OFFER*Source of claim SH can remove it.
The .Meow Ransomware
The .Meow ransomware is an infection that is used to encrypt user files and to blackmail the owners for a money transfer in order to decrypt their information. The .Meow Ransomware reveals its presence on its victims’ computer by displaying a ransom notification on the screen. This page is the right place to be if you’ve been looking for a way to effectively remove .Meow from your system and avoid the ransom payment that the malware requires. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most harmful malware forms and our “How to Remove” team would try to help you to remove the infection in a fast and reliable manner. We will even recommend some file-recovery methods for the restoration of your encrypted files, and the best thing is that it will not cost you anything to give a try to our instructions.
The .Meow virus
The .Meow virus is a ransomware-based computer threat created by the hackers behind the Conti Ransomware. This malware can sneak into your machine without visible symptoms. The .Meow virus typically applies file encryption to your most valuable files and keeps them hostage until a ransom is paid. In general, some of the most sophisticated infections that web users may encounter are those based on Ransomware. These threats use techniques such as social engineering to infect as many machines as possible and to encrypt the most frequently accessed data on them. Sometimes, a Trojan horse can help the Ransomware find its way into the system by exploiting a security weakness.
Malvertising and spam emails are also some of the top methods that hackers use to distribute infections like the .Meow virus. That’s why it is not a good idea to click on such sketchy web materials, random links, shady pop-up offers or emails sent from unknown senders. Unfortunately, if you click even by accident, the Ransomware will silently compromise the computer and start encrypting your files right away.
.Meow file encryption
The .Meow file encryption is a secret code that is used to restrict access to user files and to keep them unavailable until a ransom is paid. The hackers behind the .Meow file encryption attack typically offer a decryption key to the victims who agree to pay the required ransom by displaying a notification with instructions on their screen. When all the encryption work is completed, the criminals who control the ransomware make their best to inform you about the effects of the infection and the methods to obtain the decryption key. You will typically discover a ransom note both on the screen of the infected computer and in the folders that contain encrypted information. Some hackers may even play an extremely annoying voice message in an attempt to scare the users and to make them pay as soon as possible. Of course, all of this is done with the idea not to give the victims time to research the problem and search for alternative solutions.
Unfortunately, even if you fulfill all of the ransom demands, nothing can guarantee that the hackers will keep their word and send you the decryption key once the money is received in their crypto account. But there is another alternative if you don’t want to risk your money. You can always take things into your own hands and remove the infection by yourself. That can be done manually or automatically with the help of the instructions below. As far as the recovery of your files is concerned, at first, you can try to get back some copies from the system if they are available. Another way to minimize data loss is to use personal backups from external sources or professional software for ransomware recovery.
SUMMARY:
| Name | .Meow |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Danger Level | High (Ransomware is by far the worst threat you can encounter) |
| Symptoms | Very few and unnoticeable ones before the ransom notification comes up. |
| Distribution Method | From fake ads and fake system requests to spam emails and contagious web pages. |
| Detection Tool | We tested that SpyHunter successfully removes parasite* and we recommend downloading it. Manual removal may take hours, it can harm your system if you re not careful, and parasite may reinstall itself at the end if you don't delete its core files. |
*Source of claim SH can remove it.
Remove .Meow Ransomware
Some of the steps will likely require you to exit the page. Bookmark it for later reference.
Reboot in Safe Mode (use this guide if you don’t know how to do it).
WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!Shortcode
Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC at the same time and go to the Processes Tab. Try to determine which processes are dangerous.
Right-click on each of them and select Open File Location. Then scan the files with our free online virus scanner:
After you open their folder, end the processes that are infected, then delete their folders.
Note: If you are sure something is part of the infection – delete it, even if the scanner doesn’t flag it. No anti-virus program can detect all infections.
Hold the Start Key and R – copy + paste the following and click OK:
notepad %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/hosts
A new file will open. If you are hacked, there will be a bunch of other IPs connected to you at the bottom. Look at the image below:
If there are suspicious IPs below “Localhost” – write to us in the comments.
Type msconfig in the search field and hit enter. A window will pop-up:
Go in Startup —> Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer.
- Please note that ransomware may even include a fake Manufacturer name to its process. Make sure you check out every process here is legitimate.
Type Regedit in the windows search field and press Enter. Once inside, press CTRL and F together and type the virus’s Name.
Search for the ransomware in your registries and delete the entries. Be extremely careful – you can damage your system if you delete entries not related to the ransomware.
Type each of the following in the Windows Search Field:
- %AppData%
- %LocalAppData%
- %ProgramData%
- %WinDir%
- %Temp%
Delete everything in Temp. The rest just check out for anything recently added. Remember to leave us a comment if you run into any trouble!
How to Decrypt .Meow files
We have a comprehensive (and daily updated) guide on how to decrypt your files. Check it out here.
If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!
Leave a Comment