Moresa - How to remove

The Moresa virus is a devastating computer infection that threatens to lock your files permanently unless you pay the ransom to the cybercriminals. Even if the infection is removed, the files are still broken. Moresa (as well as Verasto) is based on the DJVU ransomware and is only one of many variants of this virus. People have been dealing with this virus for months now.

What does Moresa do?

The cybercriminals boast that they have encrypted all your files like photos, databases, and documents. Files like .jpg, .png, .mkv, .mp3, .doc, .xml, .dat, .iso, .zip, and many others are affected. Previously normal files now are unopenable and have a new extension — .moresa.

Moresa has also dropped a “_readme.txt” file with a message from the cybercriminals. The note is almost exactly the same as some of the previous versions of DJVU, like Kroput, Drume, Refols, Promorad2. The emails are different:

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
[email protected]

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
[email protected]

Moresa has gone through your computer and encrypted the files that it found, scrambling their contents with an algorithm that turns information into seemingly random data. The files are locked and impossible to open without the decryption key specific to each victim. This decryption key is held with the developers of Moresa, who are asking for $980 ($490 if you contact them in the first three days) in exchange for unlocking the files — a very significant cost for most people. I advise against contacting the extortionists. Instead, you could try contacting the police. They will not solve your problem, but distributors of ransomware should — and sometimes do — get arrested.

There has been a free decryptor developed for DJVU-encrypted files (direct download link for STOPDecrypter: click here), but it only works for some keys. Keep an eye on it, it is possible that it will work on your files later, when it is updated (the Moresa and Verasto ransomware are still new). If the decryptor does not work for some or all of your files, you can save the encrypted files and try the decryptor later.

How to be prepared for ransomware?

The most important thing is probably to have a backup of your files. At least the most important files should be saved on multiple disks, whether it’s the Cloud or external storage. Remember to update your files everywhere after you edit them. You could also use Window’s back up functions to save the state of your computer in external storage. If you have an up-to-date backup, you can restore your files from there and the Moresa virus is not so devastating.

Another thing to do is to be very careful when opening unfamiliar new files. Document files that are capable of running macros, archives, executables can be infected and they are often distributed through malicious spam emails. These emails trick people into opening them by pretending that they came from a trusted authority, that the attachment is an urgent document. If a document is suspiciously asking you to enable macros, be skeptical and scan it with an antivirus program.

Your antivirus program, as well as the operating system, should be updated regularly. New cyber threats emerge often and quickly, and antivirus developers work hard to keep their application on top of all the new viruses.

How to remove Moresa ransomware

You should remove Moresa from your system. Use a professional and reputable antivirus program (like Spyhunter, or another app that you trust) to clear your machine of the infection. This should be done before attempting to restore the system.

The guide below shows you how to restore your files, but it might not be possible. For example, some ransomware viruses delete the backup files (this is why they should be stored somewhere separate from your computer).

How to recover Moresa 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 Moresa has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Moresa

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 Moresa. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Moresa 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 Moresa 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 Moresa 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.