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 Mahasaraswati and other threats.
Threats such as Mahasaraswati 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.
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 Mahasaraswati
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 http://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:
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]. [email protected].
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.
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.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati. 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 Mahasaraswati follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Mahasaraswati 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 Mahasaraswati on your PC
Find files created by Mahasaraswati
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.
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 Mahasaraswati with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Mahasaraswati and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Mahasaraswati. 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 Mahasaraswati
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 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 Mahasaraswati and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
