The Ma1x0 virus belongs to the Mallox ransomware family. Malware of this type encrypts all user’s data on the computer (photos, text files, excel tables, music, videos, etc) and adds its extra extension to every file, leaving the HOW TO RESTORE FILES.txt files in every directory with the encrypted files.
Ma1x0 virus: what is known so far?
☝️ Ma1x0 is a Mallox family ransomware virus.
Ma1x0 will append its extra .ma1x0 extension to every file’s title. For instance, a file entitled “photo.jpg” will be altered to “photo.jpg.ma1x0”. In the same manner, the Excel table named “table.xlsx” will become “table.xlsx.ma1x0”, and so on.
In each folder that contains the encrypted files, a HOW TO RESTORE FILES.txt text document will be found. It is a ransom money memo. Therein you can find information on the ways of paying the ransom and some other remarks. The ransom note usually contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the racketeers. You can obtain this decryptor after contacting [email protected] by email. That is it.
Ma1x0 Overview:
| Name | Ma1x0 Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | Mallox ransomware |
| Extension | .ma1x0 |
| Ransomware note | HOW TO RESTORE FILES.txt |
| Ransom | $3000 (in BTC) |
| Contact | [email protected] |
| Detection | Trojan:Win32/SmokeLoader.RG!MTB Virus Removal, Trojan:MSIL/AsyncRAT.Z!MTB Virus Removal, Trojan:MSIL/AgentTesla.RDSI!MTB Virus Removal |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) get a .ma1x0 extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Ma1x0 virus |
The HOW TO RESTORE FILES.txt file coming in package with the Ma1x0 ransomware states the following:
Hello Your files are encrypted and can not be used To return your files in work condition you need decryption tool Follow the instructions to decrypt all your data Do not try to change or restore files yourself, this will break them If you want, on our site you can decrypt one file for free. Free test decryption allowed only for not valuable file with size less than 3MB How to get decryption tool: 1) Download and install TOR browser by this link: hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/ 2) If TOR blocked in your country and you can\'t access to the link then use any VPN software 3) Run TOR browser and open the site: - 4) Copy your private ID in the input field. Your Private key: - 5) You will see payment information and we can make free test decryption here Our blog of leaked companies: - If you are unable to contact us through the site, then you can email us: [email protected] Waiting for a response via mail can be several days. Do not use it if you have not tried contacting through the site
In the screenshot below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Ma1x0 looks like. Each filename has the “.ma1x0” extension appended to it.
An example of encrypted .ma1x0 files.
How did my computer get infected with Ma1x0 ransomware?
There are many possible ways of ransomware infiltration.
There are currently three most exploited methods for tamperers to have the Ma1x0 virus acting in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan infiltration and peer-to-peer file transfer.
- If you open your inbox and see emails that look just like notifications from utility services providers, delivery agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose mailer is strange to you, beware of opening those letters. They are most likely to have a malicious item attached to them. Thus it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
- Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan file model. A Trojan is a program that infiltrates into your PC pretending to be something legal. For instance, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some program. But what is unboxed turns out to be a harmful program that compromises your data. As the update package can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the source of the things you’re downloading. The best way is to use the software companies’ official websites.
- As for the peer file transfer protocols like torrents or eMule, the threat is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Web. You can never know what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy websites. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded files with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is complete.
How do I get rid of ransomware?
It is crucial to inform you that besides encrypting your files, the Ma1x0 virus will probably deploy Vidar Stealer on your computer to seize your credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That spyware can extract your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Remove Ma1x0 with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware
We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked the most common Ransomware as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove Ma1x0 as well as other malware hiding on your computer.
To use Gridinsoft for remove malicious threats, follow the steps below:
1. Begin by downloading Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, accessible via the blue button below or directly from the official website gridinsoft.com.
2.Once the Gridinsoft setup file (setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe) is downloaded, execute it by clicking on the file.
3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.
4. Access the "Scan Tab" on the application's start screen and launch a comprehensive "Full Scan" to examine your entire computer. This inclusive scan encompasses the memory, startup items, the registry, services, drivers, and all files, ensuring that it detects malware hidden in all possible locations.
Be patient, as the scan duration depends on the number of files and your computer's hardware capabilities. Use this time to relax or attend to other tasks.
5. Upon completion, Anti-Malware will present a detailed report containing all the detected malicious items and threats on your PC.
6. Select all the identified items from the report and confidently click the "Clean Now" button. This action will safely remove the malicious files from your computer, transferring them to the secure quarantine zone of the anti-malware program to prevent any further harmful actions.
8. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. This step is crucial to ensure thorough removal of any remaining threats. After the restart, Gridinsoft Anti-Malware will open and display a message confirming the completion of the scan.
Remember Gridinsoft offers a 6-day free trial. This means you can take advantage of the trial period at no cost to experience the full benefits of the software and prevent any future malware infections on your system. Embrace this opportunity to fortify your computer's security without any financial commitment.
Trojan Killer for “Ma1x0” removal on locked PC
In situations where it becomes impossible to download antivirus applications directly onto the infected computer due to malware blocking access to websites, an alternative solution is to utilize the Trojan Killer application.
