{"id":403703,"date":"2026-08-19T18:28:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T18:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/?p=403703"},"modified":"2026-08-19T18:28:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T18:28:59","slug":"majinahanashi-ransomware-exposed-majin-files-and-readme-txt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/majinahanashi-ransomware-exposed-majin-files-and-readme-txt\/","title":{"rendered":"MAJINAHANASHI Ransomware EXPOSED: .majin Files and README.txt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You open the folder you use every week. The vacation photo is still listed. The invoice is still listed. The tax spreadsheet is still listed. Then you notice the names. Each one still starts the way you left it. Each one now ends with <strong>.majin<\/strong>. A plain text file called <strong>README.txt<\/strong> is sitting in the same place as if it has always belonged there.<\/p><div id=\"mwtad709998399\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309684--placement_400588\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"3957935887\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That file is the sales pitch. MAJINAHANASHI ransomware locks the files first, then tells you the only way back is a private chat with the people who locked them. The note offers to decrypt two files as &#8220;proof.&#8221; It is a demo, not a rescue. It also warns you not to talk to anyone in the middle. That warning is not care. It is a fence around their checkout aisle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mwtad1941735307\" class=\"mwtadp1 mwtadentity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 50px;margin-bottom: 50px;\"> \r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\r\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7312657698\"><\/ins>\r\n <\/div><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The moment those names appear is the moment you need the trap in the note, not a miracle key. A two-file sample is not a contract. The contacts printed in <strong>README.txt<\/strong> are a storefront, not a help desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/majinahanashi-encrypted-files.png\" alt=\"Files locked by MAJINAHANASHI. Names stay, then .majin. README.txt is the note.\" class=\"wp-image-403702\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/majinahanashi-encrypted-files.png 1536w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/majinahanashi-encrypted-files-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/majinahanashi-encrypted-files-1024x683.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Files locked by MAJINAHANASHI. Names stay, then .majin. README.txt is the note.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mwtad852588735\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309747-ad_309691-placement_400589\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"9589536513\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The trap is the storefront in <strong>README.txt<\/strong>. The same people who made the files unreadable now present themselves as the only honest broker. They want a private conversation, a two-file demo, and then a payment for a key they claim only they hold. There is no public free decryptor known for MAJINAHANASHI. There is no reason to write to the contacts in the note. There is no reason to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MAJINAHANASHI ransomware is a file locker with a Japanese-themed name. Split the word and it reads like a ghost story. MAJIN is a djinn or a spirit. AHANASHI is a story. The branding is theatrical. The damage is ordinary and ugly. Documents, photos, spreadsheets, archives, and other everyday files are encrypted where they sit. The original names stay. Then <strong>.majin<\/strong> is added on the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mwtad2186215309\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309686-ad_309691-placement_400597\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"6935453015\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A file that used to be <strong>contract.docx<\/strong> becomes <strong>contract.docx.majin<\/strong>. <strong>Vacation.jpg<\/strong> becomes <strong>Vacation.jpg.majin<\/strong>. The familiar part of the name is still there so you can see exactly what you lost. Taking <strong>.majin<\/strong> off the name does not open the file. The bytes are locked. The extra letters are a label, not a switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the files are locked, the malware drops <strong>README.txt<\/strong>. Public notes in this campaign speak in short, certain sentences. They say the files were encrypted where they sat. They say a unique key was used per file, then wrapped under an offline key that leaves with the attackers. They say backups and copies that would have made an easy rollback were removed because those copies &#8220;get in the way.&#8221; They say no files were deleted and no data was corrupted. They say every byte can be recovered. That last line is the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mwtad2054364104\" class=\"mwtadp3 mwtadentity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\r\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"5910219726\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><\/div><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then the note changes the subject. It says a copy of your internal data was taken during the process. It frames that sentence as a fact, not a threat. If an agreement is reached, the copies are destroyed, or so the note claims. If no agreement is reached, the data &#8220;finds new owners.&#8221; That is two kinds of pressure at once. One lock on the disk. One lock on the story of what they say they copied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The same note tells you how to start the conversation. Contact is offered through qTOX and through a Proton Mail address in the note. One published sample used the redacted address <strong>cyclops_fa**ot@proton.me<\/strong>. A case ID is printed in the same file. In one published note that ID was <strong>CD42A401<\/strong>. Treat that string as an example from that note, not as a universal docket that every victim will see. Other machines can carry a different ID. The ID is a ticket the criminals invented so they can tell one locked computer from another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They also offer to decrypt two files as proof that recovery is possible. And they warn you not to use intermediaries. Not consultants. Not anyone who would stand between you and their inbox. That line is doing a job. It keeps the sale in a channel they chose, on a clock they control, with no witness who might tell you to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The .majin name is the first warning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ransomware families pick an extension so the victim notices the change in seconds. MAJINAHANASHI uses <strong>.majin<\/strong> and leaves the rest of the filename alone. That choice is not kindness. It is a billboard. You can still read <strong>Invoice-2026.pdf<\/strong> in front of the new ending. You can still see that the family photos are the family photos. The folder looks almost right, which makes the shock land harder.<\/p><div id=\"mwtad1266239817\" class=\"mwtadp4 mwtadentity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\r\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"5910219726\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The same pattern also makes a later scam easier. Anyone who sees a pile of <strong>.majin<\/strong> files can pretend they already &#8220;have your case.&#8221; They can quote the extension back to you. They can offer a paid unlock. The extension is branding. It is not a hint that the file can be renamed back to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not bulk-rename the files to hide <strong>.majin<\/strong>. Do not run a random &#8220;extension fixer&#8221; you found in an ad. Those moves can scramble a file that a later official decryptor might still have been able to read. Leave the locked copies as they are until you have a clean machine and a real recovery plan that does not start in a criminal inbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">README.txt is a sales floor, not a help file<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The note is short on comfort and long on certainty. It tells you the files are locked. It tells you the keys left with the attackers. It tells you the easy rollback paths were cleared on purpose. Then it tells you every byte can still come back. The swing from &#8220;we took the keys&#8221; to &#8220;we can fix this&#8221; is the whole business model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mwtad813362201\" class=\"mwtadp5 mwtadentity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\r\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"8560433799\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><\/div><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read that swing the way you would read a street vendor who broke a phone and then offered to sell you the only spare part. The competence they are selling is the competence they created. A unique key per file sounds technical and personal. In practice it means they want you to believe there is no public path. It also means they can name a $ figure later that matches whatever they think you will pay, because they claim the key will not work for anyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The note also says the data was not corrupted. That sentence is meant