Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Marlboro and other threats.
Threats such as Marlboro may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
This article will aid you to remove Marlboro ransomware completely. Follow the ransomware removal instructions given at the bottom of the article.
Marlboro ransomware is a cryptovirus which has been discovered recently. Your files will become encrypted and receive the .oops extension when the encryption process is finished. Then, the Marlboro ransomware displays a ransom message with demands for payment. Read below to see with what ways you could try to restore some of your files.
Threat Summary
Name
Marlboro
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
The ransomware encrypts files on your computer allegedly with RSA-2048 combined with AES-128 bit encryption.
Symptoms
The ransomware will encrypt your files and put the .oops extension on each of those files when encryption is done.
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.
Marlboro Ransomware – Update
Update! There is now a decryptor tool for the Marlboro ransomware! The tool is released by EMSIsoft and can be found at this page Emsisoft Decrypter for Marlboro. “To use the decrypter, you will require an encrypted file of at least 640 bytes in size as well as its unencrypted version”. Note, that it is preferred that you download the anti-malware tool mentioned above, to make sure the ransomware does not encrypt your files again after decryption.
Marlboro Ransomware – Distribution
The Marlboro ransomware can be distributed by using different tactics. The file which drops the payload file of the ransomware containing the malicious script of the cryptovirus is spread as a binary. That dropper uses the name “u00000.EXE.bin” and is analyzed on the VirusTotal website and can be viewed from the screenshot down here:
Marlboro ransomware might also be distributing that payload dropper on social media networks and file-sharing services. Freeware programs found on the Web might be promoted as useful but also could be hiding the downloader of the payload. Refrain from opening files right after you have downloaded them, especially if they come from dubious sources, such as emails from unknown senders. Instead, you should first scan the files with a security tool and check the size and signatures for each of those files for anything out of the ordinary. You should read the ransomware preventing tips thread in the forum section.
Marlboro Ransomware – Description
Marlboro ransomware is also a cryptovirus. Countries that it is currently targeting are Serbia, Malaysia, Costa Rica and the Czech Republic. The ransomware will encrypt files on your computer machine while appending the same extension to all of them after the encryption process is complete.
Marlboro ransomware could make entries in the Windows Registry to achieve persistence. Those registry entries are usually designed in a way that will start the virus automatically with each launch of the Windows Operating System.
The ransom note will appear after the completion of the encryption process. The note states what the demands of the cybercriminals are for the ransom price, along with all other instructions and demands for decrypting your data. The note is contained in a file called _HELP_Recover_Files_.html. You can check out the ransom note in the snapshot provided below:
The ransom note reads the following:
!!! IMPORTANT INFORMATION !!!
All of your files are encrypted with RSA-2048 and AES-128 ciphers. More information about RSA and AES can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(cryptosystem) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Encryption_Standard
Decrypting of your files is only possible with private key and decrypt program, which is on our secret server. To receive your private key you need to make payment to us. After you make payment run program called ‘DecryptFiles’ that is located on your Desktop and your Documents. Program will automatically decrypt all of your files!
If you try to decrypt files with another software your files can be forever lost.
How to buy decrypter?
1. You can make a payment with BitCoins, there are many methods to get them.
2. You should register BitCoin Wallet
3. Purchase Bitcoins – Although it is not very easy to buy bitcoins, it is getting simpler every day.
Here are our recommendations:
Localbitcoins.com (WU) – Buy Bitcoins with Western Union Coincafe.com – Recommended for fast, simple service. Localbitcoins.com Service allows you to search for people in your community willing to sell bitcoins to you directly. CEX.IO – Buy Bitcoins with VISA/MASTERCARD or Wire Transfer btcdirect.eu – THE BEST FOR EUROPE
4. Send 0.2 BTC to Bitcoin address:
5. After you make payment, run program called ‘DecryptFiles’that is located on your Desktop and your Documents. Program will automatically decrypt all of your files!
The criminals that stand behind the cyber threat that is the Marlboro ransomware virus want 0.2 BitCoin for decryption. The virus also puts a custom decryptor on your Desktop, as you can see from the screenshot down here:
However, the ransomware is decryptable even without paying, according to malware researchers. You should NOT under any circumstances pay those crooks. Nobody could give you a guarantee if your files will get recovered in actuality. Moreover, you should not ever give money to criminals, as this will most likely just support them financially and give them enough motivation to create more ransomware viruses or get involved in other criminal activities.
Below you can see the full list with file extensions that the Marlboro ransomware searches to encrypt.
Every file that gets encrypted will receive the same extension appended to each of them, which is .oops. The encryption algorithm is a mixture of the 2048-bit RSA and 128-bit AES algorithms or at least, that is what is stated in the ransom note.
The Marlboro cryptovirus is reported by malware researches to erase the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows operating system by utilizing the following command in the Command Prompt:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
Read on through and find out what kind of ways you can try out to restore some of your files.
Remove Marlboro Ransomware and Restore .oops Files
If your computer got infected with the Marlboro 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.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Marlboro and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as Marlboro. 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.
To remove Marlboro follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Marlboro files and objects
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
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by Marlboro on your PC
Find files created by Marlboro
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 2:
Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
Step 3:
Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 2:
After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
Step 3:
After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
IMPORTANT! Before starting the Automatic Removal below, 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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove Marlboro with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Marlboro and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Marlboro. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
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.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by Marlboro
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Marlboro
Ransomware infections and Marlboro aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors. If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Marlboro and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
