Do you know what Mespinoza Ransomware is?
Mespinoza Ransomware encrypts almost all file types, but it was programmed to encrypt only the files that are located in specific directories. Thus, the damage you receive after getting your computer infected with this malicious application depends on which folders you keep your most valuable files. To learn more about this infection, for example, how it might get in or what how it works, we recommend reading the rest of this report. For users who wish to eliminate Mespinoza Ransomware manually, but have no idea how to do so, we could offer our removal guide placed below. Of course, if the task seems complicated, you should not hesitate to employ a reputable antimalware tool instead. Also, should you have any questions about the malware’s deletion or its working manner, you could leave us a message in the comments section.
Mespinoza Ransomware might be spread through various channels. For example, it could be sent to targeted victims, which we believe could be businesses or other organizations, through email. This distribution method is rather popular not only amongst ransomware developers, but also creators of Trojans and other threats. This is why we highly recommend being careful with any link or attachment received from unknown sources or unexpectedly. If you are not entirely sure a file is safe to open, we advise scanning it with a reliable antimalware tool first.
Mespinoza Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
The malicious application in question does not need to create any additional copies of its launcher or other data to settle in on an infected device. Thus, Mespinoza Ransomware may start encrypting files soon after it enters a system. Our researchers say that the malware encrypts almost all data in %USERPROFILE%, %APPDATA%, %HOMEDRIVE%, and %PROGRAMFILES%. Apparently, the data it should not encrypt would be .sys, .exe, and .dll files. Users can recognize all encrypted files from a second extension called .locked that ought to appear after encryption. Deleting this extension will not restore files as for that, you would need to have a unique decryption key and a decryption tool. We are almost entirely sure that the hackers behind Mespinoza Ransomware would ask for a ransom in exchange for decryption tools after a user contacts them, as explained in the threat’s ransom note. What you should know is that there are no guarantees they will hold on to their end of the deal. Meaning, paying a ransom could end up hazardously.
To users who do not want to deal with hackers and keep the malicious application on their system, we advise deleting Mespinoza Ransomware. One of the ways to erase it is to follow the removal guide available below and get rid of its launcher and ransom notes manually. The other way to eliminate this malicious application is to get a reputable antimalware tool and perform a full system scan. To delete Mespinoza Ransomware after your chosen tool detects it, you should press the tool’s displayed removal button.
Erase Mespinoza Ransomware
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
- Pick Task Manager and check the Processes tab.
- Locate a process belonging to the malware.
- Choose the process and click End Task.
- Exit Task Manager.
- Click Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to the suggested paths:
%TEMP%
%USERPROFILE%Desktop
%USERPROFILE%Downloads - Find a recently downloaded suspicious file that is likely to be the malware’s source, right-click the malicious file, and select Delete.
- Look for the infection’s ransom notes; they might be on your Desktop and locations containing encrypted data.
- Right-click ransom notes and press Delete.
- Exit File Explorer.
- Empty Recycle bin.
- Restart the computer.
In non-techie terms:
Mespinoza Ransomware is most likely a tool for money extortion. It encrypts important files and then reveals its presence by dropping a note. The message it leaves on an infected device does not mention anything about having to pay for decryption tools. Still, we suspect such demands would appear as soon as a victim contacts the malware developers. It is difficult to say how much they could ask to pay, but since there is a possibility that the infection is targeted at businesses, the sums could be larger compared to the amounts hackers usually demand from regular users. What is even worse is that you cannot be entirely certain that cybercriminals will keep up to their promises. If you do not want to take any chances, we recommend deleting Mespinoza Ransomware. It can be erased manually, and the instructions available above might help you with this task. Also, you can use an antimalware tool as well, just make sure you download it from legitimate sources and that it comes from reputable developers.