Remove MLRD Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .mlrd Files)

Mlrd ransomware is a type of computer virus that injects your system, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these bad activities, that malware also changes some important settings and can even stop your security tool.

Mlrd ransomware – what is it?

Mlrd virus can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu ransomware family. That type of computer virus is targeted at single users. This specification supposes that Mlrd does not bring any type of additional viruses, which sometimes helps ransomware of other families to control your system. Because of the fact that the majority users do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no reason to download other malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The typical signs of Mlrd virus activity is the appearance of .mlrd files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.mlrd, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.mlrd and so on. You cannot to stop this action, and can’t open these files – they are encrypted with quite strong cipher.

You can also spectate various other signs of malware activity. Spontaneously blocked Microsoft Defender and inability to open the famous anti-malware forums or web pages, where the malware removal and decryption guides are posted. You will see how it is conducted in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – read below how to delete Mlrd virus and get the .mlrd files back.

How did Mlrd ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Mlrd ransomware creates a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by virus maintainers – people who manage the distribution of this malware. Another activity which is conducted by these crooks is answering the emails of victims, who intend to get their files back.

The documents are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The “256” digit in the name of this algorithms means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption password variations – it is impossible to brute force it. As analysts say, it will take more time than our planet can approximately exist, even when you use the most powerful computers. In each folder that has the encrypted file(s), Mlrd virus creates the _readme.txt file with the following contents:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like photos, 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-WJa63R98Ku

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@fishmail.top

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nevertheless, you can still run some of your documents. The Mlrd ransomware encrypts only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other piece of this document can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are surely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player can open these files – WinAmp is the best choice, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each recording will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Mlrd ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was mentioned several paragraphs above, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Mlrd malware makes the changes in your operating system in order to prevent searching the virus removal and file decryption guides. Malware does not establish the software barrier – it just alters the system settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Among the networking settings, the most changed item is the HOSTS file. This text file keeps the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the web browsers while requesting to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain website, your browser will connect that site through that DNS next time. Ransomware alters that file, adding the unknown DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other changes done by the ransomware are aimed at prevention of operative spotting of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Mlrd virus makes several modifications in Group Policies – the system configuration interface which gives you the right to modify the rights of each application. In such a way, malware disables the Microsoft Defender and various other security tools, as well as disables the launch of anti-malware installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using questionable programs as the main way of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious programs I mean programs that are already not updated by the maintainer and distributed through the third-party websites. These applications may be hacked, to make them possible to use without purchasing any license. One more example of such a program type is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This kind of programs may be distributed in many ways – through the site that offers a downloading link, or through the peer-to-peer networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are known as the biggest computer piracy resources. Folks use these pages to get different apps or games for free, even if they must be purchased. No one can stop the users who hack these apps from adding viruses of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw actions, so their creators may easily add the virus under the guise of some program part.

These hacked apps, regardless of their source, are one of the most often sources for various malware, and surely the most popular one for Mlrd malware. The best solution is to avoid using of it, and not only because of ransomware injection risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an outlaw action, and both hackers and users who make use of cracked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Mlrd malware?

The Mlrd ransomware is extremely hard to delete manually. In fact, because of the amount of modifications it makes in your system, it is almost unreal to spot them all and repair. The best decision is to make use of antivirus programs. But which one to choose?

You may spectate the offers to use Microsoft Defender, which is already inside of your Windows. But as it was mentioned earlier, the majority of STOP/Djvu virus examples block it even before the encryption procedure. Making use of the third-party program is the only solution – and I can advice you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the Mlrd ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, that is heavily needed after the Mlrd virus attack.

To remove Mlrd malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Malware removal is needed to prevent the repeating encryption of your files: while Mlrd ransomware is active, it will not pass any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .mlrd files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Mlrd ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed with a special tool, designed by Emsisoft, and named Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is absolutely free. Analysts update its decryption keys databases as often as possible, so you will surely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another way to get your files back is to try to recover them from your disk drives. Since Mlrd virus deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the files are still kept on the disk. After the deletion, the information about them is removed from the file system, but not from a disk. Special tools, like PhotoRec, are able to recover these files. It is free, too, and may also be used for file recovery in case when you have deleted some files unintentionally.

Decrypting the .mlrd files with Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu

Download and install Emsisoft Decrypter tool. Agree with its EULA and continue to the interface.

The interface of this program is extremely easy. All you have to do is to select the folder where the encrypted files are stored, and wait. If the program has the decryption key which corresponds to your ransomware case – it will decrypt it.

During the use of Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu, you may observe various error messages. Don’t worry, that does not mean that you did something wrong or a program does not work properly. Each of these errors refer to a specific case. Here is the explanation:

Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]

The program does not have a corresponding key for your case. You need to wait for some time until the key database will be updated.

No key for new variant online ID: [your ID]

Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible.

This error means that your files are encrypted with an online key. In such a case, the decryption key is unique and stored on the remote server, controlled by crooks. Unfortunately, the decryption 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.

Ransomware uses the offline key to encrypt your files. This key is not unique, so you likely have it in common with another victim. Since offline keys must be collected, too, it is important to keep calm and wait until the analysts team finds one which will fit your case.

Remote name could not be resolved

This error indicates that the program has problems with DNS on your computer. That’s a clear sign of malicious alterations in your HOSTS file. Reset it using the official Microsoft guide.

Recovering the .mlrd files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk drive. It checks each disk sector for the remains of deleted files, and then attempts to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different formats. Because of the described feature of ransomware encryption mechanism, it is possible to use this tool to get the original, unencrypted files back.

Download PhotoRec from the official website. It is absolutely free, however, its developer warns that he does not guarantee that this program will be 100% effective for file recovery purposes. Moreover, even paid apps can barely give you such a guarantee, because of the chain of random factors that can make the file recovery harder.

Unzip the downloaded archive to the folder you like. Don’t worry because of its name – TestDisk – this is the name of the utility developed by the same company. They decided to spread it together since PhotoRec and TestDisk are often used together. Among the unzipped files, search for qphotorec_win.exe file. Run this executable file.

Before you can start the recovery process, you need to specify several settings. In the drop-down list, choose the logic disk where the files were stored before the encryption.

Then, you need to specify the file formats you need to recover. It may be difficult to scroll all 400+ formats, luckily, they are sorted by alphabetical order.

Finally, name the folder you want to use as a container for recovered files. The program will likely dig out a lot of useless files, which were deleted intentionally, so desktop is a bad solution. The best option is to use the USB-drive.

After these easy manipulations, you may just press the “Search” button (it turns active if you specified all required parameters). The recovery process may take several hours, so keep patient. It is recommended not to use the computer during this term, since you may overwrite some files you are intending to recover.

Frequently Asked Questions