Uninstall Piiq virus (Recovery Instructions Included) - virus

Description of Piiq file virus

Piiq ransomware is the threat that extorts money from victims whose files get encrypted

The threat is focused on the direct ransom demand

Piiq file virus is malware based on blackmail and file damage. The first thing that the infection does once the system is infiltrated – check for files that can be encoded. The minute that is done, a ransom demand message can appear on the computer. This money asking message appears on the desktop in the form of _readme.txt file. The message can also get placed in folders containing those encoded pieces. This piece of file delivers a direct message from criminals who created the threat.

Unfortunately, the group of hackers who developed this malware are known already. This Djvu ransomware family is considered one of the most dangerous in the field of ransomware threats. The later versions get advanced updates and improvements, so decryption – the only way to get your files back to the original state, is impossible. Of course, there are some alternate options for file recovery, but even the existing decryption tool cannot recover files affected by all versions of the malware. The offline vs online ID formation method determines if the existing Emsisofts' decrypted can work for your files or not.

The newer versions of this family, including the Piiq virus, rely on online keys unique to each individual victim of the virus. When it comes to offline IDs, researchers only need to obtain one decryption key for a particular version if the ransomware and other victims can get their pieces of data restored. That is very uncommon and rare, so we recommend removing the threat instead of expecting to get data decrypted.

The ransom message that criminals deliver after successful encoding of data:

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:
hxxps://we.tl/t-9CYW99VhUR
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:
helpteam@mail.ch

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

Your personal ID:

Piiq ransomware creators rely on the convincing message, and the discount promised in this note can encourage people to pay the said amount of $980 in the form of Bitcoin. However, even contacting these criminals can be dangerous since the only purpose of this malware is to get money. Do not consider paying an option, better go through the listed options and solutions once you removed the infection.

The malicious infection finds its way on your machine when the infectious file is opened and launched on the targeted machine. The attack is starting when the ransomware can find files commonly used on the said machine. Encryption algorithms get launched, and those pictures, documents, video, audio files get locked once the original code is altered.

Even though there are discount offers and the ransom note seems convincing enough, you should stay away from contacting creators of the Piiq ransomware. This is the way to avoid further damage and issue switch the machine. Threat actors can disappear once you deliver the payment and files remain affected, but you lose money.

However, there is an option for some of the versions in this Djvu family – a decryption tool that works with offline ids. You should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to mention that this tool will not work for everyone due to malware methods of encrypting files differently.

Encoding file virus marks data with a unique appendix

Even if your case meets this condition, somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately. Thus, if the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. You also need to upload a set of files – one encrypted and a healthy one to the company's servers before you proceed.

• Download the app from the official Emsisoft website.
• After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up – click it.
• If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
• Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.
  
• After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
• The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
• Press Decrypt.
  

From here, there are three available outcomes:

1. “Decrypted!” will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully – they are now usable again.
2. “Error: Unable to decrypt the file with ID:” means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
3. “This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible” – you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.

The most important step – virus removal

Such infection can cause more damage than file encryption because it alters files and settings on the system directly to ensure that the needed processes get to run with every reboot and all the functions are controlled by the ransomware. This is crucial since all the alterations lead to failed functions, disabled programs, and featured of the OS. It is possible that ransomware releases additional malware payloads and triggers security tools or different applications to get shut down.

You need to run proper anti-malware tools and remove the threat completely, so there are no risks that the secondary encryption round would go off. This could damage those .piiq marked pieces again and permanently. If you add any copies of the affected pieces on the machine – data also gets encrypted, so run SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner before doing anything else and make sure to eliminate the infection.

The detection rate determines what tool can be used to remove the threat

The AV detection shows that there are tools that can find those files and remove them completely. Making the system virus-free can improve the performance too. Apps like Malwarebytes can eliminate all malware that you had no knowledge about. Then the only option is to repair affected parts of the system with tools like PC recovery apps.

Since ransomware runs in the background, it can affect various places, so the full check for virus damage can improve the performance, help prepare for the file recovery. You need to have a safe environment where recovered or files or data copies can go without the possibility of getting damaged.

Other options for Piiq file recovery

Piiq ransomware is one of the more dangerous threats of the advanced encryption methods and algorithms used, but data backups and particular restoring software can help recover after the infection. Decryption options are limited, but backing your files can always help with such infections. There are additional options, too, however.

Paying criminals is also very risky, as they might not fulfill the promises and never send back the required decryption tool. Not all is lost – data recovery software might be able to help you in some situations (it highly depends on the encryption algorithm used, whether ransomware managed to complete the programmed tasks, etc.).

Since there are thousands of different ransomware strains, it is immediately impossible to tell whether third-party software will work for you. Therefore, we suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation.

Remember that the Piiq file virus affects various parts of the machine, so the device operates differently. You need to repair those databases, Windows registry, restore corrupt DLL files and other data. It can be done with FortectIntego automatically. It is not easy or quick, so pay attention to the wizard and fully remove the threat and restore files before adding backups on the machine. Do not pay these criminals, Djvu is known for years now ant the method of releasing three versions of the malware a week helps to make a profit. Money is the main goal, so your files and belongings are not a priority for the group of hackers.