Remove MLZA Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .mlza Files)

Mlza virus is a sort of computer virus that infiltrates your system, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these bad actions, that malware also alters some important settings and can even stop your antivirus program.

Mlza malware – what is it?

Mlza virus can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu virus family. That sort of computer virus is targeted at individuals. This feature supposes that Mlza does not carry any sort of additional malware, which sometimes helps virus of various other families to control your computer. Because of the fact that most 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 injection.

The typical signs of Mlza ransomware activity is the emersion of .mlza files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.mlza, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.mlza and so on. You cannot to suspend this process, as well as can’t open that files – they are ciphered with pretty strong algorithm.

You can also see different other signs of malware activity. Suddenly stopped Microsoft Defender and inability to check the well-known anti-malware forums or sites, where the removal and file decryption guides are published. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – read below how to delete Mlza ransomware and get the .mlza files back.

How did Mlza ransomware encrypt my files?

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

The documents are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The digit in the name of this algo means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption password variations – it is unreal to brute force it. As cipher analysts say, it will need more time than our planet can estimate to exist, even in case if you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that keeps the encrypted file(s), Mlza ransomware leaves 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

Nonetheless, you can still open some of your files. The Mlza ransomware encrypts only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other piece of this document can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player is capable of open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each song or video will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the file will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Mlza ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

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

Other alterations done by the ransomware are targeted on prevention of early detection of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of security tools. Mlza malware implements some changes in Group Policies – the system configuration app which allows to modify the rights of each app. In such a way, ransomware stops the Microsoft Defender and several other anti-malware tools, and also disables the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using questionable software as the main way of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious software I mean apps that are already not supported by the developer and spread through the third-party websites. These apps may be hacked, to make them usable without buying any license. Another example of such a program type is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This kind of apps may be spread in different ways – through the site that offers a downloading link, as well as through the p2p networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the most popular computer piracy websites. Folks use these sources to get various apps or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. No one can prevent the users who hack these programs from adding viruses of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw purposes, so their creators can easily insert the malware under the guise of some program element.

These cracked apps, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various viruses, and definitely the most widespread one for Mlza malware. It is better to stop using of it, and not only because of malware injection risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an outlaw action, and both hackers and folks who make use of cracked apps fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Mlza ransomware?

The Mlza malware is very hard to remove manually. Really, because of the amount of changes it makes into your Windows, it is almost impossible to find them all and fix. The best option is to make use of anti-malware programs. But which one to choose?

You may read the advices to use Microsoft Defender, that is already in your Windows. However, as it was mentioned before, most of STOP/Djvu virus examples block it even before the encryption process. Making use of the third-party tool is the only possible solution – and I can recommend you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for this case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the malware will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, which is heavily demanded after the Mlza virus attack.

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

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

How to decrypt the .mlza files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Mlza malware attack. First one and the most popular is file decryption. It is conducted with a special program, 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 definitely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another option to get your files back is to try to recover them from your disks. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the documents are still stored on the disk. After the removal, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk drive. Special programs, 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 .mlza 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 .mlza files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk. It checks each disk sector for the residues 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