What is Mikel ransomware?
A new ransomware-like malware called Mikel has already started to target Windows users. At the start of February 2022, computer specialists made the discovery. The virus operates similarly to any other cryptovirus by encrypting users’ data and then requesting payment to unlock it. No matter how crucial these facts are to you, it is not the greatest decision. There is no need to pay to have your files decrypted if your computer has the FancyLeaks ransomware since, in most situations, fraudsters will want additional money even if you pay the whole ransom amount. Instead of paying a ransom, you may use this instruction to remove Mikel ransomware and decrypt .mikel files for free.
Screenshot of encrypted by Mikel virus files:
Once the encryption procedure is done, you won’t be able to open files with .mikel extension unless they are decrypted. For example, myfamily.jpg file will turn into myfamily.jpg.mikel. Afterward, Mikel ransomware leaves Mikel_Help.txt file that contains payment instructions.
The content of ransom note (“Mikel_Help.txt”):
Your data have been Stolen, encrypted and inaccessible
Your critical information has been downloaded, including databases, financial/developmental, accounting, and strategic documents.
The file structure has been changed to unreadable format, but you can recover them all with our tool.
If payment is not made and if we don t hear anything from you for a while, your data will be leaked on TOR darknet and your competitors can have access to your data, we will also attack your company over and over again in the future.If you want to decrypt all of your data and return your systems to operative state, you require a decryption tool, we are the only ones who own it, and also, if you want your stolen data will be wiped out from our website, you better contact us at the following email addresses:
You can write us to our mailbox:
Mikel@cyberfear.com
Mikel@onionmail.comwrite this in the email title:
ID: –* Make sure to include the ID in the email subject line, otherwise we wont answer your emails.
++++ What assurance is provided that we will not deceive you?
It’s just a business and we don’t pursue any political objectives. We absolutely do not care about you and your data, except getting benefits, money and our reputation are the only things that matters to us. if we do not do our work and liabilities, nobody will cooperate with us which is not in our interests.
Prior to the payment, and to check the ability to return files, you can send us 3 files (under 5MB) of any format that do not include sensitive information. We will decrypt them and send them back to you. That is our guarantee.++ Important
If you want the decryption procedure to be effective, DO NOT delete or modify the encrypted files, it will cause issues with the decryption process.++ Beware
Any organization or individual who asserts they can decrypt your data without paying us should be avoided. They just deceive you and charge you much more money as a consequence; they all contact us and buy the decryption tool from us.If you do not cooperate with us, it does not matter to us, But you have to accept its consequences:
*Your data will be leaked for free on TOR darknet and your competitors can have access to your data.
*We know exactly what vulnerabilities exist in your network and will inform google about them.
*We are experts in Negative SEO. We will do irreparable harm to your website.The money we asked for is nothing compare to all of these damages to your business, so we recommend you to pay the price and secure your business, simple.
If you pay, we will give you tips for your security, so it can t be hacked in the future.
besides, you will lose your time and data cause we are the only ones that have the private key. In practice, time is much more valuable than money.
There are two solutions to remove Mikel Ransomware and decrypt your files. The first is to use an automated removal tool. This method is suitable even for inexperienced users since the removal tool can delete all instances of the virus in just a few clicks. The second is to use the Manual Removal Guide. This is a more complex way that requires special computer skills.
How Mikel ransomware gets on my computer?
Cybercriminals use various techniques to deliver the virus to the target computer. Ransomware viruses can infiltrate victims’ computers more than in one or two ways, in most cases, a cryptoviral extortion attack is carried out with the help of the following methods:
| Name | Mikel |
| Type of threat | Ransomware, cryptovirus, file-locking virus |
| File Extension | .mikel |
| Ransom Note | Mikel_Help.txt |
| Contact | mikel@cyberfear.com, mikel@onionmail.com |
| Distribution | Spam email attachments, RDP, pirated software, torrent websites, phishing sites |
| Removal Tool |
In order to completely remove ransomware from your computer, you will need to install an antivirus software. We recommend using SpyHunter |
| Recovery Tool |
The only effective method to restore files is to copy them from a saved backup. If you don’t have a suitable backup, you may use third-party recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery |
How to remove Mikel ransomware?
Recommended Solution:
Try SpyHunter
SpyHunter is a powerful tool that is able to keep your Windows clean. It would automatically search out and delete all elements related to malware. It is not only the easiest way to eliminate malware but also the safest and most assuring one. The full version of SpyHunter costs $42 (you get 6 months of subscription). By clicking the button, you agree to EULA and Privacy Policy. Downloading will start automatically.
Try Stellar Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery is one of the most effective tools that can recover lost and corrupted files — documents, emails, pictures, videos, audio files, and more — on any Windows device. The powerful scan engine can detect compromised files and finally save them to specified destination. Despite its advancedness, it’s very concise and simple so that even the most inexperienced user can figure it out.
