Mzop Virus Ransomware (.mzop File) Removal

What is Mzop ransomware?

Mzop ransomware exemplifies a "classic" ransomware infection. This virus infiltrates your PC, encrypts your files, and then demands payment for decryption. The average ransom amount is $980, accompanied by threats of permanent file deletion or non-decryption if payment isn't made. Crucially, it also modifies numerous system settings.

The malware changes your system's configurations to weaken defenses and hinder early virus detection efforts. It specifically deactivates Microsoft Defender and obstructs the installation of antivirus software. These alterations not only compromise your security but also affect your ability to install other software and must be promptly reversed.

Mzop ransomware employs the Salsa20 encryption algorithm, a common choice among the STOP/Djvu ransomware family. The strength of this cipher, with 1.158x10^77 (a 78-digit number) possible decryption keys, makes conventional hacking attempts futile. Brute-forcing this encryption would take over two unvigintillion years, highlighting the impracticality of such an approach for recovery.

Encryption process

The Mzop 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 - ".mzop". 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 Mzop 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 .mzop Files?

Indicators of Compromise(IOC)

File Name	MD5	File Size
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	1c7c18d59d23a9901b0e2b8e48dcde2c	848384
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	e96e5e544a91bd4a47dbdad067556011	1273856
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	65fb6d2f92197ecfc2acc3fa4e4b4373	349696
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	7ff1b3823f107f84a365da64c785c167	1273856
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	74b5bc703d209a4f51293a2ef52ed98a	328704
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	3703ce64e32eb849daefe5501df66033	327680
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	28176f29cd2b46a0c452a3cf06085a8d	1273856
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	7315454cb46ae5c995453402848c092f	349696
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	93956ad345e8dccf5a58f4f98afa25a6	328192
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	b1bceed8c497747cb47d6009263d21fe	332288