Remove Merl ransomware [File Recovery Instructions]

Delete Merl ransomware from computer

Merl ransomware is also known as .merl File Virus that is the new version of STOP/DJVU ransomware. This malware operates by encrypting data and demanding a ransom. During encryption process, all files are renamed with “.merl” extensions. Due to this, users are unable to open a single file to their previous states. After completing finishing locking process, this ransomware creates ransom note in text file format named “_readme.txt” and placed it on your desktop to notify you about locking process.

More details about Merl ransomware

The message on text file informs victims about the attack and instructs them possibility of file decryption. According to it, the only way to get the files back is to use decryption tool that only ransomware developers can provide it. It also scares users not to decrypt files manually otherwise it may cause permanent data loss. Users are also alerted to use alternative email address if they did not receive response from the cyber criminals within 6 hours.  Once contacted, users are asked to pay $980 in Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

Users are also advised to contact cyber criminals within 72 hours after encryption so that they can receive 50% discount and they have to pay only $490. In order to gain the trust of users they also offer free decryption test of 1 encrypted file. We recommend you to please avoid paying any amount of ransom money to them. In order to pay extortion money, cyber crooks behind this record your personal and financial information such as bank account details, password, email ID etc and used it for illegal purposes.

Text presented in the pop-up window:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-063L4ferhE
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
[email protected]

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
[email protected]

Your personal ID:
0192Asd374y5iuhldpkFFmTwSBGPCUJBppwAn4j8yK3MuFnquK4xNp48z

How to restore files without paying money?

By going through aforementioned instructions you may know that all these illegal activities are performed by cyber criminals. Their main aim is to encrypt files and demand huge amount of ransom money in order to get files back in original condition. But remember that paying money to them does not provide any positive results. Further, you are advised to read the given below article carefully in order to get back encrypted files without paying money to them. But to do so first of all you have to remove Merl ransomware soon from the system to avoid further encryptions. After that you can easily restore your files by using backup or other data recovery software.

Intrusion methods of Merl ransomware:

This nasty malware infection mostly get install into your system from malicious email messages, infected attachments and bundles of free software programs which you have downloaded from unreliable websites. It can also come in your computer through harmful hyperlinks, malicious ads or popup messages, file sharing through unsafe network, social media, porn or adult related websites, fake software updates and pirated software and by using various other techniques. After infiltration, it will disable your antivirus and firewall security programs due to which it becomes hard to detect and delete this infection. So, you must be cautious while installing or updating any software especially freeware.

Remove Merl ransomware

Manual malware removal instructions have been described below under this article in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not found any trouble while performing virus removal process. Despite this, if you are novice users then we suggest you to use some reliable removal tool that has the capability to remove Merl ransomware and all infiltrated malware completely and safely from the system.

Threat specification

Name: Merl ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Cryptovirus

Extension: .merl

Ransom demanding message: _readme.txt

Cyber Criminal Contact: [email protected]

Short Description: The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them.

Symptoms: The ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the extension .merl to them making them inaccessible. Ransom fee demanded.

Distribution methods: Infected email attachments (macros), torrent websites, malicious ads, unofficial activation and updating tools and many more.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be unlocked without paying a ransom. Additional password-stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed together with a ransomware infection.

Removal: To remove Merl ransomware or similar malware, we recommend you to scan your PC without strong anti-malware removal tool and use data recovery software to restore files encrypted by ransomware.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Merl ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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