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MOIA ransomware infects computers to encrypt all files on them

MOIA ransomware computer virus is a new variant belonging to the STOP/DJVU ransomware category. Just like the other variants, it encrypts the entire files contained in any computer it compromises and adds .moia extension appendage to each file name. E.g. a file that was prior saved as 1.jpg is transformed to 1.jpg.moia. While the attack is still taking place, it will release a ransom note called _readme.txt in each folder. The note contains information from the cybercriminals notifying about the development and why they should get in touch with them for the purposes of paying ransom so they could receive MOIA decryption tool. 

The ransom note will further explain that MOIA ransomware virus has encrypted (made unreadable) all data such as pictures and diverse documents with the use of a strong encryption key. Therefore, they have no other option than to pay a certain amount of money before the files could be decrypted (made readable). Two email addresses manager@mailtemp.ch and helprestoremanager@airmail.cc. will be provided for further discussions between the victim and cybercriminals. 

Other details they would provide include a price list and terms of payment. They will elaborate that paying on time (within 72 hours) would earn the victim a 50% price slash, which brings the ransom fee down to $490 but once 3 days elapses, they would have to pay the full cost of $980. 

It is remarkable to note that they don’t accept direct cash payment, instead they will instruct the victim to pay the cryptocurrency equivalent of the ransom fee into a wallet address they will make available to them. This is obviously to maintain anonymity so that law enforcement agencies won’t be able to track them down. As a way of convincing the victim, they will suggest that excerpts from the encrypted file should be sent to them for sample decryption, but such excerpt must not contain valuable information.

Our in-house security experts always advise victims to follow FBI guidelines on to interface with cybercriminals and it ultimately dissuades against any form of ransom payment. Always have in mind that paying ransom to cybercriminals does not guarantee you will regain your lost data. Worse still, it will encourage them to continue in their nefarious activities since they would find it profitable and would also enable them to engage more developers and online platforms for uploading and spreading of malwares. If you’re interested in statistics, these crooks earn millions of US dollar annually.

Victims should also watch out because the virus is known to release Trojans such as VIDAR and AZORULT on the already compromised computer for information stealing purposes. Sensitive information that could be at risk include banking details, passwords saved in your browser, cryptocurrency wallets, and account login details etc. Once they steal such personal information, they could leverage them to blackmail their victims. 

Do not hesitate to rid your computer of MOIA ransomware virus once you establish it has infiltrated your system. An original and strong antivirus can effectively do this while your computer is set in the Safe Mode with Networking. We recommend this option because it will optimize the ability of the antivirus to function at full capacity and ensure that no trace of the virus is left. We recommend using INTEGO Antivirus for malware removal and then suggest downloading RESTORO for virus damage repair on affected Windows OS files.

Ransomware Summary

Name	MOIA Ransomware Virus
Type	Ransomware; Crypto-malware; Virtual Extortion Virus
Family	STOP/DJVU
Encryption type	RSA 2048 + Salsa20
Previous versions	VYIA, QBAA, FOPA, VTYM, KQGS, XCBG, BPQD (find full list here)
Version	354th
Extension	.moia
Cybercriminal emails	manager@mailtemp.ch, helprestoremanager@airmail.cc
Additional malware dropped	Azorult or Vidar Trojan
Damage	The virus strikes the computer after the victim opens a malicious pirated software version activator. The virus then encrypts all files and marks them with additional .moia extension. After the attack, the victim will find _readme.txt ransom notes in every data folder. The virus also removes Volume Shadow Copies from the system to block victim’s access to System Restore points. Next, the ransomware modifies Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of domains to restrict. Cybersecurity experts also warn that this ransomware carries AZORULT Trojan or VIDAR alongside it.
Ransom note	_readme.txt
Ransom demand	$490-$980 in Bitcoin
Distribution	Victims often download this ransomware along illegal torrent downloads, cracked software, activators, key generators or tools like KMSPico.
Known software cracks to contain this malware	Corel Draw, Tenorshare 4ukey, Adobe Photoshop, Cubase, Adobe Illustrator, Internet Download Manager, Tally, League of Legends.
Detection names	Trojan:Win32/Azorult.RM!MTB (Microsoft), Trojan.Crypt (A) (Emsisoft), HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Injuke.gen (Kaspersky), Gen:Variant.Midie.105054 (BitDefender) see all detection name variations on VirusTotal
Removal	Remove ransomware and related malware from your PC using professional software of your choice. We highly recommend using INTEGO Antivirus. To repair virus damage on Windows OS files, consider scanning with RESTORO.

REMOVE MALWARE & REPAIR VIRUS DAMAGE

Ransomware distribution techniques used by cybercriminals

STOP/DJVU ransomware variants, including MOIA virus are usually spread when computer users attempt to download malicious torrents. They unwittingly trigger this virus where they are hibernating, especially in pirated software contents like crack/key generator and other popular but fake software copies. The unsuspecting individuals may think they are getting a good bargain by obtaining copyright materials illegally at little or no cost but they don’t know they’re putting their computer at severe risk of malware attack. These copyright contents illegally uploaded in torrent libraries by cybercriminals include the following: 

• Adobe Photoshop;
• Corel Draw;
• VMware Workstation;
• Fifa 20;
• Tenorshare 4ukey;
• Opera browser;
• AutoCad;
• KMSPico (illegal Windows activation tool);
• Cubase;
• Adobe Illustrator;
• League of Legends;
• Internet Download Manager.

