Marlboro Ransomware Removal Guide

Marlboro Ransomware has nothing to do with cigarettes, but it is definitely not less dangerous. No, it will not cause health problems, but it might still cause serious problems for you because it will encrypt your files if it ever successfully enters your computer and, consequently, you will not be allowed to access any of them. Even though this ransomware infection acts just like similar threats, i.e. it tries to obtain money from users, it is unique in one sense – there are two different versions of Marlboro Ransomware for two different architectures, i.e. the separate version for 32-bit Windows and the version for 62-bit systems. This malicious application should drop only one installer depending on the architecture of the computer. What is more, it drops deMarlboro decryption tool on the computer too (a ransomware has been named after this piece of software it drops on affected computer). Even though this threat slightly differs from similar file-encrypting infections, it does not mean that it is not dangerous and it is safe to keep it installed on the computer. Yes, we will not give you the advice to pay the money required. Instead, we suggest getting rid of this ransomware infection as soon as possible. After it is gone, you could try to go to decrypt your valuable files using alternative decryption methods. Find more about them further in this article.

Unlike older ransomware infections, Marlboro Ransomware uses a very simple encryption algorithm XOR to lock files. Once it finishes encrypting users’ files, it appends the filename extension .oops next to the original filename extension, e.g. picture.jpg.oops. When all files have this filename extension added, a file containing a ransom note _HELP_Recover_Files_.html is dropped on the affected computer. It is said there that “All of your files are encrypted with RSA-2048 and AES-128 ciphers.” As has already been mentioned, it is a lie (it uses XOR). Also, users are informed that the private key has to be purchased to unlock files. The decryption tool costs 0.2 BTC (~ 165 USD). Last but not least, they are told to run a program (deMarlboro) that can be found on Desktop after paying the ransom. In the humble opinion of specialists working at 411-spyware.com, it is a really bad idea to transfer money to cyber criminals because there are no guarantees that the decryption of files will be successful. Also, we see no reason why you should send money to cyber criminals when a free decryption tool has been recently developed by specialists. Go to download it from the Internet!

Even though Marlboro Ransomware is a new malicious application in the category of ransomware, it is spread using the good old method – through spam emails. Users find an attachment that looks like a harmless Word document there and, consequently, open it fearlessly. This is the moment when the installation of Marlboro Ransomware starts. It might be true that it is not the only distribution method used to disseminate this ransomware infection. Malicious applications might find other ways to enter computers too, according to specialists, for example, it is known that ransomware infections can be placed on computers without permission by Trojans. Do not let another file-encrypting threat ruin your files again in the future – go to install a security application on your computer as soon as possible. It will not let any new computer infection sneak onto your computer unnoticed.

The source code of Marlboro Ransomware is of low quality, according to researchers, so this threat should not become very popular. On top of that, this suggests that it will not be very difficult to get rid of this computer infection. Of course, your files will not be automatically unlocked when you remove this threat, but you should still go to get rid of it as soon as possible. All you need to do is to find and erase the malicious file downloaded recently. Users who cannot find it themselves using our manual removal instructions (see below) should go to scan their computer with an automatic malware remover SpyHunter. It will make all kinds of suspicious applications disappear from the system.

Remove Marlboro Ransomware manually

1. Tap Win+E simultaneously.
2. Find the malicious file on your computer (you should be able to find it in %TEMP%, %USERPROFILE%\Desktop, and %USERPROFILE%\Downloads).
3. Delete it.
4. Delete the ransom note _HELP_Recover_Files_.html.
5. Empty the Recycle bin.