Remove Muhstik Virus (+Decrypt .muhstik files) – QNAPCrypt Ransomware (Updated 7 October)

Muhstik – General Info

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

The message given by Muhstik text file asking for the ransom is absolutely the like the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives coming from the QNAPCrypt clan. It actually points out that the information is encrypted and that the only way to bring back it is to use a a special decryption key. Regretfully, this is absolutely true. The type of cryptography mechanism applied by Muhstik is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is definitely specific that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is completely unique. It is impossible to restore the files without the key available.

Another trick of Muhstik is that the victims cannot gain access to the key. The key is stored on a specific server run by the frauds connected with Muhstik ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people have to pay the ransom.

However, regardless of the requested amount, people must keep away from paying the virus. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to totally disregard what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not provide any positive result and people just waste their money for absolutely nothing.

We highly encourage 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 Muhstik ransomware and to recover the information data for free. Hence, the just best decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name Muhstik Ransomware
File Extension .muhstik
Type Ransomware
Family QNAPCrypt
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 muhstik extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool   GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Remember that the web is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to Muhstik ransomware. Malicious programs of such kind are usually elaborated to encrypt important information and to set forth the demand prior to the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a similar algorithm to produce the special decryption key for files decryption.

Hence, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, manually recovering the information is just not feasible. The only method to prevent the loss of your essential data is to regularly create backups of your important information.

Keep in mind that even if you create such backups, they should be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main PC. You may use the Memory Stick or external hard disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you save your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted together with other files, so it’s definitely not a good storage location.

How did ransomware infect my PC?

There are several ways used by online frauds to distribute Muhstik virus. Despite the fact that it doubts how exactly Muhstik injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:

  • integration with third-party software, especially freeware;
  • spam emails from unknown senders;
  • websites rendering free hosting services;
  • pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Frequently Muhstik virus might exist as some legitimate software application, for example, in the pop-ups advising users to implement some essential software updates. This is the typical technique used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing Muhstik infection manually, by means of their direct participation in the installation process.

In addition, the criminals may refer to numerous e-mail spam techniques to inject destructive codes into copmuter. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones motivating users to open some photos, files, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may severely damage the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade notifies may result in Muhstik virus injection. When it comes to the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise contain malicious codes resulting in Muhstik secret installation. Lastly, injection of Muhstik may take place by ways of Trojans that covertly get injected into the system and set up harmful utilities without the user’s approval.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of Muhstik ransomware?

Despite the fact that there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your PC from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we want to share with with you. First of all, be very mindful when you surf the web and particularly while downloading free programs. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Keep in mind that some freeware installers may contain other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be malicious. Ensure that your current antivirus and your entire operating system is always appropriately updated.

Naturally, downloading pirated software is unlawful and may result in vital damage to be produced your PC. Hence, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also strongly advised to reconsider your existing security software and possibly change to another security solution that can render better services of defending your system.

Below please find the quotation from the Muhstik text file:

All your files have been encrypted.
You can find the steps to decrypt them in any the following links:
http://13.234.89.185/.unlock/payment/9cc32d5a-8fd4-4ee7-b34b-ed6042b51375   Could go offline at any time
http://51.38.231.30/.unlock/payment/9cc32d5a-8fd4-4ee7-b34b-ed6042b51375   Could go offline at any time
Or use TOR link, guaranteed Online 100% of the time:
hxxp://5mngytmdpeyyp6xk.onion/payment/9cc32d5a-8fd4-4ee7-b34b-ed6042b*****   Use TOR browser to access .onion websites.
https://duckduckgo.com/html?q=tor+browser+how+to
Do NOT remove this file and DO NOT remove last line in this file!

Screenshot of files with “.muhstik” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove Muhstik 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.

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Daniel Zimmermann

Daniel Zimmermann has been writing on security and malware subjects for many years and has been working in the security industry for over 10 years. Daniel was educated at the Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany and currently lives in New York.

View Comments

  • Hi,
    I apreciate the work you've put into this guide. My QNAP NAS is infected with this trojan, my PC is clean (fresh install on a new SSD).
    Do you have a workflow to remove the trojan from the QNAP?
    Cheers,
    Sovy

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