In this article, you will find more information about .Mcafee 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.
The .Mcafee file virus is ransomware that interferes with operating system’s settings in order to activate encryption algorithm, TEA in this case, and encode various types of files that store valuable information. In case of infection with this particular ransomware, you will have all your valuable files locked and renamed with an extension of the same name .Mcafee. Unlike other ransomware, .Mcafee doesn’t request any ransom fee.
Threat Summary
Name | .Mcafee Files Virus |
Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
Short Description | Encrypts target files stored on infected computers, marks them with .Mcafee extension. |
Symptoms | Important files are encoded and renamed with .Mcafee extension. You cannot open them. |
Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
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 .Mcafee Files 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. |
.Mcafee Files Virus (Xorist) – Distribution
The payload file of the so-called .Mcafee files virus has probably managed to access your computer by being a part of a spam email. Emails that attempt to deliver malicious code on users’ devices are often designed to impersonate representatives of well-known businesses, websites, and even governmental institutions. This trick aims to mislead you and make you more prone to start the malicious code on your PC without noticing its presence.
As regards the malicious code that triggers ransomware infection it is usually disguised as file attachment of common type such as document, image, archive, PDF or as a URL address to an infected web page. Text messages presented by emails part of malspam campaigns usually attempt to provoke a sense of urgency and this way lure you into opening affected elements on your device as soon as possible.
In order to stay safe in future we recommend you to check our forum for several safety tips as they could help you to prevent ransomware infections like .Mcafee from infecting your system in future.
.Mcafee Files Virus (Xorist) – Overview
.Mcafee file virus appears to be yet another threat that attempts to access computer systems in order to encode valuable files. As identified by security researchers, this cryptovirus belongs to [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/remove-xorist-ransomware-variants-and-restore-your-encrypted-files/”]Xorist ransomware family.
When first started on your machine, .Mcafee will create a bunch of malicious files needed for the attack. Analyses of its sample reveal that the threat uses the following folders for the storage of malicious files:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
The execution of these files leads to serious modifications that affect essential system settings. Most of the changes are implemented to support further malicious activities that will enable the ransomware to reach the main infection stage – data encryption.
Once it reaches this stage, .Mcafee activates a built-in encryption module that contains the TEA cipher algorithm. This module is designed to find all target files and encrypt them one by one with the help of TEA algorithm. It is known that all files that are stored with any of the extensions listed below will be encoded by .Mcafee files virus:
→.1cd, .3gp, .7z, .ac3, .ape, .avi, .bmp, .cdr, .cer, .dbf, .divx, .djvu, .doc, .docx, .dwg, .flac, .flv, .gif, .gzip, .htm, .html, .ifo, .jpeg, .jpg, .kwm, .lnk, .m2v, .max, .md, .mdb, .mdf, .mkv, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .mpeg, .mpg, .odt, .p12, .pdf, .pfx, .png, .ppt, .pptx, .psd, .pwm, .rar, .tar, .torrent, .txt, .vob, .wav, .wma, .wmv, .xls, .xlsx, .zip
This includes all your:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc
Unlike other threats of the same kind, .Mcafee doesn’t request a ransom for decryption solution. This becomes clear by the associated ransom message which presents just one question written in Spanish:
Usted fue encriptado por Mcafee que ironia no?
The good news is that a fully composed free decryption tool for Xorist ransomware family was released by security researchers at Emsisoft. So you could be able to decrypt all your .Mcafee files by simply downloading it from their official website.
Remove .Mcafee Files Virus (Xorist) and Restore Data
The so-called .Mcafee files virus is a threat with highly complex code designed to corrupt both system settings and valuable data. So the only way to use your system in a secure manner again is to remove all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. For the purpose, we prepared a removal guide that reveals how to clean and secure your system step by step. In addition, you will find several alternative data recovery approaches that may be helpful in attempting to restore files encrypted by Xorist .Mcafee ransomware. We need to remind you to back up all encrypted files to an external drive before the recovery process.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for .Mcafee Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .Mcafee Files Virus 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:
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .Mcafee Files 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 .Mcafee Files Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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 .Mcafee Files Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .Mcafee Files Virus.
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 .Mcafee Files 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.
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.
.Mcafee Files Virus-FAQ
What is .Mcafee Files Virus Ransomware?
.Mcafee Files 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 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 .Mcafee Files Virus 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 .Mcafee Files Virus Infect?
Via several ways..Mcafee Files Virus 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 .Mcafee Files 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 ..Mcafee Files Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..Mcafee Files Virus 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 ..Mcafee Files Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..Mcafee Files Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..Mcafee Files Virus 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 .Mcafee Files Virus 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 .Mcafee Files Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..Mcafee Files Virus 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 .Mcafee Files Virus 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 .Mcafee Files Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .Mcafee Files 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 .Mcafee Files 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.
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