What Is Miia Virus?
Miia virus is a ransomware infection that belongs to the STOP/DJVU family of threats. The main purpose of all activities performed by this ransomware is to encrypt your files locking you out of them and then extorting you into paying hundreds of dollars in the form of Bitcoin if you want to get the files to work again. Once the files are in a transformed form by this infection, they appear with the .miia file extension. This malware also leaves behind the _readme.txt ransom note file containing the extortionists’ message.
Read this article in order to learn how to remove the Miia virus and how you can try and get back as many files as you can.
Miia Virus Summary
| Name | Miia virus, also known as UDS:Trojan.Win32.Chapak.gen, Ransom:Win32/StopCrypt.KM!MTB, Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj], Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj], A Variant Of Win32/GenKryptik.FHJB – more detections of this virus on VirusTotal |
| File Extension | |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The Miia Virus ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .miia extension to them. |
| Ransom Demanding Note | _readme.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
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Miia Virus – How Did I Get Infected?
In a similar way to other versions of this family of threats, like Guer, Irjg and Vtua, the Miia virus
may also end up being installed on your computer system using different methods.
One of those methods is for the virus to get sent to you via email. If this is the case, then this infection could appear as it is some type of important document that you should open right away, for example:
- Invoices.
- E-Tickets for events or flights.
- Work-related files.
- Receipts.
A typical malicious e-mail looks like the example below:
Another scenario is if the malware gets in your computer by you having to download some type of file from a third-party website. If so, usually viruses like this one often hide behind files, like the following ones:
- Fake installation files.
- Software patches.
- Self extracting archives or regular archives.
- Cracked portable versions of apps.
- Software or game cracks.
- Key generator (or Keygen).
If the file is within an archive, the following infection process may take place:
Miia Virus – What Does It Do?
As reported based on its VirusTotal analysis, when .miia virus infects your computer, it begins to connect to the following malicious domains:
hzzps://api(dot)2ip(dot)ua:443/geo.json
hzzp://tzgl(dot)org/files/1/build3.exe
hzzp://tzgl(dot)org/fhsgtsspen6/get.php?pid=784096FFB1746C103AA33CA7943A68FB&first=true
Be advised, that this virus may also drop files in the following directories of Windows after it infects your computer:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %Temp%
- %System%
- %system32%
- %Windows%
- %SystemDrive%
- %LocalLow%
Among the files that are left by this infection on your machine, is _readme.txt, containing the main message sent to your computer by the extortionists:
Be advised that this virus may also tamper with some windows registry” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>registry sub-keys of Windows, like the following, which are responsible for files running automatically when you start Windows and executing particular commands:
HKU\S-1-5-21-575823232-3065301323-1442773979-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\SysHelper
HKU\S-1-5-21-575823232-3065301323-1442773979-1000\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}\iexplore\Count
HKU\S-1-5-21-575823232-3065301323-1442773979-1000\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}\iexplore\Type
HKU\S-1-5-21-575823232-3065301323-1442773979-1000\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E}\iexplore\Time
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tasks\{6FF01438-1265-4FA8-A246-0F774747BE3C}\DynamicInfo
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tasks\{6FF01438-1265-4FA8-A246-0F774747BE3C}\Path
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tasks\{6FF01438-1265-4FA8-A246-0F774747BE3C}\Hash
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tasks\{6FF01438-1265-4FA8-A246-0F774747BE3C}\Triggers
\\REGISTRY\A\{d1f13dd3-323e-11ec-831b-167c9a143b3b}\DefaultObjectStore\_CurrentObjectId_
HKU\S-1-5-21-575823232-3065301323-1442773979-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ProxyServer
This nasty virus may stop the following Windows processes from running by running the commands below:
Stopped Processes:
2324 – “D7424D07DDB02223A6914D1547563DB1.exe”
2456 – C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WerFault.exe -u -p 2324 -s 376
2928 – C:\Windows\system32\sc.exe start w32time task_started
1648 – C:\Windows\system32\rundll32.exe dfdts.dll,DfdGetDefaultPolicyAndSMART
1176 – taskhost.exe SYSTEM
2336 – taskhost.exe $(Arg0)
2160 – C:\Windows\system32\schtasks.exe /delete /f /TN “Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\Uploader”
Commands:
%windir%\System32\svchost.exe -k WerSvcGroup
%SAMPLEPATH%
icacls “%LOCALAPPDATA%\3d449fda-98d2-4aac-b1c9-073485bc4e7a” /deny *S-1-1-0:(OI)(CI)(DE,DC)
“%SAMPLEPATH%” –Admin IsNotAutoStart IsNotTask
%LOCALAPPDATA%\3d449fda-98d2-4aac-b1c9-073485bc4e7a\%SAMPLENAME% –Task
wmiadap.exe /F /T /R
explorer.exe “%LOCALAPPDATA%\3d449fda-98d2-4aac-b1c9-073485bc4e7a\%SAMPLENAME%” –AutoStart
It may also run the following commands in Windows Shell:
%SAMPLEPATH%
icacls “%LOCALAPPDATA%\3d449fda-98d2-4aac-b1c9-073485bc4e7a” /deny *S-1-1-0:(OI)(CI)(DE,DC)
“%SAMPLEPATH%” –Admin IsNotAutoStart IsNotTask
What Are .miia Files
In order to perform encryption process on your files, this ransomware infection uses AES encryption algorithm. This cipher is designed to attack the most often used files on your computer and change the core date of the structure. The main files that are infected by this infection or the following:
- Audio file formats (.mp3, .wav, etc.).
- Pictures (.jpg, .png, .etc).
- Video file types (.mp4, .avi, etc.).
- Archives (.zip, .rar, etc).
- Document file kinds (.docx, .pptx, etc.).
- Other types of often used data.
Once it has encrypted your files, the virus leaves them in the no longer openable state, looking like the following example:
Picture.jpg.miia
Keep reading the story go to learn more about how you can remove this risky infection from your machine and try to get your files to work again.
Remove Miia Virus and Try to Restore Files
To remove Miia virus, we would strongly suggest that you make sure to follow the removal instruction that has been said below. It has been designed to contain the steps that are necessary to get rid of all of the virus files that this ransomware brings on your computer. For the most effective removal, we would strongly suggest that you scan your machine using advanced anti-malware software. Such a program is designed to automatically get rid of the virus files of this infection and protect your computer in the future as well.
How to Decrypt .miia Files?
To decrypt files, we recommend that you try the official STOP Ransomware File Decryption Guide using the STOP Decryptor, which is made by independent researchers. It will help you if your key is offline-based.
Video guide for using the STOP Ransomware Decryptor:
If you aim at restoring your files, but you cannot find the decryption software yet or your key is online, you’re welcome to try the alternative methods for file recovery that have been listed in the guide below. They contain steps that may help you restore some of your files, but you should bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% guaranteed to recover all of them.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Step 1: Scan for Miia with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Miia and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Miia on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Miia there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Miia
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Miia.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and Miia aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Miia-FAQ
What is Miia Ransomware?
Miia is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does Miia Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does Miia Infect?
Via several ways.Miia Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, containing virus attachment. This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
Another way you may become a victim of Miia is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open .Miia files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Miia files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Miia files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Miia" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Miia files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of Miia Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate Miia ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Miia files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can Miia Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the Miia Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Miia how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Miia ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
O meu computador esta criptografado com o viris miia, tentei todas as instruções deixadas lá em cima e não deu certo.
Oque mais posso fazer?