Remove Moroccan Dragon Virus

The Moroccan Dragon Virus is a dangerous form of ransomware that encrypts victims’ files and demands a ransom for decryption. This malware spreads through phishing emails, fake software downloads, and malicious websites. Once inside a system, it encrypts files and appends the “.vico Dragon” extension to them, making them inaccessible. The ransomware then drops a ransom note, “case_id.txt”, demanding payment in Bitcoin.

Unlike typical ransomware that claims to restore files upon payment, Moroccan Dragon explicitly states in its ransom note that file recovery is impossible, as it was designed to destroy systems for fun rather than for financial gain. This makes it particularly dangerous, as there is little hope for victims to regain access to their files.

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Moroccan Dragon Virus Summary

Attribute	Details
Threat Type	Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Encrypted File Extension	.vico Dragon
Ransom Note File Name	case_id.txt
Associated Email	None (attackers do not provide a contact method)
Detection Names	May vary across security vendors
Symptoms of Infection	Files are encrypted with .vico Dragon extension, ransom note appears, access to files is blocked, system performance may degrade
Damage Caused	Permanent file encryption, system modifications, registry changes, potential further malware infections
Distribution Methods	Phishing emails, malicious attachments, pirated software, infected websites
Danger Level	Extremely High (No decryption tool, files are lost permanently)

Moroccan Dragon Virus – Ransom Note Text

The ransom note, typically displayed as case_id.txt, contains the following threatening message:

WOOPS, YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED!  
Your important files have been encrypted by a sophisticated ransomware.  

CAN I RECOVER MY FILES?  
No, you can’t recover your files. There is no decryption tool.  
We made this ransomware for no earning purpose, just to destroy your  
system for fun.  

WARNING  
Do not try to reboot or shutdown this system, otherwise the computer will be  
completely damaged. Windows recovery mode has been disabled, shadow  
copies and backup catalog have been deleted, there is no way to escape.  

This message emphasizes that there is no possibility of file recovery, which is highly unusual for ransomware, making it clear that this malware is designed purely for destructive purposes rather than financial extortion.

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What Are .vico Dragon Encrypted Files?

Once Moroccan Dragon infects a system, it encrypts a variety of files, renaming them with the “.vico Dragon” extension. The malware primarily targets:

• Documents – .docx, .pdf, .pptx
• Images – .jpg, .png, .gif
• Videos – .mp4, .avi, .mkv
• Audio Files – .mp3, .wav, .flac
• Archives – .zip, .rar, .7z

Example of an encrypted file:

photo.jpg → photo.jpg.vico Dragon

Only the attackers have the private key necessary for decryption, and they explicitly state in their ransom note that recovery is impossible.

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Manual Ransomware Removal Process

Important: Manual removal is recommended only for experienced users, as incorrect actions can lead to data loss or incomplete removal of the ransomware. If unsure, consider the SpyHunter Removal Method for a guided, automated solution.

Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet

1. Immediately disable Wi-Fi or unplug the Ethernet cable to prevent the ransomware from communicating with remote servers.
2. This can prevent additional encryption or further infections.

Step 2: Boot into Safe Mode

For Windows Users

1. Windows 10/11:
   • Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
   • Under the Boot tab, select Safe boot and check Network.
   • Click Apply, then OK, and restart your PC.
2. Windows 7/8:
   • Restart your PC and press F8 repeatedly before Windows starts.
   • Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.

For Mac Users

1. Restart your Mac and hold the Shift key immediately after the startup chime.
2. Release the key when the Apple logo appears.
3. Your Mac will boot in Safe Mode.

Step 3: Identify and Terminate Malicious Processes

Windows

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Look for unusual processes consuming high CPU or memory.
3. Right-click on the suspicious process and select End Task.

Mac

1. Open Activity Monitor (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor).
2. Look for unknown or high-resource-consuming processes.
3. Select the suspicious process and click Force Quit.

Step 4: Delete Ransomware Files

Windows

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to:
   • C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local
   • C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming
   • C:\Windows\System32
2. Identify and delete suspicious files (randomly named or recently modified items).
3. Clear temporary files:
   • Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and hit Enter.
   • Delete all files in the Temp folder.

Mac

1. Open Finder and select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Type ~/Library/Application Support and check for unfamiliar files or folders.
3. Remove unknown .plist files from ~/Library/LaunchAgents.

Step 5: Remove Ransomware Entries from Registry or System Settings

Windows

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
3. Identify and delete ransomware-related registry entries.

Mac

1. Open System Preferences > Users & Groups.
2. Select the Login Items tab and remove any unknown startup programs.
3. Check ~/Library/Preferences for malicious settings.

Step 6: Restore System Using a Backup or Restore Point

Windows

1. Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and press Enter.
2. Choose a restore point from before the infection and proceed.

Mac

1. Restart your Mac and enter macOS Utilities by holding Command + R.
2. Select Restore from Time Machine Backup and restore a safe backup.

Step 7: Attempt to Decrypt Files

• Check No More Ransom (www.nomoreransom.org) for available decryption tools.
• If unavailable, restore files from backups.

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Automated Ransomware Removal with SpyHunter

If manual removal is too complex or risky, SpyHunter offers a safer, automated method for detecting and removing ransomware.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

• Get SpyHunter from the official Enigma Software website.

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe or .dmg for Mac users).
2. Follow the installation prompts.
3. Launch SpyHunter upon completion.

Step 3: Run a Full System Scan

1. Click Start Scan Now to detect malware and ransomware.
2. Wait for the scan to complete and review detected threats.

Step 4: Remove Detected Ransomware

1. Click Fix Threats to remove identified ransomware components.
2. SpyHunter will clean your system automatically.

Step 5: SpyHunter’s Custom Malware HelpDesk

1. If ransomware persists, use SpyHunter’s Malware HelpDesk for custom malware fixes.

Step 6: Restore Files

• Use backups stored on external drives or cloud storage.
• If no backup is available, check No More Ransom for decryption tools.

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Preventing Future Ransomware Attacks

• Keep backups: Use cloud storage or an external hard drive.
• Install a reliable security tool: SpyHunter offers real-time protection against malware.
• Enable Windows Defender or Mac security features for additional protection.
• Avoid phishing emails and unknown attachments.
• Regularly update Windows, macOS, and installed applications.

Conclusion

This article provides an in-depth look at the Moroccan Dragon Virus ransomware, highlighting its destructive nature, symptoms, and impact. Since there is no available decryption tool, victims are strongly advised to focus on removal and data recovery strategies rather than paying the attackers.