Wanna Decryptor 2.0 ransomware removal (upd. Dec. 2017)

The new Wana Decrypt0r 2.0 ransomware (aka Wanna Decryptor), which appends the .WNCRY extension to encrypted files, is taking online extortion attacks to a whole new level.

Although extortion through crypto viruses has been around for years, it’s hard to recall a ransomware sample as rapidly expanding as Wana Decrypt0r 2.0. Its worldwide distribution took root on Friday, May 12, and is currently reaching tens of thousands of infections per hour – a figure never seen in this underground industry before. This nasty specimen is an enhanced offspring of an existing infection known as WCry, which originally surfaced in March. While sharing quite a few characteristics with its predecessor, the newbie uses a different propagation vector and has several indicators of compromise of its own. In particular, it concatenates the .WNCRY, .WCRY, .WNRY or .WNCRYPT string to every file that underwent the cryptographic impact. So for instance, a sample document named Essay.docx will become Essay.docx.WNCRY in the aftermath of this breach. Additionally, the offending code displays a warning window drops a ransom note called @Please_Read_Me@.txt into folders with affected files and the desktop.

The main pane of the ransomware reads, “What happened to My Computer? Your important files are encrypted. Many of your documents, photos, videos, databases and other files are no longer accessible because they have been encrypted.” Unfortunately, this is true. The alert window also displays two countdown timers, the first one showing the amount of time left before the ransom payment will be raised, and the other counting down the time before your files will be lost. The former span is 3 days, and the latter is 7 days. The TXT edition of the decryption how-to contains a similar message, except the time indicators.

To make the attack yet more straightforward, Wanna Decryptor also replaces the victim’s desktop background with a warning image. It says,

Ooops, your important files are encrypted. If you see this text, but don’t see the “Wana Decrypt0r” window, then your antivirus removed the decrypt software or your deleted it from your computer.
If you need your files you have to run the decrypt software.
Please find an application file named “@WanaDecryptor.exe@” in any folder or restore from the antivirus quarntine

The entirety of scary alerts produced by the .WNCRY file virus suffices to pressure the victim into paying up. To redeem all personal information, plagued users are instructed to submit $300 worth of Bitcoin to a specified BTC wallet.

Unlike its less sophisticated forerunner, Wana Decrypt0r 2.0 reportedly relies on NSA exploit dubbed EternalBlue. This is one of the exploits recently leaked by a hacker group identifying themselves as The Shadow Brokers. In a nutshell, what this contamination vector means is it enables ransomware distributors to execute their bad code on computers manually through RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). These types of remote access services are heavily used by small businesses and large corporations, so these are the primary targets for the crooks behind WNCRY malware. This fact became obvious when the ransomware first infected the IT infrastructure of Spanish organizations, including Telefonica, Iberdrola, and Gas Natural. Later on, the plague spread over to the UK, hitting the computer network of the country’s National Health Service (NHS). Since Wana Decrypt0r zeroes in on high-profile targets, companies should adopt urgent countermeasures and have a ransomware incident response plan in place.

Unfortunately, a free decryption tool for .WNCRY extension files has yet to be created. According to preliminary analysis of security researchers, the infection implements the crypto part of its modus operandi flawlessly. So having a plan B that revolves around data backups is imperative. In some cases, a ransomware sample may fail to deploy the attack chain all the way and doesn’t delete Shadow Copies of one’s valuable files. That’s why it’s strongly recommended to try the best practices of forensic recovery before considering the ransom option. The step-by-step guide below will walk you through every alternative workaround to restore hostage information.

.WNCRY file ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When faced with ransomware like .WNCRY file, 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 .WNCRY file 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.

.WNCRY file 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 .WNCRY file 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 file recovery

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 .WNCRY file 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 .WNCRY file removal tool