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MafiaWare ransomware / virus (Free Instructions) - Decryption Steps Included

by Alice Woods - -   Also known as DepSex ransomware virus | Type: Ransomware

MafiaWare virus Removal Guide

What is MafiaWare ransomware virus?

MafiaWare ransomware is another copy of HiddenTear

MafiaWare virus is also known under DepSex virus name, and it belongs to the crypto-ransomware[1] family. Just like every other data-encrypting ransomware, this one encodes all files stored on a compromised computer in order to convince the victim to pay a ransom[2]. Simply said, this malicious program seeks to extort money from victims who have security vulnerabilities on their computers by making all personal data inaccessible. However, if MafiaWare ransomware has attacked your computer, it might be possible to recover encoded files for free. The virus reportedly is a variant of HiddenTear, an open source virus[3], so most likely you will be able to recover your files without spending a cent. You will find detailed data recovery instructions at the end of this post.

Screenshot of MafiaWare ransomware attack

However, let’s discuss how this virus operates. First of all, it uses AES encryption standard[4] to cipher files and make them inaccessible, and then adds .Locked-by-Mafia file extensions to original filenames. For example, a picture.jpg becomes picture.jpg.Locked-by-Mafia. During the encryption, files are modified on a structural level and accessing them again becomes possible only if one obtains a unique decryption key. Sadly, this decryption key is stored in criminals’ servers, and crooks suggest revealing it only under one condition – if the victim pays a ransom. To explain how to buy this decryption key, virus’ creates a Notepad file called READ_ME.txt (a ransom note). This file contains only a few lines. It says that records have been encrypted by depsex, which might be the virus’ name or the nickname of the hacker, which demands $155 from the victim. The attacker wants to receive the money in Bitcoin currency and asks to send a “proof” to his/hers email dompetpresiden@gmail.com. However, if you need your files and if you do not like to waste your money, better remove MafiaWare virus from the system using proper malware removal programs (for instance, FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner), and then use data recovery methods described below MafiaWare removal instructions to recover your files for free.

How did this virus enter my system?

MafiaWare ransomware is currently being distributed via malware-laden email letters[5]. Criminals might try to convince you to open a suspicious attachment added to an email, stating that it contains some important information that you should immediately review. Please bear in mind that criminals frequently pretend to be someone else, so if you receive a trustworthy-looking letter from Paypal or Amazon, do not rush to open files attached to it. You should carefully inspect sender’s email address and look for grammar mistakes in the message because crooks often leave ridiculous mistakes when writing a message to the victim. Finally, do not forget to protect your PC with anti-malware software if you want to prevent malicious attempts to encrypt your files and harm your computer.

How to remove MafiaWare virus?

Victims who have their computers compromised by MafiaWare malware should not waste any time and remove MafiaWare virus as soon as possible. This should be done with the help of anti-malware software unless you are an IT expert. It is not easy to remove a malicious virus, because unlike regular programs, it does not provide an uninstaller and also tends to hide its elements deeply in the computer system. Below, you can find a full MafiaWare removal guide that will help you to get rid of this malicious program for good.

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Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
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Getting rid of MafiaWare virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

To successfully remove MafiaWare malware, restart your PC as instructed below. Please follow these instructions carefully in order to get into Safe Mode with Networking regime.

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing 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 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove MafiaWare using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of MafiaWare. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that MafiaWare removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove MafiaWare from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by MafiaWare, you can use several methods to restore them:

Recover your data
Recover your data

Data Recovery Pro technique

Data Recovery Pro is an excellent tool that can restore encrypted, deleted, or corrupted files. We suggest you try it on files encrypted by MafiaWare virus:

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by MafiaWare ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Use a HiddenTear decryptor

There is a tool that can decrypt files locked by HiddenTear. You can find this tool at this page.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from MafiaWare and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are

There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.

Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.

Data backups are important – recover your lost files

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.

While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.

About the author
Alice Woods
Alice Woods - Likes to teach users about virus prevention

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