How to remove MEMZ ransomware and recover files

Easy guide to delete MEMZ ransomware and decrypt data

MEMZ ransomware is a ransomware-type infection. It is designed to encrypt stored files and then demand ransom payment for the decryption. During the encryption process, it appends the filenames of the encrypted files with .MEMZ extension. For example, it renames a file 1.jpg to 1.jpg.MEMZ, 2.jpg to 2.jpg.MEMZ and so on.

Once after the files encryption process is complete, MEMZ displays ransom demanding message, asking people to send the attackers $900 in Bitcoin. Typically, the ransom payment transfer is being asked from the users to get the unique decryption tool.

However, there is no guarantee (such as any written documents) provided these people that once after the payment, you will receive the decryption tool. There are many reports where victims do not get the decryption tool even if they fulfill the ransom demands.

Therefore, it would be best if you think of some alternatives for the files recovery. Existing backups are the best data recovery option. However, if you don’t have this, you should not lose hope as still you have at least two data recovery available.

Shadow Copies are one of them. These are automatically designed backups from Windows OS, sometimes left untouched during the entire process of system attack and files recovery. However, the ransomware might delete it by running Powershell or other such commands.

Third party data recovery tools are other data recovery option you have. We do not guarantee that these will definitely help you in the files recovery; you should have a try at least. Before that, make the system virus free by removing MEMZ ransomware by system scan using some reputable antivirus tool.

How did MEMZ ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed through Trojans, emails, unreliable sources for downloading files, programs, unofficial software updates and software cracking tools. Trojans are malicious malware especially designed to cause additional malware infection.

Emails used to deliver malware contain infectious files or links for such files in them. Users infect their systems after downloading and then opening malicious files. Files downloaded from unreliable sources cause system infection in the same way.

Fake software updaters infect systems by installing malware instead of fixes, updates or exploiting bugs, flaws of outdated software. Software cracking tools often are bundled with malware. Users infect their systems through these tools when try to activate licensed software with them.

This is the full text presented in MEMZ ransomware’s ransom note:

Attention….

You got infecteds by the MEMZ RANSOMWARE!!!!

for more inforamtion please sended me 900$ BTC at email

[email protected] and follows me on twitter @NyanMEMZ

We do not forgive

We do not forget

WE are legion

Expect us…….

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Installed software should have to be updated and activated using tools/ functions from legit developers. It is not legal to use cracking tools to activate licensed software. Also, it is very common to use such tools to distribute malware.

Website links and attachments on any irrelevant emails sent from suspicious addresses should never be opened as well. Files and programs should have to be downloaded from official websites and direct links. The computer should have to be scanned for threats using some reputable AV tools on regular basis.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete MEMZ ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove MEMZ 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 MEMZ ransomware using “System Restore”

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