Moba ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Moba ransomware is a cryptovirus that infects the machine via pirated software installers and affects files like documents, pictures, audio files, archives, and appends .moba extension to them. The data encryption allows threat actors to demand ransom from people by claiming that nobody else can help them to recover it.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Moba ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Djvu virus variants are known to be spread via pirated software installers and cracks/loaders/keygens, etc. Nonetheless, other popular distribution methods, such as spam emails, might also be used |
|---|---|
| Name | Moba ransomware |
| Type | Cryptovirus[2] |
| Family | Djvu/STOP ransomware that is known since 2017 |
| File marker | .moba – the appendix is added at the end of every file affected by the encryption algorithm. It comes at the end after the original name and file-type extension |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt contains the message from virus creators that delivers all the information about the infection (contact details, ransom size, etc.) |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 13 more facts
| Why can't I Open .moba files? | Scanning the computer with security software will not recover your files, as it is not designed for that. Without backups, however, retrieving data is quite difficult, although not impossible. You can try Emsisoft's decryption tool or rely on third-party software – we provide detailed instructions in the recovery section below |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | helpmanager@mail.ch, restoremanager@firemail.cc |
| Encrypted file extension | .moba |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .moba |
| Attacker contacts | helpmanager@mail.ch |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 26 June 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.moba - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
helpmanager@mail.ch
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Moba ransomware
- To get rid of Moba file virus, you should employ powerful security applications, such as or
- To remediate compromised Windows system, you can employ repair tools like - it can sometimes save you from having to perform a full OS reinstall
How Moba ransomware behaves
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Moba ransomware is a file locking virus that uses blackmail strategy to gain money from infected users
Moba ransomware is a cryptovirus that infects the machine via pirated software installers and affects files like documents, pictures, audio files, archives, and appends .moba extension to them.
The data encryption allows threat actors to demand ransom from people by claiming that nobody else can help them to recover it. As soon as the file locking process is complete, users are shown _readme.txt file, which contains typical information provided by Djvu ransomware creators.
The contents of the ransom note have been pretty much the same for a while - hackers demand $490/$980 Bitcoin payment consistently, although the contact emails may vary (this time helpmanager@mail.ch is provided).
Moba file virus authors are aware that no fully functional decryption tool currently exists, and they are ready to abuse this fact. Nevertheless, the case is not completely lost, as there are several other options that, in some cases, could help you (for example, Emisosft's decryptor works for versions that were encrypted with an offline RSA key).
Nevertheless, you should also take care of the threat removal first, as malicious actors behind the STOP virus family are known to deliver malware along with Trojans and also install additional modules that can steal sensitive information via the web browsers.
Moba ransomware is the threat that manages to affect the system in various ways. Besides encryption, this infection also gathers some other methods to damage the machine and processes supposedly useful for the victim later on. These features and recovery functions like System Restore can get disabled.
Moba virus tries to offer the discount and claim about the only option that is paying, but you shouldn't consider the payment because all the supposed promises are false and criminals more likely going to disappear after the cryptocurrency transfer instead.
Moba ransomware demands the payment in a text file named _readme.txt that delivers the following:
Make sure to remove Moba ransomware, instead of paying or contacting these criminals, with proper anti-malware tools, and then clear the traces, terminate any damage, so the computer is safe for other steps. There is a possibility to get some formats of data recovered since researchers create some particular tools. But the best solution for encoded files is data backups, that you need to make yourself.
Moba ransomware launches the attack with an encryption algorithm that is army grade and can change the original code fully. Experts always note that encoding is a difficult process and not easily reversible. This is why decryption tools and applications for malware termination didn't get developed for years.
Computers that load Moba ransomware virus become slow, and the threat uses resources of the machine during file locking, so the computer is not easily used. These issues should indicate that there is something wrong with your machine security-wise. React as soon as you can to any speed or performance issues, so you can detect the malware before it gets extremely persistent.
Even though Moba ransomware creators promise the file recovery while asking for hundreds of dollars, you shouldn't consider paying because criminals are not trustworthy. Also, recently it has been discovered that .mp3 and some JPG files might be decrypted by using the official decrypters. For other data, you either need a backup file copy or the program that could recover files for you.
We should note that it is possible to lose your files permanently or suffer money losses when you pay these criminals behind the Moba virus. There are no guarantees that all your files will get restored, even though you pay or use decrypters, file recovery tools. This is why it is extremely crucial to back your files more frequently.
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
You will not be able to open .moba files after scanning the computer with anti-malware
The general misconception about ransomware is that users believe that a scan with anti-malware software will recover .moba files.
However, as soon as they perform the procedure, they still see that all files are missing regular icons and that the file extension is still present.
The truth is, once a malicious file is launched, it begins the encryption process almost immediately, and the only way to interrupt the process is to shut the machine down. Unfortunately, the locking procedure usually lasts a very short time, and most users would not notice that something is wrong right away.
Thus, if you are asking how to open .moba files, the answer is rather disappointing - you most likely can not. Paying cybercriminals is not advised, however, as they might never send you the required decryption tool.
