What is Maas Ransomware?
Maas Ransomware can cause a lasting headache if it finds a security crack, through which it can invade Windows operating systems. Unfortunately, cybercriminals behind ransomware are very quick, and they can adapt according to the conditions. This is why most of the file-encrypting threats have a very short lifespan. After the potential of an individual threat is exhausted, a new threat emerges. In most cases, it is just a clone that does not have any unique threats. This is the case with the Maas infection as well, which is a clone of Opqz Ransomware, Sqpc Ransomware, and hundreds of other threats alike. All of them are clones of STOP Ransomware, which is the predecessor. Quite likely, the same attacker is behind all of these threats. A free tool named ‘STOP Decryptor’ was built by malware researchers, but it is not always able to recognize new variants quickly enough, and it can only decrypt files encrypted with an offline key. While we hope that you can restore your files, what matters right now is that you delete Maas Ransomware.
How does Maas Ransomware work?
Malicious downloaders, RDP vulnerabilities, malvertising, and spam emails could be employed for the distribution of Maas Ransomware, as well as other threats alike. Unfortunately, in many cases, the victims are involved in the attack of this threat, and if you remember doing something risky right before your files were encrypted, we hope that you will learn from your mistake and act more cautiously in the future. Unfortunately, victims are unlikely to realize when Maas Ransomware attacks; otherwise, they might be able to remove the infection. To ensure that the removal is prevented, the threat also disables the Task Manager. Therefore, even if you figure out that something is going on, you might be unable to kill a malicious process and delete the infection. Of course, most victims discover that they need to eliminate an infection only after they find the “.maas” extension attached to their personal files. At that point, it is too late to stop the attack. It is complete. However, the threat moves on to the next phase.
A file named “_readme.txt” is opened once Maas Ransomware is done encrypting files. This file always presents the same information regardless of which variant of the STOP Ransomware attacks. The point of the message is to reassure you that files are decryptable and that you need a decryptor. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that files are decryptable, and it is questionable whether you need a decryptor. You certainly do not if you can use a free decryptor or if you have copies of personal files stored somewhere safe. Unfortunately, some victims might be tricked into emailing the attackers (at helpmanager@mail.ch and restoremanager@airmail.cc) and paying a hefty ransom ($490 within the first three days, $980 afterward). If you have been tricked into doing that, it is likely that your files are still encrypted, but you have less money in your pocket. Also, you now need to worry about what you might find in your inbox. Please beware of suspicious, scandalous, intimidating messages that the attackers could start sending you.
How to delete Maas Ransomware
If you can replace the corrupted files with backups, you should initiate the removal of Maas Ransomware as soon as possible. If you want to try to recover the files, try using the free decryptor. Even if you cannot restore or replace the files, you must remove the infection. It is easy to leave this to anti-malware software that is automated and designed for this very task. However, if you are more interested in deleting Maas Ransomware manually, we have prepared a guide. Of course, if this is your chosen option, please remember that your operating system remains vulnerable even if you clean it completely. To ensure that your system is fully protected, it is important to set up appropriate security safeguards, and trusted anti-malware software can ensure that. Do you have further questions about the infection or its removal? If you do, we can answer them all in the comments section below the removal guide.
Removal Instructions
- Open Run (tap Win+R keys) and enter regedit into the box.
- In Registry Editor, move to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
- If you can identify the value linked to the ransomware, right-click and Delete it.
- Open File Explorer (tap Win+E keys).
- Enter %LOCALAPPDATA% into the field at the top to reach the directory.
- Right-click and Delete the file named script.ps1 and two folders with random names that hold malicious .exe files inside. Note that one file should be linked to the value in step 3.
- Enter %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\ into the field at the top.
- Right-click and Delete the task called Time Trigger Task.
- Empty Recycle Bin and then perform a full system scan using a legitimate malware scanner.
N.B. Windows XP users can find the ransomware components that require removal in the %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\ directory (instead of %LOCALAPPDATA%).
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