How to remove MuchLove Ransomware and decrypt .encrypted files

What is MuchLove Ransomware

MuchLove is another example of file-encryption viruses classified as ransomware. After installation, it ruthlessly encrypts multiple files like MS Office, PDFs, Music, Images, Video, and others. Users get totally shocked once they realize that their data became inaccessible desperately trying to restore the data. Usually, decryption requires assistance from third-parties tools since all manual attempts are useless. Also, the encrypted data acquires a new extension that is .encrypted, in our case. To illustrate, the default 1.mp4 will be changed to 1.mp4.encrypted and reset its icon. Note that the “.encrypted” extension is more generic since it is used by multiple developers. This makes it a bit harder to match appropriate measures to combat the program because you cannot identify exactly which virus attacked your PC. Although, we can then grasp it according to the content of the ransom note (READ_IT.txt)that is created after encryption. The following text says that your data has been encrypted with Military Grade Encryption.

To get your files back, you should contact them via the attached e-mail and pay a bill set by the frauds. Usually, the ciphered data cannot be decrypted, but you can surely eliminate it from your computer to prevent further loss and restore your files from backup, is possible.

How MuchLove Ransomware infected your computer

File-encryption programs use multiple channels to infect unprotected systems. The most popular are trojans, e-mail spams, exploits, botnets, untrustworthy downloads, and others. As statistics show, e-mail spam is the most effective method that has been covering a multitude of victims these days. Developers set bots that automatically send a stream of messages into e-mail boxes. The content of these messages is usually fake and more likely contains attached files that, once opened, run executable scripts to infect devices. Besides that, such e-mails are also meant to distribute trojans that cause so-called chain infections. This means that trojans force the installation of multiple viruses like ransomware, Potentially Unwanted Programs and other types of malware that put your data under severe risk. To avert these kinds of infiltrations, you should avoid clicking on unfamiliar content like ads, messages, links, files, and other pieces. On top of that, you should install anti-malware software with real-time protection that prevents opening suspicious and potentially dangerous resources. Follow the underneath tutorial to get rid of MuchLove Ransomware and ensure internet security.

1. Download MuchLove Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .encrypted 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 MuchLove Ransomware

MuchLove Ransomware files:


{randomfilename}.exe
READ_IT.txt
WinUpdt.exe

MuchLove Ransomware registry keys:


KEY: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
VALUE: WinUpdt
DATA: "C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\WinUpdt.exe"


How to decrypt and restore .encrypted files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .encrypted files. Download it here:

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 .encrypted files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of 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 MuchLove Ransomware and removed it 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 .encrypted 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.

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 MuchLove Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

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.

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. MuchLove 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 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 is 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 very high level of anti-spam protection.