How to remove Miia ransomware

Miia ransomware is a file-encrypting malware from the Djvu/STOP ransomware family. It’s a dangerous infection that may result in permanently lost files. If your computer is infected with this ransomware, your files will have the .miia extension. Users with backups are currently the only ones who can recover files for free.

 

 

When ransomware is initiated, it encrypts all personal files, including documents, photos, videos, etc. All encrypted file names will have a .miia extension added to them. For example, an encrypted text.txt file would become text.txt.miia. Files with that extension will not be openable unless they are first put through a specific decryptor.

When file encryption is done, the ransomware drops a _readme.txt ransom note. The note explains that files have been encrypted and how victims can get a decryptor. According to the note, to get the decryptor, users need to pay $980 to the malware operators. However, there supposedly is a 50% discount available for users who make contact within 72 hours. the malicious actors also promise to decrypt one file for free (as long as it does not contain any important information) as proof that they can.

The full _readme.txt ransom note is below:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-sJCg3wbJmh
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
manager@mailtemp.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
helprestoremanager@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:

If you have no backup, paying the ransom may seem like a good option. However, giving in to cybercriminals’ demands is never a good idea. There are no guarantees that you will get a decryptor after paying. Even if you do get a decryptor, it will not necessarily work. Nothing can force cybercriminals to keep their end of the deal after you pay. We should also mention that if you pay, the money will be used to fund future criminal activities.

If you have a backup of your files, you can connect to it and start file recovery once you remove Miia ransomware from your computer. Make sure to use an anti-virus program to delete Miia ransomware because it’s a complex infection. It’s safe to connect to your backup when the ransomware is no longer detected.

For users with no backup, free file recovery is currently not possible. Malware researchers are sometimes able to release free decryptors to help victims but it’s not always possible. If a free Miia ransomware decryptor does get released, it will be posted on NoMoreRansom.

How did ransomware enter your computer?

Ransomware can be distributed via email attachments, torrents, malicious ads, links, etc., Users with bad browsing habits are much more likely to pick up malware because they take more risks when online. If you want to avoid future malware infections, familiarize yourself with how malware is distributed and develop better browsing habits.

Ransomware is commonly encountered in email attachments. Malicious emails target a lot of users at the same time, which means they are very generic and quite easy to recognize as malicious. The emails are made to appear like they’re sent by legitimate companies. The emails may be disguised as order confirmations or parcel delivery notifications. But what often gives these emails away is glaring grammar/spelling mistakes. Such mistakes would not be present in legitimate emails sent by legitimate companies because they would look very unprofessional.

Another sign of a malicious email is a sender who should know your name using generic words like User, Member, Customer, etc. when addressing you. Usually, companies use customers’ names when corresponding via email with them. Malicious senders use generic greetings because they rarely have access to more personal information than an email address.

However, some malicious emails may be considerably more sophisticated. Thus, we always recommend scanning all unsolicited email attachments with anti-malware software or VirusTotal before opening them.

It’s also common to find malware on poorly regulated torrent sites. Torrents for popular movies, TV series, and video games are particularly likely to have malware in them. Using torrents to obtain copyrighted content is not only content theft but also dangerous for the computer.

Miia ransomware removal

Ransomware is a very complicated infection so to avoid causing additional damage to your computer, use anti-malware software to remove Miia ransomware. If you try to manually delete Miia ransomware removal, you could cause additional damage to your device.

Once Miia ransomware is no longer detected, you can safely access your backup to start recovering your files. If you do not have a backup, back up the encrypted files and wait for a free Miia ransomware decryptor to be released.