In this article, you will find more information about the M88P files virus as well as a step-by-step guide on how to remove malicious files from an infected system and how to potentially recover files encrypted by this ransomware.
M88P Virus Files
Malicious software dubbed M88P virus has been caught in active attack campaigns. The threat is developed to invade computer operating systems and lock victims’ files with a strong cipher. It has been identified as a strain of the infamous Matrix ransomware. Samples of this strain reveal that it appends the malicious extension .M88P to all files it corrupts. Since .M88P files cannot be opened by their owners, the ransomware tries to extort a ransom fee for its developers. So after the completion of a long sequence of malicious operations including data encryption, M88P drops a ransom note file and presents its victims with it.
M88P Summary
| Name | M88P (Matrix) |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A data locker ransomware that utilizes two strong cihper algorithms to encrypt personal files and leaves them useless. on stored on the infected computer. Then it demands a ransom for decryption solution. |
| Symptoms | Important files are locked and renamed with the .M88P extension. A ransom message attempts to extort a payment in cryptocurrency for data decryption. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss M88P. |
| 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. |
M88P Ransomware – Distribution and Impact
An infection with the M88P ransomware virus starts the moment it manages to run its payload file on a target system. The infection process passes through several stages each of which disrupts system security. According to security researchers the so-called M88P virus is a strain of the Matrix ransomware family.
Typically, such threats obtain access to computers by being spread as email attachments, torrent files, fake software updates, freeware installers, and so on. Threat actors can get very creative in their attempts to trick people into running something they don’t want on their PCs. Oftentimes, the information presented in association with malicious files is presented as legitimate, recommendable, trustworthy, and urgent. Email messages for example may pose as representatives of well-known businesses, websites, and even governmental institutions.
Unfortunately, once loaded on a computer system, the M88P virus can hardly be stopped. The main reason is its invisible way of operating on the system. Such threats are designed to complete lots of malicious changes in the background of all other running apps. Furthermore, most of the ransomware threats check for active security measures and try to evade them if there are any.
The main goal of M88P ransomware is to blackmail its victims into paying a ransom to hackers who stand behind the nasty attacks. Before it could do this, it needs to complete a data corruption process. For it, the ransomware activates an in-built encryption module that scans system drives for target files and transforms their original code.
All changes are realized via a combination of two strong cipher algorithms. The algorithms used by the M88P ransomware virus are RSA 2048 bit and AES 128 bit which makes the decryption of .M88P files a very tough process. Hackers know this very well and misuse this fact to harass people.
At the end of the attack, the M88P virus drops a ransom note on the infected device and presents its victims with it. This file is named #README_M88P#.rtf and here is how its content looks like:
The text message stored by M88P’s ransom note suggests that victims should contact hackers at marco88polo[@]criptext.com, marco88polo[@]aol.com, marco88polo[@]tutanota.com, or a Tox chat channel to ask for help. However, this action does not guarantee an effective solution.
Let’s not forget that hackers are cybercriminals who harass online users as a way of life. Those people cannot be trusted. Even the highest amount of money paid to them provides no guarantee that someone will receive a working decryption tool for .M88P files.
For the sake of your security, we recommend that you skip answering hackers and try to deal with the problem with the help of trustworthy steps and tools.
Remove M88P Ransomware Virus and Restore Data
The so-called M88P virus is a threat with highly complex code designed to corrupt both system settings and valuable data. So the only way to use your infected system in a secure manner again is to remove all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. For the purpose, you could use our removal guide that reveals how to clean and secure your system step by step. In addition, in the guide, you will find several alternative data recovery approaches that may be helpful in attempting to restore files encrypted by Matrix M88P ransomware. We remind you to back up all encrypted files to an external drive before the recovery process.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove M88P from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of M88P from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove M88P from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase M88P from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall M88P from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove M88P from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate M88P from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove M88P from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove M88P
Step 2: Uninstall M88P 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by M88P 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 M88P 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of M88P from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall M88P 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:
- 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 M88P 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:
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 2: Scan for and remove M88P files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as M88P, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove M88P from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase M88P from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall M88P from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove M88P from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the M88P will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate M88P from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
