How to remove Moia ransomware, Decrypt .moia files.

What is Moia virus?

Moia virus is a new ransomware that belongs to the family of ransomware called STOP (Djvu). Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts the victim’s files and demands a ransom for decrypting them. The Moia virus encrypts files, renames them by appending the .moia extension, and creates files named “_readme.txt” containing the ransom demand message. For example, a file named “image.jpg” will be renamed to “image.jpg.moia”, a “document.docx” file to “document.docx.moia”, “invoice.pdf” to “invoice.pdf.moia”, and so on.

QUICK LINKS

• What is Moia virus?
• Remove Moia virus (ransomware)
• Decrypt .moia files
• Restore .moia files
• Video Guide

Moia ransomware is a new malware that is created to encrypt files located on the victim’s computer, and then extort money to decrypt them. Moia virus sneaks into the system without any visible symptoms, which is why users notice that their computer is infected too late, when the files are already encrypted. Typically, ransomware such as Moia can infect a computer when installing programs downloaded from torrent web-sites as well as when running cracked games, freeware, key generators and other similar software.

Upon execution, the virus creates a directory in the Windows system directory, copies itself to this directory, changes some OS settings, and also collects information about the infected computer. After that, Moia virus tries to connect to its command server. If this succeeds, the virus sends data about the infected computer to the server, and from it receives a key (so-called ‘online key’) necessary for file encryption. If the connection to the command server has not been established, then the virus uses a fixed key (so-called ‘offline key’). The main difference between an online key and an offline key is that the online key is in the hands of criminals and cannot be determined. The offline key is fixed and can be determined by security researchers. This gives hope that the ransomware victims will be able to decrypt files without paying ransom.

Moia virus renames each encrypted file by adding the extension .moia to its name. This means the following, if the file was named ‘document.docx’, then after it is encrypted, it will be called ‘document.docx.moia’. Each file on the victim’s computer becomes the target of the Moia virus. No matter where the file is located, on the internal drive or network storage, this file will be encrypted. The ransomware only does not encrypt files in the Windows system directories, files with the extension .dll, .lnk, .bat, ini, .sys and files named ‘_readme.txt’. Thus, the following types of files can be encrypted:

.vpk, .dwg, .2bp, .xy3, .m4a, .wp4, .xxx, .rb, wallet, .apk, .wmv, .xlsx, .pptm, .vdf, .sidd, .menu, .map, .xmind, .ztmp, .ptx, .x3f, .gdb, .xyp, .wdp, .sav, .dbf, .wp5, .x3d, .d3dbsp, .indd, .zdc, .xmmap, .wpd, .bkp, .tax, .xlsm, .ppt, .sr2, .odc, .dba, .m2, .syncdb, .wp, .lbf, .wp7, .wpg, .re4, .ai, .wpb, .y, .xml, .ods, .z, .txt, .zif, .xlk, .pfx, .hkdb, .wbz, .wri, .raw, .wps, .3ds, .csv, .wbk, .rofl, .db0, .ltx, .pdf, .1, .odt, .xdl, .0, .mcmeta, .hkx, .js, .hplg, .mef, .srw, .lrf, .qic, .pst, .dng, .wsh, .py, .zip, .tor, .bc6, .wot, .vpp_pc, .wotreplay, .avi, .zw, .ybk, .kdc, .xpm, .ibank, .srf, .wb2, .1st, .itl, .xx, .upk, .pef, .mp4, .t12, .eps, .mpqge, .wbm, .big, .yml, .xbdoc, .sis, .wbc, .crt, .xar, .css, .7z, .vcf, .p12, .pkpass, .3dm, .x3f, .bik, .bar, .sum, .xlgc, .mdf, .fos, .wmd, .das, .layout, .rwl, .zip, .w3x, .accdb, .hvpl, .nrw, .forge, .arw, .vtf, .wm, .xyw, .dcr, .wpl, .mddata, .bay, .wma, .flv, .docx, .lvl, .ncf, .t13, .bkf, .xwp, .sie, .rar, .wn, .pdd, .cfr, .wp6, .wmo, .fsh, .xll, .pem, .jpg, .docm, .webdoc, .xlsm, .dxg, .ntl, .svg, .wpd, .arch00, .slm, .xlsb, .erf, .zabw, .litemod, .dmp, .mrwref, .wav, .mdb, .3fr, .psk, .itdb, .wma, .jpe, .wdb, .webp, .xf, .odm, .bsa, .odb, .psd, .rw2, .xls, .yal, .cdr, .p7c, .wpt, .x, .jpeg, .m3u, .fpk, .asset, .xls, .esm, .mov, .blob, .png, .odp, .dazip, .itm, .zi, .ysp, .xld, .wcf, .wpa, .wpw, .vfs0, .pak, .wbd, .wgz, .zdb, .cer, .wsd, .wbmp, .crw, .iwi, .sb, .rtf, .cas, .ws, .orf, .qdf, .epk, .wsc, .mlx, .wire, .z3d, .snx

