Remove MLWQ Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .mlwq Files)

Mlwq malware is a type of computer virus that injects your PC, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant activities, that malware also changes some important settings and can even suspend your security tool.

Mlwq ransomware – what is it?

Mlwq ransomware can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu malware family. That type of computer virus is targeted at individuals. This specification supposes that Mlwq does not carry any sort of additional malware, which often helps ransomware of other families to control your PC. Because of the fact that most users do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no need to use other malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

The common signs of this virus activity is the emersion of .mlwq files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.mlwq, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.mlwq and so on. You are not able to prevent this operation, and can’t open that files – they are encrypted with pretty strong algorithm.

You can also see different other signs of malware activity. Abruptly stopped Microsoft Defender and inability to check the popular anti-malware forums or websites, where the ransomware removal and decryption guides are published. You will see how it is conducted in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to delete Mlwq virus and get the .mlwq files back.

How did Mlwq ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Mlwq virus establishes a connection with its command and control server. This server is controlled by malware maintainers – fraudsters who manage the distribution of this malware. Another activity which is done by these crooks is answering the emails of victims, who wish to decrypt their files.

The documents are ciphered 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 keys variations – it is unreal to brute force it. As analysts say, it will take more time than our planet can estimate to exist, even when you make use of the most powerful computer system. In each folder that contains the encrypted file(s), Mlwq 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

However, you can still open some of your files. The Mlwq virus encrypts only the initial 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 bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player can open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each song or video will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Mlwq ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

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

Other alterations done by the virus are aimed at prevention of operative detection of itself, and also blocking the installation of the majority of antivirus programs. Mlwq malware implements several modifications in Group Policies – the system setting interface which allows to change the rights of each app. In such a way, ransomware disables the Microsoft Defender and various other security tools, and also blocks the launch of anti-malware installation files.

How did I get infected?

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

This sort of software may be distributed in many ways – through the website that offers a downloading link, or through the p2p networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy resources. Folks use these sources to get a wide range of programs or games for free, even if they must be purchased. No one can prevent the users who hack these apps from adding malware of some type to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw purposes, so their developers can easily add the malware under the guise of some program element.

These hacked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often sources for various viruses, and 100% the most used one for Mlwq ransomware. It is better to avoid using of it, and not only because of virus installation risks. Avoiding the license buying is an outlaw action, and both hackers and folks who make use of hacked apps fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Mlwq virus?

The Mlwq ransomware is extremely hard to remove manually. In fact, because of the amount of alterations it makes in your system, it is almost unreal to find them all and repair. The best option is to use antivirus software. But which one to choose?

You may see the offers to use Microsoft Defender, that is already inside of your system. Nonetheless, as it was mentioned earlier, the majority of STOP/Djvu malware examples stop it even before the ciphering procedure. Using the third-party program is the only possible option – and I can offer you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, that is heavily needed after the Mlwq virus attack.

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

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

How to decrypt the .mlwq files?

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

Another option to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your disks. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the files are still stored on the disk drive. After the removal, 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 something unintentionally.

Decrypting the .mlwq 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 .mlwq files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed 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 extensions. 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