Article created to assist you in how to remove Meteoritan ransomware virus from your PC and get back files that have been encrypted by this threat.
A ransomware infection, known by many as the Meteoritan virus has been reported to cause infections on unsuspecting users since March 2017. The virus is oriented on English-speaking users and it’s primary goal is to encrypt the files on the computers It infects by suing an AES encryption algorithm. The files are no longer openable after encryption is complete and the virus demands a hefty ransom fee to be paid to the cyber-criminals. In case your computer has been infected by this ransomware virus, recommendations are to read this article and learn how to remove this virus and try to get back the encrypted files.
Threat Summary
| Name |
Meteoritan |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | Meteoritan ransomware encrypts the files on the infected systems and demands a ransom payoff to be made to make them openable again. |
| Symptoms | The user may witness the ransom notes “where_are_your_files.txt” and “Readme_your_files_have_been_encrypted.txt” after his computer was infected by Meteoritan. |
| Distribution Method | Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner. |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss Meteoritan. |
| 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. |
Meteoritan Ransomware – How Does It Infect
The creators of this ransomware infection may spread it via either a drive by download of a malicious file or script, both executed via a web link the victim may click on. However, a more effective approach is to upload an e-mail attachment that is malicious and trick inexperienced users to open it themselves. This e-mail spam technique is likely the one that may primarily be used for infection, amongst multiple others. Other methods by which the Meteoritan virus may be distributed are via:
- Fake game or program patches uploaded on torrent websites.
- Fake installers of programs on shady websites for free software.
- Installers that are legitimate but bundled with the malware.
- Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUPs) that display different browser redirections.
Whatever the case may be, users need to be aware on how to protect their data, before the inevitable happens. This is why we advise reading our related article on how to safely store your data to protect it:
Safely Store Your Important Files and Protect Them from Malware
Meteoritan Virus – What Does It Do
After becoming infected with the Meteoritan ransomware, the virus begins to modify the infected system’s settings. The first thing this ransomware may perform is to use different techiques to connect to the cyber-criminals remote host and download the malicious payload of Meteoritan on the infected computer. The payload may consist of multiple different files that may have different names. The files are usually located in multiple different Windows system folders:
In addition to the modules dropped by the Meteoritan Virus, there are other files, which contain the ransom note and are also dropped on the victim’s computer:
- where_are_your_files.txt
- Readme_your_files_have_been_encrypted.txt
- METEORITAN.POLAND
- METEORITAN.RANSOM
After the files are dropped on the victim PC, the ransomware may begin to perform multiple other modifications on it, such as delete the volume shadow copies on the compromised machine. This is usually done if the virus uses scripts that execute the vssadmin command with custom sub-commands:
After the command has been executed, the ransomware infection performs multiple other actions on the infected machine. One of those actions is to modify the Windows Registry Editor. These type of actions may be done to allow the executable responsible for the file encryption to run on system startup. The targeted Windows Registry Keys for this 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
The ransomware may also automatically open it’s ransom note file which has the following message to the victims of the virus:
→ ATTENTION! ATTENTION! You have been victim of METEORITAN RAMSOMWARE!
Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted by RSA-4096 alghorythm generated by your computer, if you want to restore your files, you must get a decryption key.
How can I get decrypt key?
1. Send E-Mail to meteoritan6570@yandex.ru with your ID. Your ID is in METEORITAN.POLAND file, open in Notepad.
2. Get Bitcoins. Bitcoin is a cryptovalute, which can pay. Use these sites: coinbase.com, btc.com, bitgo.com, strongcoin.com
3. In e-mail turning, we get a value of your key. Pay it.
4. In 24 hours you get an decrypt key. If you don’t see e-mail, check spam catalogue.
5. Run aplication and enter your key.
METEORITAN RAMSOMWARE
Meteoritan Ransomware – The Encryption Process
For the encryption process to work and render the files no longer openable, the Meteoritan ransomware virus is reported to use the AES encryption algorithm. This encryption cipher has been reported by malware researchers to replace bytes of the original file’s data with bytes of it’s encryption algorithm’s symbols. This procedure corrupts the file and the only way to restore it is if it is inserted in a program that can reverse engineer it’s unlock using a unique decryption key.
For the encryption, the virus may target multiple different files that are used in a very often basis. These files are reported to be often-used. The following file types may be affected by this ransomware infection:
→ “PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ R.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”Source:fileinfo.com
After the encryption process is complete, the files may be concealed from the user, or may appear unrecognizable.
Remove Meteoritan Ransomware and Restore Encrypted Files
For the removal of this ransomware infection, advices are to focus on performing a backup of all the files that have been encrypted.
Then, for the actual removal process, we advise following the removal instructions below. They are specifically designed to help users with the effective removal of this ransomware infection. For maximum effectiveness and if you lack experience to eliminate Meteoritan virus manually, researchers recommend using an anti-malware program. It is specifically designed to delete files and other objects of threats like Meteoritan automatically and protect your computer from newer threats in real-time.
After having removed the Meteoritan virus, reccomendations are to focus on restoring the damages done by it via using multiple alternative tools. We have posted some methods below in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Meteoritan” with which you can attempt and restore at least some of the files encrypted by this 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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Step 1: Scan for Meteoritan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Meteoritan.
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 Meteoritan 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.
Meteoritan-FAQ
What is Meteoritan Ransomware?
Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan Infect?
Via several ways.Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan 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 .Meteoritan files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Meteoritan 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 .Meteoritan files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Meteoritan" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Meteoritan 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 Meteoritan 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.