How to remove MME Ransomware and decrypt .MME files

What is MME Ransomware

MME is categorized as a ransomware infection that spreads into unprotected systems to encrypt data and extort money from victims for its return. The virus uses its own extension (.MME) to highlight the blocked data and make users spot its restriction. For instance, a previously untouched file called 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf.MME and reset its original icon upon successful encryption. As a result of this change, victims will no longer be able to access the file. In order to fix this and get back to regular usage of files, cybercriminals offer to opt for the paid solution – buy special decryption software that will return your data. Instructions to do are listed in a text note named Read_Me.txt that comes along with the encryption. You can take a look at its detailed content here below:

The text note guides victims to follow a list of outlined steps. It is required to install the TOR browser and open the link leading to the contact form with cybercriminals. If anything goes wrong, there is also another communication channel mentioned inside of the note. There is no price announced by extortionists upfront – you will get this information only upon establishing contact with them. No matter the price, it is often advised against meeting requests of fraudulent figures. This is related to their tendency of fooling victims and not sending any decryption tools even after receiving the ransom. Usually, it is impossible to decrypt files without the help of cybercriminals. There may be a chance to decrypt them only if ransomware stores its encryption keys offline. Otherwise, decryption can be done partially or even fail down the end. This is why a better option to use is the recovery of data – either via personal backup copies or special software that digs into your system and scans for potential copies to draw your files back. Before running any attempts to return your data, it is important to remove MME Ransomware along with its traces in the first place. You can find both recovery and thorough removal instructions in our tutorial below.

How MME Ransomware infected your computer

Crooks behind ransomware infections tend to spread their software via channels like trojans, e-mail spam letters containing malicious attachments, P2P networks (torrent-sharing websites), fake software cracking tools, forged updates, installers, and other suspicious stuff frequently used by people while being active online. The one to elaborate on is e-mail spam letters. People receive them from sources disguised as legitimate companies (e.g. DHL, DPD, FedEx) to throw all doubts aside. This works especially with inexperienced or elder users that are not aware of such tricks on the web. As mentioned, such letters contain malicious attachments or links meant to install ransomware or other high-risk infections like banking trojans. The range of used files comes down to Word, Excel, PDF, EXE, JavaScript, Archive, and other well-known formats. It is common to see one of the attached files named as something “important” or “urgent” to bait users into opening it. After this, the infection will spawn its algorithms and commands to install on your system and do its damage. If you want to secure yourself against such threats in the future, we encourage you to follow our list of instructions below. There is plenty of useful information on that topic.

1. Download MME Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .MME 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 MME Ransomware

MME Ransomware files:


Read_Me.txt
{randomname}.exe


MME Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .MME files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .MME 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 .MME files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing 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 MME Ransomware and removed 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 .MME 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 MME 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 storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. MME 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.

Download MailWasher Pro