How to remove MAKB ransomware

MAKB ransomware – data locking computer infection that will ask you to pay money

MAKB ransomware^[1] is a dangerous computer virus that stems from extensive malware family – Scarab. Soon after the infiltration, the malware immediately modifies Windows settings and then begins the file encryption process – it looks for pictures, videos, documents, and other data. While the virus appends .MAKB extension at the end of each locked file, it also replaces original names with a random string.

Suchlike modified data can no longer be opened by victims – it is not corrupted, however. To regain access to files, users need a unique key that is owned by cybercriminals behind MAKB ransomware. However, malware authors are not willing to give up the decryptor for free and are asking for a ransom to be paid in bitcoin cryptocurrency. The ransom note HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT also explains that users only have 72 hours to recover the decryptor, as it will be deleted otherwise and files lost forever.

MAKB file virus is just one of many variants (e.g., Ambrosia, Inchin, Omerta, Artemy) of Scarab, which itself has ties with Amnesia ransomware. The malware has a long history since its release in 2017 and has been distributed by several different gangs over time. As evident, some encryption patterns, ransom note names, extensions, and other features might change or prevail over time, although the main functionality of MAKB and other versions remains the same – to extort money from innocent users.

While it is known that previous versions of the malware family have been spread around via sophisticated methods such as Necurs botnet,^[2] MAKB ransomware infection can come from plenty of other sources, including:

• Malicious spam email attachments and embedded links
• Fake Flash Player updates/installers;
• Software cracks and pirated program installers;^[3]
• Software vulnerabilities and exploits, etc.

Once inside, MAKB ransomware will perform the regular Windows system modifications to perform data encryption without interruptions. For example, it will delete Shadow Copies to prevent easy recovery or change Windows registry keys to acquire persistence. Due to these changes, the computer might not operate as before (even after MAKB ransomware removal). Thus, in some cases, you might have to reinstall the OS, or you can rely on automatic fixing solutions such as FortectIntego.

MAKB virus attempts to encrypt the most common types of files, such as PDF, MS Office documents, archives, image files, and similar. Instead of appending an extension, malware scrambles the names of each file, so they become unrecognizable. Without a doubt, suchlike data can no longer be used.

To ensure that victims are aware of what happened to their files, MAKB ransomware actors provide a ransom note HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT, which reads:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED!

Your personal ID

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC.
To restore all your files, you need a decryption.
If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail makbigfast@india.com.
In a letter to send Your personal ID (see In the beginning of this document).
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 decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
In the letter, you will receive instructions to decrypt your files!

In a response letter you will receive the address of Bitcoin-wallet, which is necessary to perform the transfer of funds.
HURRY! Your personal code for decryption stored with us only 72 HOURS!

Our tech support is available 24 \ 7
Do not delete: Your personal ID
Write on e-mail, we will help you!

Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send to us up to 3 files for free decryption.
Please note that files must NOT contain valuable information and their total size must be less than 10Mb.
When the transfer is confirmed, you will receive interpreter files to your computer.
After start-interpreter program, all your files will be restored.

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.
Do not attempt to remove the program or run the anti-virus tools
Attempts to self-decrypting files will result in the loss of your data
Decoders are not compatible with other users of your data, because each user's unique encryption key

What might make users contact criminals immediately is that they claim that there is no way to decrypt MAKB files besides paying the ransom. Additionally, they try to scare victims by claiming that the decryption tool will be permanently deleted within 72 hours of the infection.

However, we do not recommend contacting malicious actors, as they might never provide the required decryption software, and you may lose all your money, along with the files. Instead, check out the alternative recovery solutions we provide below.

Alternative solutions for MAKB file recovery

MAKB file virus uses a combination of sophisticated encryption algorithms RSA and AES. While that might not tell much to inexperienced users or those who do not know much about cybersecurity, one thing is certain – files encrypted by such a method are impossible to decrypt.

To recover MAKB files, victims need a special key that is unique to each of the victims. This way, users cannot share the tool between one another, which would completely negate the purpose of the encryption. Each of the keys is stored on a Command & Control server controlled by hackers and is only accessible by them. Of course, they will not give it for free, and are asking Bitcoins in return – as we already mentioned, this is not recommended due to various reasons. Thus, how to recover MAKB files without paying cybercriminals?

Many users believe that they will be able to open MAKB virus files as soon as they scan their computer with anti-malware. While it is a correct step towards recovery, it will not grant access to the locked data (this is why ransomware is such a devastating computer infection), as it will remain locked.

Besides paying criminals, there are a few alternative methods that might help:

• If malware failed to perform Shadow Copy removal, it might be possible to use built-in Windows recovery tools to recover encrypted files;
• Third-party recovery solutions might sometimes be successful in recovering at least some portion of the encrypted data;
• Security researchers might find bugs in malware and develop a working decryptor, although this might also never happen.

As evident, the success of MAKB file recovery if no backups were preserved, is relatively low. Nonetheless, if you are not willing to risk paying criminals but need your files, check the alternative recovery methods we provide below.

MAKB removal is a necessary step

Before you remove MAKB ransomware from the infected computer (note that, in case you leave malware running the background, all the incoming files, including backups, will be encrypted as well), you should make a copy of the encrypted files. You can send them to a cloud-based storage or use physical drive such as USB flash.

After that, you should perform a complete MAKB ransomware removal by scanning the machine with a powerful anti-malware program. In case it is tampering with your security software, you can access Safe Mode with Networking as explained below, and perform a scan from there.

Only after you delete MAKB virus completely, you can proceed with data recovery process. As evident, it is up to you whether you want to risk paying the criminals, as you might not get the decryption tool at all – so be warned.