In this article, you will find more information about Wrar virus as well as a step-by-step guide on how to remove malicious files from the infected system and how to potentially recover encrypted .wrar files.
.wrar Virus File
When you see the extension .wrar appended to the names of all your valuable files then your computer is infected with a strain of Dharma ransomware. Apparently the threat Wrar virus is named after the malicious extension it uses. Like a typical data locker ransomware, Wrar virus sneaks into computer systems with the goal to encode personal files and extort a ransom fee for their recovery.
During the attack, it implements a large number of malicious changes that seriously disrupt the security of the infected system. For the Wrar Dharma ransomware attack to begin, the executable file xxx.exe should be started on the system. Afterward, the threat becomes able to scan the system for target files and encodes them with strong cipher algorithms like AES and RSA. Finally, the ransomware drops a ransom message to extort a ransom payment.
Threat Summary
| Name | |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | A data locker ransomware designed to corrupt computer operating systems, encrypt valuable personal fles and extort a ransom fee. |
| Symptoms | All important files are locked and renamed with a string of extensions that ends with the extension .wrar Ransom message popups on screen to request a ransom payment. |
| Ransom Notes | Info.hta, FILES ENCRYPTED.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Corrupted Websites |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss . |
| 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. |
Dharma Ransomware (.wrar File) – Distribution and Impact
A strain of Dharma ransomware that uses the suffix .wrar for files it encrypts has been detected in the wild. The infection files that trigger an attack with the so-called .wrar virus file are likely to be lurking across the web disguised as fake software installers, spam emails with malicious components, phishing websites, malicious advertisements, scam pop-ups, etc.
Malspam is likely to be the most preferred one as it enables hackers to spread the threat on a large scale. This spread technique is realized via email spam messages that attempt to deliver malicious code on targeted PCs. The emails that are part of these campaigns usually attempt to trick you to load a corrupted web page in the web browser or open a file attachment with embedded malicious code on your PC system. The senders of these emails are often stated to be representatives of well-known services and institutions. The email addresses are often spoofed as well.
The moment .wrar virus’s activation file is started on the computer system, it triggers a long sequence of malicious operations that first enable the threat to evade detection and then help it to corrupt the whole system. The ransomware misuses system functionalities by executing malicious files. For example, it creates files that access the Registry Editor on the background of all other processes and adds malicious values there. As a result, the ransomware becomes able to load automatically malicious files every time you start the operating system. So don’t forget to clean your registries when removing the threat from your infected PC.
As a strain of Dharma ransomware family, .PBD virus encrypts target files by utilizing the strong cipher algorithm AES. The encryption process is realized with the help of a built-in cipher module. Once activated this module scans all drives for target types of personal files so it can apply changes to their code.
The primary goal of Wrar virus is to scan system drivers for common files that are likely to store valuable personal information and encrypt these files without being detected. For the encryption process, this Dharma ransomware strain uses strong cipher algorithms like AES and RSA. That’s why it leaves encrypted files completely inaccessible. In addition, it marks the files with several extensions. One of these extensions is the hackers’ associated email supp37@cock.li and another is the .wrar
So here is how a file encrypted by Dharma Wrar ransomware appears:
Following data corruption, the Wrar ransomware will demand a ransom fee for a recovery tool. Unfortunately, you may not be able to view the information stored by the following files of yours:
- Audio files
- Video files
- Document files
- Image files
- Backup files
- Banking credentials, etc
Below you can see the content of the ransom message that appears when the infection process ends:
All FILES ENCRYPTED “RSA1024”
All YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED!!! IF YOU WANT TO RESTORE THEM, WRITE US TO THE E-MAIL supp37@cock.li
IN THE LETTER WRITE YOUR ID, YOUR ID 1E857D00
IF YOU ARE NOT ANSWERED, WRITE TO EMAIL:supp37@cock.li
YOUR SECRET KEY WILL BE STORED ON A SERVER 7 DAYS, AFTER 7 DAYS IT MAY BE OVERWRITTEN BY OTHER KEYS, DON’T PULL TIME, WAITING YOUR EMAIL
FREE DECRYPTION FOR PROOF
You can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
DECRYPTION PROCESS:
When you make sure of decryption possibility transfer the money to our bitcoin wallet. As soon as we receive the money we will send you:
1. Decryption program.
2. Detailed instruction for decryption.
3. And individual keys for decrypting your files.
!WARNING!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
We know that you need to restore encrypted files but we recommend that you refrain from transferring money to cybercriminals. Otherwise, you risk losing both your valuable files and money.
For the sake of your security, it is advisable to clean your infected computer from present malicious files and consider the help of alternative data recovery methods.
Remove .wrar Virus Files (Dharma Ransomware)
The so-called Wrar virus – a Dharma ransomware strain, is a threat with highly complex code that causes damage to both essential system settings and valuable data. Hence, the only way to use your infected computer in a secure manner again is to remove all malicious files and objects created by the ransomware. For the purpose, you can follow our step-by-step removal guide.
In the event that you want to attempt to restore .wrar files with the help of alternative data recovery methods, do check step five – Try to Restore files encrypted by .wrar virus. We remind you to back up all encrypted files to an external drive before the recovery process.
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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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
How to Remove from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove
Step 2: Uninstall and related software 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 uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by 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 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: Scan for with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .
Ransomware infections and 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .
Ransomware infections and 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
FAQ
What is ransomware and how does it work?
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 algorithm how 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.
How does ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways. Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of 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 . files?
You can't. At this point the . files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your . files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore "." files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore . files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important . files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to 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.
