WildFire Locker virus: how to decrypt .wflx ransomware files

Although the most reliable way to restore .wflx files encrypted by WildFire Locker is to pay the ransom, a few forensic techniques may do the trick as well.

The WildFire Locker crypto ransomware has gone through ups and downs since the inception of this campaign in mid-July, but a recent abrupt spike in its circulation is quite a wakeup call. This rapidly propagating strain sticks with the conventional attack route for the most part. It uses AES-256 encryption to jumble the inner data structure of a victim’s personal files and then extorts $299 for the decryption key. The effect tends to be far-reaching and tangible as the offending code displays a bevy of alerts, including a twisted desktop background.

Furthermore, every file processed in the course of this compromise undergoes a double modification: first of all, it becomes ciphered and thus inaccessible; secondly, the filename format changes big time. Here is a pattern that demonstrates this transformation: a document named “Agenda.docx” turns into “Agenda #WildFire_Locker#af3bf2##.docx.wflx”, where the “af3bf2” part is a variable ID assigned to the victim, and “wflx” is invariable the extension used in this campaign.

Along with replacing the original desktop wallpaper, the WildFire Locker virus also provides a data recovery roadmap through a combo of the following ransom notes: HOW_TO_UNLOCK_FILES_README_(10-character ID) available in HTML, TXT and BMP format. Here is a snippet of the message inside these instructions: “All your files have been encrypted with a unique 32 characters long password using AES-256 CBC encryption. The only way to get your files back is by purchasing the decryption password! The decryption password will cost $/€299.” In other words, the criminals are trying to sell the AES decryption key for said amount of money. The problem is, only the threat actors have the key, and it is nowhere to be found on the infected computer. There is a 7-day deadline for the payment, after which the ransom will increase to $/€999. The criminals list a few URLs, not all of which are Tor pages, for the contaminated user to follow and end up on the WildFire Locker payment page.

This plague is being distributed mostly via malware-tainted Microsoft Word documents attached to phishing emails. The trick is all about macros, components of MS Office files originally intended to facilitate the use of popular features but also abused by cybercrooks. When an object of this phish opens such an attachment, what they see is some unintelligible text and a recommendation to enable macros that will supposedly turn the junk into readable content. The moment a person does this, WildFire Locker is loaded to the computer’s memory and starts its filthy job. So don’t open suspicious files received over email. If the breach has taken place, be sure to try the tips below before making any deals with the attackers.

WildFire Locker ransomware automated removal and data recovery

Owing to an up-to-date database of malware signatures and intelligent behavioral detection, the recommended software can quickly locate the infection, eradicate it and remediate all harmful changes. So go ahead and do the following:

1. Download and install the antimalware tool. Open the solution and have it check your PC for PUPs and other types of malicious software by clicking the Start Computer Scan button

Download WildFire Locker virus remover

2. Rest assured the scan report will list all items that may harm your operating system. Select the detected entries and click Fix Threats to get the troubleshooting completed.

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.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid WildFire Locker 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 WildFire Locker ransomware removal tool