There is a really little number of security tools that are able to be set up on the USB drives, and antiviruses that can do so in most cases require to obtain quite an expensive license. For this instance, I can recommend you to use another solution of GridinSoft - Trojan Killer Portable. It has a 14-days cost-free trial mode that offers the entire features of the paid version. This term will definitely be 100% enough to wipe malware out.
Trojan Killer is a valuable tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, helping you to effectively remove malware from infected computers. Now, we will walk you through the process of using Trojan Killer from a USB flash drive to scan and remove malware on an infected PC. Remember, always obtain permission to scan and remove malware from a computer that you do not own.
Step 1: Download & Install Trojan Killer on a Clean Computer:
1. Go to the official GridinSoft website (gridinsoft.com) and download Trojan Killer to a computer that is not infected.
2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.
3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.
4. Once the installation is complete, launch Trojan Killer.
Step 2: Update Signature Databases:
5. After launching Trojan Killer, ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet.
6. Click "Update" icon to download the latest signature databases, which will ensure the tool can detect the most recent threats.
Step 3: Scan the Infected PC:
7. Safely eject the USB flash drive from the clean computer.
8. Boot the infected computer to the Safe Mode.
9. Insert the USB flash drive.
10. Run tk.exe
11. Once the program is open, click on "Full Scan" to begin the malware scanning process.
Step 4: Remove Found Threats:
12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.
13. Click on "Cure PC!" to remove the identified malware from the infected PC.
14. Follow any additional on-screen prompts to complete the removal process.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer:
15. Once the threats are removed, click on "Restart PC" to reboot your computer.
16. Remove the USB flash drive from the infected computer.
Congratulations on effectively removing Ma1x0 and the concealed threats from your computer! You can now have peace of mind, knowing that they won't resurface again. Thanks to Gridinsoft's capabilities and commitment to cybersecurity, your system is now protected.
Sometimes criminals would decrypt some of your files to prove that they do have the decryption tool. As Ma1x0 virus is a relatively new ransomware, anti-malware designers have not yet found a way to undo its work. However, the decryption tools are constantly upgraded, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available.
Of course, if the tamperers do the job of encoding victim’s essential data, the hopeless person will most likely comply with their demands. Despite that, paying to racketeers does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your files back. It is still dangerous. After obtaining the ransom, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports of malefactors simply disappearing after getting the money without even writing back.
The best solution against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud storage or at least on an external drive. Surely, that might be insufficient. Your most important thing could be that file you were working upon when it all went down. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also reasonable to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the OS restoration.
Ma1x0 is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. Examples of those are Taliban, Xznshirkicry, Wanttocry, and some others. The two basic differences between them and the Ma1x0 are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is the same: files become encrypted, their extensions changed, ransom notes are found in each directory containing encoded files.
Some fortunate users were able to decode the arrested files with the help of the free tools provided by anti-malware developers. Sometimes the criminals accidentally send the decryption code to the wronged in the ransom note. Such an epic fail allows the user to restore the files. But naturally, one should never rely on such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a bandits’ tool to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How do I avoid ransomware injection?
Ma1x0 ransomware doesn’t have a superpower, neither does any similar malware.
You can armour your computer from its attack in several easy steps:
- Never open any emails from unknown mailboxes with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (can you win in a lottery without participating in it?). In case the email subject is more or less something you are expecting, scrutinize all elements of the questionable email carefully. A hoax letter will surely have mistakes.
- Never use cracked or unknown software. Trojans are often spreaded as a part of cracked products, possibly under the guise of “patch” preventing the license check. Understandably, dubious programs are difficult to distinguish from reliable ones, because trojans may also have the functionality you seek. Try to find information about this program on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal solution is not to use such programs at all.
- And to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a powerful defense for your PC.
FAQ
🤔 How can I open “.ma1x0” files?Are the “.ma1x0” files accessible?
There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.ma1x0” files are decrypted.
🤔 The encrypted files are very important to me. How can I decrypt them quickly?
If the “.ma1x0” files contain some really important information, then you probably have them backed up. Otherwise, you might try to employ System Restore. The only question is whether you have saved any Restore Points that would be helpful now. The rest of the methods require patience.
🤔 Will GridinSoft Anti-Malware remove all the encrypted files alongside the Ma1x0 virus?
No way! Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will delete active threats from your PC. The malware that has infected your computer is must be still active and running scans every so often to encrypt any new files you might create on your computer after the infection. As it has already been said, the Ma1x0 ransomware does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide hackers with easy access to your computer in the future.
🤔 What to do if the Ma1x0 ransomware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation key.
In such a case, you need to prepare a memory stick with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the cleaning. You see, the ransomware runs automatically as the system launches and encrypts any new files created or imported into your system. To suppress this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital programs to run upon system start. Consider reading our manual on running Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Some of the encrypted files can be found elsewhere.
- If you sent or received your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
- You may have shared photographs or videos with your friends or family members. Just ask them to post those images back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Web, you can try to do it again.
- Your messengers, social networks pages, and cloud drives might have all those files as well.
- Maybe you still have the needed files on your old computer, a portable device, mobile, memory stick, etc.
HINT: You can employ data recovery utilities2 to retrieve your lost information since ransomware encrypts the copies of your files, deleting the original ones. In the tutorial below, you can learn how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but be advised: you won’t be able to do it before you eradicate the ransomware itself with an anti-malware program.