to stop you from panicking in a useful direction. If you believe the files are intact and only waiting for a key, you are more likely to sit still and wait for the people who wrote the note. Intact-looking filenames help that story. Locked bytes do not care how neat the names look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The case ID is a ticket, not a court docket<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One published <strong>README.txt<\/strong> printed the case ID <strong>CD42A401<\/strong>. That is a useful example because it shows the shape of the campaign. It is not a number you should expect on every machine. It is not a filing in a real system. It is not proof that a human already opened a support case for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Criminals like ticket numbers because tickets feel official. A case ID makes the chat feel like a process instead of a shakedown. It also gives them a handle. If you later paste that ID into a search box, you may find pages that repeat it. Some of those pages will be warnings. Some will be shops. Anyone who already knows <strong>CD42A401<\/strong> can greet you by that ID and sound like they are already inside the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mwtad2710077865\" class=\"mwtadp6 mwtadentity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\r\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"4034304343\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><\/div><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your note shows a different ID, that does not mean you have a different, safer family. It means the operators printed a different token. Keep the note. Do not treat the token as a password, a decryptor, or a reason to start a conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">qTOX and a Proton Mail address are the checkout aisle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The note does not send you to a shop with a padlock icon and a return policy. It sends you to qTOX and to a Proton Mail address in the note. Those lines are identifiers. They tell you which campaign you are looking at. They are not a support queue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">qTOX is a messenger built for private chats. Proton Mail is a mail service people use when they want the mailbox itself to be harder to tie to a name. Both are useful if you are trying to stay hidden. Neither is useful if you are a victim trying to get a receipt, a real name, or a refund. There is no chargeback window on a qTOX thread. There is no manager to escalate to when the key never arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One published note used the redacted address <strong>cyclops_fa**ot@proton.me<\/strong>. The local part of that address is meant to provoke, so this page keeps the redaction. Repeating the slur in full would do the attackers a favor. If your note shows that redacted pattern, you are looking at this campaign. If your note shows a different mailbox, you are still looking at a storefront. Do not write to either one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not install qTOX &#8220;just to see.&#8221; Do not attach a file &#8220;just to ask a question.&#8221; Every message is a signal that a person is sitting in front of the locked machine and is willing to talk. That is the moment the price, the pressure, and the follow-up scams begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two files as &#8220;proof&#8221; is a sales demo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The note offers to restore two files free of charge. That offer is designed to sound generous. It is also designed to stay small. Two files are enough to make a believer. Two files are not enough to give you your year back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The demo does two jobs at once. First, it proves they can open something they locked. A junk screenshot or an old PDF coming back looks like competence. Second, it keeps the important files on the table. If they unlocked the payroll sheet, the only copy of a family video, or the contract you need on Monday, the leverage would drop. They want the leverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A two-file test also trains you to send data to a stranger. Once a file leaves the machine, you cannot control where it goes. Even a &#8220;worthless&#8221; file can hold a name, an address, a client logo, or a folder path that tells them what else you have. The demo is cheap for them. It is not free for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The intermediary warning is a fence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MAJINAHANASHI notes warn victims against intermediaries. The wording can mention consultants, recovery firms, or anyone who would step between you and the writers of the note. On a scared morning that line can sound like a consumer alert. In context it is a sales rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The operators do not want a third person in the chat who might tell you that payment is not a guarantee. They do not want a lawyer, an insurer, or a relative who has seen this movie. They want you alone with a case ID and a clock. Believe the part that says random middlemen can be a second scam. Do not believe the part that says the original inbox is the safe alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both paths can take your money. The original chat takes it as ransom. A fake &#8220;ransomware recovery expert&#8221; takes it as a deposit, then often circles back to the same criminals or to no one at all. Official help does not start with a $ retainer sent to a stranger who found you by your extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who this campaign has been aimed at<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public ransomware trackers first listed MAJINAHANASHI as an active name in June 2026. Through the summer, victim listings have leaned toward organizations rather than a single famous brand. Restaurants and dining businesses have shown up more than once. Jewelry, retail, healthcare, engineering, and professional services have shown up as well. Country listings have included places such as Colombia, India, Thailand, France, Portugal, Italy, Bulgaria, Germany, Switzerland, Lithuania, Poland, and Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That mix matters for a home reader too. A locker that is busy with restaurants and jewelers can still land on a laptop that came home from the office. A shared desktop in a small shop can hold both the company invoices and the family photos. The extension does not care which life those files belong to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The group has also been described as a data broker as well as a locker, with leak pressure on top of the encryption. You do not need a leak-site tour to understand the pitch. If the note already claims a copy left the building, the operators want you thinking about customers, staff, and reputation as well as the files on disk. That claim can be true, inflated, or staged. You cannot verify it from inside the ransom chat. Treat it as pressure, not as a status report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mwtad765492554\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309748-ad_309691-placement_400590\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"3906789406\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How The Ransomware Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You do not need a lab report to understand the sequence. MAJINAHANASHI follows a consumer-facing script that many modern lockers use. It changes the files, leaves a note, offers a private chat, flashes a locked-device message, and then tries to keep you away from anyone who would tell you not to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Everyday files keep their names and gain .majin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first thing a person notices is not a skull wallpaper. It is a folder that looks almost right. Word documents, photos, tax PDFs, and zip archives still sit in the same places. The last part of each name is wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MAJINAHANASHI appends <strong>.majin<\/strong> and leaves the original name in front. <strong>Taxes.xlsx<\/strong> is still readable as <strong>Taxes.xlsx.majin<\/strong>. That is why the screenshot looks so ordinary. The Documents folder still has documents. The icons may go generic because Windows no longer knows what to do with the new ending. Double-clicking does not open the photo. It does not open the invoice. It may offer you a useless &#8220;choose an app&#8221; prompt that cannot undo encryption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Renaming is not decryption. Copying the file to a new folder is not decryption. Zipping the locked files and mailing them to a stranger is not decryption. The locked copies are evidence and, later, the raw material a trusted public tool would need if one ever appears. They are not puzzles you can solve by editing the filename.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. README.txt takes over the conversation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ransom note is a simple text file named <strong>README.txt<\/strong>. It is meant to be the first thing you double-click when you are already scared. The filename is ordinary on purpose. Plenty of real software drops a readme. This one uses that habit against you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The note walks through what they say they did, what they say they took, and what they want you to do next. It is written like a report. &#8220;We entered. We looked around. We took what was there.