In this article, we will explain the modus operandi of this ransomware, ways to remove damage done to the system, and describe chances to recover files.

How criminals use encryption to extort computer users

To put it shortly, the criminals behind this virus use required technologies to make them the only ones capable of opening your files. As a result, they want you to pay money for tools required to decrypt .moss files back to normal. To prevent any easy data recovery, the malware also deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the system. MOSS ransomware functionality relies on an algorithm which is designed to scan the victim’s computer or network and encrypt various files on the computer. It is important to mention, that viruses like this are usually able to encode a whole variety of files and formats. In fact, it might affect every file in your computer – from .docx or other Microsoft Office files to .exe or .pdf files. So, for example, if you have some important and valuable files like your bachelor’s or master’s files, or valuable business information of your company, you might find yourself in big trouble. To avoid that we highly recommend you create backups as often as possible since no one is fully protected from cyberattacks. Once inside your system, the virus usually uses RSA 2048-bit cipher to make changes to your files. Unfortunately, this type of algorithm is widely known to be almost completely unbreakable – it was designed to transmit secret military information while preventing any third parties from knowing the contents. To explain, every individual case of encryption creates a unique encryption/decryption key pair which is in the hacker’s possession. Obtaining that key might seem like the only viable option since decoding affected files might take years and an unimaginable amount of resources. However, we advise you strongly against this course of action. That is because there is no guarantee that your files will be restored even after the payment is made. In fact, there are countless amount of cases in which the criminals stop responding after receiving the money. In addition, it is important to understand that these crooks are using MOSS ransomware simply out of financial benefit. If they see an opportunity to extort more money from you – they will undoubtedly use it.

_readme.txt contents: pay the price or lose your data

Like every other ransomware from STOP/DJVU family, MOSS virus follows the same scheme of blocking access to your files and then leaving a text file with instructions. These instructions tell you that there is a supposed way to retrieve your files. The user is urged to test the decryption tool with a simple test: the victim needs to send one inaccessible file to the provided emails – helpmanager@mail.ch and restoremanager@airmail.cc and then he will receive it decrypted. This is the case as long the encrypted file does not contain any valuable information or is too big (up to 1024kB). The user is encouraged to pay the price for the decryption key – the message claims, that if he pays up in the first 72 hours, he will get a 50% discount ($490). As mentioned before, you should not meet these demands since it will lead you to unnecessary financial loss. For this reason, it is important to understand there are alternative ways of dealing with this kind of situation. Sometimes the developers of ransom-demanding viruses leave certain flaws in its code. Thus, it might be possible to exploit these and crack the code. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Most of the time the best strategy you can choose under these circumstances is to remove MOSS ransomware or any type of malware from your system completely and then recovering the files that are stored in your backup. However, keep in mind, that you should restore these files only after the complete termination of this dangerous virus. In addition, we recommend using RESTORO for repairing virus damage on the operating system components. This is owing to the fact, that it might corrupt even the back-up files if you are not careful. As for the back-ups themselves, it is best if you keep them in a drive that is disconnected from the internet and other devices. This ensures that you always have a safe way to retrieve your personal data.

Distribution methods of this type of malware

It is no secret that there are a whole bunch of ways that might be exploited by creators of MOSS ransomware to distribute it. One of the most common methods to spread STOP/DJVU ransomware variants like this one and LYLI, NPPH, KOLZ, BOOP, FOQE and others is to include it alongside downloads that are found on various peer-to-peer file sharing sites and platforms. These websites (like zMule, Zippyshare, or Thepiratebay) are the perfect platform to distribute various malware-like programs. So every time before downloading something illegal or from suspicious sources consider this: it might jeopardize your system’s security and that will far outweigh the gained benefits. The second most common distribution method is malspam campaigns. To explain it shortly, hackers use a simple social-engineering scheme – sending thousands of deceitful emails to random Internet users. These emails a whole variety of fraudulent information to trick the user into opening an attached file or a link provided in the email. Once this link or file is pressed on, chances are that you might be exposed to cyberattacks. We strongly recommend you to learn more about ransomware prevention ways to keep your computer and personal files secure.

Complete removal of MOSS ransomware

If you see ant symptoms of being attacked by this file-locking virus, you should take immediate action to remove MOSS ransomware before it or AZORULT does more damage to your system. To ensure this, we recommend you use a software that is designed to deal with the most complex viruses that are out there – using robust anti-malware software will help you to resolve these problems effectively and simply. Our geeks also recommend scanning with RESTORO which will not only make the removal process easier but also will help your system to repair itself after the termination. To ensure successful MOSS virus removal, follow this guide below. 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 MOSS ransomware virus 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 MOSS ransomware virus 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 MOSS files

Fix and open large MOSS 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. MOSS ransomware virus 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 MOSS files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The MOSS 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 MOSS 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 MOSS ransomware virus 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.