Do you know what Mpaj Ransomware is?
Mpaj Ransomware is an encryptor, which means that it can be used to cipher the data of certain files. Unfortunately, the attackers behind this malware are targeting your personal files, and if the threat is successful, it can corrupt documents, videos, photos, and other types of sensitive, valuable, and perhaps irreplaceable files. Nowadays, we have options to back up our files and store copies in online vaults or on external physical drives. For the most part, we do that for convenience, so that we could easily access files on different devices. However, there is an important security element as well. Hopefully, you have all files backed up as insurance against file-removing or file-encrypting infections. If you cannot replace the corrupted files with backups, perhaps you can still decrypt them. Before you do any of that, you need to remove Mpaj Ransomware from your operating system.
According to our research team, Mpaj Ransomware is a clone of Ooss Ransomware, Toec Ransomware, Mool Ransomware, Rezm Ransomware, and literally hundreds of other infections alike. All of them were modeled after the infamous STOP Ransomware, which is why the malware scanner or the anti-malware tool you use to identify and delete threats might detect Mpaj Ransomware as STOP Ransomware as well. You can determine which variant of this malware slithered into your operating system by checking the names of the corrupted files. They should have the “.mpaj” extension appended to their original names. So, how did this infection get in? It might have used spam emails, malicious downloaders, or vulnerabilities that exist on your operating system to slither in. Because cybercriminals are smart about how they spread malware, you too have to be smart about how you secure your operating system.
Mpaj Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Mpaj Ransomware only creates three files. One of them is a malicious .exe file with a random name within a folder with a random name in the %LOCALAPPDATA% directory. In the %HOMEDRIVE% directory, you should find a folder named “SystemID” with a file named “PersonalID.txt” file inside, as well as a file named “_readme.txt.” This is the most important file for Mpaj Ransomware because it contains the instructions that victims are supposed to follow. According to them, once they send an email message to helpmanager@mail.ch or helpdatarestore@firemail.cc, they will then receive information on how to pay for a decryption key that, allegedly, can be used to fully restore your personal files. We know that $490 is the price for the allegedly useful tool. We do not recommend giving in because even if you pay the ransom, you are unlikely to receive anything in return. On top of that, if you can replace the corrupted files or restore them using a free decryptor, there is no reason to communicate with cybercriminals at all. Instead, you want to focus on the removal of the dangerous infection.
There is a free tool called STOP Decryptor, and it is supposed to be capable of restoring all files that were encrypted using an offline encryptor. Would your personal files be fully decrypted by it? We do not know it, but if you do not have backup copies, trying it out cannot hurt. Obviously, you have to be careful about what you download because cybercriminals could conceal other infections using the disguise of a desirable tool. Whatever happens, you need to delete Mpaj Ransomware, and if you have no experience with the manual removal of other threats, it might be too difficult for you to erase this threat yourself. We strongly advise installing a trusted anti-malware tool to have your operating system and personal files guarded 24/7. Of course, you also want to remember to keep backups of all files just in case malware finds its way in again.
Remove Mpaj Ransomware
- Delete the {random name}.exe file that launched the infection.
- Simultaneously tap Win+E keys on the keyboard to launch File Explorer.
- Enter %HOMEDRIVE% into the quick access field at the top.
- Delete the ransom note file named _readme.txt.
- Delete the SystemID folder with the PersonalID.txt file inside.
- Enter %LOCALAPPDATA% into the Explorer.
- Delete the {random name} folder with a malicious {random name}.exe file inside.
- Exit File Explorer and then quickly Empty Recycle Bin.
- Immediately install and run a trusted malware scanner to check if leftovers exist.
In non-techie terms:
You might be able to automatically delete Mpaj Ransomware from your operating system, but if that is not possible, the best thing you can do for yourself is to install a legitimate anti-malware tool. It will automatically scan your system and detect all malicious components that require removal. Before you get to that, you might be pondering whether or not you should pay the ransom that is requested by the attackers. We do not recommend doing that because even if you pay the ransom twice over, you are unlikely to get what you need to decrypt your files. Unfortunately, the free decryptor created by malware researchers cannot guarantee complete decryption as well. Hopefully, you have backups that can be used to replace the lost files.