Try MailWasher
Email security is the first line of defense against ransomware viruses. To do this, we recommend that you use MailWasher. MailWasher blocks ransomware viruses coming through spam and phishing, and automatically detects malicious attachments and URLs. In addition, malicious messages can be blocked even before the recipient opens them. Since the main source of the spread of ransomware viruses are infected emails, antispam significantly reduces the risk of a virus appearing on your computer.
After the virus is completely removed from your system, you can already start restoring your files directly.
How to decrypt files infected by Mikel Ransomware?
Method 1. Restore your files with the help of Recovery Tool
In case your PC has been attacked by ransomware, you may restore your files by using file recovery software. Stellar Data Recovery is one of the most effective tools that can recover lost and corrupted files — documents, emails, pictures, videos, audio files, and more — on any Windows device. The powerful scan engine can detect compromised files and finally save them to specified destination. Despite its advancedness, it’s very concise and simple so that even the most inexperienced user can figure it out.
- Run Stellar Data Recovery.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next.
- Select the drive and folder where your files are located and date that you want to restore them from and press Scan.
- Once the scanning process is done, click Recover to restore your files.
- After this, select a destination and click Start Saving to save restored data.
Since new ransomware-type viruses appear almost every day, there is no technical possibility to issue a decryptor for each virus. In this case, the recovery tool comes to the rescue. Despite the fact that this is one of the most effective methods in the absence of a decryptor, this is not 100 percent and not the only way.
Method 2. Restore the system using System Restore
Although the latest versions of Mikel Ransomware can remove system restore files, this method may help you partially restore your files. Give it a try and use standard System Restore to revive your data. The entire process is preferably carried out in Safe Mode with Command Prompt:
For Windows XP/Vista/7 users:
Restart your computer and before your system starts – hit F8 several times. This will prevent the system from loading and will show Advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe mode with Command Prompt option from the options list using the up and down arrows on your keyboard and hit Enter.
For Windows 8/10 users:
- Click the Start button, then select Settings
- Click Update & Security, then select Recovery and click Restart now.
- After your device reboots, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options >Startup Settings > Restart
- After your PC restarts, you should press F5 key to Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
After the system is loaded in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, do following:
- In the Command Prompt window, type cd restore and hit Enter.
- Then type rstrui.mikel and hit Enter again.
- Once a new window shows up, click Next.
- Choose the date before the infection appearance and click Next again
- In the opened pop-up window, click Yes to start system restore.
Method 4. Roll the files back to the previous version
Previous versions can be copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup (if active) or copies of files and folders created by System Restore. You can use this feature to restore files and folders that you accidentally modified or deleted or damaged. This feature is available in Windows 7 and later versions.
- Click the encrypted file and choose Properties
- Open the Previous Version tab
- Select the latest version and click Copy
- Click Restore
How to prevent your system from Ransomware?
No one is safe from infection with a virus that secretly encrypts your data. But in order to minimize this risk, you need to follow the rules:
1. Always make Windows updates on time and keep them up to date. Remember that these updates close the security holes in the system through which the virus can enter your computer.
2. The most efficient way to avoid data loss is of course to make a backup of all important data from your computer. It is enough just to synchronize the necessary folders with one of the cloud services, so as not to be afraid to see the text requiring the payment of bitcoins in exchange for a decryption key. It can be a cloud or a remote hard drive on the network. If you store all your files on the Internet, the likelihood of virus infection will be lower. Do not make copies to external hard drives, as this could damage them.
3. Since spam email is the most popular form of spreading ransomware-type viruses, the user should never open email attachments without first having scanned them with antivirus. Just clicking on the link or opening the attachment can damage the operating system (Windows) in a few minutes, damage important data, and infect other machines with the virus.
Try MailWasher
Email security is the first line of defense against ransomware viruses. To do this, we recommend that you use MailWasher. MailWasher blocks ransomware viruses coming through spam and phishing, and automatically detects malicious attachments and URLs. In addition, malicious messages can be blocked even before the recipient opens them. Since the main source of the spread of ransomware viruses are infected emails, antispam significantly reduces the risk of a virus appearing on your computer.
3. Ransomware-type viruses often crawl into a system using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). RDP is a legitimate and useful feature that allows a user to take control of a remote computer or virtual machine over a network connection. But, at the same time, this is its Achilles’ heel as it’s poorly secured and has many vulnerabilities that can give hackers easy entry into the victim’s computer. In this case, we advise you to set a different from the 3389 TCP port and use a more strong password. You can additionally protect yourself from virus penetration through an RDP connection with the help of a reliable firewall such as GlassWire’s Firewall
5. All previous methods do not matter if you do not have a reliable antivirus. The presence of anti-virus protection on your computer can prevent all these unpleasant surprises. Anti-virus protection will protect you from malware, money loss, time loss, and invasion of your personal life. Now the antivirus market is so huge that it is difficult to make a choice in favor of one of them. If you have not decided who to give preference to, we suggest you familiarize yourself with our Top 5 Antivirus Software for Windows
Written by Ilyas J