Mbed ransomware (Removal Guide) - updated Nov 2019

What is Mbed ransomware?

Mbed ransomware is a ransom-demanding threat that spreads via infected files from pirated software packages

Mbed ransomware is the virus that makes the system running slow due to additional processes running in the background even though encryption is noticed only when it's done. Mbed ransomware is a notorious cyber threat that has a purpose to lock up files with the .mbed appendix. The encryption process succeeds while using unique encryption algorithms and scanning the entire system for encryptable components. Later on, Mbed virus will provide you with a ransom-demanding message in a _readme.txt file and urge for a price between $490 and $980 to be transferred in 72 hours in exchange for a decryption key. Even though this version of Djvu ransomware is currently undecryptable, you still should avoid paying the demanded ransom to prevent the risk of getting scammed.

Mbed ransomware ads the ransom note to each folder that holds encrypted data and also places one copy of the message on the computer's desktop. This way the crooks are ensured that the users will definitely find and access the ransom note. Furthermore, hackers provide two email addresses: restorealldata@firemail.cc and gorentos@bitmessage.ch as contact information where the victims can send one small file for free decryption.

Those variants in the Djvu family that got in distribution until the end of August 2019 were the ones that supported offline IDs for the most part. STOPDecrypter tool was based on this functionality and helped many victims throughout the year. Unfortunately, the updated version of the Emsisoft decryption tool is not providing such functionality for versions released after August.

This option for file recovery includes 148 variants in the same Djvu family, but all the recent versions cannot be decrypted. If you got affected by Mbed ransomware virus variant or any previous version and the victims' ID ends in t1, you may get your files recovered with this tool, but that is only a possibility since developers haven't used offline keys for a while.

Mbed ransomware is one of the most recent Djvu ransomware versions that came out in November 2019, alongside Peet, Lokf, and Grod variants. Being released by rapid speed, all of these variants are not decryptable due to the advanced encryption method and online IDs in use. However, we have browsed the Internet sphere and discovered multiple user reports about the appearance of Mbed ransomware. Some people have been desperate for help and panicking that this malware hit their computer systems unknowingly and might be residing on a wide range of machines.^[2]

Researchers speculate that decryption tools for this family in general, and for Mbed ransomware, in particular, can't be developed unless law enforcements discover the creators and obtain their database of decryption keys.^[3] Otherwise, people will have to say goodbye to their data encrypted by this notorious malware.

Since Mbed ransomware virus is not easily decryptable, you should avoid giving the threat opportunity to ruin your machine and remove the malware completely using anti-malware programs. Then the best file recovery option is to rely on your data backups. Experts^[4] always note that this is the best option to have the advantage in such instances – backup your file occasionally. Third-party software and other system features that can be useful for you are all listed below the article in the virus termination guide.

As for the proper tools that allow you to remove Mbed ransomware, you should go for anti-malware tools that can detect malicious activities and delete the virus completely from the machine. Since this cryptovirus runs on the system and affects more important parts that your personal files and cannot be terminated manually, you would need to find all associated files and programs to do so. However, professional anti-malware can do that for you during a full system check. Mbed ransomware is the file-locking virus that encodes data to have a reason for a ransom demand. Once Mbed ransomware gets on the machine it searches for particular types of files and locks them using the encryption. During the process, all data gets encoded and then a key for each victim gets formed, so ransom note file _readme.txt can include the needed information. The ransom file hasn't been changed for a while, so it reads the following:

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-IbdGyCKhdr
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.

Offline IDs used by some of the versions in this family, generally, can be identified easily. This also means that ransomware can't connect to C&C servers while encrypting files, so built-in encryption keys and IDs get used. People that get affected by the same Djvu ransomware variant have the same ID, so files can be decrypted using one key. Unfortunately, this is not working for Mbed ransomware since the updated encryption method.

When it comes to online IDs that Mbed ransomware and more recent versions rely on, the C&C server connection allows the virus to generate random keys. Since each victim gets unique IDs, the person needs to get that particular decryption key to recover files completely. Mbed ransomware removal and decryption become merely impossible because of this fact.

