Meka Virus is the name of a very dangerous ransomware infection. The main purpose of it is to enter your PC without you noticing and infect it, assuming read and write permissions to scramble your important documents, videos, images and other file types. The primary objective of Meka Virus is to convince you to pay about $1000 ransom if you want to use the files on your computer again. Read this article to learn more about Meka Virus plus tips and steps on how to remove it and try to get your files to work again.
This post contains information how you can remove Meka virus from your PC and reveals more details on how to try to recover .meka files.
Threat Summary
| Name | Meka virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A virus that belongs to the STOP Ransomware family of threats. Aims to encrypt your files and hold them hostage until you pay ransom. |
| Symptoms | Meka Virus encodes your files and ads its own file extension. The files can’t be opened and the ransom note _readme.txt is also dropped on victimized computers. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Meka virus. |
| 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. |
Meka Virus – Update November 2019
The latest information concerning the Meka Virus is that the malware has started to spread at a higher rate. Researcher Amigo_A who first tweeted about the virus had the following information in his tweet:
New variant of #STOP #Ransomware with extension: .mekahttps://t.co/nHPuMwa16k
0178
Victims made a request to the forum @BleepinComputer pic.twitter.com/QwOwbdaOlG— Amigo-A (@Amigo_A_) November 3, 2019
The virus has been detected to be one of the first ransomware viruses to appear to use the new e-mails for ransom contact. With these changes, the ransom note of the virus becomes like the following:
→ “To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
salesrestoresoftware@firemail.cc
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
salesrestoresoftware@gmail.com”
Users are advised NOT to pay the ransom as we have complaints over our YouTube channel that one user was scammed out after paying $490 USD to pay more money. The extorted victim had the following to say:
Justin Sherry commented: „Don’t get scammed, I was also affected by the virus, I paid 490$ the first time, but they never give me any solution until I paid the 490$ all over again.. MAKING 980$
Meka Virus – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
Usually, malicious software that is categorized as ransomware acts as follows:
- Infects essential system settings
- Evades detection
- Encrypts target personal files and appends one or more specific extensions to their names
- Creates a ransom message note to extort payment for a unique decryption tool possessed by hackers
The primary differences generally refer to the cryptographic algorithm that is used for the corruption of target data and the amount of the demanded ransom.
To avoid data encryption as well as economic loss caused by ransomware you should regularly back up your valuable data and maintain a reliable anti-malware tool to keep your system protected against nasty malware attacks. As regards the so-called Meka virus it is a crypto virus that is based on the code of STOP ransomware.
To complete its main goal – infection of your computer, the Meka Virus can use multiple strategies and tactics to spread. The main strategy that has been reported by researchers to be used by Meka virus an all STOP Ransomware variants in general is to propagate through cracks, patches and pirated software that is downloaded from the web. These programs could be downloaded from:
- Low reputation software download sites.
- Torrent tracker sites.
- Online file sharing site links, advertised on deep web and other forums.
Another way, via which Meka Virus could infect your PC is for its infection file to be attached on various different e-mails. These e-mails could portray the infection module of Meka virus as:
- Invoice.
- Receipt.
- Letter from your bank.
- Document from your workplace.
- Flight ticket cancelled report.
- Other.
Usually most victims tend to download the infection file, thinking it is a legitimate and important file and open it and this is the moment of infection.
When Meka Virus infects your computer, the first thing you will notice is that your files could start to appear with the Meka extension added after their original extensions that may be .jpg, .mp3, .doc, .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt, .ppt, .xls, .etc. This will happen on all file types that belong to the following groups of files:
- Documents.
- Images.
- Videos.
- Audio files.
- Archive files.
- Drive files.
The files that are attacked by Meka Virus are encrypted via a dangerous cipher, called AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). This algorithm is used by many government agencies to encrypt secret files on purpose and is very hard to crack and decode unless you have the decryption key. The crooks often use this decryption key as leverage to extort victims in the _readme.txt ransom note they drop after encrypting files. It has the following extortionist message:
ATTENTION!
Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-514KtsAKtH
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
salesrestoresoftware@firemail.ccReserve e-mail address to contact us:
salesrestoresoftware@gmail.comOur Telegram account:
@datarestoreYour personal ID:
A screenshot of the Meka ransom message that encourages users to pay a ransom to decrypt their .meka files:
Beware that the ransom payment is not always a way to recover .meka files. Cybercriminals happen to send broken decryption keys due to bugs in their malware. Sometimes they also neglect messages from victims and stop answering them.
How to Remove Meka Virus Files and Try to Recover Encrypted Files
If you want to remove Meka Virus from your computer successfully, we recommend that you follow the removal steps that we have posted underneath this article. These steps have been made with the primary purpose to help you get rid of Meka Virus files and objects methodologically. In the event that you want to be fully sure that Meka Virus is gone or you cannot find the virus files, the best way to remove it is to download and run a scan with an advanced malware hunting software. Such anti-malware program will guarantee to detect and delete all files and objects that are related to Meka Virus from your computer and make sure that it is protected in the future as well.
If you want to restore files, encrypted by Meka Virus, we recommend that you try out the recovery steps underneath.
An updated video, containing removal instructions for the Meka Virus:
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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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
About the Meka virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Meka virus 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 Meka virus 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.
References
1. How to Recognize Spam Emails with Ransomware
2. How Does Ransomware Encryption Work?
3. How to Decrypt Ransomware Files
4. Ransomware Getting Greedier and Bigger, Attacks Increase by 40%
5. 1 in 5 Americans Victim of Ransomware
How to Remove Meka virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Meka virus
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".
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 Meka 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 Meka 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 Meka 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.
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 Meka virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
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.
Video Guide for Automatic and Fast Removal
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Meka virus.
Ransomware infections and Meka 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 recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
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.
Step 6: How to Restore Files Encrypted by Ransomware (Video Guide)
Get rid of Meka virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Meka virus and remove related files and objects
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 Meka virus:
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 Meka 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 Meka 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 Meka 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:
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 Meka 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.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Meka virus.
Ransomware infections and Meka 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 recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
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.
Meka virus FAQ
What is Meka virus ransomware and how does it work?
Meka 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 Meka virus ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Meka 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 Meka 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 .Meka virus files?
You can't. At this point the .Meka 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 .Meka virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Meka 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 ".Meka 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 .Meka 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 Meka 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 Meka virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Meka virus files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Meka 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.
No Aguardo da solução para decriptografar. tirei o hd e guardei ja com o virus apagado, mas com os arquivos encriptografads dentro