Computers on Focus - Online Security Guide

05:20 pm
10 December 2024

.MOLE03 Ransomware – How to Remove and Get Files Back

Read this post to learn how to remove .MOLE03 ransomware and restore files that have been encrypted by this virus.

.MOLE03 file extension is the file extension used by the latest version of Mole ransomware virus. The infection is in it’s third version now and the cyber-criminals are focused on infecting even more users than before. The e-mails sent spreading .MOLE03 ransomware have been reported to contain fake e-mail attachments that pose as invoices and other types of seemingly legitimate objects and once you open them, it becomes too late. In case you have been infected by the .MOLE03 file virus, we reccomend to read this post.

Threat Name .MOLE03
Category Ransomware virus.
Main Activity Infects the computer after which encrypts important documents and holds them hostage until a ransom is paid.
Signs of Presence Files are encrypted with the .MOLE03 file extension.
Spread Via malicious e-mail spam and set of infection tools.
Detection+Removal DOWNLOAD REMOVAL TOOL FOR .MOLE03
File Recovery Download Data Recovery Software, to see how many files encrypted by .MOLE03 ransomware you will be able to recover.

Which Files May Get Affected by .MOLE03 Ransomware?

.MOLE03 Ransomware serves as a typical file-encoding Trojan. As soon as it gets access to your machine, this cryptomalware will perform a quick scan to find the paths to all of your personal files. The targeted data includes all MS Office documents, your precious photos and videos, your databases, the program files, etc. Only a few files such as the ones related to the core Windows processes may be spared. Once the operation ends, you will notice a threatening lockdown message on your desktop and the default file extension will become ‘.dll’. The cyber criminals give the victims only several days pay the ransom of Bitcoins, or else they threaten to delete forever the decryption key. The purpose of this frightening message is to shock the person and make him act irrationally. The victims often feel as the only solution to the issue is to pay the money. In reality, all specialists unanimously recommend not to follow the instructions of the hackers for several different reasons.

How to Protect Yourself from .MOLE03 Ransomware?

This ransomware may cause huge and often irreversible damage to the affected machines. Fortunately, you can prevent the infection as long as you are vigilant during your online sessions. This Trojan isn’t known to use some unique methods to infiltrate the defenses of your computer. The most probable cause for .MOLE03 Ransomware to enter is via spam emails. You may receive a message with a shocking content, encouraging you to either click on a malicious link or download a compromised file. The hackers have a whole arsenal of tools to manipulate you into doing so. For example, they may claim to represent an international bank or some popular shipping company. If they address you without mentioning your name, the email is probably a scam and you should ignore it. Unfortunately, if you simply click or download the infected file, your action will most likely be enough to activate the harmful codes of .MOLE03 Ransomware. In this case, only a credible security solution may be able to prevent the forthcoming damage.

How to Delete .MOLE03Ransomware and Decrypt Your Files for Free?

The main reasons not to pay the ransom are two. First, you may not receive the promised unlocking key even after doing exactly as the hackers demand. They often scam the victims because the Bitcoin platform doesn’t allow refunds and the people have no way to get their money back. The second reason not to finance cyber criminals is that your money will only motivate them to create more aggressive ransomware like .MOLE03. On the other hand, if their attacks are in vain, they may stop spamming the web with such malicious Trojans. These parasites require quite some efforts to be created professionally and spread efficiently.

Once you decide not to pay the ransom, there are several other ways that may help you decrypt your personal files. You should begin the attempts by removing all traces of the malware. If you fail to delete .MOLE03 Ransomware properly, it may decrypt your files once again in the future or spread to other connected devices. The manual removal is not the recommended solution since it requires expert-level knowledge in computers. The most reliable tactic is to use dedicated security software that has added F.MOLE03 Ransomware to its database. Once the scan finishes, you should try some of the programs for restoration of files or the integrated System Restore feature. If you are lucky enough to have a spare copy of your files on some external device, you can import them back to your computer safely.

Booting in Safe Mode

For Windows:
1) Hold Windows Key and R
2) A run Window will appear, in it type “msconfig” and hit Enter
3) After the Window appears go to the Boot tab and select Safe Boot

Cut out .MOLE03 in Task Manager

1) Press CTRL+ESC+SHIFT at the same time.
2) Locate the “Processes” tab.
3) Locate the malicious process of .MOLE03, and end it’s task by right-clicking on it and clicking on “End Process”

Eliminate .MOLE03‘s Malicious Registries

For most Windows variants:
1) Hold Windows Button and R.
2) In the “Run” box type “Regedit” and hit “Enter”.
3) Hold CTRL+F keys and type .MOLE03 or the file name of the malicious executable of the virus which is usually located in %AppData%, %Temp%, %Local%, %Roaming% or %SystemDrive%.
4) After having located malicious registry objects, some of which are usually in the Run and RunOnce subkeys delete them ermanently and restart your computer. Here is how to find and delete keys for different versions.
For Windows 7: Open the Start Menu and in the search type and type regedit –> Open it. –> Hold CTRL + F buttons –> Type .MOLE03 Virus in the search field.
Win 8/10 users: Start Button –> Choose Run –> type regedit –> Hit Enter -> Press CTRL + F buttons. Type .MOLE03 in the search field.

Automatic Removal of .MOLE03

DOWNLOAD REMOVAL TOOL FOR .MOLE03
The free version of SpyHunter will only scan your computer to detect any possible threats. To remove them permanently from your computer, purchase its full version. Spy Hunter malware removal tool additional information/SpyHunter Uninstall Instructions

Recover files encrypted by the .MOLE03 Ransomware.

Method 1: Using Shadow Explorer. In case you have enabled File history on your Windows Machine one thing you can do is to use Shadow Explorer to get your files back. Unfortunately some ransomware viruses may delete those shadow volume copies with an administrative command to prevent you from doing just that.

Method 2: If you try to decrypt your files using third-party decryption tools. There are many antivirus providers who have decrypted multiple ransomware viruses the last couple of years and posted decryptors for them. Chances are if your ransomware virus uses the same encryption code used by a decryptable virus, you may get the files back. However, this is also not a guarantee, so you might want to try this method with copies of the original encrypted files, because if a third-party program tampers with their encrypted structure, they may be damaged permanently. Here are the vendors to look for:

  • Kaspersky.
  • Emsisoft.
  • TrendMicro.

Method 3: Using Data Recovery tools. This method is suggested by multiple experts in the field. It can be used to scan your hard drive’s sectors and hence scramble the encrypted files anew as if they were deleted. Most ransomware viruses usually delete a file and create an encrypted copy to prevent such programs for restoring the files, but not all are this sophisticated. So you may have a chance of restoring some of your files with this method. Here are several data recovery programs which you can try and restore at least some of your files:

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