Desu Ransomware Removal Guide

One single security backdoor is enough for Desu Ransomware to slither into your operating system successfully. This dangerous threat was created to slither in without your notice and to encrypt files without leaving a single option for you to restore them manually. In fact, this malicious threat goes further by encrypting the MBR, which stands for “master boot record.” Once the threat is done, you cannot even boot Windows normally to check what was done. Instead of booting the operating system, the computer boots up to a screen that delivers the ransom demands. Strangely enough, the infection also creates TXT files to deliver the same demands, but, of course, the victims cannot even get to them. Our research team has thoroughly analyzed the infection, and we can provide you with information that will help you delete Desu Ransomware. Unfortunately, at this point, we cannot offer you a solution that would help you recover encrypted files. Note that you cannot recover them by removing the ransomware either.

The creator of Desu Ransomware might use spam emails and remote access connection to introduce victims to the malicious infection. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough data about the distribution of this malware to comment on it further. Just keep in mind that cyber criminals can use many different methods to spread malware. All in all, if the infection is dropped and executed successfully, it can employ XETA and TEA encryption algorithms to encrypt files. Besides encrypting data – which includes MBR files – and creating TXT files in the folders where files are corrupted, the infection also deletes shadow volume copies to ensure that victims cannot restore personal files using internal backup. Do you have backups for your files online or external drives? If you do, your only two worries include fixing the MBR and removing Desu Ransomware. If you do not use backups, you might feel trapped. This is what the creator of the ransomware wants you to feel because they want you to believe that they are the only ones who can offer you a solution. That is partially true, but the thing is that their solution is likely to be part of a scam.

According to the ransom note that is represented on the boot screen and three ransom note files (@_DECRYPT_@.txt, @_DECRYPT2_@.txt, and @_DECRYPT3_@.txt), the encrypted files can be recovered only if a payment of 200 USD is made. Cyber criminals are demanding victims to pay the ransom in Bitcoins to 1ARDXRQsvnsYiM5jZczFagtCrAzSFC1Qmy (a Bitcoin Wallet address) and then send them a special ID to j0ra@protonmail.com. The ransom note suggests that a “private key” – which you need to decrypt files – would be sent to you only if you fulfilled these demands. Although you do need a private key, you would be taking a huge gamble by trusting cyber criminals. They will gladly take your money if you give it to them, but they are unlikely to give you the decryptor you need. Therefore, it is most likely that even if you give up all your money, the corrupted files with the added “.desu” extension will remain corrupted. Unfortunately, there are no “buts” or “howevers” that we could follow up with. If the threat got in and encrypted your files, that is the end of the story for files. Of course, it is not the end of the story when it comes to removal.

It takes a few steps to remove Desu Ransomware from the operating system. That is not the hard part. The hard part is restoring access to the system. As we mentioned already, you need to fix the MBR before you can move on, and you can do that if you have the Windows installation disk. If you do not have experience reinstalling Windows, you might think you cannot proceed, and if you really believe that you can always seek help from fiends or experienced technicians. However, we believe you can successfully repair MBR using the guide below. Do NOT forget to delete Desu Ransomware at the end! If you are not able to do so manually, have no hesitation about installing an anti-malware program that will take care of things automatically. You certainly should do that if you care about the future of your virtual security because anti-malware software can take care of that too.

How to restore MBR

Windows 10/Windows 8.1/Windows 8:

1. Insert the installation disk.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Select Boot Windows with CD-ROM Drive.
4. Pick the right settings and click Next.
5. Click Repair your computer.
6. Move to the Troubleshoot menu.
7. Select Command Prompt.
8. Type the command into the window and tap Enterevery one:
   • bootrec /fixmbr
   • bootrec /fixboot
   • bootrec /scanos
   • bootrec /rebuildbcd
9. Once the MBR is fixed, eject the CD.
10. Type exit into the command and tap Enter.
11. Boot the computer and then delete the ransomware.

Windows 7/ Windows Vista:

1. Follow steps 1-5 using the guide above (Windows 10… instructions).
2. Move to the System Recovery Options.
3. Select the version of your operating system and click Next.
4. Select Command Prompt.
5. Type the command into the window and tap Enterevery one:
   • bootrec /fixmbr
   • bootrec /fixboot
   • bootrec /rebuildbcd
6. Once the MBR is fixed, eject the CD.
7. Type exit into the command and tap Enter.
8. Boot the computer and then delete the ransomware.

Windows XP:

1. Follow steps 1-3 using the guide above (Windows 10… instructions).
2. When you reach the Welcome to Setup menu, tap R.
3. Type 1 when asked which Windows you run and then tap Enter.
4. Enter the Administrator password and then tap Enter.
5. Type fixmbr into the window and then tap Enter (click Y if asked to confirm).
6. Tap Enter once more and then eject the CD.
7. Type exit into the command and tap Enter.
8. Boot the computer and then delete the ransomware.

How to delete Desu Ransomware

1. Right-click and Delete the {unknown name}.exe (the launcher) of the ransomware. If you cannot find the file, rely on a legitimate anti-malware tool to eliminate it automatically.
2. Find and Delete all copies of these ransom note files(should find them in folders with corrupted files):
   • @_DECRYPT_@.txt
   • @_DECRYPT2_@.txt
   • @_DECRYPT3_@.txt
3. Once you Empty Recycle Bin, perform a full system scan using a malware scanner you can trust.