A ransomware crypto-virus that goes by the name of Mahasaraswati is spreading around the Web. The email left for victims with instructions to pay the ransom is located in India, although the origin of the ransomware and its creator is unknown. The virus locks files and puts an extension ending in mahasaraswati@india.com.xtbl to each file. The money demanded as a ransom is 3 Bitcoins. To see how to remove this ransomware and how you could restore your files, you should read the article carefully.
Threat Summary
| Name | Mahasaraswati |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files with an extension ending in mahasaraswati@india.com.xtbl and demands a ransom of 3 BitCoins. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will encrypt files on your computer. Two files named How to decrypt your files are created, containing the instructions for payment. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable Files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Mahasaraswati. |
| 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. |
Mahasaraswati Ransomware – Delivery
Mahasaraswati ransomware is delivered in a few ways. As other modern ransomware viruses, this one also uses spam emails as the main delivery method. The emails have files as attachments that have the malware code inside them. In some rare cases, the body of the email itself might activate malicious code.
Getting infected with the ransomware is also possible through social media websites or via file-sharing services. These mediums might also spread malware code disguised as an executable or a file of a useful app. The best prevention tactic against any ransomware is to avoid any and all suspicious files. Do not click, open or download files that seem fishy.
Mahasaraswati Ransomware – Information
Mahasaraswati is the name of a ransomware crypto-virus. The ransomware is presented as a program for making your computer secure as if IT professionals are offering you help. The creators of the ransomware try to push the whole thing as a service. They offer not only to unlock your files but also put a good anti-malware on your PC.
The truth is that the virus just encrypts your files and asks a ransom, although the ransom note is written in a clever way. For every day, you do not pay the money to revert the changes, the sum increases with 2 Bitcoins.
A picture and a text file with the same name are created after the encryption process is complete. Both files are named How to decrypt your files.
Both the .txt and .jpeg files contain instructions for the ransom payment and can be found in every directory with encrypted files. The .txt can be previewed in the picture below:
Both of the files read the following:
Good morning, dear friend!
We are writing to inform you that our team of network security specialists has analyzed your system and has identified vulnerabilities in the protection. We kindly draw your attention that defensive operation on your computer is not running properly, and now the whole database is at risk. All your files are encrypted and can not be accepted back without our professional help. Obviously vulnerability analysis, troubleshooting, decoding the information and then ensuring safety are not a simple matter. And so our high-grade and quick service is not free.
Please note that today the price of your files recovery is 3 Bitcoins, but next day it will cost 5 Bitcoins.
You should buy bitcoins here https://localbitcoins.com/faq
Read the paragraphs:
1. How to buy Bitcoins?
2. How do I send Bitcoins and how can I pay with Bitcoins after buying them?The Bitcoin wallet for payment is –
After the transfer of bitcoins please send email with screenshot of the payment page.
We does not advise you to lose time, because the price will encrese with each passing day.
As proof of our desire and readiness to help you, we can decipher a few of your files for test.
To check this you can upload any encrypted file on web site dropmefiles.com, size no more than 10 MB
(only text file or a photo) and send us a download link. Certainly after payment we guarantee prompt solution
of the problem, decrypt the database to return to its former condition and consultation how to secure the rules of the system safety.Kind regards, Saraswati.
The ransom note cleverly written and tries to trick you that the ransomware creators are IT professionals trying to help you. Like something else has locked your files, and for them to unlock them, you need to pay 3 Bitcoins within one day. 3 Bitcoins equals to 1350 US dollars estimated from the time of this article being written. According to the instructions, the price for decryption will increase with 2 Bitcoins with each day that passes.
Do NOT pay the ransom or even think of paying. Doing this will give funds to the owner of the ransomware, which will probably be used to create a stronger virus or support other criminal activities. No way is there to know if you will get your files decrypted or if you will be contacted back in the first place.
The Mahasaraswati ransomware encrypts files of different types. It is certain that documents and pictures are going to be encrypted. Those are still one of the most precious files to users as they have valuable information on them or family photos. The encryption process of the ransomware encrypts the following file extensions:
→.html, .jpg, .jpg2, .pdf, .png, .ppt, .pptm, .pptx, .bmp, .doc, .docm, .docx, .docxml, .docz, .gif, .rtf, .tar, .targz, .targz2, .txt, .xlmv, .xls, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xml, .tarlzma, .tarxz
The list of file extensions shown above is probably incomplete, but these are the main file that will be encrypted. After the encryption process is done, all files will have the same extension – .id-[The ID of the infected user]. mahasaraswati@india.com.xtbl.
Mahasaraswati ransomware might delete Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows Operating System. You should still check this as there could be different versions of the ransomware in the wild.
Remove Mahasaraswati Ransomware and Restore mahasaraswati@india.com.xtbl Files
If your computer is infected with the Mahasaraswati ransomware, you should have at least some experience in removing viruses. You should get rid of this ransomware fast as it can spread deeper through the network and infect more files. The recommended action is to remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions provided below.
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 Mahasaraswati Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Mahasaraswati
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 Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati.
Ransomware infections and Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati:
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 Mahasaraswati. 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 Mahasaraswati. 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 Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati. 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 Mahasaraswati.
Ransomware infections and Mahasaraswati 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.
Mahasaraswati FAQ
What is Mahasaraswati ransomware and how does it work?
Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati 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 .Mahasaraswati files?
You can't. At this point the .Mahasaraswati 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 .Mahasaraswati files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Mahasaraswati 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 ".Mahasaraswati" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Mahasaraswati files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Mahasaraswati 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.
