Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Note! Your computer might be affected by MindSystem and other threats.
Threats such as MindSystem 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
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
MindSystem is a data locker ransomware created for educational purposes which do not restrict its usage by malicious intenders. It has all ransomware functionalities that allow it to penetrate the system, modify various Windows settings and encrypt valuable data with the help of AES-256 cipher algorithm. All corrupted files receive the file extension .mind and remain unusable as long as they are encrypted. Then it drops a ransom note that appears automatically on the infected PC screen. At this point, it has warning function not extortion function, and data decryption is possible by opening a file created by the ransomware.
This article aims to help you with the removal of all MindSystem ransomware files installed on the PC. If by accident .mind files remain encrypted after using the decryption file, the instructions below provide alternative data recovery approaches that are considered to be efficient.
Threat Summary
Name
MindSystem
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and shows a ransom note afterward.
Symptoms
This ransomware virus will encrypt your files and place the .mind extension on each one of them.
Distribution Method
Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by MindSystem
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.
Distribution of MinSystem Ransomware
If the MindSystem payload gets into hackers’ hands, they are likely to use standard ways for its distribution. Most often the ransomware arrives in a spam email that has an attachment. The attachment pretends to be an important document as an invoice or a message from courier so it can mislead the user to interact with the file. However, the file contains malicious code that can infect the PC with MindSystem ransomware once it is opened by the user. Most ransomware distribution campaigns rely on Microsoft Word documents that have embedded ransomware payloads.
Corrupted links may also be used for ransomware distribution. Once hackers inject the malicious code in a website, they can again present it in a spam email or send it as a personal message on some social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc. Even popular websites may be mirrored and used as a mean of ransomware distribution.
MindSystem Ransomware Attack in Detail
The ransomware is currently associated with a file called MindSystemNotRansomWare.exe that triggers the attack and controls all following system modifications. We remind that at this point MindSystem ransomware is supposed to be used only for educational purposes. However, its code can be leaked or released in dark net marketplaces. Thus cyber criminals will be able to purchase MindSystem malware code. Hopefully, such mistakes won’t occur because the ransomware is fully developed with all needed modules for a successful infection.
MindSystem can modify various system settings to ensure its persistent presence on the host. Generally, by adding new values in some registry keys like Run and RunOnce, the threat is able to start automatically at each Windows start. These keys are also used for the display of the ransom message at the end of the attack. Other registry modifications can disable some security features and prevent the user from shutting down the system of logging off his user account profile.
Data Encryption Process of MindSystem
The ransomware has an encryption module that utilizes AES-256 cipher algorithm that modifies all file types that are predefined in its code. Once it changes the original code of the files, they get the extension .mind and remain unusable. Being created for educational purposes, MindSystem ransomware is considered to create a file that contains the decryption key and locate it on a visible destination like the Desktop. However, if the threat is used by extortionists, its code will be changed, and only bad guys will possess the decryption key that will recover .mind files. Thus they have the chance to demand a ransom payment from infected users.
After encryption MindSystem drops a JPG on the PC and displays it automatically on the screen. The whole text on the image reads:
[Your files has been encrypted by MindSystem Ransomware]
To Recover them, just use the decryptor with your unique key For education only! MindSystem 2017
Remove MindSystem Ransomware and Restore Your Files
The most secure way to remove MindSystem ransomware of your system is running a valid anti-malware tool. Another option is trying to eliminate the ransomware manually. There are efficient steps provided below that will help you either way. In case that the created decryption key is not working one of the steps below is dedicated to alternative data recovery approaches that will help with the .mind files restore.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by MindSystem 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 MindSystem. 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 MindSystem follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove MindSystem 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 MindSystem on your PC
Find files created by MindSystem
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 MindSystem with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for MindSystem and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove MindSystem. 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 MindSystem
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by MindSystem
Ransomware infections and MindSystem 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:
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
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 MindSystem and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
