Meka ransomware

Meka ransomware is the virus belonging to a family which spreads via pirated files and torrent services

Meka ransomware is the cryptovirus that was reported by users at the beginning of November. It is one of the last ones in the Djvu virus family that came out after a few decryption tools got released. Unfortunately, those programs work for earlier versions, and this one that appends encrypted files with .meka is not included in them. Almost 200 different versions have already been included in the list, so this not a new virus nor the hacker team. However, some features get changed once new versions get released and discovered. Once the proper RSA encryption method got employed, the virus became not that easily decryptable as before.

The particular Meka ransomware virus is the one that has a different file marker that other versions, but ransom note comes in _readme.txt file as previous variants. Contact emails for the developers – [email protected], [email protected], also remain unchanged for some versions since Coot ransomware. These features are not something crucial, but it indicates that malware code is not much changed from the original releases

Meka ransomware virus is nothing else but a product of cyber criminals focusing on money and scaring people. This is a newly discovered threat that people have reported online^[3]. But researchers haven’t got enough samples to perform in-depth analysis. 

However, based on DJVU ransomware creators ant their tactics previously, we can determine some particularly common features that Meka ransomware also should have:

• Malware gets on the system when pirated software, cracks, or cheatcodes get downloaded and installed. The malicious file gets triggered immediately after the installation and loads ransomware payload on the machine.
• The infection also includes a secondary download of info-stealing trojan or other malware.
• Malicious processes take place during the fake Windows updating that masks the screen by claiming your device is scanning at the time.
• Virus deletes disables and changes many things on the system, so it keeps on running, although the main payload is deleted after the encryption process. This is to keep all the malicious features interrupted.

Meka ransomware is a crypto-currency extortion-based threat that encrypt files and demands payments because cybercriminals behind the program only care for money that can be obtained from you. This is the type of malware that mainly affects Windows devices and damages files in such formats as images, audio, video files, documents, and other data used on a daily basis. However, Meka ransomware is not a simple malware, so encryption is the main process, but not the only one that affects the PC.

Once Meka ransomware encodes those files and delivers the ransom message, additional payloads affect the security tools, registry entries, and other important parts that can lead to the permanently damaged machine. You should get rid of it as soon as the following demand appears on the screen:

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What to do when ransomware hits

As we mentioned Meka ransomware belongs to another family of malware that is known as the more active and never sleeping one. The whole infiltration of this threat happens immediately once the infected files get on the system, so first thing you can notice is the speed of the machine. However, in most cases, victims cannot spot anything until all files get encrypted and ransom note delivered.

From there machine is fully infected, and Meka ransomware virus can run anything it pleases. This makes the biggest danger because victims mainly focus on their data that gets locked and starts worrying about the decryption, forgetting the system entirely. You should react to the infection immediately to try saving the device from permanent damage and corruption.

As for Meka ransomware removal, you need to get anti-malware tools that can find all traces and malicious files hidden on the network. Then, use Reimage to help you recover damaged or corrupted system files on Windows.

However, programs that can remove Meka ransomware are not capable of decrypting and recovering your files, in most cases. Free decryption tools are developed but work for previous versions of the malware or files that got encrypted with offline keys only. The particular application that could restore .meka files is not developed yet. You can try this tool, search for another free program, or wait for another official decryptor. 

To have the best options in the future when Meka ransomware decryption tools get released, you should store all files related to the malware on an external device. Then run a proper elimination process and restore files using other methods. As experts^[4] always note, to have a virus-free machine, you need to delete everything, but those files may be useful for decryption later on. 

Meka ransomware is a threat that has many versions similar to it due to the safe virus family. However, most of the new ones cannot be decrypted.

Be aware of all the possible methods used to spread the malicious payload

Infected file attachments or documents, executables hidden in software packages seem to be the main method that ransomware developers use. However, there are many people who trust spam emails, torrent services, and ignore some major red flags.

Criminals send out spam emails and forge header titles to trick people into believing that emails come from DHL, UPS, eBay, Amazon, or other known companies. Once they fall for the scam and download the file, this is how ransomware payload gets triggered and loaded on the machine.

Pirated software, serial numbers of legitimate games, license keys, cracks, and cheatcodes are also commonly downloaded from torrent or pirating services, so people let malware get on their devices. You should either restrain from anything similar to these networks or keep the AV tool constantly running, so malicious sites and programs get blocked.

To get rid of Meka ransomware virus damage, you should clean the PC fully

The whole process of Meka ransomware removal sounds impossible when you consider that the virus changes various parts of the device besides encrypting physical files found on the computer. To completely clean the system, you need to delete all the associated applications, data, and malware.

It is not that easy to achieve a fully virus-free machine after the infection like Meka ransomware virus, but it is possible. Many anti-malware tools are created with the focus on ransomware-type threats, so you can achieve the best results with those programs.

We also recommend to get professional tools, and then remove Meka ransomware, clean the machine fully and then double-check for virus damage. You should use SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes at first and then repair the system with Reimage. Since decryption tools have many exclusions and may not work with this virus, the best way to recover encrypted data – file backups from external devices.

Remove Meka using Safe Mode with Networking

Reboot the machine in a Safe Mode with Networking, so you can freely eliminate Meka ransomware from the system

• 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 or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete Meka removal.

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

Remove Meka using System Restore

System Restore feature is one of the methods within the Windows OS that can be used to fight malware

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Meka 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 Meka, you can use several methods to restore them:

You should try Data Recovery Pro for proper file restoring purposes

When you don’t have data backed up, you should try software options like this

• 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 Meka ransomware;
• Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions – the alternate Windows feature for file recovery

You can recover individual files using this feature when you enabled the System

restore before

• 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”.

Get rid of Meka ransomware by relying on ShadowExplorer as your tool

You can use this alternate method when Shadow Volume Copies are left untouched

• 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.

Decryption tool for Meka ransomware specifically is not developed yet

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