For those who are in the habit of downloading illegal software torrents from dubious online platforms, you are advised to desist from such activities because you may end up a victim to cybercriminals. Also have it in mind that when you get involved in such unwholesome acts, you’re making yourself liable to possible lawsuits by the original content owners or their representatives. In addition to that, it is also a disincentive to the growth of the industry.

The amount you pay to legally obtain genuine software contents, through the authorized channels, is very little relative to the insane fees cybercriminals would try to extort from you peradventure you become a victim of ransomware. Also consider that when you buy from legitimate channels, you won’t be at risk of losing important data and neither would you be a victim of blackmail.  

Cybercriminals also use malicious email attachments to spread ransomware. They create genuine looking messages using platforms like DOCX and PDF that allow JavaScript or macro functions to fool their victims. Unfortunately, it can be difficult, at first glance, to tell if a particular email is genuine or not. This is because they can go the extra mile just to sell you a dummy.

They may disguise the email to appear like it’s coming from as a friend, colleague or a popular brands such as Amazon, DHL or eBay with attached files given sensitive names like Invoice, Tracking Details or Order Summary. On the other hand, they may even make use of email spoofing techniques to hide the originating email address. In such situations, you may have to trust your intuition and apply common sense. If you’re not expecting such email then you may as well ignore it. 

If you’re a victim already, there is no need to panic and start checking for websites that claim to offer decryption services. You should be wary of such claims because at the moment such hardly exist. Do not think you have nothing else to lose since you’re already a victim because downloading fake STOP/DJVU decryptors can make things messier by doubly decrypting your files. 

More information about MOIA ransomware

This part will come handy to those still wondering about the extent of damage that could have been done on their computer during the MOIA ransomware attack. The first thing the virus does is to set up build.exe or build2.exe as well as winupdate.exe. Thereafter, it connects to https[:]//api.2ip.ua/geo.json and whatever is the outcome will be saved in geo.json file. It then begins to extract all vital information concerning your computer, such as its geolocation, time zone, zip code, latitude and longitude as well as other hardware and software details it considers necessary. These set of information will be transmitted to their server. 

Below is an example of geo.json file.

At this juncture, the malware will make a comparison of the country code against their own list of encryption protected countries, such as Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Uzbekistan, Syria, Kyrgzstan, Tajikistan, Kazachstan and Armenia. Once it tallies with any of these countries, it will cease any further action immediately. However, if the computer’s geolocation is not from any of those locations, it will go to the next stage of extracting online encryption key and will combine it with the victim’s ID before saving them in bowsakkdestx.txt file and to PersonalID.txt file. 

Shown below is how these files appear.

If for any reason the malware fails to generate an online encryption ID, it will resort to the use of an offline ID (offline ID’s are uniform for all victims). The easiest way to decipher if an offline key was used is the appearance of t1 characters at the end of the personal ID. One good thing about offline ID is that with it, you can possibly decrypt .moia files. You can learn more about it below. 

The ransomware will then begin encryption proper at this point by scanning the entire folders and encrypting them with Salsa20 before making use of RSA-2048 code to lock the encryption key. This is also the stage where it marks each file with additional extensions.

Below is a screenshot of how _readme.txt ransom note dropped in each folder looks like.

Afterwards, the malware will delete all Volume Shadow Copies by using the Command Prompt task as written below: 

^{vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet}

Additionally, this virus may collect information about the compromised system’s hardware, software, active processes and more into information.txt file which the malware transmits to its C&C server. Additionally, the virus takes a screenshot of the desktop and also sends it to its server.

Ultimately, a list of domain names will be added to the Windows HOSTS file and the malware will map them to a localhost IP. It does this to ensure that victims won’t get any help online. They might get DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error message whenever they make any attempt to seek for help. The virus may also release additional Trojan like AZORULT. 

Remove MOIA Ransomware Virus and Recover Your Files

We always advise victims of cybercrime to report the incident to any government agency that handles such issues. Also, you will need to remove MOIA ransomware from your computer as soon as possible.   More detailed information on the steps victims should take is provided in the next paragraph. You can equally follow the directions provided below to set up your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. This option is recommended because it optimizes the ability of the antivirus to effectively remove the malware from your system. For victims that do not have antivirus yet, or aren’t sure of the efficacy of the one they have, you can always make use of INTEGO Antivirus because we can vouch for its reliability and effectiveness. Additionally, we suggest that you download RESTORO to repair any damage caused on Windows OS files.

What to do after completing MOIA ransomware removal from your computer:

• It is necessary to get in touch with relevant local authorities and inform them about the situation;
• Use any backup device within your reach to restore your lost data, but make sure you’ve completely removed the virus before doing so;
• Make use of tutorials that teach about STOP/DJVU variants file decryption methods;
• Change all passwords attached to the computer system, including the ones on your browser and apps.

The after effects of a ransomware attack can be quite frustrating and destabilizing. That is why it is best to remain proactive at all times. Have a backup file and avoid visiting online torrent libraries or trying to make use of copyright contents without authorization. Above all, ensure you have a strong antivirus running in your computer always – our team of experts recommend INTEGO Antivirus antivirus because it is reliable.

OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND

Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system:

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