This removal article has been made with the main purpose to explain what exactly is Werd virus and how you can fully remove this variant of STOP Ransomware from your computer.
The Werd virus is a ransomware infection. One of its main goals is to enter your computer system by bypassing its defenses so it can then encrypt personal files sored on its drives. As a result, you cannot open valuable files. The specific suffix .werd signifies for a corrupted file. The main idea behind Werd virus is to ask you to ransom fee in BitCoin cryptocurrency. According to the ransom message of Werd ransomware if you want to use your files again you need to purchase a decryption tool from hackers. The full text of its ransom message can be found in the file _readme.txt
Read this article to learn how to remove Werd virus from your infected computer and how to try to restore encrypted .werd files.
Threat Summary
| Name | Werd virus |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A variant of STOP Ransomware virus. Aims to encrypt your files and hence lock them away so that you can pay ransom for them. |
| Symptoms | Files have the .Werd virus extension added to them and cannot be opened. The note _readme.txt also appears. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Werd 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. |
Detailed Analysis of Werd Virus – Spreading, Impact, Encryption, Extortion
Werd virus is part of the STOP Ransomware – a nasty family of viruses, whose main idea is to blackmail victims into paying a hefty ransom to hackers so that they can rstore their encrypted files. The latest variants that came out of this virus so far are .leto, .bora and other file extensions.
According to recent research, the primary way of propagation that is used to infect victims with the Werd virus could be to send you an e-mail, that contains it as an attachment. The malicious file attachment is often masked as a legitimate file, that appears like:
- An invoice.
- A receipt for an order.
- Cancelled flight ticket report.
- Purchased product document.
- Warranty.
- A document from your bank.
- Other important documents.
Another way via which the Werd virus could land on your computer is if you open the file after downloading it from the web. Such files can pretend to be:
- Patches for software.
- Game or program cracks.
- Online activators or keygens (like KMSPico fake version).
- Setups of programs or games.
- Portable apps.
When the infection file is downloaded and executed, it triggers an exploit kit that runs the script of Werd virus silently on the affected Windows machine. The outcome of this is that the virus files of Werd virus are downloaded and likey placed in some of the following directories:
- %Windows%
- %System%
- %System32%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
After the Werd virus has successfully situated itself on your computer, it may begin to modify the registry editor of Windows. This can happen by adding Windows registry value strings in the following locations:
→ 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
This is done to get the virus file of this infection to run automatically and encrypt your files.
To encrypt files, the Werd virus uses an AES encryption algorithm in a scan script to detect which files are eligible for encryption. If you happen to be infected with Werd virus, the following files will surely be encoded:
- All types of documents.
- All photos, image files, etc.
- All files that belong to well-known and used programs (Photoshop, Sony Vegas, etc.).
- Files, that are archives. (.zip, .7z, .RAR and other.).
- Database files.
- System image files (.ISO, .dsk, etc.).
Here is how your .werd files will appear once the ransomware transforms their original code:
When the Werd virus encrypts files, it does not scan %Windows% and %AppData% directories because the corruption of some files stored there could damage your whole system and make it crash.
To encrypt your files, the Werd virus uses portions of the file data, which is replaced with the encryption mode (AES), used by it and therefore the files become stripped out of their icon and no longer openable. The .werd virus extension is added so that you know there is something wrong. After encryption, the ransomware drops the _readme.txt ransom note. It reads the following:
Don’t worry my friend, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-xuSAEnnA8P
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
gorentos@bitmessage.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
gorentos2@firemail.cc
Your personal ID:
155Asd3768237IhsdfGOBP20bSrjy6yOFav7tKNgALzgidru3hy3IyaZ3v
The main objective of this note is to get you to contact the “gorentos” e-mails and get you to pay a ransom in the hundreds of dollars in BitCoin. Experts in the field strongly recommend not to pay ransom and support the cyber-criminal operation of the crooks. More to it than that, the STOP Ransomware virus has been updated to steal financial data from your computer and if you use it to enter your credit card details to purcahse BitCoin, your money could be stolen from your bank account.
Remove Werd Virus from Your PC and Try to Restore Files
If you want to safely get rid of Werd virus from your computer we do recommend that you follow the removal instructions that are posted underneath. They include the usage of advanced anti-malware software that will scan for all of the malicious files created by Werd virus. Once the tool detects their exact locations it can delete them and fix present issues. It will secure your PC by eliminating the need of a complete system reinstall.
If you want to restore some of your .werd files, we have created some alternative methods. You can try to restore encrypted files while waiting for a decryptor for Werd virus to come out. When such software is available, we strongly recommend that you visit our removal guide. By keeping track of this article, you will know when a free decryption tool for .werd files is available.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Step 1: Scan for Werd virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Werd 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 Werd 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 Werd 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 Werd virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Werd 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 Werd 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.
Werd virus-FAQ
What is Werd virus Ransomware?
Werd 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 Werd 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 Werd virus Infect?
Via several ways.Werd 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 Werd 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 .Werd virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Werd 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 .Werd virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Werd virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Werd 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 Werd 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 Werd virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Werd 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 Werd 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 Werd virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Werd 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 Werd 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.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.