What is Mischa Ransomware?
Mischa Ransomware is an extremely dangerous computer infection that enters your system uninvited. Such programs often trick unsuspecting users into installing them. It does not matter whether you are an individual user or you use a computer at your workplace: every system is susceptible to this infection as long as you get exposed to the ransomware’s distribution methods. It may be hard to remove Mischa Ransomware from your computer, but there is a way out of this situation, and in this description we will tell you how to get rid of this program. What you have to understand is that such infection does not disappear without consequences.
Where does Mischa Ransomware come from?
Like most of the ransomware applications, Mischa Ransomware belongs to a group of similar infections that have been terrorizing users around the globe for quite some time now. Our researchers at Anti-spyware-101.com suggest that this program is from the same family as Petya Ransomware. Therefore, if you know how Petya Ransomware behaved, you can more or less foresee what to expect of Mischa Ransomware as well.
We can assume that this program has been created by the Russian-speaking hackers or at least it has originated in a Russian-speaking country (as it is obvious from its name). However, this does not mean that the main target of this infection is computer users in Russia. On the contrary, this program usually targets corporate computers in Germany. It means that if you work at a company in Germany, it is far more likely that you will find a spam email message that distributes Mischa Ransomware in your company’s email inbox.
Unfortunately, it is very common that corporate computers get infected with ransomware. The spam emails that spread this infection often look like legitimate messages from financial or partner institutions. Quite often the attachment files that initiate the infection pose as invoices and other financial documents, so it is no wonder that people are inclined to open them.
What does Mischa Ransomware do?
On the surface, this program works like your average ransomware application. It encrypts your files using the RSA and AES encryption systems. When the affected files are encrypted using these two algorithms, it is practically impossible to restore the files unless you have the original decryption key. To get the key, you are supposed to pay around $900 in bitcoins, but unlike in many other computers, it may not be possible to contact the criminals via the Tor network because upon the installation Mischa Ransomware damages the Windows Master Boot Record (MBR).
The moment this infection takes place, it restarts your computer and, instead of the Windows loading page, you see a new notification that says:
Repairing file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.
One of your disks contains errors and needs to be repaired. This process may take several hours to complete. It is strongly recommended to let it complete.
However, the truth is that there is nothing wrong with your hard drive. Your MBR has already been modified, and if you let the scan to “complete,” your files will be encrypted. It is during this “scan” that the ransomware encrypts your files.
Thus, as you can possibility see, if you unplug your computer during this “scan,” you will stop the encryption process. But if you go through all of it, eventually, you will see a red flashing ASCII skeleton that says “PRESS ANY KEY.” Pressing any key will initiate another green window where you will see the ransom message.
How do I remove Mischa Ransomware?
If you have your files backed up on an external drive, you should not even have any second thought about it. You have to fix the MBR and then remove this malicious program following the instructions below. Take note, however, that for that you will need the original Windows boot DVD.
What’s more, once you have fixed the MBR, you will no longer be able to decrypt your files, as the ransomware gives you such opportunity only with the modified Master Boot Record. Nevertheless, that should not stop you. Once you have your MBR fixed, go to the %TEMP% folder and delete the malicious file you had launched right before the ransomware took over your computer.
If you are experiencing trouble trying to terminate the malicious programs, you should consider investing in a licensed antispyware application. You can also leave us a comment if you need any assistance in the matter.
Fix Your Master Boot Record
Windows 7, Windows 8 & Windows 10
- Insert the Windows installation DVD into your DVD-ROM.
- Press F8 as the system boots from the DVD.
- You will enter the Windows Recovery Menu.
- Go to Troubleshoot and select Advanced Options.
- Open the Automatic Repair menu and click the Command Prompt.
- Type the following commands:
bootrec /RebuildBcd
bootrec /fixMbr
bootrec /fixboot
Exit - Restart your computer.
Windows Vista
- Insert the installation DVD and boot your PC.
- Select the language and click Repair your computer.
- Select Windows Vista and click Next.
- Click on Command Prompt when System Recovery Options appear.
- Type in
bootrec /FixMbr
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBcd - Press Enter and wait for the operation to be complete.
- Remove the DVD and type Exit.
- Press Enter and restart your PC.
Windows XP
- Boot your PC from Windows XP CD.
- Press the R key to open Recovery Console.
- Type 1 and press Enter when you see “Which Windows installation would you like to log onto.”
- Type your password and press Enter at “Type the Administrator password.”
- Type fixmbr and click Y, and press Enter if you see “Are you sure you want to write a new MBR?”
- Press Enter again.
- When the process is complete, remove the CD.
- Type Exit and press Enter to reboot the system.
Remove Ransomware Files
- Press Win+R and type %TEMP% into the Open box.
- Click OK and go to the directory.
- Locate the malicious random-name .exe file and delete it.
- Scan your PC with a licensed antispyware tool.
tested removal of Mischa Ransomware*
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