How to delete Mljx ransomware

Mljx ransomware is file-encrypting malware that was released by the same cybercrime gang operating the Djvu/STOP ransomware family. It’s a very serious infection that encrypts files and demands payment for their decryption. You can identify this ransomware by the .mljx extension it adds to encrypted files. Unfortunately, unless you have a backup of files, it’s currently not possible to recover files for free. The cybercrooks operating this ransomware will try to sell you the decryptor for $980. But paying the ransom is not a good idea because you will not necessarily get the decryptor since you’re dealing with cybercriminals.

 

 

Mljx ransomware is essentially identical to Hgsh, Yqal, Wnlu, and Moia because they all come from the same Djvu/STOP malware family. You can identify which version has infected your computer by the extension added to your encrypted files. This ransomware adds .mljx. For example, image.jpg would become image.jpg.mljx. It targets all personal files, including photos, videos, and documents. You will not be able to open any of these files unless you first run them through a decryptor. Unfortunately, the only people with a working decryptor are the cybercriminals operating this ransomware. And they will not simply give it to you. Rather, they will try to sell you the decryptor for $980.

After the ransomware initiates, it will begin encrypting files immediately. While it’s doing that, it will show a fake Windows update alert to distract you. Once it’s done encrypting your files, the ransomware will drop a _readme.txt ransom note. The note is pretty generic and explains how files can be decrypted. The note offers you a decryptor if you are willing to pay for it. It requests $980, though those who make contact within the first 72 hours may receive a 50% discount. Even if that were true, paying the ransom is risky. While paying is your decision, you should be aware of the risks. One of the main reasons why paying the ransom is not recommended is that it does not guarantee a decryptor. You are dealing with cyber criminals after all. There are no guarantees they will feel any obligation to help you, even after you pay. Furthermore, one of the reasons why ransomware continues to be so prominent is that users pay the ransom. Ransomware is very profitable for cybercriminals. As long as users pay the ransom, it will continue to be profitable.

Unfortunately, the only free way to recover files at this moment is backup. If you do not have a backup, your only option is to wait for a free decryptor to become available. Unfortunately, one does not exist at the moment. And releasing it could be difficult for malware researchers because Mljx ransomware and other Djvu versions use online keys to encrypt files. That means that keys are unique to each user. Unless those keys are released, it’s not likely that a decryptor will become available. However, it’s not impossible that the cybercriminals themselves will release the keys if they decide to end their criminal activities. Or they could be released by law enforcement if they ever catch these cybercriminals. So back up encrypted files and occasionally check NoMoreRansom for a free decryptor. You may come across Emsisoft’s free Djvu/STOP decryptor while searching but unfortunately, it will likely not work on Mljx ransomware.

For users who have a backup, file recovery shouldn’t be an issue. All they need to do is remove Mljx ransomware from their computers using anti-virus software and then access their backup. It’s very important the ransomware is fully gone before connecting to backup. If ransomware is still present when you connect to backup, the files in the backup would become encrypted as well.

How did the ransomware enter your computer?

One of the most common ways malware enters users’ computers is via email attachments. For malicious actors, this is a very low-effort malware distribution method. They simply purchase thousands of email addresses from hacker forums and use them to launch their malicious spam campaigns. Fortunately for users, because these campaigns target a massive amount of users, they are not tailored, thus are very obvious. They’re sent from questionable email addresses, contain loads of grammar/spelling mistakes, are written in awkward English, address users with generic terms, but claim to be emailing on the behalf of a company whose services users use. If a company whose services you use were to send you an email, the email would not contain any mistakes and you would be addressed by your name. Because malicious actors do not know your name, they use generic terms like “Member”, “Customer”, “User” to address you. All of these signs should raise alarm bells. But if you learn to recognize all of these signs, you should be able to identify the majority of generic malicious spam attempts.

Whether you think an unsolicited email attachment is safe or not, we still recommend scanning all email attachments with anti-virus software or VirusTotal to check for malware. This does not take long and may save you a lot of time in the future.

Malicious actors also use torrents to distribute malware. Torrent sites are quite badly regulated so it’s not difficult to insert malware into a torrent for some popular movie, TV show, video game, software, etc., without site admins noticing or caring. It’s particularly common to find malware in torrents for recently released content. For example, whenever a new Marvel movie comes out, torrents for its pirated version are full of malware. So you’re not only essentially stealing but also putting your computer/data in danger by pirating copyrighted content.

Mljx ransomware removal

Ransomware is considered to be one of the most complex malware infections you could encounter. Thus, do not attempt to remove Mljx ransomware manually because you could end up causing more damage to your computer. Or you may not fully delete Mljx ransomware, allowing it to recover later on. If the ransomware is still present when you connect to your backup to recover files, those files could become encrypted as well. So use reliable anti-virus software to delete Mljx ransomware from your computer, and only then access your backup.