So, every “Moia file” is an encrypted file. To decrypt it, you must use the key and the decryptor. This is reported by the authors of Moia virus, in a message that they leave on the infected computer. This message is in a file called ‘_readme.txt’. The criminals place such a file in every directory where there is at least one encrypted file. An example of the contents of this file is given below.

The contents of this file are a ransom demand message. Criminals report that all files on the computer are encrypted, and only the key and decryptor can decrypt these files and restore access to their contents. Attackers demand a ransom of $980 in exchange for a key and a decryptor. If the victim is ready to pay the ransom quickly, within 72 hours, the size of the ransom is halved to $490. The authors of the virus offer to decrypt one Moia file for free and thus prove the possibility that the files can be decrypted.

Text presented in the Moia ransom note:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, 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:
https://we.tl/t-rIyEiK9ekc
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:
manager@mailtemp.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
helprestoremanager@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
0355xxxxxxxx

Threat Summary

Name	Moia ransomware, Moia file virus
Type	Ransomware, Crypto malware, Filecoder, File locker, Crypto virus
File extension	.moia
Ransom note	_readme.txt
Contact	manager@mailtemp.ch, helprestoremanager@airmail.cc
Ransom amount	$980, $490 in Bitcoins
Detection Names	Infostealer/Win.SmokeLoader.R422787, Trojan.GenericKDZ, Win32:Ace-K [Cryp], Win.Ransomware.Gandcrypt, A Variant Of Win32/Kryptik, Trojan.Win32.Kryptik.oa!s1, HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Stop.gen, Trojan.MalPack.GS, Malware.Win32.Gencirc., Trojan:Win32/Azorult.ML!MTB, Ransom.Win32.RYUK.SMEY.hp
Symptoms	Cannot open files stored on the computer. Windows Explorer displays a blank icon for the file type. Files called such as ‘_readme.txt’, ‘READ-ME’, ‘_open me’, _DECRYPT YOUR FILES’ or ‘_Your files have been encrypted” in every folder with an encrypted file. ‘All files on your computer have been encrypted’ message on your desktop.
Distribution methods	Spam or phishing emails that are designed to get people to open an attachment or click on a link. Drive-by downloads (crypto malware can infect the computer simply by visiting a web-site that is running malicious code). Social media posts (they can be used to mislead users to download malware with a built-in ransomware downloader or click a misleading link). Misleading web-pages.
Removal	Moia ransomware removal guide
Decryption	Moia File Decrypt Tool

 

Security researchers confirm that files with .moia extension are encrypted and to decrypt them you need to use a key and special software – decryptor. Fortunately there is a Moia File Decypt Tool which was created by Emsisoft and named Stop (djvu) decryptor. This tool allows everyone to decrypt encrypted files completely free. Unfortunately, this decryptor is limited in that it can only decrypt files encrypted with an offline key, files encrypted with an online key cannot yet be decrypted. The reason for this is that only the Moia creators have the online key and this key cannot be determined or cracked. In addition to using the Moia File Decypt Tool from Emsisoft, there are several other ways to restore the content of encrypted files. The instructions below detail how to remove Moia ransomware virus, decrypt .moia files, and also how to recover encrypted files if the free Moia File Decypt Tool could not decrypt them. Read the entire manual carefully. To make it easier for you to follow the instructions, we recommend that you print it or open it on your smartphone.