You should get a proper system tool like FortectIntego and try to find, indicate and repair the damage that the virus has left behind, so your machine can be used normally again. If you try to do that manually, you may affect more crucial parts and make things worse, so try to scan the machine and restore system files this way since Mbed ransomware also can:

• alter files or add new ones in folders like %AppData% or %LocalAppData%;
• install trojans, info-stealing malware and run additional processes in the background;
• make the system running significantly slower;
• alter directories, registry entries and disable some system functions;
• compromise the Windows hosts file to prevent victims from accessing security-related forums.

Mbed ransomware is the cryptovirus that marks each and every encrypted file with a file extension .mbed.

Regarding information provided by VirusTotal,^[5] Mbed ransomware has been flagged as a malicious program by 54 engines out of the total 69 AV tools. Some detection names include Win32:DropperX-gen [Drp], Trojan.GenericKD.32728174, Trojan.Encoder.858, Gen:NN.ZexaF.32515.Uy0@aWWfuRk, Trojan.MalPack.GS, Trojan:Win32/GandCrypt.GB!MTB, etc.

Pirating and using torrent services can lead to malware infections besides being illegal

Files delivered during the installation of a cracked program or download of the licensed keys for a professional tool can have more to them than you think. Even when the site shows verification badges for senders and pirated product providers, you cannot be sure that everything is safe to download and doesn't include any malicious script. No one can guarantee you that.

Cracks, cheats and other content like this are the main vectors used by this malware creator. The file only needs to get installed and launched alongside the program you initially download. Unfortunately, encryption is launched immediately and your files get locked in a matter of minutes.

Another method used by ransomware developers includes infected files placed on emails as file attachments. Microsoft documents filled with macros get planted in various email boxes attached to Financial information notifications from common companies, so people fall for the trick and can trigger the payload dropper by Enabling the Content. Clean your email box more often and stay away from illegal online services if you want to avoid cyber infections.

Last but not least, ransomware infections can be sneaked into your computer system via vulnerable RDPs such as the TCP port 3389. This happens when the RDP holds vulnerable security and protection. For example, when the generated password holds only simple words, letters, and numbers, or when there is no password at all. So, do not forget to think of strong and reliable passwords that include a mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols altogether.

Protect valuable data files by forming backups

There are plenty of places where you can store your files and documents, however, it is the most important to pick a safe location. Keeping all of your valuable information just on your primary computer is not a good idea as if a ransomware infection occurs, it might easily lock all of the data and make sure that it is permanently gone.

We recommend keeping copies of all valuable files and documents at least on multiple computer systems. However, it would be best if you have purchased a USB flash drive and stored copies of important data on this device. Just remember to keep it unplugged from your machine when you are not using it, otherwise, the infection might be capable of reaching your connected device too.

Mbed virus is a file-locking threat. To prevent repeated encryption in the future, store copies of important data on remote drives

Continuously, there are other ways of keeping your information safe, for example, portable CDs, DVDs if you do not want to use a USB although it is the most comfortable way. Also, you can transfer copies of important data to remote servers such as iCloud if you are using a Mac machine or to Dropbox if you obtain a Windows computer.

Get rid of Mbed ransomware virus and clean the machine before its too late

When you can indicate that Mbed ransomware virus was the malware that encrypted your files, you can learn about the particular family and other versions, decryption options and try to find more details about the best removal methods. Unfortunately, you don't have much time for the research, so you can upload the sample of the threat for researchers' analysis.

Talking about Mbed ransomware removal as a general process, you should rely on anti-malware tools that can find malicious activities and eliminate the program with all the associated applications. Anti-malware programs can scan the machine and find, remove and terminate malware of all sorts. However, you shouldn't think that AV tools will recover your files.

The best method to restore encrypted files is to use your own file backups, but that cannot be done when your system is still affected. You need to remove Mbed ransomware and fix virus damage, to have a clean and safe device. For the possible system repair try FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes and check the machine for additional issues. Then you can rely on methods below dor file recovery.