How to remove Mmxxii ransomware

Mmxxii ransomware developers seek to receive payments in crypto for decryption tools

Mmxxii ransomware is a file-locking virus that belongs to the Phobos ransomware family discovered by security researchers in 2017. It can use complicated encryption algorithms to lock users' personal files, such as photos, videos, documents, etc. Such infections can result in permanent data loss.

When the intruder infiltrates the system, it appends the affected files with the .MMXXII extension, a unique ID assigned to the victim, and the cyber criminals' email address. So if a file was previously named picture.jpg, after encryption it would look something like this – picture.jpg.id[victimID].[casecrosu@eml.cc].MMXXII.

The ransom note

After the encryption process is done, Mmxxii ransomware generates two ransom notes on the machine. The full info.hta message reads as follows:

All your files have been encrypted!

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail casecrosu@eml.cc
Write this ID in the title of your message –
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to this e-mail:casecrosutwo@eml.cc
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/

Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Cybercriminals also drop a shorter info.txt note in the system:

!!!All of your files are encrypted!!!
To decrypt them send e-mail to this address: casecrosu@eml.cc.
If we don't answer in 24h., send e-mail to this address: casecrosutwo@eml.cc

The main goal of a ransomware attack is to extract money from victims for decryption. The ransom amount is not specified in the note which means it is most likely negotiated privately. Cybercriminals want to get paid in cryptocurrencies,^[1] and more specifically – Bitcoin. They choose this form of payment because it provides anonymity.

We strongly advise against contacting the threat actors because they cannot be trusted. Many previous ransomware attack victims say that they never received the promised decryption tools after paying. Although it is almost impossible to get data back without the key^[2] that only the cybercriminals hold, we recommend first trying third-party recovery solutions.

Distribution methods

Most people get infected with ransomware by installing “cracked” software^[3] from Torrent websites or peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms. This activity is illegal so these platforms are unregulated. It is impossible to know if the packages you are downloading do not contain any malicious files. We recommend using only official web stores and developer websites for software installations.

Another common distribution method is email. Cybercriminals can use their social engineering skills to create letters that look like urgent messages from well-known companies. They include infected attachments or malicious links in the email. That is why it is best to only open attachments from senders you know.

One of the most important things to do if you want to prevent malware infections is to keep your operating system and software up-to-date. Hackers can use software vulnerabilities to deliver their malicious programs. Software developers regularly release security patches that should be installed as soon as they come out.

Eliminate malicious files

The critical thing to do is disconnect the affected machine from the local network. For home users, disconnecting the ethernet cable should do the job. If this happened at your workplace, doing that might be complicated, so we have instructions for corporate environments at the bottom of this post.

If you try to recover your data first, it can result in permanent loss. It can also encrypt your files the second time. It will not stop until you remove the malicious files causing it first. You should not attempt removing the malicious program yourself unless you have experience.

Use anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to scan your system. This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. In some cases, malware is not letting you use antivirus in normal mode, so you need to access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan from there:

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing the F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings.
   
2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find the Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Click Restart.
10. Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Fix system errors

Performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a complete Windows reinstall is required, are expected after a malware infection. These types of infections can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not able to repair it. 

This is why FortectIntego was developed. It can fix a lot of the damage caused by an infection like this. Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc., can make your computer completely unusable. By using this maintenance tool, you could avoid Windows reinstallation.

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.

File recovery solution

Many people think that they can fix their files with anti-malware tools, but that is not what they are designed for. All the security tools can do is detect suspicious processes in your system and eliminate malicious files. The truth is, the files can be restored only with a decryption key or software that only the cybercriminals have.

If you did not back up your data previously, you possibly lost your files forever. You can try using data recovery software, but third-party programs cannot always decrypt the files. We suggest at least trying this method. Before proceeding, you have to copy the corrupted files and place them in a USB flash drive or another storage. And remember – only do this if you have already removed the Mmxxii ransomware.

Before you begin, several pointers are essential while dealing with this situation:

• Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
• Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.

Install data recovery software

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
8. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
9. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
10. Press Recover to retrieve your files.