&#8221; That voice is meant to sound calm and inevitable. Calm is a tactic. Inevitable is a sales claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Part of the note warns you not to modify encrypted files. Part of that warning is self-serving. The authors want you talking to them, not to a real incident responder. Part of it is still a useful caution in the wrong mouth. Mystery decrypt tools from ads can damage files. The safe reading is narrower than the note wants. Do not take technical advice from the attacker. Do not run a paid &#8220;decrypt now&#8221; app from a search ad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. They sell unique keys and a cleaned rollback path<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The note&#8217;s technical story is simple enough for a scared person to repeat. Each file got its own key. Those keys sit under one offline key that left with the attackers. The copies that would have let you roll the machine back were cleared because they &#8220;get in the way.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should hear that story as a motive, not as a tutorial. The operators want you to believe two things at the same time. First, that self-help is impossible. Second, that they can reverse everything if you cooperate. Those two claims are how a locker becomes a shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no public $ menu printed as a fixed price in the note you are likely to see. If a number arrives later in qTOX or in mail, treat it as a demand. It is not a quote from a vendor with a refund policy. It is not a license fee. Public reporting around this name has included five-figure $ asks in at least one private chat. Your note may never print a number at all. The missing number is not mercy. It is a blank invoice they can fill in after they see how badly you want the files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. They claim a copy of your data already left<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second half of the note is the leak threat dressed as a status update. &#8220;This is not a threat, it is a statement of fact.&#8221; That sentence is a threat. It is just a threat that is trying not to sound like one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some ransomware crews do copy files before they encrypt them. Some exaggerate. Some stage a few screenshots and let your imagination do the rest. From the victim&#8217;s chair you cannot audit their server. You can only see that they want you thinking about customers, patients, staff, or family members while you decide whether to open qTOX.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sending more files to &#8220;prove&#8221; what they already have is how a locker incident becomes a larger data incident. If they truly already have the copy, they do not need you to mail it again. If they do not, your upload is a gift. Either way, the chat is not a forensic lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. qTOX and mail are where the price gets invented<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you are in that chat, the script is predictable even if the wording changes. They will ask for the case ID. They will ask for two files. They will talk about time. They may claim the price goes up if you wait. They may claim a recovery company will only take a cut and still come back to them. That last line pairs neatly with the note&#8217;s warning about intermediaries. The whole story points at one inbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None of that is a service agreement. It is a funnel. The correct response is not a clever reply. It is no reply. Do not &#8220;negotiate to buy time.&#8221; Do not send a low $ counteroffer to see if they are real. Do not ask what coin they want. Curiosity is how the storefront stays open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a friend later says they will &#8220;handle the chat for you,&#8221; that friend has just volunteered to become the intermediary the note already told you to fear, and the operators already planned to ignore. Keep the friend. Drop the chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Two unlocked files keep the rest hostage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proof offer is the moment many people feel hope. Two files open. The criminals say, see, we are real. Pay for the rest. That demonstration only proves they can unlock files they locked. It does not prove they will unlock the rest after they are paid. It does not prove the rest of your data is still only on your disk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It also creates a sample they can reuse. A &#8220;recovery expert&#8221; who later asks you to forward those same two files is running the same funnel with a new logo. A video that says &#8220;send me two .majin files and I will show you the tool&#8221; is the same funnel with a subscribe button. Proof is a marketing word. In this campaign it is the first item in the cart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you already sent two files before you found this page, stop there. Do not send a third. Do not send a &#8220;more important&#8221; file because they said the first two were too small. Do not pay a deposit to &#8220;hold the price&#8221; after the demo. Save the note and any reply as evidence. Then leave the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. The lock-screen theater is there to hurry you<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some victims also see a full-screen message after the files are locked. Public writeups of this family describe a seized-device layout. Large letters. A spaced-out brand name. A line that says the device has been locked. A line that says not to modify encrypted files. A pointer to <strong>README.txt<\/strong>. The wallpaper may change so the same message is waiting behind every window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That screen is not a new encryption step. It is a billboard. It is there so you do not wander off and call a relative, an insurer, or a real technician before you have read the sales pitch. A wallpaper cannot unlock a file. Closing the message cannot unlock a file. The files were already changed before the drama appeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you see that screen, do not treat it as a puzzle. Do not type anything into a field it offers. Do not hunt for a hidden button that &#8220;proves you are the owner.&#8221; Read the room. The room is a ransom note with bigger fonts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. A second shop offers the same miracle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After a ransomware incident, search results and inbox ads fill up with companies that say they can decrypt MAJINAHANASHI or &#8220;all .majin files.&#8221; Some of those shops are ordinary overpriced consultants. Plenty are a second scam. The note&#8217;s warning about intermediaries is convenient for both sides. The original crew uses it to keep you. The second crew uses it to say, see, the criminals told you not to call us, which means we must be the good ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second scam has a friendly website and a case manager. It asks for a sample file, a remote-access session, or a deposit. It may even unlock one junk file, because anyone who is in contact with the original criminals can buy or borrow the same demo. Then the price rises, the chat dies, or the remote tool installs more malware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A real public decryptor, when one exists, shows up on an official project page that already existed before your incident. It does not need a deposit in cryptocurrency. It does not need your qTOX ID. It does not need the Proton Mail address in the note. If the pitch is &#8220;we can decrypt, pay us first,&#8221; you are still in the market the ransomware created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Payment closes nothing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paying is not a guarantee. That sentence is not a slogan. It is the recorded experience of victims across ransomware families. The people who send the note can take the money and disappear. They can send a tool that only unlocks a few files. They can come back later and lock the same machine again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even when a key arrives, it can fail on some file types, stop halfway, or demand a second payment. The same access that delivered MAJINAHANASHI the first time can still be open. A payment teaches the operators that this victim pays. It does not close the hole that let them in. It does not make the leak claim go away. It does not give you a contract you can enforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If someone later tells you that 100% of paying victims got everything back, ask for a public source that is not the person selling the key. You will not get one that you should trust. There is no public free decryptor known for this family. Until a trusted project publishes one, treat any site that says &#8220;we already have the MAJINAHANASHI key&#8221; as a second sales pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mwtad1584342562\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309749-ad_309691-placement_400591\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"5354318971\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What To Do If You See .majin Files<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not pay. Do not open qTOX to the ID in the note. Do not write to a Proton Mail address in the note, including the redacted <strong>cyclops_fa**ot@proton.me<\/strong> sample. Do not send two files as &#8220;proof.