Maas ransomware

Maas ransomware is a malicious file-locker that uses sophisticated mathematical encryption algorithms to render users’ files useless

Maas ransomware is another dangerous cryptovirus from the DJVU ransomware family.

Maas ransomware is another dangerous cryptovirus from the DJVU ransomware family.

Maas ransomware – one of the most dangerous cyber infections that are internationally known as ransomware. This cryptovirus can lock personal files on the victim’s PC, so access to them is not possible. Unfortunately, but the data encrypted by this virus cannot be recovered. The Maas virus belongs to the Djvu ransomware family and none of the versions that are using online keys cannot be deciphered. 

If all of your files are marked with .Maas file marker, consider that this virus belongs to the known malware family and do not rush to pay the ransom. The task of such viruses is to make easy money by blackmailing victims, so every support impels criminals to keep going on their crimes. Instead of paying, make the copies of locked files and remove Maas ransomware using a professional anti-virus tool. 

Several symptoms are indicating that the Maas ransomware has attacked the machine. First of all, the performance of the host machine diminishes significantly. The victim may notice suspicious processes running due to the appended extension. Finally, the attack is manifested by a ransom note _readme.txt created on the desktop. The latter demands the victim to transfer the payment ($490/980 in Bitcoins) within 72 hours to get the unique decryption key. 

There is fully-functional decryption for the Djvu versions that emerged since August 2019. Therefore, if you are not sure what type of virus infiltrated your machine, you can remove Maas ransomware and then run the Emsisoft Decryptor. In case it accidentally uses offline keys and victims’ IDs, most of the locked files may successfully be recovered. Unfortunately, such chances are very low. 

Maas virus is detected by many trusted AV engines.

Maas virus is detected by many trusted AV engines.

The .Maas virus is a new threat in the family of Djvu ransomware; however, this fact does not make it less dangerous. In fact, it seems to be copy-paste of the Zida, Zipe, Kkll, Pezi, and other variants that emerged this year. It locks files using a powerful encryption algorithm. To distinguish encrypted files, each of them is marked with the .Maas file extension. In fact, the unique extension is the only exceptional feature of this ransomware variant. 

Upon successful installation, Maas file virus drops a text file _readme.txt, which contains all crucial 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-Oc0xgfzC7q
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:

We do not recommend contacting the criminals. Beware that most of them know the psychological aspects of how to make people scared, believe, and pay. They try to gain people’s trust by offering a free recovery of one Maas file to prove that they have a fully-functional decryptor. Nevertheless, no one can grant that you will get a decryption key after making the payment, so you risk being left without files, decryptors, and money. 

Upon a full Maas ransomware removal, you can try alternative data recovery options, such as third-party apps or Shadow Explorer. In case of a failure, transfer several examples of the locked file to the cybersecurity experts^[2] that are devoted to Djvu research. There’s a chance that criminals leave or perform some changes in the encryption processes, thus allowing them to spot a flaw. 

The only way to remove Maas virus from the system is to restart the machine into Safe Mode and run a full system scan with an updated anti-virus program. However, it’s important to stress the fact that the malware runs many processes in the background and can make significant changes in the Windows registry. Besides, it is capable of removing files and disabling functions that disrupt the virus to run. All these changes are not reverted automatically, so we recommend scanning the machine with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego to fix malware damage. 

Maas virus could appear on your computer through freeware, bundles, or just as an email attachment.

Maas virus could appear on your computer through freeware, bundles, or just as an email attachment.

Maas virus removal should not be equated to .Maas file recovery 

Maas virus removal will not recover the locked files. People must understand the difference between a virus run and the run of the encryption algorithm. These processes are different and the different software has to be used to restore the changes. As we have already pointed out, Maas removal can be successfully initiated with a robust anti-virus program. After that, file recovery options can be practiced. 

• The first option – use data backups. If you have backups, a ransomware attack is not scary for you. All you have to do is to remove the virus and then recover the data from the external storage or the cloud. 
• Check if the Maas ransomware virus relies on newer encryption mode. To check if the ransomware uses offline keys, navigate to the C:/SystemID/PersonalID.txt, and check if any of the entries listed with t1. If it turns out that the key is offline, then delete the ransomware and run the Emsisoft’s decryptor. 
• Those who were attacked by the latest ransomware version built on the online key and unique ID should not pay the ransom anyway. Maas ransomware virus removal is the first task to initiate. The second one – system optimization and alternative data recovery methods, such as a scan with Data Recovery Pro or Shadow Explorer. 

NOTE: do not download Maas decryptor from unreliable third-party sources. Experts have recently detected a fake Djvu decryptor^[3], which claims to unlock the latest versions of this ransomware family for free. However, the decryptor itself is a file-encrypting virus dubbed as Zorab. 

Pirating can expose your machine to a real danger 

Be careful with keygens, cracks, and other software that is distributed on torrent sites. Pirated software can easily be exploited by criminals for spreading malicious ransomware payloads. Therefore, instead of trying to save your money by not paying for the license of some software, you may be negatively surprised by finding your files locked. Unfortunately, a ransomware deal will cost you much more than the license of a full-featured pack of some application. 

However, the more common method is spam. Bots may be used for spreading tricky email messages that contain an infected attachment. Usually, such emails look rather suspicious and not worth trust. However, spammers are getting more inventive and the more appealing spam messages occur. People can be asked to open the attachment to confirm the order, read the changed terms of an agreement, and similar. Anyway, experts^[4] recommend using a professional AV tool that has an in-built email scanner. 

The decryption of .Maas files could be performed by the Emsisoft decryption tool.

The decryption of .Maas files could be performed by the Emsisoft decryption tool.

Eliminate Maas virus traces and repair the system 

Maas ransomware virus initiated various malicious activities before showing off to the user. When the payload is launched, the ransomware seeks to gain persistence and, therefore, installs malicious files, disables AV processes, creates related registry entries, and runs commands via an Elevated PowerShell. 

Therefore, if you suspect that the machine might be infected because of suspicious slowdown, we recommend restarting the machine in Safe Mode and running a scan with SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, or another professional anti-virus. This way, you can shut out malicious processes and remove Maas ransomware before it encrypts files. 

If, however, Maas file virus has already dropped a ransom note, the encryption has already been initiated and there’s no way out except to pay the ransom or wait for a decryptor that can be developed someday. 

Remove Maas using Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode with Networking disables all malicious files that run in the background and prevent AV engines from doing their job.

• Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list

  Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
  2. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
  3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking in Startup Settings window.

• Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete Maas removal.

If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.

Remove Maas using System Restore

If you cannot remove Maas virus because it remains functional in the Safe Mode as well, try to restore the system to the state before the infection.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Maas from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

Unfortunately, there is no method granting a successful recovery of Maas files. Although criminals must have a functional decryptor, no one can guarantee that you will be provided with this tool after the payment. Thus, instead of wasting your money, try to recover the most valuable files using alternative recovery methods.

If your files are encrypted by Maas, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro is the program capable of restoring encrypted files

This powerful software can help you to recover Maas files. Although it hasn’t been designed to unlock files, it has a powerful scanner that might help. 

• Download Data Recovery Pro;
• Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
• Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Maas ransomware;
• Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions is the feature designed to recover files

When System Restore is enabled, you can use Windows Previous Versions and get your files repaired. Please note that files can be recovered one-by-one, not altogether. 

• Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
• Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
• Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

No Maas decryption tool available

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Maas and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes