CADQ virus not only damages your files, it also installs a password-stealing AZORULT Trojan on the system. This malware is capable of stealing sensitive information including login credentials, cryptocurrency, browser cookies and related data from the system and uploading it to criminals’ Command&Control server. The ransomware then deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the infected computer to prevent victim from restoring part of the data for free. To make matters even worse, it adds a list of computer-related domains to Windows HOSTS file, which blocks victim’s access to them. Common symptom of STOP/DJVU infection is a fake Windows update screen the ransomware displays via updatewin.exe process to justify sudden system slowdown.

Ransomware developers demand paying a ransom for data decryption

CADQ ransomware that infected your Windows PC was created to be a virtual extortion tool for cybercriminals. Its main purpose is to lock files on your computer and keep the decryption key on criminals’ servers. This key can recover your files, but cybercriminals want money for it. The whole scheme is explained in _readme.txt note dropped in every infected folder. The criminals reassure the victim that files can be recovered, and that the victim can even test the decryption tool by sending one encrypted file to the criminals via provided emails. The attackers promise to respond with further information and a decrypted file version. However, the note warns not to send a large file or one that contains valuable information – the criminals are afraid that decryption of such file would repel the victim from paying the ransom. If the victim wants to purchase the .cadq decryption tool, the criminals provide their conditions regarding its price. According to the note, if the victim reaches out to them within 72 hours, the ransom price will be $490. Otherwise, it rises to $980. The only way to contact the attackers is writing to given emails – helpteam@mail.ch and helpmanager@airmail.cc. Let us remind you that paying ransoms to cybercriminals is never a good idea. In certain cases, the crooks do not provide working tools for data decryption. Moreover, paying for criminals and supporting their filthy business simply is wrong and keeps the whole cybercrime industry going. Finally, you should know that paying the ransom is illegal in certain nations. To protect your computer from further infections and secure it, we recommend you to install a good anti-malware software of your choice and remove CADQ ransomware virus safely. To get rid of unwanted remains and repair virus damage on Windows OS files, consider downloading and scanning with RESTORO.

Learn to avoid ransomware infections: common distribution tricks

When it comes to CADQ ransomware ransomware distribution, it is essentially similar to the one used to spread previous versions of STOP/DJVU, such as COSD, OMFL, WBXD, YGKZ and others. These viruses typically await in various illegal torrents, mostly ones that promise paid software versions for free (include cracks or keygens). Once the victim launches the installer or keygen, it downloads the ransomware from external source and runs it on the system. The risk to download this ransomware is high if you tend to look for Adobe Photoshop or game cracks. The strategy to spread malware via torrent downloads is extremely successful, because computer users often ignore security software warnings about their maliciousness. However, we’d like to remind you that almost nothing comes for free, especially cracked software. If it is not a hidden ransomware, it can drag a silent Trojan or rootkit into your system and cause a lot of damage for your privacy. Another popular ransomware distribution technique that you should beware of is malicious email spam. Although many people know about it, the attackers are improving their skills as well. They are capable of composing highly convincing messages, logos, images and other details, spoofing sender’s email (learn how to identify spoofed address), and inserting malicious scripts into a wide range of file formats to attach. Finally, you should beware of fake Java or other software update ads online. Since this software is available on almost every computer, just like Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable and other packs, it is easy to convince inexperienced users to install an update for it. However, such programs should be downloaded or updated from official websites only. Fake update tools come bundled with various spyware or malware applications that can severely damage your computer and privacy.

Remove CADQ ransomware virus easily and recover encrypted files

We recommend using a professional antivirus or anti-malware software to remove CADQ ransomware virus from your Windows computer safely. However, before you start, you should reboot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking first. You can find detailed virus removal instructions down below this article. Finally, do not forget to cleanse any remains and repair virus damage on Windows OS files using RESTORO. As soon as you complete CADQ ransomware removal, you should report Internet crime incident to a respective institution in your country. You can find a list of references below. Next, we strongly recommend you to change passwords for all accounts that you had saved in your browsers, and most importantly, secure your email accounts (ideally, using 2FA). To recover or repair files, use the tools suggested below, or use data backup. OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system: GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs. Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer. Read full review here. RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically. RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them. Read full review here.

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove CADQ Ransomware Virus virus, you must start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Below, we provide the easiest ways to boot PC in the said mode, but you can find additional ones in this in-depth tutorial on our website – How to Start Windows in Safe Mode. Also, if you prefer a video version of the tutorial, check our guide How to Start Windows in Safe Mode on Youtube. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users Now, you can search for and remove CADQ Ransomware Virus files. It is very hard to identify files and registry keys that belong to the ransomware virus, Besides, malware creators tend to rename and change them repeatedly. Therefore, the easiest way to uninstall such type of a computer virus is to use a reliable security program such as INTEGO Antivirus. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users After restoring the system, we recommend scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware software. In most cases, there won’t be any malware remains, but it never hurts to double-check. In addition, we highly recommend checking ransomware prevention guidelines provided by our experts in order to protect your PC against similar viruses in the future.

Alternative software recommendations

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense If you’re looking for an all-in-one system maintenance suite that has 7 core components providing powerful real-time protection, on-demand malware removal, system optimization, data recovery, password manager, online privacy protection and secure driver wiping technology. Therefore, due to its wide-range of capabilities, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense deserves Geek’s Advice approval. Get it now for 50% off. You may also be interested in its full review.

Disclaimer. This site includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission by recommending certain products, at no additional cost for you. We only choose quality software and services to recommend.

Decrypt CADQ files

Fix and open large CADQ files easily:

It is reported that STOP/DJVU ransomware versions encrypt only the beginning 150 KB of each file to ensure that the virus manages to affect all files on the system. In some cases, the malicious program might skip some files at all. That said, we recommend testing this method on several big (>1GB) files first.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. CADQ Ransomware Virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like BPTO, ISWR, ISZA, BPSM, ZOUU, MBTF, ZNSM (find full list here). This means full data decryption is now possible only if you have been affected by offline encryption key. To decrypt your files, you will have to download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP DJVU, a tool created and maintained by a genius security researcher Michael Gillespie. Note! Please do not spam the security researcher with questions whether he can recover your files encrypted with online key - it is not possible. In order to test the tool and see if it can decrypt CADQ files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The CADQ decryption tool might display several different messages after failed attempt to restore your files. You might receive one of the following messages: Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [example ID] This message typically means that there is no corresponding decryption key in the decryptor’s database. No key for New Variant online ID: [example ID]Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible This message informs that your files were encrypted with online key, meaning no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair, therefore data recovery without paying the criminals is impossible. Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future. If you were informed that an offline key was used, but files could not be restored, it means that the offline decryption key isn’t available yet. However, receiving this message is extremely good news, meaning that it might be possible to restore your CADQ extension files in the future. It can take a few months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. We recommend you to follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here. We strongly recommend backing up your encrypted data and waiting.

Victims of CADQ Ransomware Virus should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:

In the United States, go to the On Guard Online website.In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website.In Germany, go to the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik website.In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website.In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs Scams website.In the United Kingdom, go to the Action Fraud website.In Canada, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.In India, go to Indian National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.In France, go to the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information.

If you can’t find an authority corresponding to your location on this list, we recommend using any search engine to look up “[your country name] report cyber crime”. This should lead you to the right authority website. We also recommend staying away from third-party crime report services that are often paid. It costs nothing to report Internet crime to official authorities. Another recommendation is to contact your country’s or region’s federal police or communications authority.