&#8221; Do not ask for a price. The chat is the attacker&#8217;s storefront. If you already sent a message before you found this page, stop there. Do not send more files. Do not pay a deposit to &#8220;hold the price.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep the <strong>.majin<\/strong> files exactly as they are. Keep <strong>README.txt<\/strong> with them. Those locked copies and that note are what a later trusted decryptor would need, and they are what an investigator would want to see. The case ID in your note, even if it is not <strong>CD42A401<\/strong>, is evidence. It is not a ticket you should redeem.<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"stepsbox\">\n<li><a href=\"#rkill\"><strong>STEP 1<\/strong>: Use Rkill to terminate suspicious programs.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#malwarebytes\"><strong>STEP 2<\/strong>: Use Malwarebytes to remove for Ransomware and Unwanted Programs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#hitmanpro\"><strong>STEP 3<\/strong>: Use HitmanPro to remove Trojans and other Malware<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#adwcleaner\"><strong>STEP 4<\/strong>: Use AdwCleaner to remove Malicious Browser Extensions and Adware<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#eset\"><strong>STEP 5<\/strong>: Perform a final check with ESET Online Scanner<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#restore\"><strong>STEP 6<\/strong>: Restore the files encrypted by ransomware<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 id=\"rkill\" class=\"mt_blue toch4\">STEP 1: Use Rkill to terminate suspicious programs.<\/h4>\n<p>In this first step, we will download and run Rkill to terminate suspicious programs that may be running on your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">RKill is a program that was developed at BleepingComputer.com that attempts to terminate known malware processes so that your normal security software can then run and clean your computer of infections. When RKill runs it will kill malware processes and then removes incorrect executable associations and fixes policies that stop us from using certain tools.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Download Rkill.<\/p>\n<p>You can download RKill to your computer from the below link. When at the download page, click on the <em>Download Now<\/em> button labeled <strong>iExplore.exe<\/strong>. We are downloading a renamed version of Rkill (iExplore.exe) because some malware will not allow processes to run unless they have a certain filename. <\/p>\n  \n<div class=\"mwt_download_box\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bleepingcomputer.com\/download\/rkill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-160643 mwt_product_icon_logo\" title=\"Malwarebytes Icon\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/RKill-Icon.png\" alt=\"RKILL Logo\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\"\/><\/figure>\n<strong>RKILL DOWNLOAD LINK<\/strong><\/a><br \/><em>(The above link will open a new page from where you can download Rkill)<\/em><\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Run RKill.<\/p>\n<p>After downloading, double-click the <strong>iExplore.exe<\/strong> icon to kill malicious processes. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the&nbsp;<em>Downloads<\/em> folder.<br \/>The program may take some time to search for and end various malware programs.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-160644 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/RKILL-2.jpg\" alt=\"RKILL Window\" width=\"800\" height=\"438\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/RKILL-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/RKILL-2-300x164.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p>When it is finished, the black window will close automatically and a log file will open. Do not restart your computer. Proceed to the next step in this guide.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<h4 id=\"malwarebytes\" class=\"mt_blue toch4\">STEP 2: Use Malwarebytes to remove Ransomware and Unwanted Programs<\/h4>\n<p>In this second step, we will install Malwarebytes to scan and remove any infections, adware, or potentially unwanted programs that may be present on your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Malwarebytes<\/strong> is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows \u2014 and it&#8217;s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your PC in just a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Download Malwarebytes<\/p> <p>Click the button below to download the latest version of <strong>Malwarebytes for Windows<\/strong> from the official source. The free version is all you need \u2014 it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.<\/p> <div class=\"mwt_download_box\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Malwarebytes Icon\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-81150 mwt_product_icon_logo\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Malwarebytes-LOGO.png\" alt=\"Malwarebytes Logo\"\/><\/figure> <strong><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/downloads\/MBSetup-076886.076886-consumer.exe\" onclick=\"window.open(&#039;https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/get\/malwarebytes-free&#039;);\">DOWNLOAD MALWAREBYTES FOR WINDOWS (FREE)<br \/>\n<\/a><\/strong><br \/><em class=\"small-text-disclaimer\">(The link opens in a new page where your download will start)<\/em><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> <p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Install Malwarebytes<\/p>\n\n<p>When the download finishes, open your <strong>Downloads<\/strong> folder and <strong>double-click the MBSetup file<\/strong>. If Windows shows a <strong>User Account Control<\/strong> pop-up, click &#8220;<em>Yes<\/em>&#8221; to allow the installation.<\/p>\n\n \n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"975\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285934\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM1.jpg 975w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM1-300x154.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px\" \/><\/figure>\n \n\n \n  \n\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes<\/p> \n\n<p>The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n \n  <li>\n    <p>Choose where you&#8217;re installing the program \u2014 &#8220;<strong>Personal Computer<\/strong>&#8221; or &#8220;<strong>Work Computer<\/strong>&#8221; \u2014 then click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n    \n    <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"737\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM3-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285953\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM3-1.jpg 737w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM3-1-300x204.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 737px) 100vw, 737px\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n    \n  <\/li>\n  <li>\n    <p>Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.<\/p>\n    \n    <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"759\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285937\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM4.jpg 759w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM4-300x198.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 759px) 100vw, 759px\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n    \n  <\/li>\n  <li>\n    <p>When installation is complete, the &#8220;<strong>Welcome to Malwarebytes<\/strong>&#8221; screen will open automatically.<\/p>\n    \n    <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"705\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM6-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285951\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM6-1.jpg 705w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM6-1-300x213.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 705px) 100vw, 705px\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n    \n  <\/li>\n  <li>\n    <p>On the final screen, click <strong>Open Malwarebytes<\/strong> to launch the program.<\/p>\n    \n    <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"749\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM5-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285952\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM5-1.jpg 749w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM5-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n    \n  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Enable &#8220;Scan for Rootkits&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the <strong>Settings<\/strong> gear icon on the left side of the screen.\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285942\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM8.jpg 842w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM8-300x214.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the settings menu, find &#8220;<strong>Scan for rootkits<\/strong>&#8221; and click the toggle so it turns blue.\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"841\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285943\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM9.jpg 841w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM9-300x214.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 841px) 100vw, 841px\" \/><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Done? Click &#8220;<strong>Dashboard<\/strong>&#8221; in the left pane to return to the main screen.