Remove MONETA Virus (.[ICQ_Monetadicavallo].MONETA Files Ransomware) – Phobos Ransomware

MONETA Virus – Details

The MONETA mean a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the Phobos ransomware family. MONETA was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. MONETA adds the “.[ICQ_Monetadicavallo].MONETA” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, as soon as encrypted by MONETA, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.[ICQ_Monetadicavallo].MONETA“. As quickly as the encryption is completed, MONETA places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by MONETA text file asking for the ransom is absolutely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives belonging to the Phobos type. It actually discusses that the info is encrypted which the only way to restore it is to use a an unique decryption key. Regretfully, this is definitely true. The type of cryptography mechanism used by MONETA is still not properly examined. Still, it is definitely certain that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is absolutely unique. It is impossible to restore the files without the key available.

Another trick of MONETA is that the victims cannot access to the key. The key is saved on a particular server run by the frauds associated with MONETA ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people need to pay the ransom.

Nonetheless, irrespective of the requested amount, people should stay away from paying the ransom. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to entirely ignore what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom typically does not provide any positive outcome and people simply waste their money for nothing.

We strongly advise that you do not contact these crooks and definitely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack MONETA ransomware and to recover the data data free of charge. Hence, the just right decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	MONETA Ransomware
File Extension	.[ICQ_Monetadicavallo].MONETA
Type	Ransomware
Family	Phobos
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
Symptoms	File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special [ICQ_Monetadicavallo].MONETA extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Similar Infections	Hotel, Acuff, Eldaosla
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Remember that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to MONETA ransomware. It is similar Hotel and many other ransomware-type threats. Malicious programs of such kind are typically elaborated to encrypt essential information and to state the need prior to the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a similar algorithm to generate the special decryption key for data decryption.

Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is merely not feasible. The only way to prevent the loss of your important data is to frequently create backups of your important information.

Bear in mind that even if you create such backups, they need to be placed into a special storage utility not connect to your main computer. You may use the USB Flash Drive or external hard drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you keep your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted in addition to other files, so it’s absolutely not a good storage location.

How did ransomware infect my system?

There are numerous methods used by online scams to distribute MONETA ransom virus. Despite the fact that it is uncertain how exactly MONETA injects your PC, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:

• integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
• spam e-mails from unidentified senders;
• sites rendering free hosting services;
• pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Often MONETA virus might be presented as some genuine software application, for instance, in the pop-ups advising users to execute some important software updates. This is the typical technique used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing MONETA infection manually, by methods of their direct participation in the installation process.

In addition, the criminals might describe different email spam techniques to inject destructive codes into copmuter. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some receipts, files, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such files or clicking on such dangerous links may severely harm the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade notifies may result in MONETA virus injection. When it comes to the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise contain harmful codes causing MONETA secret installation. Lastly, injection of MONETA may take place by means of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and set up malicious tools without the user’s authorization.

Is there any way to prevent the injection of MONETA ransom virus?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your system from getting infected, there are some pieces of advice we wish to show with you. First off, be very mindful when you surf the web and particularly while downloading totally free apps. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Bear in mind that some freeware installers may contain other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be malicious. Make sure that your current antivirus software and your entire operating system is always appropriately updated.

Naturally, downloading pirated software is illegal and may lead to important damage to be made for your system. For this reason, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise strongly recommended to reconsider your existing security software and potentially switch to another security solution that can render better services of protecting your PC.

Below please find the quotation from the MONETA text file:

Pop-up window: 

ATTENTION!!!!
Unfortunately for you, a major IT security weakness left you open to attack, your files have been encrypted with ciphers more advanced than those used for diplomatic communications, you can spend days and months searching for a magical way to decrypt your files, but rest assured we are the only people who can help you recover your files, there is no free tool
If you want to restore them, install ICQ software on your PC hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on your mobile phone search in Appstore / Google market \"ICQ\"
Write to our ICQ @Monetadicavallo hxxps://icq.im/Monetadicavallo
Write this ID in the title of your message -
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
======================================

Info.txt:

If you are the IT manager and you are reading this, that means that you messed up, you were asleep at the wheel. Contact us and we can resolve this situation without major complication, if you are the owner of the company and you are reading this than the decision is yours, throw your hard drives in the trash or contact us and pay a nominal fee to recover your data, but know that your security practices have failed you and either way something needs to be done
If you want to restore them, install ICQ software on your PC hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on your mobile phone search in Appstore / Google market \"ICQ\"
Write to our ICQ @Monetadicavallo hxxps://icq.im/Monetadicavallo
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

Screenshot of files with “.[ICQ_Monetadicavallo].MONETA” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove MONETA ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.