Luckily, Moba ransomware belongs to a well-known malware family, so many security researchers are working on it. Besides, there are third-party tools that could sometimes help you open .moba files. Here are some rules that must be met for the recovery to be successful:
Note that you should first backup all the .moba files (encrypted data does not hold any malicious code, so it is safe to use) and only then perform a full system scan with anti-malware software. Finally, attempt to recover files with the help of detailed instructions we provide below.
- Emsisoft security researchers have created a decryption tool that can help some Djvu ransomware victims. However, it only works for those cases when malware used an offline ID to lock files. Besides, somebody already should have paid the ransom and provided and an offline key to Emsisoft researchers.
- Third-party recovery tools might sometimes be successful in recovering at least some files. The chances increase if the computer is used as less as possible after the encryption took place.
- Built-in recovery options, such as System Restore or Previous Versions, would only work if the virus failed to eliminate Shadow Volume Copies, although this happens very rarely.
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
The virus payload triggers the encryption process
The threat like this that runs in the background can end up on the system pretty quickly and uses stealthy methods to infect the computer silently.
The most common method is to spread the payload file in torrents, file downloads, free apps, software cracks, pirated content, game cheats, licensed versions of OS.
Pirated content became a rising trend for this family of ransomware, so the payload gets loaded in the packages of online games, updates, fake software installers that people most likely get from torrent services, pirating platforms. You need to pay attention to senders, files included alongside the ones that you need when you still decide to use this method of getting programs and games.
If you want to entirely avoid such infections, you should fully rely on official sources only and always pay attention to red flags on emails, files that get attached to those notifications, and create questions. Be more cautious online.
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
The process of Moba ransomware termination requires proper tools
Moba ransomware virus is the threat that significantly affects your machine, performance, speed, and crucial processes that are needed for file recovery and virus termination.
When ransomware manages to add or remove files from system folders, you cannot use some features for file restoring purposes or security options for virus elimination.
Fortunately, you can remove Moba ransomware using automatic methods and proper anti-malware tools, security applications like , or . This is the best option because programs designed to find malicious files and intruders can check various places on the machine.
Then you only need to follow proper steps and remove Moba ransomware how the program suggests for you. Double-checking is needed, so you can be sure that you are not risking to get the second round of encryption on the system. Also, a scan with is required for the repair of system functions that can be possibly needed for the file recovery.
[GI=method-1]Reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking to properly eliminate Moba ransomware virus
[GI=method-2]Try the System Restore feature for the elimination of this virus
Windows Previous Versions feature for file recovering
Files can get restored of you used System restore previously
ShadowExplorer - the method for file recovery after Moba ransomware encryption
When Moba ransomware virus is not affecting Shadow Volume Copies, you can use them for file recovery
Moba ransomware decryption options - limited
This version is not decryptable, but you can try Djvu decrypter tool for some files encoded using offline IDs
The Moba ransomware note
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-gSEEREZ5tS
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:
helpmanager@mail.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
restoremanager@firemail.cc
Your personal ID:
How to remove Moba ransomware
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove Moba ransomware and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Moba ransomware encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Copy
_readme.txtand one or two files ending in.mobato a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
For Moba ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Moba ransomware still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
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
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
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:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
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:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- 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).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- 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.
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Make the next attack harmless
Moba ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .moba and no longer open) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about Moba ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .moba files?
That depends on the family behind the .moba extension, which this guide cannot confirm yet from the reports alone. Check No More Ransom and ID Ransomware with your ransom note and one encrypted file; they list families with free tools.
If none exists today, keep the encrypted files and a copy of the note on a separate drive, because decryptors are sometimes published months later after flaws are found or servers are seized. Never buy a decryptor from a website that is not the security company that made it.
Should I pay the ransom in _readme.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from _readme.txt and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
How do I open .moba files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .moba ending shows that Moba ransomware encrypted the content, and only the matching key can reverse it. Renaming a file back to .docx or .jpg changes nothing except the icon, and it can confuse a future decryptor, so leave the names as they are.
To get the content back, use a backup, an unencrypted copy elsewhere, or a decryptor listed on No More Ransom if one exists for Moba ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
Did Moba ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Moba ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .moba and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
How did Moba ransomware get on my computer?
The way Moba ransomware spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened. On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password.
Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before files that end in .moba and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is Moba ransomware the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I delete _readme.txt?
Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. _readme.txt contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.
Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.
Will .moba spread to my other drives?
It can. Ransomware encrypts every drive and network share it can reach while it runs, so external disks, USB sticks and shared folders connected during the attack may also have files ending in .moba. Disconnect everything now, then check each device from a clean computer.
Do not plug a backup drive into the infected PC until the ransomware has been removed with an offline scan. Cloud folders such as OneDrive sync the encrypted versions, but they keep earlier versions you can usually restore.
Will Fortect remove Moba ransomware?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Moba ransomware, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Comparitech: What is RSA encryption and how does it work? (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Ransowmare (read October 6, 2026)
- Disktuna: Media-Repair. Small repair tool for MP3 and WAV files affected by STOP/DJVU (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)