\n\n <\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Start the Scan<\/p> <p>Click the blue <strong>Scan<\/strong> button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"849\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM10.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285941\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM10.jpg 849w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM10-300x212.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 849px) 100vw, 849px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Wait for the Scan to Finish<\/p>\n<p>The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take several minutes. Feel free to do something else \u2014 just check back occasionally to see the progress.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM11.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285944\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM11.jpg 842w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM11-300x214.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Quarantine the Detected Threats<\/p>\n<p>When the scan is done, you&#8217;ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found \u2014 malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the &#8220;<strong>Quarantine<\/strong>&#8221; button to remove all of them at once.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"844\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM12.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285945\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM12.jpg 844w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM12-300x213.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 844px) 100vw, 844px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM13.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285946\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM13.jpg 842w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM13-300x214.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><\/figure>\n <\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n  <p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Restart Your Computer<\/p>\n  <p>Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click <strong>Yes<\/strong>. Once you&#8217;re logged back in, your PC is clean and you can continue with the next steps in this guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"844\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM14.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-285947\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM14.jpg 844w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/MBAM14-300x213.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 844px) 100vw, 844px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<h4 id=\"hitmanpro\" class=\"mt_blue toch4\">STEP 3: Use HitmanPro to remove Rootkits and other Malware<\/h4>\n<p>In this third step, while the computer is in normal back, we will download and run a scan with HitmanPro to remove Trojans, rootkits, and other malicious programs.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>HitmanPro<\/strong> is a second-opinion scanner \u2014 it&#8217;s designed to catch what your main antivirus might have missed. Instead of relying on a single detection engine, it checks the behavior of files in the locations where malware usually hides. Anything suspicious gets sent to the cloud, where it&#8217;s analyzed by two of the best antivirus engines available: <strong>Bitdefender<\/strong> and <strong>Kaspersky<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good news: <strong>scanning is completely free, with no limits<\/strong>. You only need a license when it&#8217;s time to remove what was found \u2014 and even then, you can activate a <strong>free one-time 30-day trial<\/strong> to clean your PC at no cost. (A full license is $24.95 per year for 1 PC.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Download HitmanPro<\/p>\n<p>Click the button below to download <strong>HitmanPro<\/strong>. Remember \u2014 the scan is free, so you have nothing to lose by checking your PC.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mwt_download_box\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-81147 alignleft mwt_product_icon_logo\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/icon-hitmanpro.png\" alt=\"HitmanPro Logo\" width=\"38\" height=\"38\" title=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/get\/hitmanpro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><strong>DOWNLOAD HITMANPRO (FREE SCAN)<\/strong><\/a><br \/><em class=\"small-text-disclaimer\">(The link opens in a new page where your download will start)<\/em><\/div>\n<\/li><li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Install HitmanPro<\/p>\n<p>When the download finishes, open your <em>Downloads<\/em> folder and double-click the file: <strong>&#8220;hitmanpro.exe&#8221;<\/strong> on 32-bit Windows, or <strong>&#8220;hitmanpro_x64.exe&#8221;<\/strong> on 64-bit Windows.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136909 alignnone\" title=\"Double-click on the HitmanPro setup file\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Download-HitmanPro.jpg\" alt=\"Double-click on the HitmanPro file\" width=\"800\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Download-HitmanPro.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Download-HitmanPro-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p>If a <em>User Account Control<\/em>&nbsp;pop-up asks whether HitmanPro can make changes to your device, click &#8220;<em>Yes<\/em>&#8221; to continue.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136916 alignnone\" title=\"Windows asking for permissions to run the HitmanPro setup file\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-UAC.jpg\" alt=\"Windows asking for permissions to run the HitmanPro setup \" width=\"676\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-UAC.jpg 676w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-UAC-300x222.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li><li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Follow the On-Screen Prompts<\/p>\n<p>On the HitmanPro start screen, click &#8220;<strong>Next<\/strong>&#8221; to begin the system scan. No lengthy setup required \u2014 it goes straight to work.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136913 alignnone\" title=\"Click Next to install HitmanPro on your computer\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Install.jpg\" alt=\"Click Next to install HitmanPro on your PC\" width=\"800\" height=\"639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Install.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Install-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136912 alignnone\" title=\"Click Next to finish the HitmanPro install\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Install-2.jpg\" alt=\"HitmanPro final installer screen\" width=\"800\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Install-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Install-2-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li><li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Wait for the Scan to Finish<\/p>\n<p>HitmanPro will now check your computer for malicious programs. This usually takes just a few minutes thanks to its cloud-based scanning.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136915 alignnone\" title=\"HitmanPro while scanning for malware\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Scanning.jpg\" alt=\"HitmanPro scans your computer for any infections, adware, or potentially unwanted programs that may be present\" width=\"800\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Scanning.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Scanning-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/li><li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Review the Results and Click &#8220;Next&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>When the scan is done, HitmanPro will show you everything it found. Click &#8220;<strong>Next<\/strong>&#8221; to remove the detected threats.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136914 alignnone\" title=\"Click Next to remove the malware that HitmanPro has detected\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Quarantine-Malicious-Files.jpg\" alt=\"HitmanPro scan summary. Click Next to remove malware\" width=\"800\" height=\"643\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Quarantine-Malicious-Files.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Quarantine-Malicious-Files-300x241.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li><li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Click &#8220;Activate Free License&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>To remove the malicious files, click the &#8220;<strong>Activate free license<\/strong>&#8221; button. This starts your <em>free 30-day trial<\/em> \u2014 no payment details needed \u2014 and unlocks the full cleanup.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136911 alignnone\" title=\"Click on the Activate free license button to remove malware\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Activate-License.jpg\" alt=\"Click on the Activate free license button\" width=\"800\" height=\"635\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Activate-License.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HitmanPro-Activate-License-300x238.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When the removal is complete, HitmanPro will show a summary of everything it cleaned. Click <strong>Next<\/strong>, then click <strong>Reboot<\/strong> if prompted. If there&#8217;s no reboot prompt, just click <strong>Close<\/strong> \u2014 your PC is clean.