Remove M88P ransomware And Recover Encrypted Files

Simple Steps To Delete M88P ransomware

M88P ransomware is a notorious computer infection that has been caught doing several lethal attacks since it was first spotted. The malware enters the PCs’ operating systems secretly without being acknowledged by the users and encrypt all their important files and documents with a strong cipher. It belongs to the family of Matrix ransomware and can infect almost all types of files including videos, audios, documents, presentations, images etc. The encrypted data can be easily identified as it marks them with “.M88P” extension. After that, data with this extension can’t be accessed without using the decryption tools which can only be acquired from the attackers by paying ransom to them.

Depth Analysis of M88P ransomware:

Once the encryption process is completed, M88P ransomware displays a ransom note titled “#README_M88P#.rtf” and informs victims regarding the attack. The note states that users’ server was hacked due to security issues. All their valuable data was encrypted wand renamed. You can send up to three to five locked files to them via the provided email addresses. They will decode them and send them back to prove that the decryption is possible. It is also mentioned that if you don’t contact the criminals within 72 hours, they will publish your files in the Darknet.

Should You Deal With The Crooks?

At the end, you might have to pay M88P ransomware authors a huge sum of ransom to get the required decryptor and open the locked data. You certainly can’t open the files encrypted by this hazardous parasite, but still, you should not consider making any sort of payment to the attackers. Remember, the only motive of such people is to extort huge amount of illicit money from the victimized users. They just can’t be trusted as there are multiple instances when hackers cheated victims once the ransom is paid.

What Should The Victims Do?

The first thing any victims need to do here is to perform M88P ransomware removal from the computer as early as possible. For data-recovery, you should use other methods such as backups or file-recovery application which you can download right here via the link provided under this article. Paying ransom to the criminals is never recommended as it will only urge them to trigger more such attacks for future profits. So, never consider doing that as you will be scammed at the end.

Threat Specification

Name: M88P ransomware

Type: Ransomware, File-encrypting malware, Crypto-virus

Short Description: Destructive virus which encrypts data and then asks victims to pay the attackers a hefty sum of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension:  “.M88P”

Ransom Notes: #README_M88P#.rtf

Symptoms: Encrypted data become inaccessible and useless stored inside the infected PCs, previous functional data now have different extension, a pop-up window is exhibited and a ransom note is put on each affected folder. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to unlock their encrypted files.

Distribution methods: Spam emails, peer to peer network sharing, unofficial activation and updating tools.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be accessed without paying ransom, Additional password stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed along with ransomware infections and other malware.

Removal: To remove this virus from the system, we advise you to use a reliable anti-malware tool. Once malware gets removed, you can recover your files by using existing backup or data-recovery software.

Penetration of M88P ransomware:

These file-encrypting viruses are typically distributed via malspam campaigns, unofficial software activation tools, Trojans, fake software updating tools, questionable files and apps download sources. However, at most of the occasions, they are spread using the spam campaign method. Cyber hackers send phishing emails that contain vicious attachments. These mails are often disguised as important or official. However, when recipients execute the attached file, installation of this hazardous crypto-malware begins.

The attached spiteful file could on in multiple formats such as archive files (RAR, ZIP), PDF and Microsoft Office documents, executable files (like .exe), JavaScript files and to their emails. So, you need to be very attentive while opening emails that you receive from unknown addresses. But at the moment, you must remove M88P ransomware from the computer as soon as possible.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove M88P ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete M88P ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove M88P 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 M88P ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with M88P 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 M88P 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 M88P 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 M88P 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 M88P 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 M88P 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 M88P 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 M88P 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 M88P 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.