How to remove Moia virus (ransomware)

Before you start decrypting or recovering .moia files, you need to remove Moia ransomware and its autostart entries. This must be done since otherwise the ransomware may re-encrypt the restored files. You can stop the ransomware from working, as it is not difficult to do. Another option is to perform a full system scan using free malware removal tools capable of detecting and removing ransomware infection.

It is very important to scan the computer for malware, as security researchers found that spyware could be installed on the infected computer along with the Moia ransomware. Spyware is a very dangerous security threat as it is designed to steal the user’s personal information such as passwords, logins, contact details, etc. If you have any difficulty removing the Moia virus, then let us know in the comments, we will try to help you.

To remove Moia ransomware, follow the steps below:

1. Kill Moia virus
2. Disable Moia Start-up
3. Delete Moia Task
4. Remove Moia virus

Kill Moia virus

Press CTRL, ALT, DEL keys together.

Click Task Manager. Select the “Processes” tab, look for something suspicious that is the Moia ransomware then right-click it and select “End Task” or “End Process” option. If your Task Manager does not open or the Windows reports “Task manager has been disabled by your administrator”, then follow the guide: How to Fix Task manager has been disabled by your administrator.

It is not difficult to detect a process related to the Moia ransomware. When looking for a malicious process, pay attention to the process icon and its name. Most often, this ransomware has a process name in the following format: 4-characters.tmp.exe or 4-characters.exe. For example: 7533.tmp.exe, A4b1.exe, CD15.tmp.exe, 19b2.exe. The process name can also contain “(32 bit)”. If you do not find a process with a similar name in the list of processes, then most likely the Moia ransomware has finished working. But keep in mind, if you do not remove the ransomware autostart entries, as demonstrated below, and do not delete its file, then after a while it may start again, and if it finds unencrypted files, immediately encrypt them.

Disable Moia Start-up

Select the “Start-Up” tab, look for something similar to the one shown in the example below, right click to it and select Disable.

Close Task Manager.

Delete Moia Task

Type “Task Scheduler” in the search bar. Click Task Scheduler app in the search results. Click “Task Scheduler Library” in the left panel. On the right panel, right-click to “Time Trigger Task” and select Delete.

Close Task Scheduler.

Remove Moia virus

Run Task Manager and select the “Start-Up” tab. Right click to the Moia entry and select Open File Location as shown below.

A directory containing one file will open in front of you, this file is the Moia virus. It needs to be removed. If you try to delete it immediately, then you will not succeed, since this file is protected from deletion.

To delete this file, you need to do the following. Right-click on the file, select Properties. In the window that opens, select Security tab. Next, click the Advanced button below. A window will open as shown in the following example.

Click Disable inheritance. In the Block inheritance dialog box that opens, select the first item (Convert inherited permissions…) as shown below.

In the Permission entries list, select “Deny Everyone”, click Remove button and then OK. Close the file properties window. You should now be able to remove the Moia virus. Right-click on the file and select Delete.

Scan computer for malware

Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) is one of the best in its class, it can detect and remove lots of different security threats such as ransomware, adware, spyware, trojans, worms and malicious software that masqueraded as legitimate system programs. Also Zemana includes another utility called FRST – is a helpful program for manual removal of files and parts of the Windows registry created by crypto malware.

Zemana can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Windows desktop.

After the download is complete, close all windows on your device. Further, run the set up file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as displayed on the screen below, press the “Yes” button.

It will display the “Setup wizard” which will help you install Zemana on the personal computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

Once installation is complete successfully, Zemana Anti-Malware will automatically launch and you may see its main window as displayed below.

Next, press the “Scan” button for checking your computer for the Moia virus related folders,files and registry keys. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your computer. When a threat is found, the count of the security threats will change accordingly.

After Zemana completes the scan, it will open a list of all security threats found by the scan. Make sure to check mark the threats which are unsafe and then click “Next” button.

Zemana AntiMalware will remove Moia ransomware, other malware, worms and trojans. When disinfection is finished, you can be prompted to restart your computer.

In order to be 100% sure that the computer no longer has the Moia crypto malware, we recommend using the Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT). This utility, as its name suggests, is created by the Kaspersky lab and uses the core of the Kaspersky Antivirus. Unlike the Kaspersky Antivirus, KVRT has a smaller size and, most importantly, it can work together with an already installed antivirus. This utility has great capabilities and therefore we suggest using KVRT in the last turn to be sure that the Moia crypto malware has been removed.

