How to decrypt .wallet file ransomware virus

Learn how to go about the predicament where files on a computer become encrypted and get appended with the .wallet extension due to a ransomware attack.

What is .wallet file ransomware? (upd. Jan 2018)

It makes sense to provide a brief retrospective insight into the subject matter of this article first. Breaking news hit the headlines of security resources mid-November 2016: the developers of the prolific CrySiS ransomware released the master decryption keys for their perpetrating software. This seemed like a big win for everyone infected back then. However, the criminals’ craft has had an adverse continuation: unidentified threat actors have revived the code of the defunct threat and created a new crypto infection dubbed Dharma. Having contaminated a Windows machine, the malicious newbie encrypts most of the victim’s personal files and appends the .[attacker_email].wallet or .[attacker_email].dharma extension to each one. The email addresses used in this filename skewing pattern may include:

• decrypt@btcbtcbtc.top
• webmafia@asia.com
• braker@plague.life
• crannbest@foxmail.com
• amagnus@india.com
• stopper@india.com
• bitcoin143@india.com
• worm01@india.com
• funa@india.com
• pay4help@india.com
• lavandos@dr.com
• mkgoro@india.com

Consequently, if a file was named sample.pdf before the compromise, it turns into sample.pdf.[crannbest@foxmail.com].wallet or sample.pdf.[amagnus@india.com].dharma after the ransomware has encrypted it. Again, the email address may vary. Some victims are reporting the .zzzzz extension as well, which is the same as the one used by one of the previous Locky ransomware variants. The file renaming format is different than the one utilized by Locky, though, where the extension is prepended with a random 32-character string. The Dharma offending program also drops ransom instructions called README.txt and README.jpg on the desktop and inside individual directories with scrambled data.

Whereas the CrySiS/Dharma ransomware pioneered in using the .wallet extension as a way to label hostage data entries, this indicator of compromise has since gained popularity with developers of other strains as well. In late March 2017, the Sanctions ransomware started making the rounds, staining encrypted items with this particular suffix. Similarly, the newest variant of the CryptoMix infection active as of May 2017 followed suit. This trend of overlapping use cases has called forth a great deal of ambiguity regarding ransomware identification, making it more difficult to work out which specific .wallet extension ransomware breed a victim is facing.

[decrypt@btcbtcbtc.top] – new strain found in December 2017

As far as the current CryptoMix campaign goes, the ransom notes are called #_RESTORING_FILES_#.txt, and the full extension format is as follows: .[email token].ID[16-character victim ID].wallet. The list of possible email addresses includes admin@hoist.desi, crysis@life.com, shield0@usa.com. The latest known example creates files like [decrypt@btcbtcbtc.top]-id-S88.wallet. These are informative clues for determining the strain. Fortunately, the conventional data recovery mechanisms apply to all samples regardless.

Ultimately, the decryption process revolves around contacting the attackers via the email address indicated in the extension of every locked entry, or in the help file dropped by the infection. The size of the ransom reportedly depends on the number of infected computers. If the ransomware hits an organization’s network, the crooks may demand up to 7 BTC, which is about 5,000 USD. The average amount per computer is 2 BTC and it tends to increase as the time goes by. Some infected users have been able to negotiate the terms of recovery and get the price reduced considerably. Essentially, successful decryption is a function of the availability of a high-entropy private key, which is unique to every incident.

The .wallet (.dharma, .zzzzz) files virus proliferates by means of exploits and phishing. The former technique is only efficient if a targeted user has been neglecting critical software updates. Having browsed to a hacked website, they run the risk of being redirected to an exploit’s landing page, which takes advantage of unpatched programs’ vulnerabilities and executes the ransomware. The latter, phishing, methodology requires users’ manual action. More specifically, they trigger the contamination chain by opening a malicious attachment disguised as an invoice, payroll, CV or job offer. Unfortunately, there is no universal free decryption tool for .wallet files ciphered by the Dharma or CryptoMix virus. In some cases, though, the techniques below may be of help.

.wallet ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When faced with ransomware like .wallet, one of the best shortcuts in terms of removal is to use Combo Cleaner, a lightweight and incredibly effective application with PC security and optimization features under the hood. It detects and thoroughly deletes threats while giving you insights into the overall health of your computer.

This program’s protection power spans modules that forestall all known types of malware, including ransomware and browser hijackers, and take your online security to the next level by blocking phishing sites and other suspicious web pages. Follow these simple steps to eliminate the infection for good:

1. Download Combo Cleaner installer.

Download .wallet remover

^{Combo Cleaner scans your PC with no strings attached, but you’ll have to buy its fully functional version to remove the threats it detects. The disk optimization tools that find large files and duplicates are free to use.}

2. Open the CCSetup.exe file to get started. Several subsequent screens will allow you to make initial customizations so that the program works exactly as you need from the get-go.

3. The installation will be followed by an update of malware signatures. Once this process is through, click the Start Scan button in the left-hand sidebar.

4. Combo Cleaner will then check system locations that are most often polluted by Windows malware. The first scan can take a while to finish.

5. Combo Cleaner will display a system tray notification as soon as the scan is over. Click the Resolve found threats button to view the results.

6. The scan summary shows the names and types of the detected threats as well as their statuses and locations. Click the Remove all threats button and follow further on-screen prompts to get rid of these items.

Data recovery toolkit to the rescue

Some strains of ransomware are known to delete the original files after the encryption routine has been completed. As hostile as this activity appears, it can play into your hands. There are applications designed to revive the information that was obliterated because of malfunctioning hardware or due to accidental removal. The tool called Stellar Data Recovery features this type of a capability and therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So use the app to get an idea of what data can be restored and let it do the recovery job. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

2. Open the application, select the types of recoverable files to look for, and click Next.

3. Choose the areas you want the tool to recover from and click the Scan button.

4. Having scanned the specified locations, the program will display a notification about the total amount of recoverable data. Close the dialog and click the Recover button. This will hopefully help you get some of your valuable files back.

.wallet ransomware manual removal and file recovery

Some ransomware strains terminate themselves after completing the encryption job on a computer, but some don’t. Furthermore, the .wallet virus may prevent victims from using popular antimalware tools in order to stay on board for as long as possible. Under the circumstances, it may be necessary to utilize the Safe Mode with Networking or System Restore functionality.

Be advised that even after the ransomware is removed, files will still be encrypted and inaccessible. The malicious code cleanup part, however, is important because it keeps a relapse of the infection from occurring further on and eliminates all opportunistic malware.

Ways of non-ransom recovery of .wallet files

Cracking the crypto used by this ransom Trojan is more of a science fiction thing rather than an attainable prospect for the masses. This is why the troubleshooting in predicaments of this sort is a matter of two approaches: one is to pay the ransom, which isn’t an option for many victims; and the other is to apply instruments that take advantage of the ransomware’s possible weaknesses. If the latter is your pick, the advice below is a must-try.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid .wallet ransomware and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:

These techniques are certainly not a cure-all, but they will add an extra layer of ransomware protection to your security setup.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup. Another benefit of using the antimalware tool is that it will keep ransomware threats from intruding on your computer further on.

Download .wallet removal tool