What is Mammon Ransomware
Developed by the Makop Ransomware family, Mammon is a dangerous virus that runs data encryption for monetary goals. This is because it encrypts personal data with military-grade algorithms and demands money ransom to be paid by victims. To show that your data has been restricted, extortionists append a string of symbols to each file name (including random characters, cybercriminals’ e-mail address, and .mammon extension). To illustrate, the original file like 1.pdf will change its look to something like this 1.pdf.[9B83AE23].[mammon0503@tutanota.com].mammon. As a result of this change, users will no longer be able to access the file. In order to get instructions on recovering data, cybercriminals create a text note called readme-warning.txt to each folder with encrypted data.
::: Greetings :::
Little FAQ:
.1.
Q: Whats Happen?
A: Your files have been encrypted and now have the "mammon" extension. The file structure was not damaged, we did everything possible so that this could not happen.
.2.
Q: How to recover files?
A: If you wish to decrypt your files you will need to pay in bitcoins.
.3.
Q: What about guarantees?
A: Its just a business. We absolutely do not care about you and your deals, except getting benefits. If we do not do our work and liabilities - nobody will cooperate with us. Its not in our interests.
To check the ability of returning files, you can send to us any 2 files with SIMPLE extensions(jpg,xls,doc, etc... not databases!) and low sizes(max 1 mb), we will decrypt them and send back to you. That is our guarantee.
.4.
Q: How to contact with you?
A: You can write us to our mailbox: mammon0503@tutanota.com or mammon0503@protonmail.com or samsung00700@tutanota.com or pecunia0318@goat.si
.5.
Q: How will the decryption process proceed after payment?
A: After payment we will send to you our scanner-decoder program and detailed instructions for use. With this program you will be able to decrypt all your encrypted files.
.6.
Q: If I don’t want to pay bad people like you?
A: If you will not cooperate with our service - for us, its does not matter. But you will lose your time and data, cause only we have the private key. In practice - time is much more valuable than money.
:::BEWARE:::
DON'T try to change encrypted files by yourself!
If you will try to use any third party software for restoring your data or antivirus solutions - please make a backup for all encrypted files!
Any changes in encrypted files may entail damage of the private key and, as result, the loss all data.
This note contains detailed information on contacting the swindlers and recovering data eventually. Besides greeting victims with disappointing news, they are telling that data can be decrypted. To do this, users have to write a message to one of the e-mails listed (e.g. mammon0503@tutanota.com; mammon0503@protonmail.com; samsung00700@tutanota.com; pecunia0318@goat.si). Once they confirm receiving your message, you will be given instructions to pay for the decryption software (in bitcoins) – a private scanner-coder program capable of decrypting the blocked data. To prove that they are not going to fool you, developers offer to send them 2 files without valuable data for free decryption. Such an offer will by far prove their ability to decrypt the data. However, there have been many cases when cybercriminals did not send any tools even after paying the ransom. This is why it is a risk whether to pay them or not. Unfortunately, there are no third-party tools that could grant full data decryption without the help of cybercriminals. The only way to return files without paying money is to recover them from backup copies. However, before doing so and connecting external devices, it is important to uninstall Mammon Ransomware from your computer first. Only then you can use the backup option or try to follow our instructions below. We do not guarantee that you will return all of the files, but still worth trying if you are unable to pay the ransom.
How Mammon Ransomware infected your computer
Threats like ransomware are predominantly spread via e-mail spam, trojans, unprotected RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, fake software installers, and more to be cautious of. E-mail spam is a popular method used to deliver malicious letters. These messages are part of ostensibly legitimate campaigns that send newsletters. Inside of them, cybercriminals include highlighted text explaining why users should open the attached files (MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, JavaScript files). If opened or clicked on the attached links, there is a high chance to be infected with a malicious program. It can be ransomware infections or trojans that deliver the installation of them. Note that averting such infections after initiating the malicious file will be impossible. The process is imminent and non-dodgeable unless you have anti-malware software installed. This is why it is important to stay miles away from content received from suspicious sources. In our guide below, you will find extended information on system protection against such threats in the future.
- Download Mammon Ransomware Removal Tool
- Get decryption tool for .mammon files
- Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
- Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
- Restore files with Shadow Explorer
- How to protect from threats like Mammon Ransomware
Download Removal Tool
To remove Mammon Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Mammon Ransomware and preavents future infections by similar viruses.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove Mammon Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Mammon Ransomware. The trial version of Spyhunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Mammon Ransomware files:
readme-warning.txt
{randomname}.exe
Mammon Ransomware registry keys:
no information
How to decrypt and restore .mammon files
Use automated decryptors
Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor
Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .mammon files. Download it here:
There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.
Dr.Web Rescue Pack
Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .mammon files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.
If you are infected with Mammon Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:
Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .mammon files
- Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
- Click Recover Data button.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
- Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
- Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.
Using Windows Previous Versions option:
- Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
- Select Previous Versions tab.
- Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
- To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
- In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.
Using Shadow Explorer:
- Download Shadow Explorer program.
- Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
- Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
- Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
- In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.
If you are using Dropbox:
- Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
- Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
- Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.
How to protect computer from viruses, like Mammon Ransomware, in future
1. Get special anti-ransomware software
Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware
Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.
2. Back up your files
As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Mammon Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.
3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox
Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.
