How to remove devious STOP Moresa Ransomware from system?

Guide to Remove Moresa Ransomware

The variants of the infamous DJVU (STOP) Ransomware seem to be plundering the cyber-world enormously. Another active variant of STOP, Moresa Ransomware, has recently been reported by the cyber-security analysts.

The attack of the Moresa Ransomware begins with the encryption of files with strong Encryption Algorithms. After scrutinizing the system for the targeted files, it encrypts the files & appends .moresa extension to the file names. Hence, renders the files unusable & inaccessible to the users.

If you find your files locked by Moresa crypto virus, please note that you cannot restore the encrypted data manually. A unique decryption key, which is stored on the hacker’s server, is required to restore the data.

The decryption key may be obtained only after the ransom amount has been paid to the hackers. However, paying the ransom may not yield positive results. Research analysis has revealed that hackers avoid the victims once the ransom has been received.

Following the successful encryption, a ransom note (a text file) is dropped on the victim’s system. The note prompts the victims to pay the ransom amount in order to restore the data. Failing to pay the ransom in prescribed time, may lead to the permanent deletion of files by the hackers.

Threat Summary

Name	Moresa
Type	Ransomware
Category	Malware
Impacted Operating System	Windows
Distribution Methods	Spam e-mail campaigns, torrent websites, malicious ads
Ransom Amount	$980/$490 (in Bitcoins)

 

Threat Behavior of Moresa Ransomware

Moresa Ransomware is the brand-new addition to the devious (STOP) DJVU Ransomware Family. The first attack of Moresa was reported on 21st April 2019. Many of the Antivirus databases have listed Moresa as STOP Moresa Ransomware.

The prime distribution technique used by the developers of DJVU Ransomware is Spam E-mail Campaigns.

Once the system has been infected, it searches every nook & corner of the system for the targeted files. These may include:

• Document Files
• Audio Files
• Video Files
• Images
• Backup Files

Upon finding the targeted files, it encrypts them with strong Encryption Algorithms & Cryptography methods such as AES & RAS, hence makes them unusable.

The encrypted files are appended with a unique “.moresa” extension. For Example- a file named “image.jpg” might be renamed as “image.jpg.moresa”.

The sole motive of the cyber-criminals behind encrypting user & system files is to extort money from the victims. A ransom-demanding message in the text format (_readme.txt) is dropped in every folder consisting .moresa files.

The Ransom-Demanding Message Reads as follows:

The note prompts the users to pay the ransom amount in order to purchase the decryption key to restore the data. Getting the encrypted data back is not a breeze, as the hackers demand a hefty amount (in bitcoins).

The ransom note appears every time a user tries to access the encrypted files.

Details of the Ransom Amount Demanded

The ransom amount demanded by the Moresa developers is $980 (in bitcoins). The ransom note claims to offer 50% discount on the amount ($490) in case the victims contacts them within 72 hours of the encryption.

Fearing to lose their important & sensitive data, the victims often tend to contact the hackers & pay the ransom amount.

In order to guarantee the decryption, the hackers ask the victims to send one encrypted file via [email protected] or [email protected].

The file sent to the hackers will be decrypted free of cost.

Please note that offering free decryptions are merely tricks to take the users into thinking that they possess correct decryption tools. Paying the ransom often does not yield positive yields, the analysis has shown. The hackers often stop responding after the ransom amount has been received.

Therefore, users are advised to avoid any encouragement to contact the hackers & pay the ransom. Rather, users must ensure backing up their data regularly & be vigilant while using internet.

Distribution Techniques of Moresa Ransomware

The chief method of propagation employed by the developers of Moresa Ransomware is Spam e-mail campaigns. Hackers send spam e-mails with infected attachments to the victims PC. The e-mails may seem legitimate as these are sent with names of legit services in the subject lines. These may include e-mails from PayPal, USPS, FedEx & others.

The spam e-mails may contain infected attachments such as invoices, documents containing fraudulent PayPal links, links to Google Drive etc. A mere click on these e-mails may install Moresa Ransomware on the user’s system.

