Remove MLAP Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .mlap Files)

Mlap malware is a type of computer virus that infiltrates your system, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant actions, that virus also changes some important settings and can even stop your anti-malware program.

Mlap malware – what is it?

Mlap malware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu virus family. That type of virus is aimed on single users. This feature supposes that Mlap does not carry any sort of additional malware, which often helps ransomware of other families to control your system. Since the majority users do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no need to download other viruses that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

The typical signs of that virus activity is the appearance of .mlap files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.mlap, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.mlap and so on. You are not able to stop this action, as well as can’t open these documents – they are encrypted with pretty strong cipher.

You can also see various other signs of ransomware activity. Abruptly suspended Microsoft Defender and inability to check the famous anti-malware forums or sites, where the malware 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 wipe out Mlap ransomware and get the .mlap files back.

How did Mlap ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Mlap virus starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by virus maintainers – fraudsters who manage the spreading of this virus. Another activity which is performed by these crooks is answering the email messages of sufferers, who intend to get their files back.

The files 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 password variations – it is not real to brute force it. As analysts say, it will take more time than our planet can approximately exist, even if you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that has the encrypted file(s), Mlap ransomware 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 use some of your documents. The Mlap malware encrypts only the first 150 KB of each file, but the rest of this file can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are definitely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not every media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each file will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the video or music will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Mlap ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was described several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Mlap ransomware makes the changes in your computer in order to prevent looking for the virus removal and file decryption guides. Mlap virus does not establish the software barrier – it just changes the 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 instructions, which are used by the browsers while sending a request to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain site, your browser will connect that site through that DNS next time. Ransomware edits 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 preventing the installation of the majority of security tools. Mlap virus implements some modifications in Group Policies – the system configuration application which gives you the right to alter the rights of each program. In such a way, malware blocks the Microsoft Defender and various other antivirus programs, as well as prevents the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using questionable programs as a primary method of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable software I mean apps that are already not supported by the developer and distributed through the third-party websites. These apps may be hacked, to make them possible to use without purchasing any license. Another example of such a program class is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

Such programs may be distributed in many methods – through the website that offers a downloading link, or through the peer-to-peer networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy resources. People use these sites to get different apps or games for free, even if these programs must be purchased. Nobody can stop 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 actions, so their developers may easily embed the malware under the guise of some program element.

These cracked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often sources for various malware, and definitely the most used one for Mlap virus. The best solution is to avoid using of it, and not only because of virus spreading risks. Avoiding the license buying is an illegal action, and both hackers and users who use cracked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Mlap ransomware?

The Mlap virus is extremely hard to remove manually. In fact, because of the amount of modifications it makes into your PC, it is almost impossible to detect them all and repair. The best decision is to use antivirus programs. But which one to choose?

You can see the offers to use Microsoft Defender, which is already inside of your Windows. However, as it was mentioned earlier, the majority of STOP/Djvu ransomware examples block it even before the ciphering process. Making use of the third-party application is the only solution – and I can recommend you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as an option for this case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the Mlap ransomware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, that is heavily demanded after the Mlap virus attack.

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

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

How to decrypt the .mlap files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Mlap ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed 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 surely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another way to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your physical disks. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the files are still stored on the disk. After the removal, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk. 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 a thing unintentionally.

Decrypting the .mlap 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 .mlap files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk. 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