How to remove MedusaLocker Ransomware and decrypt .readtheinstructions, .decrypme or .encrypted files

What is MedusaLocker Ransomware

We have already deconstructed lots of ransomware like Ouroboros, Ako, NEMTY, and others. Today, we are topping up our list with MedusaLocker Ransomware. This dreadful software is known to be encrypting the files of innocent users, therefore, making them unretrievable until a ransom is paid. Virus got its name because of the name of the project file, that says: MedusaLocker.pdb. Also, the “Medusa” section is created in the registry. Once installed on a computer, it rapidly blocks off the access to your data by assigning a unique .encrypted or .readtheinstructions or .readinstructions extensions to each file. This way, 1.jpg changes itself to 1.jpg.readtheinstructions. Unfortunately, any manipulations are useless because of the strong cipher that is hard to break manually. When encrypting files, AES encryption will be used to encrypt each file, and then the AES key will be encrypted with the RSA-2048 public key included in the Ransomware executable. Depending on ransomware edition, extensions may also look like .bomber, .boroff, .breakingbad, .locker16, .newlock, .nlocker, and .skynet as well. After successful encryption of data, extortionists add an HTML or text file, called ransom note, that contains the necessary information on how to recover your data. Depending on the version it can be called RECOVER_INSTRUCTIONS.html, INSTRUCTIONS.html, HOW_TO_OPEN_FILES.html or HOW_TO_RECOVER_DATA.html.

Ransomware developers say that you have to pay a specific fee (varying from user to user) through the Bitcoin to decode the restricted files. After finished, you should contact them via e-mail to notify about the payment. Paying a ransom is not the wisest decision you can make at this point time, because there is no guarantee that they will keep their promise and get your data back. Since there is no real method to check their integrity, you should not be doing this. On the contrary, a better conclusion would be removing this malware from your computer to keep further data safe by following the guide in the article below.

How MedusaLocker Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware and other kinds of malware are typically distributed via e-mail spam, trojans, free cracking tools, and other suspicious downloads. Deceivers tend to utilize massive spam attacks to overarch as many victims as possible. Not excluded that you could open a fake legitimate message that contains attached files like PDFs, executable files (.EXE), JavaScript or other unwanted links. Clicking on these files may be a huge risk because they usually include trojans that get installed on your device without consent. Trojans themselves are designed to cause so-called chains of malware. It infiltrates your computer with various malware like Ransomware that immediately encrypts data leaving you puzzled. This is why e-mail services automatically filter unwanted stuff and drop it into the “Spam” folder which can be a ring. Another crafty method of dissemination is by downloading fake cracking tools that are meant to bypass the activation of licensed software. Of course, most users download this type of tool from malicious sites that pursuit data hijacking. You cannot always be sure that the software you download is virus-free, however, you can shrink down the risk by visiting only trusted resources and downloading programs from official websites. Uninstalling MedusaLocker is only half of the battle because you will not be able to restore the full data. Great tools to protect against MedusaLocker Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

1. Download MedusaLocker Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .readtheinstructions, .decrypme or .encrypted files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like MedusaLocker Ransomware

MedusaLocker Ransomware files:

{randomfilename}.exe
HOW_TO_RECOVER_DATA.html
Readme.html
svchostt.exe
svchostt
l.bat
MedusaLocker.pdb

MedusaLocker Ransomware registry keys:

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Medusa
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Medusa\Name
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\ "EnableLinkedConnections" = 1
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\EnableLUA

How to decrypt and restore .readtheinstructions, .decrypme or .encrypted files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .readtheinstructions, .decrypme or .encrypted files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

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 .readtheinstructions, .decrypme or .encrypted 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 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with MedusaLocker 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 .readtheinstructions, .decrypme or .encrypted files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like MedusaLocker 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.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

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. MedusaLocker 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 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 is 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 very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro