Mabouia Ransomware Mac Removal & Recovery [Free Fix Steps]

by Ventsislav Krastev | February 10, 2021 | 0 Comments ransomware

What is Mabouia Ransomware?Mabouia Summary Remove Mabouia Ransomware and Try Restoring Files

What is Mabouia Ransomware?

Mabouia Ransomware is the first cryptovirus infection for Mac. This means that this virus enters your Mac and targets your important files. Then, it encrypts them, using a sophisticated file encryption algorithm. To recover the files, this virus wants you to pay a hefty ransom fee possibly in the anonymous cryptocurrency BitCoin.

Read this article to learn more about how Mabouia ransomware operates and how you can remove it from your Mac and try to restore your important files.

Mabouia Summary

Name	Mabouia
File Extension	READ-ME.txt
Type	The first cryptovirus for Mac.
Short Description	Aims to encrypt your files and hold them hostage until you pay $500 ransom to get them to work again.
Symptoms	The Mabouia ransomware will encrypt your files by appending its own extension to them.
Ransom Demanding Note	_readme.txt
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware or other threats. Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Mabouia Virus.

Mabouia Virus Mac – More Information

Just like other ransomware viruses, Mabouia ransomware may also enter your Mac by being sent to you as an e-mail attachment that is uploaded as an important document that is added to the e-mail and portrayed as a must-see type of file. The primary idea of these files is to convince users that they are an importan invoice, flight ticket or something else. Once the file is downloaded and ran on your Mac, you may become infected with this virus.

Another possible infection scenario with this virus includes downloading the infection file of the ransomware as a fake app. Some low reputation or compromised websites may offer fake apps for download. The case here is instead of getting the original app, you become infected with the virus instead.

Once the Mabouia virus is added to your Mac, it may run a procesa as administrator in the Activity Monitor. This process may begin to scan your computer for the following types of files:

Images.
Videos.
Audio files.
Archives.
Virtual drives.

After encryption, the files cannot be opened by your Mac, like shown in the image below:

Text in the pop-up is the following:

%ProgramName% cannot open the file /Users/username/Desktop/
The file may be damaged, r it may have been created in a pre-releaese version of %ProgramName%

The malware does not encrypt your macOS system files. This is done with the main purpose to allow you to still use your Mac to pay the ransom.

After encrypting your files this nasty virus may leave a ransom note file. In a normal scenario, it may ask you to pay ransom, but according to its creator Rafael Salema Marques, this virus may only be there to raise awareness that your Mac is not exactly safe.

The ransom note file looks like the following:

The text from the note is the following:

Be calm and pay attention…

Your computer is infected with Mabouia ransomwware. This is not a few lines of javascript code like MAC OS FBI ransomware,
the first real MAC OSX ransomware. The fact is: ail files inside your user folder are encrypted. If the contents of these files is
important to you, follow the instructions carefully.

The virus also drops a second ransom note that contains a text and is called READ-ME.txt. It looks like the following:

Text from image:

Your computer is infected with Mabouia ransomware. This is not a few lines of Javascript
code like MAC OS FBI ransomware, this is the first real MAC OSX ransomware.
The fact is: all files inside your user folder are encrypted. If the contents of
these files is important to you, follow the instructions carefully.

If you have not backed up, you are fucked… Will have to pay for decryption.

You must pay the simbolic fee within 72 hours from: Wed Nov 4 23:36:25 2015 I
After deadline the unique key to decrypt your files will be DELETED.
Access http://creativecode.com.br/mabouia for detailed instructions.

PS: Do not try to decrypt without payment… probably you will harm your files
permanently. This file “READ-ME.txt” is at your desktop.
YOUR USER ID IS: 024568BDEF (You will need this information during the process of
decryption)

According to securityaffairs.co, the researcher had the following to say:

The researcher’s goal is to alert the 66 million users of Mac OS X about the myth that there is no malware aimed at Apple’s personal computers.

The files that are encrypted by this ransomware are encoded via the XTEA encryption algorithm which allows this infection to happen if you perform just one click.

Remove Mabouia Ransomware and Try Restoring Files

Since this virus has been detected in the wild, that means someone may be spreading it and infecting users. If you happen to be a victim of this ransomware, the we strongly recommend that you read the steps below to remove this threat safely and try to get your files back. For the best removal, we strongly reccomend to download a professional anti-malware app. Such app will make sure that you detect and get rid of Mabouia virus files effectively and stop such threats in the future as well.

To try and recover files, infected by this nasty malware, we strongly recommend that you follow the “file restore” instructions, posted underneath. They have been created with the main reason to help you recover as many files as possible on your Mac, but they are no guarantee that you can restore all files.

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.

How to Remove Mabouia Virus from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Mabouia Virus

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Mabouia Virus and related software 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Mabouia Virus 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 Mabouia Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
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: Scan for Mabouia Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Mabouia Virus.

Ransomware infections and Mabouia Virus 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.

1. Download the reccomended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:

EaseUS Data Recovery Software

Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.

Windows Mac OS X

Get rid of Mabouia Virus from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Mabouia Virus and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Mabouia Virus:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Mabouia Virus. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Mabouia Virus. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove Mabouia Virus via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Mabouia Virus. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Mabouia Virus:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Mabouia Virus.

1. Download the reccomended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:

EaseUS Data Recovery Software

Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.

Mabouia Virus FAQ

What is Mabouia Virus ransomware and how does it work?

Mabouia Virus 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 algorithm how 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.

How does Mabouia Virus ransomware infect my computer?

Via several ways.Mabouia Virus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.

After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.

Another way, you may become a victim of Mabouia Virus 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 .Mabouia Virus files?

You can't. At this point the .Mabouia Virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.

Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?

Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Mabouia Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.

One way to restore files, encrypted by Mabouia Virus ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.

How Do I restore ".Mabouia Virus" files (Other Methods)?

Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Mabouia Virus files.

These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.

How do I get rid of Mabouia Virus ransomware virus?

The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Mabouia Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Mabouia Virus files.

Also, keep in mind that viruses like Mabouia Virus ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.

What to Do If nothing works?

There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:

Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.

More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.

How to 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.

Mabouia Ransomware Mac Removal