Mmpu Virus Ransomware (.mmpu File) Removal

What is Mmpu ransomware?

Becoming infected with Mmpu ransomware entails severe repercussions. This virus implements a range of system setting modifications that severely hamper usability. Beyond altering settings, the malware encrypts your files, rendering them inaccessible.

Mmpu ransomware employs the Salsa20 encryption algorithm, consistent across the STOP/Djvu ransomware family, to which Mmpu belongs. While decryption tools exist that may restore access to your files without necessitating a ransom, success partially hinges on luck. Files encrypted with an offline key present a substantial chance for recovery. Conversely, files encrypted with an online key are typically irrecoverable.

Preventing ransomware attacks is paramount. Mmpu ransomware often infiltrates systems through software obtained from questionable sources. Despite being freely available, these applications should be legitimately purchased from their respective official websites. Additionally, some programs are crafted for illicit purposes, such as cheating or unauthorized Windows activation. During the process of making these programs freely usable, hackers are at liberty to embed any form of malware, determined by the highest bidder.

Encryption process

The Mmpu ransomware uses the Salsa20 encryption algorithm. That is not the strongest method, but it still provides an overwhelming amount of possible decryption keys. To brute force the 78-digit number of keys, you need 3.5 unvigintillion years (1*10^65), even if you use the most powerful regular PC. Quantum computers can show a bit better results, but it is still too slow to get your files back while you are alive.

The exact algorithm of encryption is next: malware scans each folder for the files it is able to encrypt. Then, when it finds the target, it makes a copy of your file, removes the original one, encrypts the copy and leaves it instead of the removed original. Such a procedure is done to prevent the situation when you have already opened the file, so ransomware is not able to read it because of the Windows restrictions. To each encrypted copy, the virus adds the specific extension - ".mmpu". Then, ransomware creates a _readme.txt file in the folder where the encrypted file is located, and goes to the next folder.

Such an encryption method can be exploited for file recovery. Since the original file is deleted, you may try to recover it using the file recovery tools. The less time is passed - the bigger the chance to get your files back, so hurry up!

Another specific moment that can help you to use the files even after the encryption is the fact that Mmpu ransomware encrypts only the first 150KB of each file. Hence, you can try to run a big file, such as video or music, without the encryption. Similar feature also works with other ransomware families - Dharma, Conti and Makop encrypt the same 150KB.

Ransom note: _readme.txt

Ransom note is the same for the whole ransomware family. In fact, it is one of the main signs of to which family the certain ransomware belongs. Here is the typical note for STOP/Djvu family:

External Links:

🔗 HowToFix.Guide: How To Decrypt .mmpu Files?

Indicators of Compromise(IOC)

File Name	MD5	File Size
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	22f1b780b53658237ec65c9a1ed8d206	844288
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	16d08e065eb1a13d08fd05ed2c835655	844800
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	ca00bcec03af0fa153f0056606b34c16	845312
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	4622ada57b3afea3db29429b9feead06	844800
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	9dd0636e235448c3e2e681d842dd2a7c	852992
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	ce9abd87a2e371b36a09e22d6421bfd6	852480
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	f73bfde0b86d9089ac2513f104e1acca	852480
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	20a25d70f0c30355f4a6506bdff1dea5	851968
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	bfbfad490ead4259f0f7473fb11fe6a8	847360
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	fa425f872502e6bbbdf1fa7cde5ec23f	846848