How to remove Starmoon ransomware

Starmoon ransomware is the virus that encrypts files and demands money claiming to have the decryption solutions

Starmoon ransomware is the malware piece focusing on locking data on the machine, so these changes to files encourage people to pay up. The victim sees files locked, useless, unopenable, and marked using the lengthy appendix that contains contact information, user ID, and a random character extension. This is the first and possibly only symptom of the virus besides the ransom note delivery.

This is the version of the older Spora ransomware and this Starmoon ransomware virus is not decryptable as of the time of writing. The developers of this threat demand payments via ReadMe_Now!.hta and Read_Me!_.txt ransom notes. These messages claim that the only solution is in the hands of these virus creators.

These promises are false, and victims should never consider even contacting these people behind cryptocurrency extortion programs.^[1] You should write them via starmoon@my.com or starmoonio@tutanota.com if you want a further explanation, but there are no guarantees that the decryption is even possible.

Cryptovirus functionality

Starmoon ransomware developers mention that these files are locked, but other data can be published if the victim decides not to pay. Ransomware creators often use such double-extortions methods^[2] to ensure the profit from victims. The price of the decryption can be doubled in 48 hours, so victims are in a rush.

Those renamed files are not damaged, but you cannot open files and look through the belongings. Trying to recover them can damage the data further, so a particular decryption tool is needed here. The official tool is not developed, and these criminals can only claim to have the tool, but these tools are difficult to develop and obtain.

Starmoon file virus encodes files by changing the original code of the document, image, audio, or video files. The purpose of the ransomware is to keep these files unusable, so the victim pays demanded sum be, believing this is the only solution for the file recovery. The encoded files are important, but you need to remove the virus first.

Eliminating the active threat

Ransomware is the file virus threat that is infecting machines quickly and easily, but it is silent. The particular virus can be spread using other malware and vectors, so there are additional threats besides Starmoon ransomware virus that affect the machine significantly.

Security tools like anti-malware programs and apps like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes can detect the infection^[3] and help with the proper removal of the ransomware. These additional files and programs that experts^[4] note about can create additional issues, and the longer this malware runs on the machine the more damage can be caused.

Starmoon ransomware can trigger issues with the performance and functions needed for the removal of the threat or file recovery. Often these viruses disable security functions, file recovery programs, and built-in features, so you need to remove the virus to avoid further damage, additional encryption rounds, and repair issues with the PC.

Restore affected system files

Once a computer is infected with malware, its system is changed to operate differently. For example, an infection can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is. 

Therefore, we highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology of FortectIntego repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.

Possible other options

Starmoon ransomware is a new version and developed recently, so o particular tool could be developed this quickly after the release and discovery of the malware. It is possible to remove the actively running ransomware from the machine or replace locked files using data backups, but the decryption directly is not possible. However, you might find a useful tool for this.

File encryption is a process that is similar to applying a password to a particular file or folder. However, from a technical point of view, encryption is fundamentally different due to its complexity. By using encryption, threat actors use a unique set of alphanumeric characters as a password that can not easily be deciphered if the process is performed correctly.

There are several algorithms that can be used to lock data (whether for good or bad reasons); for example, AES uses the symmetric method of encryption, meaning that the key used to lock and unlock files is the same. Unfortunately, it is only accessible to the attackers who hold it on a remote server – they ask for a payment in exchange for it. This simple principle is what allows ransomware authors to prosper in this illegal business.

Therefore, regardless of which crypto-malware affects your files, you should try to find the relevant decryptor if such exists. Security researchers are in a constant battle against cybercriminals. In some cases, they manage to create a working decryption tool that would allow victims to recover files for free.

Once you have identified which ransomware you are affected by, you should check the following links for a decryptor:

• No More Ransom Project
• Free Ransomware Decryptors by Kaspersky
• Free Ransomware Decryption Tools from Emsisoft
• Avast decryptors

If you can't find a decryptor that works for you, you should try the alternative methods we list below. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that it sometimes takes years for a working decryption tool to be developed, so there are always hopes for the future.

Starmoon file virus is spreading using malicious files and programs that can help spread the malware around the internet. These methods allow virus creators to include the malicious payload in the document or PDF file and attach that piece to spam emails, so malicious macros can work when the file is downloaded and opened.

The virus also spreads around other threats, so you should take that into consideration and remove Starmoon ransomware alongside other vectors with SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. Then the file recovery can happen safely. Also, do not forget about the file damage in system folders and repair those issues with FortectIntego.