Masscan
Masscan is a ransomware cryptovirus designed to make you transfer money to some unknown offenders in order to regain access to your computer files. Masscan uses encryption to restrict access to specific file types and demands a ransom to decrypt them.
Once it sneaks in the system, what Masscan does is it starts searching for specific files that are considered of value for the user. The moment it detects them, it starts creating encrypted copies of each and every file, while at the same time secretly deleting the originals. At the end of this process which takes place in the background of the system, the victims are left with files that they are unable to access. At this point, a ransom note on their screen gets displayed, telling them the only way to open and use their files again is by transferring money to a given cryptocurrency wallet. Fortunately, since you are on this page, that’s not your only option. Here, we have prepared a removal guide with instructions on how to remove Masscan and some alternatives to the ransom payment which may potentially help you save some of your files for free.
The Masscan virus
The Masscan virus is a malicious piece of code designed to generate profit for its criminal creators by blackmailing web users. To perform its agenda, Masscan secretly encrypts the files stored on a given computer and demands a ransom payment from the owners.
Many web users get the Masscan ransomware when visiting low-quality websites, opening spam emails, and interacting with sketchy online ads. However, sometimes, the infection uses the help of a Trojan Horse to sneak in the system without being detected. That’s why using your common sense when browsing the web and avoiding interaction with content that seems to be questionable or untrustworthy is a good way to avoid a close encounter with ransomware. Another good protection measure is to keep copies of your most precious data on external drives, so you can easily recover the data in case of an unexpected attack.
The Masscan file encryption
The Masscan file encryption is a method used by cybercriminals to restrict access to user data. Those files to which the Masscan file encryption has been secretly applied become inaccessible and the only way to open them is via a special decryption key.
The file encryption code that ransomware viruses such as Masscan and Obz use is often so complicated that there is no way to crack it. In reality, sometimes not even the hackers who’ve created the ransomware will be able to give you a working decryption solution, despite the fact that they want you to pay them for a decryption key. That alone is a good reason not to communicate with the offenders and to seek some alternative solutions.
One such solution is available on this page – it is a removal guide that can help you to remove the ransomware from your device and to potentially restore your files from system backups. If these instructions don’t work, our website also contains a list of free decryptor tools where you may find a tool that is able to crack the Masscan code and release your data. If you cannot find such a tool, you can always turn to local professionals who specialize in ransomware recovery and see if they can help you out.
SUMMARY:
| Name | Masscan |
| 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. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Not Available |
| Detection Tool |
Remove Masscan 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!
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 Masscan 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