How to remove Meds ransomware

Meds ransomware is a crypto-locking malware that is used to blackmail users in paying money for the recovery tool

Meds ransomware is a type of malware that focuses on money extortion – it replaces regular personal files with the ones that have .meds extension appended. This guarantees that victims are unable to access any pictures, music, video, document, database, and other personal files – they need a unique key to unlock them. The key is generated during the asymmetric encryption process and is sent off to a remote server controlled by hackers.

Meds virus also drops a ransom note _readme.txt, which is essentially a message from hackers. Victims are asked to pay the ransom of $980 or $490 to retrieve the key needed to decrypt Meds ransomware files. Unfortunately, STOPDecrypter, a tool that was useful for previous STOP/Djvu variant decryption, is no longer functional, and chances of recovering data without paying criminals is relatively low.

Regardless, users should avoid contacting Meds ransomware authors, as there is no guarantee that they will send the required tool. Experts advise users to avoid using gorentos@bitmessage.ch or gerentoshelp@firemail.cc emails to contact cybercriminals as well and rather focus on Meds ransomware removal process.

While most of the ransomware viruses delete themselves as soon as they perform the encryption process on the host machine, Meds virus might leave some traces or modules that will keep encrypting the incoming files and harvest the all the information entered by the victim. That is why Meds ransomware removal should be performed as soon as the symptoms of the infection become apparent.

Currently, multiple AV engines recognize Meds ransomware under the following names:^[1]

• TR/AD.InstaBot.wrdas
• Trojan.PWS.Stealer.26685
• Win32/Trojan.Ransom.111
• Trojan.MalPack.GS
• Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Stop.dk
• Trojan:Win32/CryptInject.BE!MTB
• Win32:Malware-gen, etc.

We suggest using FortectIntego to remove Meds ransomware damage. Additionally, after you terminate the infection, you should also head to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder on your Windows machine and delete the file called “hosts.” This will allow you to enter security-related sites once again.

Meds ransomware can be injected into the machine via software cracks, although other methods are used by malware authors as well

Illegal software activation tools that can crack the otherwise-paid program (for example, Windows operating system, MS Office suite, video games such as Grand Theft Auto V, FIFA, Far Cry V, etc.) have been popular among users for years, and, even though most of them are aware of dangers that lie on crack and pirated software sites, the download rate of such programs does not diminish.

Without a doubt, malware authors are quick to utilize the popularity of crack tools – they often insert fake cracks to infect users with ransomware or other computer threats.^[2] In some cases, cracks work as intended, but also download and install the malicious payload in the background.

Therefore, using crack tools and keygens is extremely unsafe, and users should avoid sites that host them. Nevertheless, if you are willing to risk your online security and computer safety, you should at least scan the executable with anti-virus software or tools like Virus Total. Note that cracks will often be flagged malicious due to its fundamental feature – cracking the software to bypass the license requirement.

Meds ransomware can also be installed via other methods, including spam email attachments (malicious .zip, .js, .rar, .html, .doc files), exploit kits,^[3] unprotected RDP, adware bundles, and other methods. To protect yourself, make sure you pay attention to your time online, equip your computer with comprehensive security software, patch system as necessary, and backup all your personal files regularly.

Meds ransomware encryption and operation process

Before Meds ransomware starts the file encryption process, it performs various changes to the operating system. Before that, however, the malware creates an executable under a random name and places it into the %AppData% folder. This file is then launched to perform all the changes to the system.

To launch with every Windows boot, the virus alters registry database and spawns a new service under the name VaultSvc. Meds ransomware then performs other changes, such as hosts file modification, removal of Shadow Volume Copies, etc. Finally, once all the required modules are executed, the malware starts a scan – it looks for files to encrypt. Typically, the data that Meds ransomware looks for is the most commonly used file types – .pdf, .doc, .gif, .jpg, .mpeg, .mp4, etc.

Malware uses asymmetric^[4] encryption algorithm to lock all personal files, meaning that the key required to lock data is public, while the one that is needed for decryption is different and is in the possession of hackers. Nevertheless, both of these keys are mathematically connected, hence the same key cannot be used to unlock other victims' files.

After the encryption process, Meds ransomware appends each of the files with .meds – a symptom that is hardly unnoticeable by the victims. Files modified in such a way are no longer accessible, and at that time users are asked to pay for the decryption key that hackers can provide.

Hackers behind Meds ransomware ask for a ransom in Bitcoin – do not trust them

Threat actors who launched Meds ransomware are sophisticated individuals, but, at the same time, they are willing to use their knowledge for malicious deeds, such as infecting thousands of users with malware. However, they also do not care about the well-being of their victims, as they are only interested in money, which is usually asked being paid in Bitcoin – a digital cryptocurrency.

Unlike stealthy malware, Meds ransomware does not hide its presence, since hackers are eager for users to pay the ransom. They ensure that victims would find out what happened to their files immediately by placing a message into a text file, which reads:

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-sTWdbjk1AY
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:
gorentos@bitmessage.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
gerentoshelp@firemail.cc

Note how crooks are offering a 50% discount – it is a mere trick in order to create a sense of urgency and make users pay the ransom as soon as possible. However, industry experts^[5] and security community discourage from doing so, as Meds virus authors might simply ignore you and never send the required tool that can unlock the encrypted files. Moreover, while we cannot say that the criminals will not send you Meds ransomware decryptor, be aware that the risk of losing your money as well is there, so do it at your own risk.

If you decided not to pay for Meds ransomware decryption tool, we suggest you try other methods if no backups were previously prepared. For example, you can try using third-party recovery software, as it might be able to retrieve data that is not yet overwritten from your hard drive. Additionally, Windows Previous Versions feature might be a way to recover files one-by-one. Finally, Dr.Web offers a partial file decryption service by offering Rescue Pack (not free).

Finally, security researchers are constantly working on Meds ransomware decryption tools. To check for updates on that, visit the following websites:

• https://www.nomoreransom.org/en/index.html 
• https://id-ransomware.malwarehunterteam.com/
• https://www.emsisoft.com/ransomware-decryption-tools/
• https://www.avast.com/ransomware-decryption-tools

If you don't remove Meds ransomware, sensitive details might be leaked by cybercriminals

Since Meds virus belongs to Djvu/STOP ransomware family, it might be packed with various features. For example, some variants were seen being distributed along with info-stealing malware. In some cases, researchers found the virus installing additional modules that allow data harvesting directly from Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser.

Therefore, Meds ransomware removal is mandatory to protect all the incoming files from encryption, as well as stop cybercriminals from stealing sensitive data from the device. For that, you should employ powerful security software and perform a full system scan. In some cases, you might not be able to use an anti-malware program, as Meds ransomware might interfere with it. In such a case, enter Safe Mode and perform a full scan from there – check below on how to do that.

Only after you remove Meds ransomware, you can start the file recovery process. If you think that your personal data has been compromised, call your bank and ask for advice; change passwords for all your accounts.

Visual Meds ransomware removal guide

Meds ransomware is a virus that belongs to the newer versions of STOP/Djvu. Not only is it no longer decryptable with tools that used to help victims in some cases, but it is also packed with new features and improvements.

To prevent users from visiting websites that could advise them on what to do after Meds ransomware infection, malicious actors decided to modify the Windows “hosts” file – it includes a list of most popular security-focused websites around the web. Thus, this complicates the termination of the virus, as reaching the required instructions becomes more difficult.

Luckily, cybercriminals can not block victims from using YouTube, as the links for each video is generated separately. We prepared the video guide for users who cannot access our website or those who have general troubles with Meds ransomware removal. Please check out the visual instructions in the below-video: