How to remove Mpr ransomware

Mpr ransomware – a new cryptovirus from the well-known Dharma ransomware family

Mpr ransomware is a file-locking computer virus that starts encrypting victim data as soon as it accesses the computer system. During the encryption, all non-executable files are appended with a unique victim's ID, criminals' contact email [meterpreter@null.net], and .mpr extension.

Just like its whole Dharma ransomware family, when Mpr virus is done with renaming and encrypting the victim files, it creates ransom notes – a pop-up window and text files, named FILES ENCRYPTED.txt. It spreads them all over the infected device so that the victims could find them easily. 

This crypto-malware family is one of the biggest, spawning new version practically every week. Like Kobos, SUKA, GLB, and others, all its versions use either AES or a combination of DES + RSA coding algorithms to lock the data, making it extremely hard or even impossible to decode it without the right key.

Malware is spread using different techniques. Cybercriminals use various social engineering tricks on their victims to force them into downloading their creations willingly but unknowingly. Our research shows that the most popular ransomware distribution methods are:

• Phishing emails^[1]
• RDP attacks
• Removal media, like USB drives
• File-sharing platforms
• Drive-by downloads^[2]

We'll talk more about spreading methods in the second chapter. Now back to the culprit of this article – Mpr ransomware. Its ransom notes don't really differ from its earlier versions. Only the emails to contact the assailants are different – meterp@torontomail.com, meterpreter@null.net. All other details are the same.

Cybercriminals display this message in the pop-up window:

All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail meterpreter@null.net
Write this ID in the title of your message –
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:meterp@torontomail.com
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.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
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.

And this Mpr virus message is from the FILES ENCRYPTED.txt text files found scattered all over the infected computer:

all your data has been locked us
You want to return?
Write email meterpreter@null.net or meterp@torontomail.com

Since the FBI urges the victims not to give in to the cybercriminals' demands, we suggest using powerful anti-malware tools such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to remove Mpr ransomware from affected devices automatically. Manual infection elimination is possible but not recommended to inexperienced users.

Once Mpr ransomware removal is completed, victims of this cyber attack should consider using a powerful system tune-up tool like the FortectIntego app to restore any changes the virus infection could have done to the system registry and other core system settings and files.

Two of the most popular ransomware distribution techniques – spam emails and file-sharing platforms

We've stated the five most common ways of ransomware distribution in the previous chapter. Now we're going to talk about the two most common ones – spam emails and file-sharing platforms. Please read thoroughly, and you could evade becoming the next cyberattack victim.

Although the spam email rate has been decreasing since its peak in 2014,^[3] these emails still threaten everyday computer users and companies because some contain either links to malicious websites or infected attachments.

Users should learn how to identify them. Although they are written to trick people into believing that they really received them from, e.g., their bank, hospital, shipping company, etc., they still have grammatical mistakes and other irregularities, as addressing the user without his full name, forcing him to visit a site or download an unsolicited attachment. Refrain from opening any links or download any attachments from emails that seem even a little bit suspicious.

File-sharing platforms, like torrent sites, are another ransomware spreading technique beloved by cybercriminals because they don't have to do much – think of an alluring name, upload the cryptovirus camouflaged as something else, and wait for unaware users to download it. Please refrain from using such sites altogether because you never know which torrent might contain a little extra than you thought.

Remove Mpr ransomware from infected devices with anti-malware tools

All malware should be dealt with swiftly and without a doubt. The best way to do it is to perform a full system scan with a trustworthy anti-malware software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes and remove Mpr ransomware immediately. Unfortunately, that won't decrypt the locked files, but it's still the only right thing to do.

Before Mpr ransomware removal, export all encrypted data to an offline storage device, such as a USB drive. Do that because there are no decryption tools available right this moment, but you could restore your old data if one is created. Check back with us as we always bring the latest updates to our readers.

When you've eliminated the infection from your device, experts^[4] recommend using system repair tools like the FortectIntego app to tune-up the computer system, as the cryptovirus could have made modifications to the system files and settings. Afterward, your device should be as good as new.