This article will aid you to remove the Malabu ransomware effectively. Follow the ransomware removal instructions provided at the end of this article.
Malabu is the name for a new ransomware cryptovirus. The .fucked extension is put to all encrypted files. More viruses use that same extension for locked files, but this ransomware is unrelated to them. A ransom note will be displayed after the encryption process with instructions about payment. 500 US dollars is the ransom sum, and the cybercriminals demand it in Bitcoins. Keep on reading and find out what ways you could try to potentially recover some of your files.
Threat Summary
| Name | Malabu |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The sransomware encrypts files on your computer system and it shows a ransom note after that. |
| Symptoms | This ransomware virus will encrypt your files and place the .fucked extension on each one of them. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executables |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Malabu. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
Malabu Ransomware – Update
Malabu Ransomware – Delivery Ways
The Malabu ransomware might be delivered by using multiple different ways. The payload dropper which initiates the malicious script for the ransomware is circling the Web. Malware researchers have found a sample of the virus. You can see the VirusTotal detections of different security vendors for that virus sample from the screenshot given down here:
The Malabu ransomware might be using other ways to deliver its payload file, like social media or file-sharing services. Freeware apps found on the Web could be promoted as useful but also could hide the malicious script for the virus. Before opening any files after you have downloaded them, you should first scan them with a security tool. Especially if they come from suspicious places, like emails or links. Also, you could check the size and signatures of downloaded files for anything that seems suspicious. You should read the ransomware prevention tips provided in the forum section.
Malabu Ransomware – More Information
The Malabu ransomware is a cryptovirus. When the Malabu ransomware encrypts your files it will place the .fucked extension to every encrypted file. There are other ransomware viruses that use that same extension in the file encryption process, and seem to be related to Malabu as they are built on a source code similar to it. Those viruses are the following:
The Malabu ransomware might make new registry entries in the Windows Registry to achieve a higher level of persistence. Those entries are usually designed in a way that will start the virus automatically with every launch of the Windows Operating System, like in the example provided below, such as the example given down here:
→“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run”
A ransom message will be placed inside your computer system right after the encryption process is finished. The ransom message can be seen below in this image:
That ransom message with instructions reads the following:
YOUR WINDOW IS HACKED
ALL YOUR FILES, DOCUMENTS, DATAS, VIDEOS, PICTURES, MP3s ARE ENCRYPTED. YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN IS ALSO LOCKED.
YOU’VE BEEN HACKED WITH MALABU RANSOMWARE.
YOU WILL PAY US $500 INTO OUR BITCOIN ADDRESS BELOW AND WE WILL GIVE YOU THE KEY TO DECRYPT, AND YOU WILL GET YOUR FILES BACK. AFTER 48 HRS, YOU WILL PAY $1000 MORE. WE DON’T GIVE A FUCK.. IF YOU DELAY, YOU LOOSE ALL
1EBbTjEmGN2w5kUN6uPLyU5e8x7zjRt8J
[Hide More Details] (1)LOOK FOR BITCOIN SERVICES ONLINE
(2)REGISTER AND GET A BITCOIN WALLET
(3)BUY $500 BITCOIN ONLINE
(4)PAY INTO OUR BITCOIN ADDRESS ABOVE(IN YELLOW)
(5)PAY WITHIN 48 HOURS OR YOU WILL PAY $1000 AFTER
(6)FAILURE TO PAY WITHIN A WEEK MAKES YOU TO LOOSE ALL
(7)SEND YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS TO OUR EMAIL
steverusell@mail.com
(8) WE WILL GIVE YOU THE KEY TO DECRYPT \ REMOVE THE MALWARE
ENTER KEY
Decrypt
The makers of the Malabu cryptovirus demand that you pay a ransom sum of 500 US dollars in Bitcoin. The price will double if you do not make a payment within the first two full days after infection. You should NOT pay, nor contact those crooks under any circumstances. Paying them will stimulate them financially, and no guarantee can be given about the recovery of your files. Furthermore, providing money to the cybercriminals will most likely inspire them to do more criminal acts, including the creation of more ransomware viruses.
Malabu Ransomware – Encryption Process
At this moment, no specific list is known for which file extensions the Malabu ransomware seeks to encrypt. However, this article will get updated upon the discovery of such a list. All encrypted files will receive the .fucked extension, which will get appended to them. The following files are the most likely ones to be encrypted, as they are with the most common usage among users of the Windows OS:
→.7z, .bmp, .doc, .docm, .docx, .html, .jpeg, .jpg, .mp3, .mp4, .pdf, .php, .ppt, .pptx, .rar, .rtf, .sql, .tiff, .txt, .xls, .xlsx, .zip
The Malabu cryptovirus is quite likely to delete the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows Operating System by initiating the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
If the command stated above is executed, that will make the encryption process slightly more effective, as it eliminates one of the ways for recovery. Continue reading and find out what types of methods you can try out to potentially restore some of your files.
Remove Malabu Ransomware and Restore .fucked Files
If your computer got infected with the Malabu ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for Malabu with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Malabu 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 Malabu 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 Malabu 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 Malabu
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Malabu.
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 Malabu 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.
Malabu-FAQ
What is Malabu Ransomware?
Malabu 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 Malabu 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 Malabu Infect?
Via several ways.Malabu 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 Malabu 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 .Malabu files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Malabu 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 .Malabu files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Malabu" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Malabu 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 Malabu 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 Malabu ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Malabu 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 Malabu 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 Malabu Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Malabu 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 Malabu 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.
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