.Alert can detect, remove, and reverse ransomware effects.

Download HitmanPro.Alert by clicking on the following link. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.

When downloading is done, open the folder in which you saved it. You will see an icon like below.

Double click the HitmanPro.Alert desktop icon. After the tool is launched, you’ll be displayed a window where you can choose a level of protection, as shown on the image below.

Now click the Install button to activate the protection.

To sum up

This guide was created to help all victims of Hhwq ransomware virus. We tried to give answers to the following questions: how to remove Hhwq ransomware; how to decrypt .hhwq files; how to recover encrypted files; what is an online key and what is an offline key. We hope that the information presented in this manual has helped you.

If you have questions, then write to us, leaving a comment below. If you need more help with Hhwq related issues, go to here.