The infection of Moresa Ransomware may also spread via

• Torrent websites
• OS vulnerabilities & installed software
• Third-party software download sources
• Fake software updater
• Software Bundling
• Suspicious websites/Adult content sites

 

How to Remove Moresa Ransomware infection from the system

STEP A: Reboot your system using Safe Mode with Networking 

Windows 7/ Vista/ XP

1. Click on Windows icon present in the lower left corner of the computer screen.
2. Select and click  Restart.
3. When the screen goes blank, Keep tapping  F8  Key until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
4. With the help of arrow keys on keyboard, Select Safe Mode with Networking  option from the list and press the Enter Key. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Networking.

5 Click on the username and enter the password (if any).

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Press and hold the Shift Key and simultaneously click on the windows icon present in the lower left corner of your computer screen.
2. While the Shift key is still pressed click on the Power button and then click on Restart.
3. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings.
4. When the Startup Settings screen appears which is the first screen to appear after restart, select and click on Enable Safe Mode with Networking. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Networking.
5. Click on the username and enter the password.

STEP B:  Restore your system files and settings

Method 1 using Control Panel

1. Click on the ‘Start’ button on the taskbar. This will open the Start menu.
2. Click on the ‘Control Panel’ button in the Start menu. This will open the control panel window.
3. In the Control Panel window, click on the ‘View by:’ button on the top right. Select the Large Icon option
4. In the control Panel window click on the ‘Recovery Icon’. This will open a window that will ask ‘Restore the computer to an earlier point in time’.
5. Click on the ‘Open system restore’ button. This will open the ‘system restore ’window where you need to click on the Next Button.
6.  Select the restore point that is prior the infiltration of Moresa Ransomware. After doing that, click Next.
7. This will open the ‘Confirm your restore point’ dialog box. Click on Finish button. This will restore your system to a previous restore point before your system was infected by Moresa Ransomware.

OR

Method 2 using Command Prompt

1. Type cmd in the search box and click on the command prompt to open the Command Prompt window. box and clicking on it.
2. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.(Ensure that you in the system32 directory of Windows folder in C Drive)
3. Now type rstrui and press Enter again.
4. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Moresa Ransomware. After doing that, click Next.
5. This will open the ‘Confirm your restore point’ dialog box. Click on Finish button. This will restore your system to a previous restore point before your system was infected by Moresa Ransomware.

OR

Method 3 : Directly type ‘rstrui’ in the search box

1. Type ‘Rstrui’ in the search box present on the task bar. This will open the System restore dialog box.

Continue to follow steps 4 & 5 of Method 2 to restore the System Files and settings.

STEP C: Check System Configuration Settings

1. Type “Msconfig” in search box / Run Box, select it and press Enter.
2. Click on “Services” Tab and click on “Hide all Microsoft services”.
3. Select Moresa Ransomware from the list of remaining services and disable it by removing the tick mark from the checkbox and click on Apply button.

Windows 7

1. Click on the next tab – “Startup”.
2. Find any blank or suspicious entry or the entry with Moresa Ransomware mentioned and remove the check mark.
3. Click on Apply button and then click on OK.

Windows 10

1. Click on the next tab – “Startup”.
2. Take the mouse cursor to ‘Open task Manager‘ link and click on it.  This opens the Task Manager window.
3. Find any blank or suspicious entry or the entry with Moresa Ransomware mentioned and click on it.
4. Then click on Disable button.

 

How to prevent Moresa Ransomware from infecting your system

1. Keeping the Operating System Updated- In order to remain protected and avoid such infections, it is recommended to keep your Operating System updated by enabling the automatic update on your system. The systems with outdated or older versions of Operating System become an easy target for the attackers.
2. Resist clicking on spam emails – One of the major techniques used for malware distribution is forwarding spam emails to the user. The system gets infected as soon as the user clicks on the attachment. These mails appear to be genuine, so be aware and resist falling for these tricks.
3. Keep an eye on third party installations- It is quite important that you take due care while installing any third party applications for they are major source of such infections. Such malware programs come bundled with the free applications thereby requiring the user to remain cautious.
4. Regular periodical backup- In order to keep your data and files safe, it is recommended to take regular back up of all your data and files either on an external drive or cloud.
5. Use Anti-Virus Protection- We strongly recommend the use of antivirus protection/internet security in your PC like 360 Total Security, Kaspersky and Vipre  so that it remains safe.
6. Enable the Ad Blocker/Popup Blocker in your browser- Enabling the popup blocker/ ad blocker in your chosen browser will help you to stay protected from annoying adware.