MaxiCrypt ransomware - How to remove

MaxiCrypt crypto-virus caught security researchers’ attention on 28th of November and was determined to have some associations with Scarab infection. The latter encoder attacked the world with a massive spam campaign. However, researchers are confident that these crypto-malware samples are created by different hackers. MaxiCrypt ransomware (Ransomware is now a $2 billion-per-year criminal industry) changes names of the files it decides to encrypt and marks then with a rather inappropriate extension: [[email protected]].maxicrypt. Digital data is encoded with AES algorithm.

Important information about this MaxiCrypt crypto-malware

In the “How to restore your data.txt”, we see that each victim receives a long personal ID number. Then, people are supposed to send an email to [email protected] or [email protected]. Hackers emphasize that victims have to include an ID number in the message.

Since crooks wish to be regarded as reliable, they are offering users free decryption of 1 selected file. Differently from other ransomware infections like Locked_File virus, MaxiCrypt ransomware does not mention restrictions (file size, importance) for this file.

If you become infected with MaxiCrypt crypto-malware, we suggest you take advantage of the free decryption offer. Select one of the biggest encrypted files you can find and send it to hackers. Once they send the recovered version back, re-send it to security researchers (together with the encoded sample). This can contribute to the process of generating a free file decryptor for MaxiCrypt.

However, remember the fact that this infection renames encrypted data? It appears to also influence the file size: you won’t be able to know which files are which. Luckily, researchers have determined that the actual file size is apparently moved at the beginning of new file names. A similar strategy of renaming files is selected by Pickles ransomware. 

In the .txt message, hackers do not mention the ransom. They explain that once selected file is recovered, they will provide a Bitcoin wallet (Digital gold: why hackers love Bitcoin) in which users will have to transfer the required funds. The exact fee for decryption tool is unknown. However, it could fluctuate from 0.01 to 1 BTC.

Bitcoins have been continuing with their historic rally. Currently, 1 BTC is worth $10797.65. Therefore, even such a small amount of 0.1 BTC is know equal to $1079.77. Whichever the price MaxiCrypt virus demands, we recommend victims not to pay it (Why you should never pay hackers if they take over your computer). This will only encourage hackers to continue on producing ransomware.

Can victims restore files that MaxiCrypt virus has damaged?

For now, there is little information about the victims of this MaxiCrypt ransomware and the methods of file-recovery. However, we are sure that there is no decryptor yet. If the ransomware starts infecting people from all over the world, then security researchers will have no choice but to try to generate a free file-recovery tool. Whether this is possible remains unknown.

There are other ways to restore data. For instance, you can try the universal file-recovery tools. In addition to this, ransomware would leave Shadow Volume Copies still intact. However, the best solution would be to recover files from backup storages.

Of course, this option is only possible if users placed their digital data in a storage beforehand. If they did not, then this solution is not applicable. If you still have not protected your digital information from hackers, please hurry to select an appropriate backup utility.

Elimination and distribution of infections like this MaxiCrypt ransomware

If you a victim of MaxiCrypt crypto-virus, you are certainly interested in the methods of its removal. First of all, you can follow the guidelines below. This means you will be attempting to get rid of ransomware manually. However, we also propose you to run a scan with Spyhunter. It is a reliable, efficient and fast security tool which will definitely make sure that you would have all of the opportunities to enjoy your browsing without any interruptions or threats.

As for the distribution, we can predict that this sample could be transmitted via spam campaigns. In addition to this, some infectious online advertisements or websites could also be taking a part in the transmission process. Lastly, protect your RDP with strong passwords and do not forget to backup your digital data!

How to recover MaxiCrypt ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before MaxiCrypt ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of MaxiCrypt ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to MaxiCrypt ransomware . You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore MaxiCrypt ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually MaxiCrypt ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover MaxiCrypt ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.