How to remove Maak ransomware

Maak file virus encodes files and modifies filenames adding the particular .maak extension the original name

Maak file virus belongs to a ransomware category, and malware like this is considered one of the most dangerous threats. The threat affects files directly and demands payments in Bitcoin, claiming that the only possible option is to transfer money, so data gets recovered fully. This is a false claim because documents, images, video, or audio files can get encrypted, and the repair procedure requires a particular decryption key.

Creators of the virus offer the test decryption and try to lure victims into paying the ransom of $980 for the alleged decryption. This information gets delivered via ransom note file _readme.txt that gets added on the desktop, in other folders with altered data.

The ransom note says that victims have two choices: contact the hackers within 72 hours and purchase tools for data decryption, which costs $490, or do it later at the full price of 980 dollars. However, paying these criminals behind the Maak virus is never recommended and can be risky or even dangerous.

The message from virus victims also provides two email addresses for contacting the attacker: support@sysmail.ch and helprestoremanager@airmail.cc. It also mentions that victims can send one encrypted file, get it decrypted at no cost before paying a hefty fee in order to recover their data.

This is the trick that should encourage people to pay up. The issue is in this communication alone. Experts^[1] note that threat actors can ask for additional payments or send malware directly to the machine.

Maak file virus issues and features

The infection can spread silently and quickly. That happens because malicious files triggering the payload execution can appear after the download from an email attachment or pirated software crack, game cheat code. Maak ransomware spreads quickly and can affect the machine significantly before the common data gets encrypted.

This virus drops the ransom note _readme.txt file that is a message from these creators focused on money rather than peace. The file-encryption virus has been around for years, the particular version belongs to Djvu ransomware family and comes after 370 variants already.

Maak file virus delivers the ransom note that reads:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, 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:
hxxps://we.tl/t-Xk9HCEGEfF
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@sysmail.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
helprestoremanager@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:

The text and the name of this file haven't changed much over time. The contact emails only differ for every ten versions or so. Only extensions that get added to the affected files get altered between releases, hence the particular name of the threat.

Unfortunately, the Maak file virus shows no signs that decryption will be possible as the creators changed their encryption procedures. The latest updates to this threat make it more sophisticated than ever before with new features. Versions coming after August 2019 implemented changes to ensure persistence.^[2]

The threat family is known for years, and these new versions came out every week. Latest variants like Fhkf, Vfgj, Yber, Zaqi, and the Maak ransomware virus are using advanced methods, so file repair is not possible that quickly. Also, you need to focus on removal first and then try to decrypt or repair files. Decryption is possible for some people and those options can be found below, but there are more important things right now.

Eliminating the threat properly

It is possible to remove the infection and get rid of the problems related to the threat. Terminating the Maak ransomware virus can be difficult if you try to do it yourself. However, you need help, and anti-malware tools and security software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes can help you. The security application like this can find the infection, and detect^[3] all related malicious pieces and terminate the infection.

The particular process of eliminating Maak file virus can take time, but it should be successful based on the detection rate and the history of the previous versions of the family. Users should note that removing the threat is not the same as file recovery. Decryption options are not officially available, so there are alternate techniques for the issue with encrypted data.

However, there are additional problems with the infection like this because ransomware is one of the most dangerous threats out there. There are ways to spread the threat using other viruses like trojans, worms, or malware. Those additional intruders can trigger damage and issues with the machine.

Maak ransomware infection itself 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 capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is. Consequently, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstallation is required.

Therefore, we highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology of FortectIntego repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.

• 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.

Possibility to decrypt some files

Maak ransomware virus is one of the latest versions that use the online ID method instead of the previous go-to key forming technique that allowed decryption to happen easily. Offline keys are unique for the version of the virus, so many victims can get files recovered if such a key gets obtained. Online IDs are unique for each device affected by the same threat.

The infection ensures the impossible decryption by connecting to the remote server and allowing the encryption process to relate to the online ID set for each victim. Maak file virus decryption options are extremely slim because of the advanced methods used now, but you still try out the possible options.

If your computer got infected with one of the Djvu variants, you should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to mention that this tool will not work for everyone – it only works if data was locked with an offline ID due to malware failing to communicate with its remote servers.

Even if your case meets this condition, somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately. Thus, if the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. You also need to upload a set of files – one encrypted and a healthy one to the company's servers before you proceed.

• Download the app from the official Emsisoft website.
• After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up – click it.
• If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
• Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.
  
  
• After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
• The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
  
• Press Decrypt.
  
  

From here, there are three available outcomes:

1. “Decrypted!” will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully – they are now usable again.
2. “Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID:” means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
3. “This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible” – you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.

The infection is serious and should be taken seriously because of the possible damage to the machine and files. This is crucial to note that virus removal and data recovery are two separate processes and are both very crucial. If you remove the threat properly, you can restore those files that got encoded.

However, if you try to repair data, add backups or files saved elsewhere on the machine where the Maak file virus is still active, you can risk getting those files encoded too. This is how permanent data damage happens and you may also lose money if you pay in addition to this. Keep from the criminals behind this threat and make sure to remove the infection fully