The Mlwq virus, known as a ransomware, is part of the STOP family. This malware family is known for malicious file ciphering. When the Mlwq virus infects a system, it targets various types of files, like photos, videos, documents, and more. It alters the file structure and appends the “.mlwq” extension to each file, making them inaccessible and unusable without the decryption key.
Mlwq Virus Overview
Mlwq
🤔 Mlwq virus belongs to ransomware that belongs to the DJVU/STOP family. Its primary purpose is to encrypt all of your files it can reach. After that this ransomware asks its victims for a ransom payment – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Mlwq virus is a malware type that ciphers your files and makes you pay for their decryption. This malware encrypts a wide selection of file types. Encrypted files become identifiable by a distinct “.mlwq” extension. The files touched by ransomware become inaccessible and unusable.
Then, the ransomware demands a file decryption payment in Bitcoin from its victims, ranging from $490 to $980. Usually, a text file with ransom payment guidances is named as “_readme.txt“.
Mlwq Ransomware operates by Salsa20 encryption algorithms to scramble the contents of the targeted files. Since Mlwq virus utilizes such a strong encryption method, it becomes pretty difficult, if even possible, to pick the decryption key without the assistance of the attackers.
Once the files are encrypted, the Mlwq virus displays a ransom note to the victim, asking for a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. The ransom note contains instructions on how to make the payment and also often contains threats of system wipeout or ransom amounts surge if the demands are not met within a specified timeframe.
I have compiled an all-encompassing list of potential solutions, tips, and practices to disable the Mlwq malware and decrypt your files. In some cases, you can decrypt the files, but sometimes, it may be impossible.
📌 Important Note!
It is critical to note that paying off the ransom is not a guarantee of the successful files recovery. The hackers who stand behind the Mlwq virus are known for their untrustworthiness. There were the cases where victims have paid the ransom, only to be denied by the cybercriminals with the decryption key provision.
Mlwq employs a unique key for each victim, with one exception:
The Mlwq virus is similar to other DJVU ransomware variants such as Ttap, Ttza, Ttwq, and Ttrd. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.mlwq” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.mlwq” and “2.png” to “2.png.mlwq“.
Upon successful encryption, the virus spawns a special text file named “_readme.txt” and places it in every folder containing the encrypted files. It as well adds this file to the desktop, so the victim will not miss the attack even without opening folders.
The image below provides a visual representation of files with the “mlwq” extension:
Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware
| Name | Mlwq Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .mlwq |
| Ransomware note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
| Contact | [email protected], [email protected] |
| Detection | Trojan:Script/Phonzy.B!ml, Trojan:MSIL/SnakeKeylogger.SPAQ!MTB, Trojan:Win32/Gozi.RF!MTB |
| Symptoms |
|
| Fix Tool |
To remove possible malware infections, scan your PC:
6-day free trial available. |
This message asking payment is for restore files via decryption key:
_readme.txt (STOP/DJVU Ransomware) – The frightening notification insisting users to pay off the ransom to decrypt the encrypted data contains these exasperating admonitions.
Mlwq ransomware arrives as a set of actions that are used to carry out certain tasks on a victim’s computer. One of the primary processes being launched is winupdate.exe, a tricky process that displays a false Windows update pop-up during the attack. That is needed to convince the victim that their PC has become slow because of a Windows update.
Simultaneously, the ransomware runs another process (which name commonly consists of 4 random characters) which starts scanning the disk for target files and encrypting them. Next, the ransomware removes Volume Shadow Copies from the system disk by the following CMD command:
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Once deleted, it becomes virtually impossible to recover the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The issue is, ransomware operators are getting rid of any built-in Windows approaches that could assist the victim to regain files for free. In addition, the crooks modify the Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of domains to it and directing them to the localhost IP. As a result, the victim will face a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when accessing one of the blacklisted websites.
We noticed that ransomware endeavors to block websites that publish various how-to guides for computer users. It is evident that by limiting specific domains, the crooks are trying to prevent the victim from connecting to relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. This malware also stores two text files on the victim’s computer that present attack-related particulars – the public key of this victim and personal ID. These two files are named bowsakkdestx.txt and PersonalID.txt.
After all these changes, the malware doesn’t halt. Variants of STOP/DJVU tend to install Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat carries an large list of capabilities, including:
- Infiltrating the victim’s computer with malware and executing it to gain unauthorized access.
- Obtaining unauthorized access to login credentials of Steam, Telegram, and Skype.
- Manipulating and viewing files on the victim’s computer without their knowledge.
- Stealing cryptocurrency wallets from the victim’s system.
- Granting the hackers remote control over the victim’s computer for various malicious activities.
- Extracting sensitive information such as browser cookies, saved passwords, and browsing history.
The encryption algorithm in STOP/Djvu ransomware is AES-256. So, once your data is encrypted with an online decryption key, the chances to get your files back are quite low. Thing is, online key is unique for each victim, and brute forcing it will take too much time.
Obtaining the online decryption key in another way is also nearly impossible. It is kept on a remote server owned by the criminals who promote the Mlwq infection. For receiving unlocking key the payment should be $980. To get the payment details, the victims should contact the fraudsters by email ([email protected]).
