How to remove MERIN ransomware

Know how to delete MERIN ransomware and recover files

MERIN ransomware is described as crypto virus infection that was discovered by malware researcher S!Ri. This malware belongs to the ransomware family called NEPHILIM. It encodes all your personal files by using strong encryption algorithm as well as renames encrypted files by adding “.MERIN” extension to the end of filenames and makes it completely useless. For example, a file named “photo.jpg” would appear after encryption as “photo.jpg.MERIN” and could not be accessed without decryption key.

Text presented in MERIN ransomware’s text file:

Two things have happened to your company.
==================
All of your files have been encrypted with military grade algorithms.
The only way to retrieve your data is with our software.
Restoration of your data requires a private key which only we possess.
==================
Information that we deemed valuable or sensitive was downloaded from your network to a secure location.
We can provide proof that your files have been extracted.
If you do not contact us we will start leaking the data periodically in parts.
==================
To confirm that our decryption software works email to us 2 files from random computers.
You will receive further instructions after you send us the test files.
We will make sure you retrieve your data swiftly and securely and that your data is not leaked when our demands are met.
If we do not come to an agreement your data will be leaked on this website.

 

Website: htxxp://corpleaks.net
TOR link: hxxp://hxt254aygrsziejn.onion

 

Contact us via email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected] 

More details about MERIN ransomware

Additionally, it also leave ransom note (MERIN-DECRYPTING.txt) and placed it on victim’s desktop to inform about encryption and demand ransom. The message states that all files have been locked and they can only be retrieved by using private key that can only be provided by MERIN ransomware developers. In order to get such key, users are instructed to contact cyber criminals by writing them an email on the provided email address. Once contacted, they will ask you to pay money through Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

Users are also warned not to rename encrypted files using third party software as it might results into permanent data loss. As you know, ransomware type program uses cryptography algorithm to encrypt data and cannot decrypted without using specific decryption software. The main objective of ransomware is file encryption. On the aforementioned article, always use antivirus to detect malware before it causes any damage. It is never recommended to trust on the cyber criminals as they are always ready to cheat you.

How to recover the files encrypted by MERIN ransomware?

It is very easy to retrieve the locked files if you have backup files that you  created before the ransomware attack. The backup should be placed in some external storage device or remote cloud service. Despite this, the other option is third party data recovery tool that has powerful scanning algorithms and programming logics to retrieve data encrypted by this ransomware. The retrieval of encrypted files is not possible until you remove MERIN ransomware from the computer. Hence, you must scan your device by using strong antimalware removal tool before going through the file recovery process.

How did ransomware infect my PC?

The ransomware payloads get its entry into the targeted PC without user’s permission. Its related payloads come bundled with freeware or shareware that you recently downloaded from untrustworthy websites. usually, the users choose the default or basic installation setup and don’t realize that the programs they are installing contains as an additional apps with it. They are hidden under custom or advanced installation process. so, it is advised that you uncheck all the preselected additional files and stop its downloading. Other distribution methods used by cyber criminals are spam email attachments, fake software updating tools, Trojans and untrustworthy software download sources like freeware download websites, free file hosting sites and various third party downloader’s.

Remove MERIN ransomware

Complete removal instructions have been described below for you and other unsuspecting users so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. In order to protect your system, we suggest you to try automatic malware scanner that has the ability to remove MERIN ransomware and other related threats completely and safely from the PC.

Threat summary

Name: MERIN ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Crypto-virus

Ransom demanding message: MERIN-DECRYPTING.txt

Extension used: .MERIN

Cyber criminal contact: Threats actor asks users to contact them via the given email address. ([email protected])        

Description: This ransomware is a new detection that locks your files and demands a hefty ransom fee to offer decryption key. However, program is nothing more than a trap by hackers to earn illegal profit.

Symptoms: Users cannot access files stored on their system as previously functional files have different extension. A ransom demanding message appears on your screen. Cyber crooks behind this ask you to pay money usually in Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

Distribution: malicious email attachments, malicious ads, torrent websites, harmful hyperlinks, software bundling, pirated or cracked software and other social engineering methods.

Damage: All files as well as data are encoded by using strong encryption algorithm and it cannot be opened without paying ransom. Other additional password stealing Trojans infection can be installed along with dubious ransomware infections.  

File Restore: File restoration is possible with a lately created backup file or Volume Shadow Copies if available or some other options that are discussed under this article.

Removal: In order to remove MERIN ransomware and all infiltrated ransomware infection from the computer, we recommend our users to use some reliable antivirus removal tool or simply go through given removal instructions that are provided under this article.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove MERIN ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete MERIN ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove MERIN ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete MERIN ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with MERIN ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to MERIN ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove MERIN ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of MERIN ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by MERIN ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like MERIN ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by MERIN ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with MERIN ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove MERIN ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.