<\/p>\n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<h4 id=\"adwcleaner\" class=\"mt_blue toch4\">STEP 4: Use AdwCleaner to remove Malicious Browser Extensions and Adware<\/h4>\n<p>In this next step, we will use AdwCleaner to remove malicious browser policies and unwanted browser extensions from your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>AdwCleaner<\/strong> is a free on-demand scanner that specializes in adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted toolbars \u2014 the exact threats that mainstream antivirus programs often miss. It also includes tools that repair the damage malware leaves behind, like hijacked browser settings and malicious policies. It&#8217;s a quick scan that&#8217;s well worth running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Download AdwCleaner<\/p>\n<p>Click the button below to download <strong>AdwCleaner<\/strong> \u2014 it&#8217;s free, portable, and requires no installation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mwt_download_box\"><figure><\/figure> <a href=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/get\/adwcleaner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-84923 alignleft mwt_product_icon_logo\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/AdwCleaner-Icon.png\" alt=\"AdwCleaner Icon\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" title=\"\"><\/figure> <strong>DOWNLOAD ADWCLEANER (FREE)<\/strong><\/a><br \/><em class=\"small-text-disclaimer\">(The link opens in a new page where your download will start)<\/em><\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Run AdwCleaner<\/p>\n<p>Open your <em>Downloads<\/em> folder and double-click the file named &#8220;<strong>adwcleaner_x.x.x.exe<\/strong>&#8220;. There&#8217;s no installation \u2014 the program starts right away.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136932 alignnone\" title=\"Double-click on the AdwCleaner setup file\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Download-AdwCleaner.jpg\" alt=\"Download AdwCleaner on your computer\" width=\"800\" height=\"424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Download-AdwCleaner.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Download-AdwCleaner-300x159.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If Windows asks whether you want to allow AdwCleaner to run, click &#8220;<strong>Yes<\/strong>&#8220;. When the license agreement appears, click <strong>I agree<\/strong> to continue.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136935 alignnone\" title=\"Click Yes to allow AdwCleaner to run\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Windows-asks-to-run-AdwCleaner.jpg\" alt=\"Windows ask if you want to run AdwCleaner\" width=\"585\" height=\"424\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Windows-asks-to-run-AdwCleaner.jpg 585w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Windows-asks-to-run-AdwCleaner-300x217.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 585px) 100vw, 585px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Enable &#8220;Reset Chrome policies&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This setting removes malicious browser policies \u2014 a trick malware uses to lock your browser settings so you can&#8217;t change them back. Click &#8220;<strong>Settings<\/strong>&#8221; on the left side of the window, then turn on &#8220;<strong>Reset Chrome policies<\/strong>&#8220;.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136933 alignnone\" title=\"Enable Reset Chrome policies to remove malware\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Reset-Chrome-Policies-AdwCleaner.jpg\" alt=\"Enable Reset Chrome policies to remove malicious browser policies\" width=\"800\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Reset-Chrome-Policies-AdwCleaner.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Reset-Chrome-Policies-AdwCleaner-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Start the Scan<\/p>\n<p>Click &#8220;<strong>Dashboard<\/strong>&#8221; on the left side of the window, then click the &#8220;<strong>Scan<\/strong>&#8221; button.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136934 alignnone\" title=\"Click on Scan to start a AdwCleaner scan\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Start-a-AdwCleaner-Scan.jpg\" alt=\"Click on Scan to start a AdwCleaner scan\" width=\"800\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Start-a-AdwCleaner-Scan.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Start-a-AdwCleaner-Scan-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Wait for the Scan to Finish<\/p>\n<p>AdwCleaner will now check your computer for adware and other malware. This usually takes only a few minutes \u2014 it&#8217;s one of the fastest scanners around.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136931 alignnone\" title=\"AdwCleaner scanning for malware\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AdwCleaner-Scan.jpg\" alt=\"AdwCleaner scanning for adware and other malware\" width=\"800\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AdwCleaner-Scan.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AdwCleaner-Scan-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Quarantine the Detected Threats<\/p>\n<p>When the scan finishes, AdwCleaner will list everything it found. Click the &#8220;<strong>Quarantine<\/strong>&#8221; button to remove all the malicious items at once.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136930 alignnone\" title=\"Click on Quarantine to remove malware\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AdwCleaner-Quarantine-Malicious-Files.jpg\" alt=\"Click on Quarantine to remove malware\" width=\"800\" height=\"473\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AdwCleaner-Quarantine-Malicious-Files.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AdwCleaner-Quarantine-Malicious-Files-300x177.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> <p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Click &#8220;Continue&#8221; to Finish the Cleanup<\/p> <p><strong>Save any open work first<\/strong> \u2014 AdwCleaner needs to close your open programs before it can clean. When you&#8217;re ready, click the &#8220;<strong>Continue<\/strong>&#8221; button.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Save your work and then click on the Continue button\" width=\"800\" height=\"477\" class=\"size-full wp-image-136929 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AdwCleaner-Confirm-Removal-Of-Malicious-Files.jpg\" alt=\"Click Continue to remove malicious files\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AdwCleaner-Confirm-Removal-Of-Malicious-Files.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AdwCleaner-Confirm-Removal-Of-Malicious-Files-300x179.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p> <p>AdwCleaner will now delete all detected malware from your computer. If it asks you to restart your PC, allow it \u2014 your computer will be clean when you log back in.<\/p> <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<h4 id=\"eset\" class=\"mt_blue toch4\">STEP 5: Perform a final check with ESET Online Scanner <\/h4>\n<p>This final step involves installing and running a scan with ESET Online Scanner to check for any additional malicious programs that may be installed on the computer..<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ESET Online Scanner<\/strong> is a free second-opinion scanner that performs a deep, full-system check for viruses, trojans, rootkits, and other malware. We use it as the final step because it&#8217;s thorough \u2014 if anything slipped past the previous scans, ESET will find it. A clean result here means your computer is malware-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Download ESET Online Scanner<\/p>\n<p>Click the button below to download <strong>ESET Online Scanner<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mwt_download_box\"><a href=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/get\/esetonlinescanner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft mwt_product_icon_logo size-full wp-image-148927\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Eset-Logo.png\" alt=\"ESET logo\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" title=\"\"><\/figure><strong>DOWNLOAD ESET ONLINE SCANNER (FREE)<\/strong><\/a><br \/><em>(The link opens in a new page where your download will start)<\/em><\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Run the Installer<\/p>\n<p>When the download finishes, open your <em>Downloads<\/em> folder and double-click &#8220;<strong>esetonlinescanner.exe<\/strong>&#8220;.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-148926\" title=\"Double-click on the ESET Online Scanner setup file\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Installer.jpg\" alt=\"Image - Double-click on the ESET Online Scanner setup file\" width=\"800\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Installer.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Installer-300x155.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Install ESET Online Scanner<\/p>\n<p>On the start screen, select your language from the drop-down menu and click <strong>Get started<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-148858\" title=\"Click Get Started to install ESET Online Scanner\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-1.jpg\" alt=\"Image - Click Get Started to install ESET Online Scanner\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p>On the <em>Terms of use<\/em> screen, click <strong>Accept<\/strong>.