The message by the ransomware states the following information:
ATTENTION! Don't worry, you can return all your files! All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key. The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you. This software will decrypt all your encrypted files. What guarantees you have? You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free. But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information. You can get and look video overview decrypt tool: https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku Price of private key and decrypt software is $980. Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490. Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment. Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours. To get this software you need write on our e-mail: [email protected] Reserve e-mail address to contact us: [email protected] Your personal ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
How To Remove STOP/Djvu Ransomware?
Video Guide
How To Decrypt .mlwq Files?
How to restore big files?
Try deleting .mlwq extension on a few big files and opening them. This malware has issues with large files encryption. Either the virus scanned and did not lock the file, or it failed and did not add the filemarker. If your files are very large (2GB+), such a situation is highly probable. Please, text me in the comments whether this helped you or not.
The newest extensions released around the end of August 2019 after the criminals made changes. This includes Ttap, Ttza, Ttwq etc.
As a outcome of the alterations made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer assisted. It has been replaced with the Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP Djvu Ransomware developed by Emsisoft.
You can download free decryption tool here: Decryptor for STOP Djvu.
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Select folders for decryption.
Based on the default configurations, the decryptor will automatically choose the available directories in order to decode the currently reachable drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. Additional (optional) locations can be selected with the help of the “Add” button.
Decryptors typically offer several options considering the specific malware family. The present possible options are presented in the Options tab and can be enabled or disabled there. You may find a detailed list of the currently active Options below.
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Click on the “Decrypt” button.
As soon as you add all the desired locations for decryption into the list, click on the “Decrypt” button in order to initiate the decryption procedure.
Note that the main screen may turn you to a status view, letting you know of the active process and the decryption statistics of your data:
The decryptor will notify you as soon as the decryption procedure is completed. If you need the report for your personal papers, you can save it by choosing the “Save log” button. Note that it is also possible to copy it directly to your clipboard and to paste it into emails or messages here if you need to do so.
The Emsisoft Decryptor might display different messages after a failed attempt to restore your files:
✓ Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]
There is no corresponding decryption key in the Emsisoft decryptor’s database.
✓ No key for New Variant online ID: [your ID]
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible
Malware used an online key to cipher your files. Your key is unique and is kept on the command server, controlled by criminals. File recovery without paying the ransom is impossible. 🙁
✓ Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]
This ID appears be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.
An offline key was used, but files could not be restored (the offline decryption key isn’t available yet). Nonetheless, this message is a good news for you, because it might be possible to restore your files in the future. 🙂
It can take a few weeks or months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. Please follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here.
✓ Remote name could not be resolved
This stands for a DNS issues. Our first recommendation is to reset your HOSTS file back to default.
How to Restore .mlwq Files?
In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Mlwq ransomware encryption algorithm is next: it encodes every file byte-by-byte, then saves a file copy, removing (not overriding!) the initial file. Thus, the data of the file placement on the disk drive is lost, but the original file is not deleted from the disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was kept, can still hold this file, but it is absent in the file system and can be rewritten by data that has been loaded to this disk after the removal. Hence, it is possible to restore your files using special software.
Anyway, after realizing it was an online algorithm, it is impossible to retrieve my encrypted files. I also had my backup drive plugged in at the time of the virus, and this was also infected, or so I thought. Every folder within my backup drive had been infected and was encrypted. However, despite losing some important files, I retrieved almost 80% of my 2TB storage.
When I started going through the folders, I noticed the readme.txt ransom note in every folder. I opened some of the folders and found that all files that were not in a subfolder within that folder had been encrypted. However, I found a flaw and glimmer of hope when I went into the subfolders in other folders and found that these files had not been encrypted. Every folder within my c and d drives, including subfolders, had been encrypted, but this was not the case with the backup drive. Having subfolders created within a folder has saved 80% of my data.
As I said, I believe this to be only a small loophole on a backup drive. I’ve since found a further 10 % of my data on another hard drive on a different pc. So my advice is if you use a backup drive, create subfolders. I was lucky, I guess. But I was also unlucky that the virus hit as I was transferring some files from my backup.
Hopefully, this can help some other people in my situation.
Jamie NewlandRecovering your files with PhotoRec
PhotoRec is an open-source program, which is initially created for data recovery from damaged disks, or for data recovery in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, as time has gone by, this program received the ability to restore the files of 400 different formats. Hence, it can be used for file restoration after the Mlwq attack.
First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer notifies that there is no assurance that the files will be retrieved. PhotoRec is distributed in a pack with other tool of the same developer – TestDisk. The resulting archive will bear TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.
To run PhotoRec, you need to find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No installation process is required – the program has all the files it need inside of the archive, hence, you can fit it on your USB drive, and help your friends/parents/anyone who has been attacked by Mlwq ransomware.
After the start, you will observe the screen showing you the entire list of your disk drives. However, this information is presumably unhelpful, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this menu, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.
After selecting the disk, you need to opt for the destination folder for the restored files. This menu is located at the lower part of the PhotoRec window. The best decision is to export them on USB drive or any other type of removable disk.
Then, you need to indicate the file formats. This option is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can retrieve the files of about 400 different formats.
Finally, you can initiate files retrieval by pressing the “Search” button. You will see the screen where the findings of the scan and recovery are shown.
Mlwq files recovery Video Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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