The ransom note suggests contacting the attackers via one of provided email addresses – restorefiles@firemail.cc or gorentos@bitmessage.ch. The note also suggests attaching one encrypted file to get a decrypted version of it. This way, the ransomware developers want to prove that they actually have data recovery tool, and encourage the victim to pay the ransom. The reason why MBED file virus encrypts files so silently is because it disables firewalls before the data corruption phase. Then the virus takes files hostage by encoding them either using offline or online keys. To better understand what’s the difference between these keys, read the explanation given below.

If the virus manages to establish connection with its remote server, it uses an online key to encrypt data. In such case, there is no hope to recover files. If the virus fails to establish connection with its server, an offline key is then used. An indication of encryption using the offline key is t1 at the end of the personal ID (_readme.txt).

What is more, the virus makes free data recovery impossible as it deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the computer. Further, you may not be able to use any restore points. To decrypt MBED extension files, we kindly suggest reading this guide on data recovery for DJVU ransomware victims.

Threat Summary

Besides taking victims files hostage, MBED ransomware virus installs Azorult Trojan on the system. It is an exceptionally dangerous virus that can steal and transmit your login credentials saved in browser to cyber criminals. If you have recognized the ransomware attack symptoms explained in this article, you need to remove MBED file virus as soon as you can. We suggest using a trustworthy antivirus to complete this task. However, you should not forget to boot your PC in Safe Mode first. Please read the instructions below this article to learn how to eliminate the malware from your computer safely.

DJVU ransomware distribution method remains the same

DJVU, also known as STOP ransomware is known to be distributed via malicious downloads. To clarify, its developers choose illegal software activation tools as a bait for victims. Typically, you can find MBED, LOKF, PEET and other variants of it in software cracks, keygens, and similar content you can download via torrents and other P2P file sharing means. In other words, if you can’t open .mbed file extension files now, it means that you have recently attempted to download and activate licensed software for free. Please remember that it is not legal to do so. In addition, all your files are encrypted now, and there are no ways to recover them.

Remove MBED ransomware to protect your PC and start recovering your files

Keeping malware on the system is not a good idea. Therefore, we suggest you to remove MBED ransomware files as soon as possible. We advise using a strong antivirus to scan and identify all files and configurations related to this DJVU variant. Do not forget to prepare your computer for malware removal by using the instructions provided below. Once MBED removal is done and Azorult Trojan is also deleted, you can safely plug your external storage device with a backup and recover files that were corrupted during the ransomware attack. If you do not have backups, no matter how important your files were, there is NO WAY to recover them. Please refer to the article about STOP/DJVU decryption to understand why. OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system: GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs. Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer. Read full review here. RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically. RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them. Read full review here.

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove MBED ransomware virus, you must start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Below, we provide the easiest ways to boot PC in the said mode, but you can find additional ones in this in-depth tutorial on our website – How to Start Windows in Safe Mode. Also, if you prefer a video version of the tutorial, check our guide How to Start Windows in Safe Mode on Youtube. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users Now, you can search for and remove MBED ransomware files. It is very hard to identify files and registry keys that belong to the ransomware virus, Besides, malware creators tend to rename and change them repeatedly. Therefore, the easiest way to uninstall such type of a computer virus is to use a reliable security program such as INTEGO Antivirus. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users After restoring the system, we recommend scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware software. In most cases, there won’t be any malware remains, but it never hurts to double-check. In addition, we highly recommend checking ransomware prevention guidelines provided by our experts in order to protect your PC against similar viruses in the future.

Alternative software recommendations

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense If you’re looking for an all-in-one system maintenance suite that has 7 core components providing powerful real-time protection, on-demand malware removal, system optimization, data recovery, password manager, online privacy protection and secure driver wiping technology. Therefore, due to its wide-range of capabilities, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense deserves Geek’s Advice approval. Get it now for 50% off. You may also be interested in its full review.

Disclaimer. This site includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission by recommending certain products, at no additional cost for you. We only choose quality software and services to recommend.

Decrypt MBED files

Fix and open large MBED files easily:

It is reported that STOP/DJVU ransomware versions encrypt only the beginning 150 KB of each file to ensure that the virus manages to affect all files on the system. In some cases, the malicious program might skip some files at all. That said, we recommend testing this method on several big (>1GB) files first.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. MBED ransomware is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like BPTO, ISWR, ISZA, BPSM, ZOUU, MBTF, ZNSM (find full list here). This means full data decryption is now possible only if you have been affected by offline encryption key. To decrypt your files, you will have to download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP DJVU, a tool created and maintained by a genius security researcher Michael Gillespie. Note! Please do not spam the security researcher with questions whether he can recover your files encrypted with online key - it is not possible. In order to test the tool and see if it can decrypt MBED files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The MBED decryption tool might display several different messages after failed attempt to restore your files. You might receive one of the following messages: Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [example ID] This message typically means that there is no corresponding decryption key in the decryptor’s database. No key for New Variant online ID: [example ID]Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible This message informs that your files were encrypted with online key, meaning no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair, therefore data recovery without paying the criminals is impossible. Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future. If you were informed that an offline key was used, but files could not be restored, it means that the offline decryption key isn’t available yet. However, receiving this message is extremely good news, meaning that it might be possible to restore your MBED extension files in the future. It can take a few months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. We recommend you to follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here. We strongly recommend backing up your encrypted data and waiting.

Victims of MBED ransomware should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:

In the United States, go to the On Guard Online website.In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website.In Germany, go to the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik website.In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website.In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs Scams website.In the United Kingdom, go to the Action Fraud website.In Canada, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.In India, go to Indian National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.In France, go to the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information.

If you can’t find an authority corresponding to your location on this list, we recommend using any search engine to look up “[your country name] report cyber crime”. This should lead you to the right authority website. We also recommend staying away from third-party crime report services that are often paid. It costs nothing to report Internet crime to official authorities. Another recommendation is to contact your country’s or region’s federal police or communications authority.