Kvag Ransomware

The Kvag Ransomware is a file-locker Trojan from the family of STOP Ransomware or Djvu Ransomware. Its encryption feature blocks most formats of media on the infected PC, and it removes default Windows backups. You can back your content up to other devices for the best recovery solution or depend on anti-malware products for deleting the Kvag Ransomware before it begins locking content.

Another Campaign Converting Strangers' Work into Ransoms

The Kvag Ransomware is a recent addition to the Ransomware-as-a-Service or RaaS family of the STOP Ransomware. This underground business, which hires itself out to third-party criminals, often attacks Southeast Asian residents and can circulate through torrents, Exploit Kits and direct hacks of vulnerable servers. Like the Trojan's many kin, the Kvag Ransomware offers a flexible encryption method that, for most victims, will keep their files from being usable, unless they take the risk of paying a ransom that may not help.

The Kvag Ransomware targets dozens of formats of media with its encryption attack, including omnipresent ones like PDFs, DOCs, JPGs and XLSes. Besides the primary, AES algorithm, it also uses an RSA layer for preventing security researchers from cracking it. It may use an internal version or download a dynamic one, and defaults to the former when it can't connect to its server. As a result, disabling one's network connection may help with possible decryption solutions, although the Kvag Ransomware infections may show few to no symptoms, at first.

The different extension that the Kvag Ransomware adds to these files, found in its name, is the primary point that separates it from other RaaS Trojans of the STOP Ransomware family. Otherwise, it adheres to norms established by ancestors like the Cetori Ransomware, the Domn Ransomware, the Masodas Ransomware and the Peta Ransomware. These standards include the automatic deletion of the Restore Points, which would be most Windows users' first resort for recovering locked data.

Taking the Money out of the RaaS Sector

Past decryption solutions for the STOP Ransomware depend on cryptography keys that aren't relevant to its current releases. Given this limitation also holds for other families, like the Scarab Ransomware, malware experts are continuing to recommend best practices in backup strategies as an ideal defense. Any files with monetary or personal value always should have another copy on a separate device, preferably, one with physical or login-based security barriers.

The Kvag Ransomware's infection vectors haven't received an in-depth examination and may include various strategies. Many versions of STOP Ransomware use fake downloads through torrents and product piracy websites for circulating. Others may take advantage of built-in software weaknesses like CVE-2019-3568 (most often associated with spyware attacks). Administrators can patch software and use strong credentials for limiting the risks.

Decryption or unlocking isn't a service that most anti-malware suites provide. However, most vendors should provide products suitable for deleting the Kvag Ransomware, whose families includes limited evasion features.

The Kvag Ransomware could become quite a problem for anyone who isn't copying their work to a USB or cloud server day. One person's security oversight can, unfortunately, become the money that keeps a Black Market industry going.