The Mlza virus, known as a ransomware, belongs to the STOP/DJVU family. This malware is notorious for malignant file encryption operations. When the Mlza virus gets into a computer system, it targets various types of files, such as videos, photos, documents, and more. It changes the file structure and adds the “.mlza” extension to each file, making them unusable without the decryption.
Mlza Virus Overview
Mlza
🤔 Mlza virus can be classified as ransomware that originates from the DJVU/STOP ransomware family. Its main target is to lock all of your files it can reach. After that this ransomware asks its victims to pay the ransom – ($490 – $980) in Bitcoin.
The Mlza virus is a malware type that ciphers your files and coerces you into paying for their recovery. This ransomware encrypts various file types. Encrypted files become identifiable by a distinct “.mlza” extension. The files touched by ransomware become impossible to access and use.
Then, the ransomware asks for a ransom payment in Bitcoin from its victims, ranging from $490 to $980. In all cases, a text file with ransom payment guidances is named as “_readme.txt“.
Mlza Ransomware uses Salsa20 encryption algorithms to scramble the contents of the targeted files. Since Mlza virus utilizes such a robust ciphering method, it becomes pretty hard, if even possible, to find the decryption key without cooperating with the attackers.
Once Mlza malware finishes the encryption, it shows a ransom note to the user, demanding a ransom payment for the decryption key. The ransom note contains instructions on the ways of making the payment and also often contains threats of permanent data loss or increased ransom amounts if the demands are not met within a specified timeframe.
I have compiled a comprehensive list of the solutions, tips, and methods to disable the Mlza malware and decrypt and recover your files. There are cases when it may be feasible to restore your files, but sometimes, it may be impossible.
📌 Important Note!
It is essential to note that paying the ransom is not a guarantee of the successful recovery of your files. The cybercriminals behind the Mlza virus are known for their untrustworthiness. There were the cases where people have paid the ransom, only to be denied by the cybercriminals with the decryption key provision.
Mlza employs a unique key for every victim, with one exception:
The Mlza virus is highly similar to other DJVU ransomware variants like Mlrd, Mlrd, Mlwq, and Ttap. This virus encrypts a wide range of common file types and appends its distinct “.mlza” extension to all files. For instance, a file named “1.jpg” would be altered to “1.jpg.mlza” and “2.png” to “2.png.mlza“.
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 user will not miss the attack even without opening folders.
The image below provides a visual representation of files with the “mlza” extension:
Encrypted Files by STOP/DJVU Ransomware
| Name | Mlza Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | DJVU/STOP2 ransomware |
| Extension | .mlza |
| 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 alarming warning requesting users to pay the ransom to decrypt the encoded data contains these frustrating cautions.
Mlza ransomware arrives as a set of tasks that are meant to carry out different tasks on a victim’s computer. One of the initial processes being launched is winupdate.exe, a tricky process that shows a false Windows update prompt during the attack. Such a trick helps to convince the victim that their PC has become slow because of a Windows update.
At the same time, the ransomware runs another process (named as 4 random chars) which starts scanning the computer for target files and encrypting them. Then the ransomware deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the disk through the following CMD command:
vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Once erased, it becomes nearly impossible to restore the previous computer state using System Restore Points. The issue is, ransomware operators are eliminating any built-in Windows techniques that could aid the victim to regain files for free. In addition, the rascals 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 encounter a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when trying to open one of the blacklisted websites.
We’ve observed that ransomware endeavors to block websites that post various how-to guides for computer users. It is obvious that by limiting specific domains, the malefactors are trying to hinder the victim from accessing relevant and helpful ransomware-attack-related information online. This malware also stores two .txt files on the victim’s computer that present attack-related details – 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 stop. Variants of STOP/DJVU tend to install Vidar password-stealing Trojan on compromised systems. This threat possesses an extensive list of capabilities, including:
- Manipulating and viewing files on the victim’s computer without their knowledge.
- Extracting sensitive information such as browser cookies, saved passwords, and browsing history.
- Obtaining unauthorized access to login credentials of Steam, Telegram, and Skype.
- Granting the hackers remote control over the victim’s computer for various malicious activities.
- Stealing cryptocurrency wallets from the victim’s system.
- Gathering sensitive data by running malicious software on the victim’s computer.
The cryptography algorithm in STOP/Djvu ransomware is AES-256. So, if your data got encrypted with an online decryption key, the chances to get your files back are quite low. Thing is, this key is unique for each victim, and picking it will take exceptionally big amount of time.
Getting the online decryption key in another way is also close to impossible. It is kept on a server owned by the criminals who spread the Mlza infection. For receiving unlocking key the payment should be $980. To get the payment details, the victims should contact the hackers 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 .mlza Files?
How to restore big files?
Try removing .mlza extension on a few big files and opening them. This malware has issues with large files encryption. Either the virus scanned and did not encrypt the file, or it failed and did not add the filemarker. If you have files that are very large (2GB+), the latter is most likely. 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 Mlrd, Mlrd, Mlwq etc.
As a result of the alterations made by the criminals, STOPDecrypter is no longer backed. 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 accessible directories in order to decrypt the currently accessible drives (the connected ones), including the network drives. You can select extra locations with the “Add” button.
Decryptors usually propose several options considering the specific malware family. The present possible options are shown in the Options tab and can be enabled or disabled there. You may discover 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]
Emsisoft failed to find a correspondnig decryption key in their 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. There is no one to share the decryption key with you. File recovery is only possible through paying the ransom. 🙁
✓ 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, though the file recovery operation failed (the offline decryption key isn’t available yet). But, 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
It’s an indication of a DNS issue on your PC. Consider resetting your HOSTS file to default.
How to Restore .mlza Files?
In some case ransomware is not doom for your files…
The Mlza ransomware encryption mechanism is next: it encrypts every file byte-by-byte, then saves a duplicate, erasing (not overriding!) the initial file. Hence, the data of the file location on the physical disk is lost, but the original file is not erased from the physical disk. The cell, or the sector where this file was kept, can still keep this file, but it is not listed by 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 free program, which is originally created for file retrieval from damaged disks, or for file retrieval in case if they are unintentionally deleted. However, as time has gone by, this program adopted the ability to retrieve the files of 400 different file types. Hence, it can be used for data recovery after the Mlza attack.
First, you need to download this app. It is 100% free, but the developer states that there is no warranty that the files will be retrieved. PhotoRec is distributed together with other tool of the same developer – TestDisk. The program archive will have TestDisk name, but don’t worry. PhotoRec files are right inside.
To run PhotoRec, find and open “qphotorec_win.exe” file. No setup 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 Mlza ransomware.
Upon the start, you will observe the screen showing you the full list of your disk drives. However, this details are probably useless, because the required menu is placed a bit higher. Click this bar, then choose the disk which was attacked by ransomware.
After opting for 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 selection is to export them on USB drive or any other type of removable disk.
Then, you need to designate the file formats. This choice is located at the bottom, too. As it was mentioned, PhotoRec can regain 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 outcomes of the scan and recovery are shown.
Mlza files recovery Video Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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