How to remove Matafaka Ransomware and recover files

Complete tips to delete Matafaka Ransomware and decrypt data

Matafaka Ransomware is malicious computer program belongs to the Xorist ransomware group. Typically, malware under this classification encodes victims’ files and demand them to pay to decrypt them. Matafaka also performs encryption but does not make any ransom demands.

During the encryption process, the files are appended with matafaka extension. For example, a file initially named 1.jpg would appear something similar to “1.jpg.matafaka”, “2.jpg” as “2.jpg.matafaka”, “3.jpg” as “3.jpg.matafaka”, and so on for all of the affected files.

After the files encryption process, the ransomware displays/ creates a pop-up window and a text file – “HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt”. Usually, such files contain ransom notes, however, that is not the case with Matafaka Ransomware.

Both pop-up window and “HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt” text file look alike. The message within it informs that the victims’ computer has been trashed. It lacks crucial information, like payment demands/ instructions and the crooks’ contact details.

Thus, it can be said that Matafaka Ransomware is at its initial stage of development and has been released for the testing purpose. However, in further releases, the incomplete information might be rectified and the detailed ransom demanding message might be presented.

Even in that case, you should not contact/ pay the crooks. These people are not reliable. They will not going to provide you the decryption tool even if you fulfill all their demands. It is common with ransomware authors to disappear, leaving the victims without their files, once receiving the ransom fee.

So, you should think of some alternatives for the files recovery. Counting on fingers, three possible data recovery options are available for you at present. You can use existing backups you have. You have an option to use Shadow Copies – the automatically created backups from OS.

And the last option is to use data recovery tools from third parties. At present, official decryption for this virus is not available. It might be sometimes in future, and so even if you didn’t successfully get back some of the encrypted files through the stated data recovery options, you should at least keep a backup of encrypted files for use in future.

For the data recovery guide on the aforementioned data recovery options, refer our data recovery option provided below the post. There, you will also find complete step-by-step instruction to delete Matafaka Ransomware. The malware removal is necessary to prevent further files encryption and avoid possible damages.

How did Matafaka Ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often disguised as or bundled with ordinary software. Malicious malware are often spread through untrustworthy downloading channels such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p networks and other third-party downloaders.

Illegal activation tools and fake software updaters are the prime examples. Cracking tools infect systems by supposedly bypassing activation keys of paid software. Fraudulent updaters cause infection by abusing bugs/ flaws of outdated software or by direct downloading malware instead of promised updates.

Malware can also be distributed via spam campaign- a large scale operation where spam emails are sent by thousands. These letters contain download links of malicious files or the files are directly attached to them.

The virulent files could be in any forms including PDF and Microsoft Office documents, archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), JavaScript, and so forth.  When these files are executed, run or otherwise opened- the malware download/ installation process is triggered.

Text presented in Matafaka Ransomware‘s text file (“HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt”):

hello there your computa is trashed

How to prevent ransomware infection?

It is recommended to download only from official and verified sources. Additionally, all programs should have to be updated and activated using tools/ functions from legit developers. Dubious and irrelevant emails should never be opened, especially any attachments and website links in them.

To ensure the device integrity and personal safety, have a reputable antivirus tool and keep it updated. Also, use this software for regular system scan and to remove any detected threats. If Matafaka Ransomware already installed on system, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool and remove it automatically.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Matafaka Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Matafaka Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Matafaka 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 Matafaka Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Matafaka 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 Matafaka 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 Matafaka 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 Matafaka 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 Matafaka 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 Matafaka 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 Matafaka 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 Matafaka 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 Matafaka 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.