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-148863\" title=\"Accept Terms to Install ESET Online Scanner\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"Image - Accept Terms to Install ESET Online Scanner\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-2-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-2-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Choose your preferences for the <em>Customer Experience Improvement Program<\/em> and the <em>Detection feedback system<\/em> (either choice is fine), then click <strong>Continue<\/strong>.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-148859\" title=\"Follow the on-screen prompts to install ESET Online Scanner\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-3.jpg\" alt=\"Image - Follow the on-screen prompts\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-3-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Start a Full Scan<\/p>\n<p>Click <strong>Full Scan<\/strong> \u2014 this checks your entire computer, not just the common hiding spots.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-148860\" title=\"Start a Full Scan with ESET Online Scanner\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-4.jpg\" alt=\"Start a Full Scan with ESET Online Scanner\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-4-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p>Select <strong>Enable<\/strong> for <em>Detection of Potentially Unwanted Applications<\/em> \u2014 this lets ESET catch adware and bundled junk programs, not just viruses. Then click <strong>Start scan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-148929\" title=\"Enable PUA Detection and Start Scan\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-Step-5.jpg\" alt=\"Image - Enable PUA Detection and Start Scan\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-Step-5.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-Step-5-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Wait for the Scan to Finish<\/p>\n<p>ESET will now check every file on your computer. Because it&#8217;s a full scan, this can take a while \u2014 often an hour or more, depending on how much data you have. Leave it running in the background and check on it from time to time.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-148930\" title=\"Wait for the ESET Online Scanner scan to finish\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-6-1.jpg\" alt=\"Image- Wait for the ESET Online Scanner scan to finish\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-6-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Scan-6-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Review the Results<\/p>\n<p>When the scan completes, the <em>Found and resolved detections<\/em> screen appears. Any threats found were <strong>automatically cleaned and quarantined<\/strong> \u2014 there&#8217;s nothing extra you need to do. Click <strong>View detailed results<\/strong> if you want to see exactly what was removed.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-148933\" title=\"ESET Online Scanner malware removal\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Step-7.jpg\" alt=\"Image - ESET Online Scanner malware removal\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Step-7.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ESET-Step-7-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If ESET found nothing \u2014 congratulations, your computer has passed the final check and is malware-free.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<h4 id=\"restore\" class=\"mt_blue toch4\">STEP 6: Restore the files encrypted by ransomware<\/h4>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, in most cases, it\u2019s not possible to recover the files encrypted by this ransomware virus because the private key which is needed to unlock the encrypted files is only available through the attackers. However, below we&#8217;ve listed three options you can use to try and recover your files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"mt_noter\">Make sure you remove the malware from your computer first, otherwise, it will repeatedly lock your system or encrypt files. If you suspect that your computer is still infected with malware, you can run a free scan with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/downloads-emsisoft-emergency-kit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Emsisoft Emergency Kit<\/a><\/strong>.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option 1: Search a decryption tool for this ransomware<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cybersecurity community is constantly working to create ransomware decryption tools, so you can try to search these sites for updates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/id-ransomware.malwarehunterteam.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/id-ransomware.malwarehunterteam.com\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/decrypter.emsisoft.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/decrypter.emsisoft.com\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/noransom.kaspersky.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/noransom.kaspersky.com\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avast.com\/ransomware-decryption-tools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.avast.com\/ransomware-decryption-tools<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option 2: Use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free to recover the encrypted files<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free can restore files and repair corrupted files with simple clicks. Its powerful scanning algorithms can identify and retrieve huge file type library, including all of the popular video files, audio files, photos, and document formats.<br \/>While the free version only allows you to recover 2 GB of data, this can be helpful to see if the recovery is possible and restore back the most important files from your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free.<\/p>\n<p>You can download <strong>EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free<\/strong>&nbsp;by clicking the link below.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mwt_download_box\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/get-easeus-data-recovery-wizard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-150416 mwt_product_icon_logo\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-Logo.png\" alt=\"EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Logo\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" title=\"\"><\/figure> EASEUS DATA RECOVERY WIZARD FREE DOWNLOAD LINK<\/a><\/strong><br \/><em class=\"small-text-disclaimer\">(The above link will open a new page from where you can download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard)<\/em><\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Double-click on the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free setup file.<\/p>\n<p>When EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the <em>Downloads<\/em> folder.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-150415\" title=\"EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Installer\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-0.jpg\" alt=\"Image: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Installer\" width=\"800\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-0-300x155.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<p>You may be presented with a <em>User Account Control<\/em>&nbsp;pop-up asking if you want to allow EaseUS to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click \u201c<em>Yes<\/em>\u201d to continue with the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free installation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Follow the on-screen prompts to install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.<\/p>\n<p>When the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard installation begins, click on the &#8220;Install Now&#8221; as seen in the image below.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-150403\" title=\"EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Install Now\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-1.jpg\" alt=\"EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Install Now\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-1-300x188.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When your EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard installation completes, click the &#8220;<strong>Start Now<\/strong>&#8221; button to start the program.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-150404\" title=\"Click Start Now\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-2.jpg\" alt=\"Image: Click Start Now\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-2-300x188.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Select a location to start recovering the encrypted files.<\/p>\n<p>Choose the drive or folder where you are the encrypted files that you want to recover and click &#8220;<strong>Scan<\/strong>&#8220;.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-150405\" title=\"Select a location to start recovering the encrypted files\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-3.jpg\" alt=\"Select a location to start recovering the encrypted files\" width=\"800\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-3-300x203.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Wait for the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard scan to complete.<\/p>\n<p>EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard will now scan your computer files that can be restored. