Decrypt .merry virus files – MERRY_I_LOVE_YOU_BRUCE.hta ransomware

Although the winter holiday season is over, crooks behind the Merry X-Mas ransomware have launched a new variant that appends the .merry extension to files.

The Merry X-Mas, or Merry Christmas, ransomware was first spotted in the wild in early January 2017. It leverages a custom cryptographic algorithm to lock down a victim’s personal data. Originally, this ransom Trojan would concatenate the .PEGS1, .RARE1, .MRCR1, or .RMCM1 extension to encoded files. Over the past few days, however, an updated edition has been circulating that uses the .MERRY extension instead. The new version also leaves a ransom note called MERRY_I_LOVE_YOU_BRUCE.hta, sprinkling copies of it on the desktop and all folders with mutilated data entries. The warning window returns a message saying, “All computer data encrypted,” displays a time countdown line and provides the victim’s unique ID. The ransom manual also lists credentials to contact the threat actors for file recovery steps, namely the Telegram Messenger username @comodosecurity, and regular email comodosec@yandex.com.

The .MERRY file extension variant of the Merry X-Mas ransom Trojan is proliferating over spam. The social engineering component of this tactic involves rogue consumer complaint notifications, invoices, law violation reports and similar tricky themes. One type of the linked-to documents is an executable camouflaged as a PDF file, in which case the ransomware gets launched once the unsuspecting user double-clicks this object. Another type is an attached Microsoft Word file that shows a prompt about the necessity of downloading some font to view the document. In this scenario, the contamination takes place via a vulnerability in Word macros that the would-be victim unknowingly enables.

After the infection jumps into a host system, it doesn’t manifest itself straightforwardly for a while. During this time, the Trojan harvests computer-specific data, including the machine’s name, username, hardware configuration, local time, and installed software. Then, it transmits these details to its Command & Control server. At the next stage of the compromise, the Merry X-Mas file-encrypting pest scans the hard drive for the user’s valuable data. In this activity, it is driven by the criterion of file formats – it has a built-in list of file extensions to target. All the detected items are subject to scrambling through the use of a strong cryptosystem. As opposed to many other ransomware samples out there, this one does not modify filenames proper. Instead, it simply puts the .MERRY extension at the end. Here is an example of this transformation: an object named template.xlsx turns into template.xlsx.MERRY, where the suffix is usually capitalized.

The above-mentioned MERRY_I_LOVE_YOU_BRUCE.hta application then pops up to instruct the victim on further actions. Ultimately, the recovery boils down to exchanging messages with the attackers over Telegram or webmail and negotiating the size of the Bitcoin ransom. Whereas security researchers have had some success with cracking this strain, no one can guarantee a favorable outcome. Furthermore, the .MERRY file edition tends to spread alongside Diamond Fox, a virus that steals sensitive information and adds computers to a botnet. That’s why it’s also mandatory to check a Merry X-Mas ransomware-stricken machine for accompanying malware.

.MERRY ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When faced with ransomware like .MERRY, one of the best shortcuts in terms of removal is to use Combo Cleaner, a lightweight and incredibly effective application with PC security and optimization features under the hood. It detects and thoroughly deletes threats while giving you insights into the overall health of your computer.

This program’s protection power spans modules that forestall all known types of malware, including ransomware and browser hijackers, and take your online security to the next level by blocking phishing sites and other suspicious web pages. Follow these simple steps to eliminate the infection for good:

1. Download Combo Cleaner installer.

Download .MERRY remover

^{Combo Cleaner scans your PC with no strings attached, but you’ll have to buy its fully functional version to remove the threats it detects. The disk optimization tools that find large files and duplicates are free to use.}

2. Open the CCSetup.exe file to get started. Several subsequent screens will allow you to make initial customizations so that the program works exactly as you need from the get-go.

3. The installation will be followed by an update of malware signatures. Once this process is through, click the Start Scan button in the left-hand sidebar.

4. Combo Cleaner will then check system locations that are most often polluted by Windows malware. The first scan can take a while to finish.

5. Combo Cleaner will display a system tray notification as soon as the scan is over. Click the Resolve found threats button to view the results.

6. The scan summary shows the names and types of the detected threats as well as their statuses and locations. Click the Remove all threats button and follow further on-screen prompts to get rid of these items.

Data recovery toolkit to the rescue

Some strains of ransomware are known to delete the original files after the encryption routine has been completed. As hostile as this activity appears, it can play into your hands. There are applications designed to revive the information that was obliterated because of malfunctioning hardware or due to accidental removal. The tool called Stellar Data Recovery features this type of a capability and therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So use the app to get an idea of what data can be restored and let it do the recovery job. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

2. Open the application, select the types of recoverable files to look for, and click Next.

3. Choose the areas you want the tool to recover from and click the Scan button.

4. Having scanned the specified locations, the program will display a notification about the total amount of recoverable data. Close the dialog and click the Recover button. This will hopefully help you get some of your valuable files back.

.MERRY ransomware manual removal and file recovery

Some ransomware strains terminate themselves after completing the encryption job on a computer, but some don’t. Furthermore, the .MERRY virus may prevent victims from using popular antimalware tools in order to stay on board for as long as possible. Under the circumstances, it may be necessary to utilize the Safe Mode with Networking or System Restore functionality.

Be advised that even after the ransomware is removed, files will still be encrypted and inaccessible. The malicious code cleanup part, however, is important because it keeps a relapse of the infection from occurring further on and eliminates all opportunistic malware.

Ways of non-ransom recovery of .MERRY files

Cracking the crypto used by this ransom Trojan is more of a science fiction thing rather than an attainable prospect for the masses. This is why the troubleshooting in predicaments of this sort is a matter of two approaches: one is to pay the ransom, which isn’t an option for many victims; and the other is to apply instruments that take advantage of the ransomware’s possible weaknesses. If the latter is your pick, the advice below is a must-try.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid .MERRY ransomware and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:

These techniques are certainly not a cure-all, but they will add an extra layer of ransomware protection to your security setup.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup. Another benefit of using the antimalware tool is that it will keep ransomware threats from intruding on your computer further on.

Download .MERRY removal tool