Do you know what Mzlq Ransomware is?
Mzlq Ransomware is a dangerous infection, and you might not even realize when it slithers into your Windows operating system. This threat is supposed to remain silent and hidden until the time to demand for money comes. Unfortunately, the attackers behind this threat can ask for whatever they want because the infection can encrypt the most sensitive files, which include documents, photos, and media files. When files are encrypted, their owners cannot read them anymore, and the attackers jump in with a decryptor. They try to convince victims that this decryptor can restore all files, but even if that is the case, where’s the guarantee that you would get this tool after paying the ransom that is requested for it? There is no guarantee, and that is why we focus on the removal of Mzlq Ransomware instead. Of course, we also discuss how the threat works and how you could go around the encryption.
We need to mention that Mzlq Ransomware is not a unique infection. It is a clone of Sqpc Ransomware, Jope Ransomware, Mpaj Ransomware, Toec Ransomware, and tons of other threats that are identical to STOP Ransomware. This is the name that the Mzlq variant might be discovered as by your malware scanner or security tool. These threats usually exploit spam emails, bundled downloaders, and RPD vulnerabilities to slither in, and if they do that successfully – i.e., security software does not exist to detect and remove it immediately – all personal files are encrypted. When Mzlq Ransomware encrypts files, it adds the “.mzlq” extension to their names. According to researchers, a tool called ‘STOP Decryptor’ can assist the victims of STOP Ransomware to some extent. This tool will work only if files were encrypted using an offline key. This is not the only way to get around encryption. If you have copies of your personal files saved outside the infected system, you can use them as replacements after you delete the threat.
Unfortunately, not all victims think of how they could restore their files without having to deal with cybercriminals, and these are the victims that might be fooled by the Mzlq Ransomware ransom note. “_readme.txt” is the file that the infection drops to deliver a message, and according to it, you need to send one encrypted file with a unique ID code to helpmanager@mail.ch or restoremanager@firemail.cc. If you do this, the attackers will send you instructions on how to pay the ransom of $490. Do not do this if you do not want to have your inbox flooded with misleading messages and if you do not want to waste your money. Cybercriminals are not interested in helping you to get your files back. All they want is your money, and as soon as they get it, they can move on to the next victim or the next scam. You could be involved as well. Clearly, we think it is best to focus on the removal of this threat.
Mzlq Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
You can use the guide below to try to delete Mzlq Ransomware manually. The components of this malware have unique names, and so you might have a hard time identifying all malware files. Furthermore, you might discover other threats that require removal too. On top of all that, you need to rethink Windows security to ensure that new threats cannot attack you and your files in the future. Needless to say, doing all of this on your own is a challenge, and we do not think that all victims will be up for it. Therefore, we believe that it is best to implement anti-malware software to automatically remove Mzlq Ransomware. This software will simultaneously delete other threats, if they exist, and also completely secure your system.
Remove Mzlq Ransomware
- Launch Run by tapping Windows and R keys together.
- Enter regedit into the box that shows up and click OK.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
- Delete the value whose name is SysHelper.
- Exit Registry Editor and then launch File Explorer by tapping Windows and E keys.
- Enter %windir%%System32\Tasks\ into the quick access field at the top.
- Delete the task whose name is Time Trigger Task.
- Enter %localappdata% into the quick access field.
- Delete two {long random name} folders that contain {random name}.exe, updatewin.exe, and updatewin2.exe files.
- Delete a file whose name is script.ps1.
- Enter %homedrive% into the quick access field at the top.
- Delete a ransom note file whose name is _readme.txt.
- Exit File Explorer and then Empty Recycle Bin.
- Implement a legitimate malware scanner to perform a thorough system scan.
In non-techie terms:
If your Windows system is not protected against malware appropriately, Mzlq Ransomware is an infection that could try to invade it using one of the many security backdoors that you yourself might open. Once inside the targeted system, this malware encrypts files, and once that is done, it can make demands for a ransom payment in return for an alleged decryptor. Of course, we do not believe that you would get anything for your money, and so we suggest keeping it to yourself. If you are determined to follow the attackers’ demands, you should at the very least give a free decryptor a try or check backups to see if you have copies of personal files stored outside the computer. In any case, you need to delete Mzlq Ransomware, and while manual removal is an option, we strongly recommend implementing anti-malware software for automated removal.