Remove Mijnal ransomware And Recover Encrypted Files

Tips To Delete Mijnal ransomware

Mijnal ransomware is a new highly dangerous file-locking malware that is targeting Windows computers in wild. This hazardous crypto-virus has been designed by a group of cyber criminals with their sole purpose to encrypt files and force victims to pay the ransom in exchange for the decryption tools. Like any other ransomware programs, it can encode almost all types of data stored inside the compromised systems once it manages to get into the machine. If your images, audios, videos, documents, PDFs, spreadsheets etc. are marked with “.mijnal” extension, then it is clear that your device is infected with this pernicious malware.

More About Mijnal ransomware:

What Mijnal ransomware does there after the lethal attack is that it displays a ransom note named “README_LOCK.TXT” and “OpenTheTorBrouser.html” file. The text file informs victims about the unkind situation and the HTML file simply redirects them to the Tor website.  Users are warned not to rename the locked data or attempt to decrypt them with some third-party tool, otherwise it may lead to permanent data loss. Victims are instructed to purchase the decryption tool via the Tor website to regain access the encrypted files. They can access the site via the “OpenTheTorBrouser.html” file where they have to provide the assigned ID and then follow the further instructions.

Should You Pay The Ransom?

Users affected by Mijnal ransomware are strongly advised not to pay any sort of demanded ransom to attackers because they are not going to decode the files even after the payment. Many victims have reported that crooks simply disappeared after taking the extortion and caused them to suffer the loss of both files as well as money. Moreover, paying ransom to criminals will only boost the confidence of such people and they will keep triggering such vicious attacks in future for more incomes.

What Should The Victims Do?

The first thing any victimized users require to do here is to perform Mijnal ransomware removal from the computer as early as possible. Until they take a strict action to get rid of this hazardous virus, it will keep compromising their other essential data. For file-recovery, you can use a recently made backup, saved on any external drive. Or, if this option is not available, you can try a powerful file-recovery application which you can download right here via the link provided under this article.

Threat Specification

Name: Mijnal ransomware

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

Short Description: Deadly virus which encrypts files and then asks victims to pay the attackers a huge amount of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension: “.mijnal”

Ransom Note: README_LOCK.TXT

Attackers’ contact: Chat on the provided Tor website

Symptoms: Locked files become inaccessible and useless stored inside the infected PCs, previous functional data now have different extension, a text file and an HTML are displayed. 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 Mijnal ransomware:

Usually, these crypto-viruses are spread via spam emails that include malicious attachments or download pages for spiteful files. These phishing mails are sent by hackers in thousands that often pretend to be from some well-known or reputable companies. They are specially designed to trick recipients into opening the attachment or clicking the link which ultimately lead to the Mijnal ransomware or other file-encoding malware installation. The malicious file could be in any of these formats: malicious executable files (like .exe) or JavaScript files, Microsoft Office, PDF documents, archive files (like RAR, ZIP).

How To Prevent Such Attacks?

And therefore, it is strongly advised to ignore suspicious emails that you receive from unknown sources no matter how eye-catching they seem to be at the first glance. You should scan the attachment with a reputable anti-malware tool and if you find anything suspicious, never open them. In addition to that, you should avoid downloading software or products from unofficial sources, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, third-party downloaders etc. and always rely on official sites, trustworthy channels and direct links. In case your computer is already infected with this virus, you must remove Mijnal ransomware from the PC as early as possible.

Translation of The Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

################################################# ###

######### ALL YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED ###########

############## PLEASE READ THIS ################

###### IF YOU WANT TO RESTORE ALL FILES ########

################################################# ###

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++

++++++++++++++++ !!! IMPORTANT !!! ++++++++++++++++++++++

+++++ Don’t rename encrypted files. ++++++

++ Don’t try to decrypt your data with ++

+++ third party software, it can ++

+++++++++ lead to complete data loss. ++++++++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++

To get a decoder for decryption, do this

–

>> open the file OpenTheTorBrouser.html IN THE TOR BROWSER ONLY

>> if this browser is not installed – download it from here:

>> hxxps: //www.torproject.org/ru/download/ (Windows version)

>> then install browser and open OpenTheTorBrouser.html

>> you will be redirected to a page with instructions – follow them

################################################# ###

############### CRYPTO-LOCKER MIJNAL ################

################################################# ###

############# LIST OF ENCRYPTED FILES ############

————————————————– —

Translation of The Text Presented In The Tor Website

1. Write down the payment ID – you will still need it.
2. Click Checkout: You will be redirected to the checkout page.
3. Make payment: the specified amount to the specified wallet.
4. After payment, return to the previous page and go to the chat.
5. Open a new correspondence with your payment ID.

Attention: the payment system aggregator will add a small commission.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Mijnal ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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