This article explains the issues that occur in case of infection with .war files virus and provides a complete guide on how to remove malicious files and how to potentially recover files encrypted by this ransomware.
Another strain of Dharma ransomware has been detected in the wild once again. Hackers who stand behind the infection campaigns with this ransomware have chosen the specific extension .war for their iteration. Once this threat accesses your device it implements a sequence of malicious activities in order to become able to utilize sophisticated cipher algorithm that in turn encrypts valuable data. The purpose of these activities is ransom fee extortion. So at the end of the attack, the ransomware loads a ransom message on your screen and forces you to contact hackers for more information on how to restore .war files.
Threat Summary
| Name | .war Files Virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A version of the CrySyS/Dharma ransomware that is designed to encrypt valuable files stored on infected computers and then extort a ransom from victims. |
| Symptoms | Important files are encrypted and renamed with the extension .war. A ransom note appears on PC screen to present ransom payment instructions. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .war Files Virus. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
.war Files Virus – Distribution
There are several channels that may be used for the distribution of Dharma .war ransomware. One of those methods is called malwspam. It provides hackers the chance to spread malicious via massive email campaigns. Their malware is usually embedded in any file of common types. As of the emails they are often presented as sent by any legitimate business or service. Unfortunately, their purpose is to trick you into opening the corrupted file on your device and this way trigger the ransomware payload. A variety of common file types such as documents, PDFs, images could be transformed into carriers of ransomware code.
These files are often presented as the following:
- Invoices coming from reputable sites, like PayPal, eBay, etc.
- Documents from what appears to be the victim’s bank.
- An online order confirmation note.
- Receipt for a purchase.
- Others.
Malware authors may be also using compromised sites to spread this variant of Dharma ransomware infection. This method enables them to upload the ransomware configuration file to a compromised web page and set its automatic execution after a registered visit of this page.
.war Files Virus – Overview
The reason why this threat is dubbed .war files virus is an extension of the same name which it appends to each encrypted file. As identified by security researchers this threat is a strain of the infamous Dharma ransomware. In fact, it appears on the malware scene after a series of many other relatively new strains of the same ransomware family. Like its predecessors among which are [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/adobe-files-virus-dharma-remove/”]Dharma .adobe, [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/btc-files-virus-dharma-btcfros-cc-variant-remove-restore-files/”]Dharma .btc, [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/remove-dharma-virus-restore-brrr-files/”]Dharma .brrr and many others, Dharma .war attacks the operating systems of various machines in order to access valuable data stored on the drives.
Soon after the execution of its payload file on your PC, lots of system changes could be noticed. These changes occur as a result of many malicious activities performed by the ransomware. Among the malicious activities applied during the attack could modifications of registry system keys. Usually, target keys are Run and RunOnce due to the fact that they manage the automatic execution of all essential system files that load on each system start. So here are the locations that you should access in order to check for any malicious entries:
→ HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
When .war files virus implements all initial compromises it triggers a built-in encryption module in order to encode all files that belong to its target data list. Unfortunately, it is likely to encode all types of files that store valuable data including:
- Audio files.
- Videos.
- Image files.
- Databases.
- Archives.
Once a file is encrypted by this crypto virus it receives several extensions the last of which is the extension .war. Before it you could see an email address which is associated with hackers. The same email could be seen in the text presented by Dharma .war ransom note which is contained in a file called FILES ENCRYPTED.txt. The purpose of this note is to force you into contacting hackers so that they could send you back more details on how to restore your .war files. Usually this is possible only after you pay them a ransom in Bitcoin.
The good news is that you have the chance to restore .war files with the help of alternative data recovery tools and eventually prevent being tricked by hackers again.
Remove .war Files Virus and Restore Datas
The so-called .war files virus is a threat with highly complex code that plagues not only your files but your whole system. So infected system should be cleaned and secured properly before you could use it regularly again. Below you could find a step-by-step removal guide that may be helpful in attempting to remove this ransomware. Choose the manual removal approach if you have previous experience with malware files. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps select the automatic section from the guide. Steps there enable you to check the infected system for ransomware files and remove them with a few mouse clicks.
In order to keep your system safe from ransomware and other types of malware in future, you should install and maintain a reliable anti-malware program. Additional security layer that could prevent the occurrence of ransomware attacks is [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/the-most-popular-free-anti-ransomware-tools/”]anti-ransomware tool.
Make sure to read carefully all the details mentioned in the step “Restore files” if you want to understand how to fix encrypted files without paying the ransom. Beware that before data recovery process you should back up all encrypted files to an external drive as this will prevent their irreversible loss.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Step 1: Scan for .war Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .war Files Virus and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .war Files Virus on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by .war Files Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .war Files Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .war Files Virus.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and .war Files Virus aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
.war Files Virus-FAQ
What is .war Files Virus Ransomware?
.war Files Virus is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does .war Files Virus Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does .war Files Virus Infect?
Via several ways..war Files Virus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, containing virus attachment. This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
Another way you may become a victim of .war Files Virus is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open ..war Files Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..war Files Virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your ..war Files Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..war Files Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..war Files Virus files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of .war Files Virus Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate .war Files Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..war Files Virus files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can .war Files Virus Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the .war Files Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .war Files Virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the .war Files Virus ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
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