Download Kaspersky virus removal tool on your Windows Desktop by clicking on the link below.

Once the downloading process is done, double-click on the Kaspersky virus removal tool icon. Once initialization process is finished, you’ll see the Kaspersky virus removal tool screen as displayed on the screen below.

Click Change Parameters and set a check near all your drives. Click OK to close the Parameters window. Next press Start scan button for checking your machine for the Moia ransomware virus . A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your computer. While the KVRT tool is scanning, you may see how many objects it has identified as being affected by malicious software.

As the scanning ends, it will show the Scan Results like below.

Next, you need to click on Continue to begin a cleaning process.

How to decrypt .moia files

All files with .moia extension are encrypted and the only way to access their contents is to decrypt them. To decrypt .moia files, you need to use a unique key and the Moia File Decypt Tool. As we said above, Emsisoft company was able to create a decryptor and found a way in some cases to determine the key that was used to encrypt the files. This allows victims of the virus to decrypt .moia files for free.

To decrypt .moia files, use free Moia File Decypt Tool

• Download Moia File Decypt Tool from the following link.
  STOP Djvu decryptor
• Scroll down to ‘New Djvu ransomware’ section.
• Click the download link and save the decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe file to your desktop.
• Run decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe, read the license terms and instructions.
• On the ‘Decryptor’ tab, using the ‘Add a folder’ button, add the directory or disk where the encrypted files are located.
• Click the ‘Decrypt’ button.

Moia File Decypt Tool is a free software that can decrypt files that were encrypted with an offline key, as Emsisoft found a way to determine this key. Unfortunately, files encrypted with an online key cannot yet be decrypted. The online key is unique to each infected computer, and at the moment there is no way to find this key. Of course, criminals have this key, but we do not think that paying a ransom is a way to decrypt .moia files. In the case when the files are encrypted with an online key, there is a chance to restore the encrypted files using alternative methods, which are described below.

How to find out which key was used to encrypt files

Below we show two ways to help you determine what type of key was used to encrypt the files. This is very important, since the type of key determines whether it is possible to decrypt .moia files for free. We recommend using the second method, as it is more accurate.

Find out the type of key using ‘_readme.txt’ file

• Open the ransom demand message (‘_readme.txt’ file).
• Scroll down to the end of the file.
• There you will see a line with the text ‘Your personal ID’.
• Below is a line of characters that starts with ‘0355’ – this is your personal id.

Find out the type of key using ‘PersonalID.txt’ file

• Open disk C.
• Open directory ‘SystemID’.
• Open file named ‘PersonalID.txt’. This file lists ‘Personal ID’s that match the keys that the virus used to encrypt files.

The ‘Personal ID’ is not a key, it is an identifier related to a key that was used to encrypt files. If the ID ends with ‘t1’, then the files are encrypted with an offline key. If the ID does not end with ‘t1’, Moia ransomware virus used an online key. If you could not figure out how to determine which key was used to encrypt files, then we can help. Just write a request here or in the comments below.

Moia File Decrypt Tool : “No key for New Variant online ID”

If, when you try to decrypt .moia files, Moia File Decrypt Tool reports:

No key for New Variant online ID: *
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible

It means that your files are encrypted with an ‘online key’ and their decryption is impossible, since only the kook authors have the key necessary for decryption. In this case, you need to use alternative methods listed below to restore the contents of encrypted files.

Moia File Decrypt Tool : “No key for New Variant offline ID”

If, during decryption of .moia files, Moia File Decrypt Tool reports:

No key for New Variant offline ID: *t1
Notice: this ID appears be an offline ID, decryption MAY be possible in the future.

It means the following: your files are encrypted with an ‘offline key’, but the key itself has not yet been obtained by security researchers, in this case, you need to be patient and wait a while, in addition, you can also use alternative ways for recovering encrypted data.

If for some reason you were unable to decrypt the encrypted files, then We recommend to follow the news on our Facebook or YouTube channels. So you ‘ll know right away that it ‘s possible to decrypt .moia files.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to remove Moia virus, Decrypt/Recover .moia files.

