Mado ransomware

Mado ransomware is the infection created with the purpose of getting money directly from victims by locking their valuables

Mado ransomware – a threat that belongs to a family of notorious crypto viruses, focusing on scaring people into paying the demanded amounts. The money-driven people behind this malware are non-other, but criminals who only care for obtaining profits from you as a victim. The first state of such a ransomware attack is a file-locking procedure, during which army-grade encryption methods get used for encoding photos, images, documents, and even databases or archives. Since this is a version of Djvu ransomware it is known for getting constant updates in coding and other encryption processes.

Previous versions of the threat were decryptable using STOPDecrypter, but the recent changes took care of those vulnerabilities and made the cryptovirus non-decryptable. Offline keys were previously used and helped for the decryption process, but from August 2019 online keys become the go-to for the encryption. When the online key is individually set for each victim, there is no way for the researchers to find them all and develop a universal decryption tool. There is a still working Emsisoft decryption tool that manages to recover files for people with offline keys (mainly ends in t1), but the more recent versions like Remk, Npsk, or Opqz are using only online keys.

As for all of the versions coming before Mado cryptovirus, the initial message from criminals and malware developers is distributed with the help of a ransom note file that is _readme.txt. This particular page is not changed for years now and contains the same payments encouraging text and some additional information regarding the communication (contact emails [email protected], [email protected]) and amount of Bitcoin criminals expect to get from you. Even though the ransom is offered at a discount in the first 72 hours, paying criminals cannot get your files back. In most cases, when victims decide to pay up^[2] people suffer more losses instead of getting the decryption tool.

Mado ransomware virus uses various methods to compromise the targetted computer and the system, so you cannot decrypt or recover those files easily. This malware manages to delete and add files on the computer, so you cannot access or use needed functions. Ransomware can infuse the computerized JavaScript code and download or install additional payload of malware, trojans, info-stealing programs. It is known that DJVU and STOP ransomware versions distribute AZORult as the second stage of the attack.

You need proper anti-malware tools before you can even think about data recovery because until the Mado ransomware is fully terminated, data is at risk of getting permanently damaged by the secondary encryption or with the help of the additional malware. Unfortunately, paying the ransom is not the best option too, and you should stay away from any contact between you and these malicious actors responsible for the distribution of cryptocurrency-extortion and blackmail-based threat. 

Additional Mado files virus features can damage the machine permanently

Remember that money is the main purpose of the people, so you need to remove Mado ransomware as soon as you get the money-demanding file on the screen. This virus can alter various parts of the machine that gets affected, so you have limited options for malware removal purposes and data recovery. These alterations include:

• added files or removed data from system folders;
• disabled programs security programs or data recovery features;
• installed applications or even malware;
• affected Windows Registry entries.

These changes can affect the device significantly, and your machine may not ever get recovered when the Mado ransomware virus is running for a long time. You need to terminate the threat and make sure to restore all the system files, functions, and features when you want to restore affected data. By running Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego or a different PC repair tool, you can manage to repair virus damage and fix issues with the performance where needed, so there are more options for file restoring purposes. 
Mado ransomware is the example of an encryption-based virus that shows a message demanding for cryptocurrency.

Mado ransomware is the example of an encryption-based virus that shows a message demanding for cryptocurrency.

Mado virus infection is complex because of all the background processes and additional payload drops that happen when the computer infiltrated. However, the infiltration is stealthy as well as all the activities running in silence. You, as a victim cannot notice the process of information stealing, but notice the affected speed or performance of your device. This is what indicates the virus attack and should raise your attention.

Make sure to react as soon as possible and at least check the machine using a security tool or anti-malware program for the best results of Mado ransomware removal. There are many options for such software, make sure to choose the reliable tool, and if needed reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking. This is one of the additional options that we list below the article, which can help improve the cleaning procedure results.

Mado ransomware creators deliver the following message for victims in the text file _readme.txt that encourages Bitcoin payments:

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-7YSRbcuaMa
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.

As soon as you get the Mado ransomware developers’ message, you should ignore these claims and go straight to malware elimination. There is no need to wait for any additional scary messages or money demands, so you should rely on anti-malware tools and terminate the virus immediately. Only then you can think about data recovery options.

As we mentioned, there are not many versions in the same family as Mado ransomware that could get decrypted with the available tool, and the official researcher program is not created yet. Your options that an operating system provides remain possible, but the virus can damage particular files to affect that too, so go to the end of this article to follow the guide thoroughly. 

Malicious files mask the payload of ransomware

Cryptovirus is one of the more powerful and complex infections in this cyber threat world because it manages to infiltrate the machine and do that stealthily without raising any questions or causing users’ notice. It is possible with malicious files and data injected with malware scripts that get either attached to emails or included in the torrent files for installations of various cracking tools or cheats:

• installers;
• cracks;
• fixes of applications;
• keygens;
• patches;
• certificate activators.

As for the operating software services and torrent sites, you cannot notice these additions if you don’t pay attention to contents of the package you download initially. When it comes to spam emails, these infections can be stopped in advance when you get suspicious when received an unexpected email with financial information and so on. Be cautious and try to pay proper attention to sources on the internet, so you can avoid any cyber infections, not just ransomware.

Mado ransomware termination requires professional help

Mado ransomware virus can mask activities with fake Windows Update messages and program windows that show as running, so you don’t think that the speed or performance issues are associated with anything else. This is a complex threat that only shows the results of the encryption process, but all the other features of the malware are not that present.

This is why we recommend getting proper anti-malware tools for Mado ransomware removal and running a full system scan that can indicate all the threats for you and delete any possible intruders or malicious files. Only reliable security apps like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes can do that for you automatically. Experts^[3] advise staying away from any manual interference with system folders or other parts of the computer.

It is not that difficult to remove Mado ransomware with the anti-malware program when the tool can detect and indicate all the related files and programs. Once the list of malicious applications is displayed, you need to agree to the process, and the tool deletes everything that is dangerous. The only thing you need to do yourself is repair system files and fix virus damage with a tool like Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. then data recovery can take place.

Remove Mado using Safe Mode with Networking

Reboot the machine in Safe Mode with networking and make sure to remove Mado ransomware using the AV tool

• 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 Mado removal.

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

Remove Mado using System Restore

The System Restore feature allows users to recover the machine in a previous state when the virus was not active on the PC

Bonus: Recover your data

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

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

Data Recovery Pro is the third-party program capable of restoring encoded files

Accidentally deleted files or encoded data can get recovered with the help of this application when you don’t have other options like data backups

• 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 Mado ransomware;
• Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions is the system feature that restores individual files after ransomware like Mado virus attack

When System Restore gets enabled beforehand, you can rely on Previous Versions and recover needed files

• 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”.

ShadowExplorer is the particular function of the system that manages to offer data restoring possibility

If Mado ransomware haven’t touched Shadow Volume copies, you can use ShadowExplorer and repair encrypted files for yourself

• Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
• Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
• Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
• Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Dcryption options are limited for Mado ransomware

You may benefit from Djvu ransomware decryption tool, but Emsisoft decrypter works for versions with offline keys only

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