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-150414\" title=\"Wait for the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard scan to complete.\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-4A.jpg\" alt=\"Image: Wait for the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard scan to complete.\" width=\"800\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-4A.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-4A-300x203.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Find the files you want to recover.<\/p>\n<p>When the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard scan is finished scanning it will show a screen that displays the files that can be recovered. This tool can recover a lot of data, use the &#8220;<strong>Filter<\/strong>&#8221; button to quickly filter specific file types and find the files that you want to recover.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-150421\" title=\"Filter the Files by Type\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-8.jpg\" alt=\"Filter the Files by Type\" width=\"800\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-8-300x203.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Click the &#8220;<strong>Preview<\/strong>&#8221; button or double-click on a file for a full preview.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-150423\" title=\"Click Preview to view the file\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-9.jpg\" alt=\"Image: Click Preview to view the file\" width=\"800\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-9.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-9-300x203.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Select your files and click &#8220;Recover&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, select the the files you want to recover and click &#8220;<strong>Recover<\/strong>&#8220;.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-150407\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-5.jpg\" alt=\"Select your files and click Recover\" width=\"800\" height=\"542\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-5.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-5-300x203.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><br \/>Choose a safe location to save all the files.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-150408\" title=\"Select a safe location\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-6.jpg\" alt=\"Select a safe location\" width=\"800\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-6-300x203.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><br \/>The free version only allow you to recover 2 GB of data, however, this will allow you to recover the most important files and see if EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can correctly recover them.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-150409\" title=\"View Recovered Files\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-7.jpg\" alt=\"Image: View Recovered Files\" width=\"800\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-7.jpg 800w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/EaseUS-Data-Recovery-Wizard-Free-7-300x203.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option 3: Try to restore your files with ShadowExplorer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This ransomware will attempt to delete all shadow copies when you first start any executable on your computer after becoming infected. Thankfully, the infection is not always able to remove the shadow copies, so you should continue to try restoring your files using this method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Download ShadowExplorer.<\/p>\n<p>You can download <strong>ShadowExplorer<\/strong> from the below link.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mwt_download_box\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shadowexplorer.com\/downloads.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <strong>SHADOW EXPLORER DOWNLOAD LINK<\/strong><\/a><br \/><em>(This link will open a new web page from where you can download &#8220;ShadowExplorer&#8221;)<\/em><\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Install ShadowExplorer.<\/p>\n<p>Double-click on the <strong>ShadowExplorer-x.x-setup<\/strong> file to start the installation process, then follow the on-screen promts to install this program.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-115405\" title=\"Install Shadow Defender\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Install-Shadow-Defender.jpg\" alt=\"Install Shadow Defender\" width=\"590\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Install-Shadow-Defender.jpg 590w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Install-Shadow-Defender-300x237.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Select snapshot date.<\/p>\n<p>Open ShadowExplorer and then from the top bar select the drive where the files that you want to save are located, then select from the snapshot available one previous to this infection.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-115411\" title=\"Select drive and snapshot date\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Select-date.jpg\" alt=\"Select drive and date to recover the files encrypted by this ransomware \" width=\"1180\" height=\"895\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Select-date.jpg 1180w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Select-date-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Select-date-1024x777.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure><p><\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<p class=\"mwt_quick_overview\">Export the files that you want to recover.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have found a copy of the original file or folder, right-click on it and the select &#8220;Export&#8221;. A window will prompt you where you want to save the file or folder.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-115403\" title=\"Find copy then click on Export\" src=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Export-files-ransomware.jpg\" alt=\"Find copy then click on Expor to recover the files encrypted by this ransomware \" width=\"590\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Export-files-ransomware.jpg 590w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Export-files-ransomware-300x228.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mwtad2380027576\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309750-ad_309691-placement_400592\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"4041237300\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MAJINAHANASHI ransomware is a locker with a storefront and a ghost-story name. Files keep their names and then gain <strong>.majin<\/strong>. <strong>README.txt<\/strong> says the keys left with the attackers, the easy rollback copies are gone, and a copy of your data may have left too. The note points to qTOX and a Proton Mail address. One published sample used <strong>cyclops_fa**ot@proton.me<\/strong>. One published note printed the case ID <strong>CD42A401<\/strong> as an example token, not as a universal docket. The offer to decrypt two files is a demo so the rest of the data still has a price. The warning about intermediaries is a fence around that demo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not write to those contacts. Do not pay. Paying is not a guarantee. There is no public free decryptor known for MAJINAHANASHI. Anyone who greets you by your extension, your case ID, or your two sample files is still selling the same lock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you take one sentence with you, take this. A note that offers proof is still a ransom note. Treat <strong>.majin<\/strong> like ransomware on the first sighting, not on the day a stranger finally names a $ figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"mwtad2288838716\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_176819-ad_309691-placement_400595\" style=\"margin-top: 50px;margin-bottom: 50px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"8386082122\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You open the folder you use every week. The vacation photo is still listed. The invoice is still listed. The tax spreadsheet is still listed. Then you notice the names. Each one still starts the &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"MAJINAHANASHI Ransomware EXPOSED: .majin Files and README.txt\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/majinahanashi-ransomware-exposed-majin-files-and-readme-txt\/#more-403703\" aria-label=\"Read more about MAJINAHANASHI Ransomware EXPOSED: .majin Files and README.txt\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":403702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2836,2727],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-403703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-malware-removal-and-popup-scam-alerts","category-ransomware","masonry-post","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50","resize-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/403703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=403703"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/403703\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":403809,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/403703\/revisions\/403809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/403702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=403703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=403703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=403703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}