How to restore .moia files

If your files are encrypted with .moia extension, then there is a chance that you can recover the files without decryption. We recommend using PhotoRec and ShadowExplorer that are designed to find and recover lost and deleted data. Mostly such programs are paid, but these tools can restore your files for free. Each of these tools has helped many times to recover files after ransomware infection in what would seem to be the most hopeless cases. We want to remind you that before you try to recover files, you need to check your computer for ransomware using free malware removal tools. It is very important to find the Moia virus and completely remove it.

Use ShadowExplorer to recover .moia files

Modern versions of the Windows OS have one very useful feature. The Windows automatically makes copies of the files you use. These copies are called ‘Shadow Volume Copies’ and are not directly visible to the user. ShadowExplorer will allow you to get easy access to these files, and thus restore the original state of encrypted files. Of course, not everything is so simple, unfortunately very often ransomware deletes these copies, thus preventing the simple recovery of encrypted files. But in some cases, copies of the files remain and allow for quick file recovery. Therefore, our opinion, you need to try this method.

Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of ShadowExplorer for MS Windows. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

After the downloading process is complete, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to ShadowExplorer-0.9-portable and select Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the ShadowExplorerPortable folder like below.

Run the ShadowExplorer utility and then choose the disk (1) and the date (2) that you wish to restore the shadow copy of file(s) encrypted by the Moia crypto virus as displayed on the screen below.

Now navigate to the file or folder that you wish to recover. When ready right-click on it and press ‘Export’ button as shown in the following example.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to recover encrypted files using Shadow Explorer.

Use PhotoRec to restore .moia files

There is another very good way to recover .moia files – use a tool that finds and restores deleted files. We recommend using PhotoRec. This is one of the few programs that allows you to do this for free. The reason that allows you to recover encrypted files using this method is simple – when you or any program, including the ransomware, deletes the file, this file is not deleted, the Windows OS marks it as deleted and hides it. PhotoRec finds such deleted files and restores them. Thus, at the output, you get files in an unencrypted state. The only thing I want to draw your attention to is that the less you used your computer after ransomware infection, the higher your chance of recovering encrypted files.

Download PhotoRec on your Windows Desktop from the link below.

After the downloading process is done, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to testdisk-7.0.win and select Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the testdisk-7.0 folder like below.

Double click on qphotorec_win to run PhotoRec for MS Windows. It’ll show a screen similar to the one below.

Choose a drive to recover as displayed below.

You will see a list of available partitions. Select a partition that holds encrypted personal files as shown below.

Click File Formats button and specify file types to restore. You can to enable or disable the recovery of certain file types. When this is complete, click OK button.

Next, click Browse button to select where restored photos, documents and music should be written, then click Search. We strongly recommend that you save the recovered files to an external drive.

Count of restored files is updated in real time. All restored documents, photos and music are written in a folder that you have selected on the previous step. You can to access the files even if the recovery process is not finished.

When the restore is done, press on Quit button. Next, open the directory where recovered photos, documents and music are stored. You will see a contents as displayed on the screen below.

All restored photos, documents and music are written in recup_dir.1, recup_dir.2 … sub-directories. If you are searching for a specific file, then you can to sort your restored files by extension and/or date/time.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to recover encrypted files using PhotoRec.

How to protect your computer from Moia ransomware

Most antivirus software already have built-in protection system against the ransomware. Therefore, if your PC does not have an antivirus program, make sure you install it. As an extra protection, use the HitmanPro.Alert. All-in-all, HitmanPro.Alert is a fantastic utility to protect your PC from any ransomware. If ransomware is detected, then HitmanPro.Alert automatically neutralizes malware and restores the encrypted files. HitmanPro.Alert is compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows XP to Windows 10.

First, please go to the link below, then click the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of HitmanPro Alert.

When downloading is done, open the directory in which you saved it. You will see an icon like below.

Double click the HitmanPro Alert desktop icon. Once the tool is opened, you’ll be shown a window where you can choose a level of protection, like the one below.

Now press the Install button to activate the protection.

To sum up

This guide was created to help all victims of Moia ransomware virus. We tried to give answers to the following questions: how to remove Moia ransomware; how to decrypt .moia files; how to recover encrypted files; what is an online key and what is an offline key. We hope that the information presented in this manual has helped you.

If you have questions, then write to us, leaving a comment below. If you need more help with Moia related issues, go to here.