.waifu Files Virus (Dharma Ransomware)

by Ventsislav Krastev | Last Update: January 2, 2023 | 0 Comments

This article has been written to explain more about what is the .waifu variant of Dharma ransomware, how to remove it from your PC and how you can try to restore .waifu, encrypted files.

Yet another variant of the notorious Dharma ransomware virus has been detected, this time using the .waifu file extension, which it adds to the files, encrypted by the virus. The new variant of Dharma is a part of a recent wave of variants of the same virus, which could be a sign of the malware being spread as a RaaS (Ransomware-as-a-service) on the deep web. The new Dharma variant is also the type of virus, which leaves the files with a unique id, plus leaves the e-mail of the crooks to contact them in order to pay a hefty ransom in order to get the encrypted files recovered back to their original working state. If your computer has been affected by the .waifu Dharma ransomware virus, we recommend that you read this article and learn how you can remove this Dharma variant and how you can restore files, encrypted by it on your computer.

On this page:

Threat Summary .waifu Dharma Ransomware – Distribution Methods .waifu Files Variant of Dharma – Analysis .waifu Dharma Virus – Encryption Process Remove Dharma Ransomware and Restore .waifu Encrypted Files

Threat Summary

Name	.waifu Dharma Virus
Type	Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description	A variant of Dharma ranosmware. Encrypts files on your computer and then holds them hostage until a ransom is paid.
Symptoms	Files are no longer able to be opened and have the [Darknes@420blaze.it].waifu suffix added to their names.
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 .waifu Dharma 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.

.waifu Dharma Ransomware – Distribution Methods

There have been numerous methods by which you can become a victim of this variant of Dharma ransomware. The main one, that is also used with other versions of the virus has been reported to be malicious e-mails, also known as malspam. These e-mails may pose as legitimate type of files that seem important, for example:

Invoices.
Receipts.
Banking documents.
Suspicious activity on your account.
Something that is work – related.
A CV of a new employee.

The e-mail messages are also very well designed and in most cases they tend to imitate reputable companies, like PayPal, eBay, DHL, Dropbox, LinkedIn and other seemingly important services, for example:

The primary method of infecton with the .waifu variant of Dharma includes carrying a malicious file In those e-mails that may be of the following types:

→ .zip, .js, .rar, .bat, .vbs, .exe, .sfx, .pdf, .docx, .docm

In the events that the malicious files, belonging to this variant of Dharma ransomware have been spread in .pdf or .docx or .docm formats, they are linkey=d documents that seem legitimate but can infect your PC via malicious macros, once you enable the editing of those documents.

Furthermore, in addition to this, the .waifu variant of Dharma ransomware may also have it’s infection file uploaded on the web and pretending to be a legitimate setup, patch, crack, portable version of a program or any other similar software.

.waifu Files Variant of Dharma – Analysis

The .waifu variant is very similar to most Dharma ransomware viruses we have detected so far, except the first one, which was decryptable.

The ransomware uses two main infection files, which were uploaded and tweeted by researchers.

→ SHA-256: 26653834234b4abf4f3c5f90a135ab74e0eb1e089d6be8934a08dbaf03858dde
Name:unlikexpc.exe
Size:311.57 KB

SHA-256:a1ac896f8be90f43aa83fc5442cdf7715396f7d385aee604f22e3cf2cb462f62
Size:92.5 KB

Once the unlikexpc.exe infection file is dropped on the victim’s computer, the .waifu variant of Dharma ransomware is activated and performs malicious actions on the following Windows system files:

→ C:\WINDOWS\system32\winime32.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ws2_32.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ws2help.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\psapi.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\mscoree.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\imm32.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lpk.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\usp10.dll
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\EB93A6\996E.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\mscoreei.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\mscorwks.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\clr.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\MSVCR100_CLR0400.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\Config\machine.config
C:\WINDOWS\assembly\NativeImages_v4.0.30319_32\index18.dat
C:\WINDOWS\assembly\NativeImages_v4.0.30319_32\mscorlib\cece9d0256e18427b64587ba690605d4\mscorlib.ni.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rpcss.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\MSCTF.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\Culture.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\locale.nlp
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\nlssorting.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\SortDefault.nlp
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\clrjit.dll
C:\WINDOWS\assembly\pubpol1.dat
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\mscorrc.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\assembly\GAC_MSIL\Microsoft.VisualBasic\v4.0_10.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a\Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
C:\WINDOWS\assembly\NativeImages_v4.0.30319_32\System\7169c473071af03077b1cd2a9c1dbcbe\System.ni.dll
C:\WINDOWS\assembly\NativeImages_v4.0.30319_32\System.Core\4a9f25bff4bb74c9b6a21091923307d2\System.Core.ni.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rsaenh.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\crypt32.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\xpsp2res.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\diasymreader.dll

Furthermore, the malicious file of Dharma ransomware interacts with the following registry keys in Windows Registry Editor:

→ \Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\996E.exe
\Registry\MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Option
\Registry\Machine\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers
\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers\TransparentEnabled
\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-1482476501-1645522239-1417001333-500\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mscoreei.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ntdll.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\KERNEL32.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\GDI32.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\USER32.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\Secur32.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\RPCRT4.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ADVAPI32.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msvcrt.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\WS2HELP.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\WS2_32.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\SHLWAPI.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\PSAPI.DLL
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\winime32.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mscoree.dll
\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mscoree.dll\CheckAppHelp
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\IMM32.DLL
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\USP10.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\LPK.DLL
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MSVCR100_CLR0400.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\clr.dll
\REGISTRY\MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\996E.exe\RpcThreadPoolThrottle
\REGISTRY\MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Rpc
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ole32.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mscorlib.ni.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MSCTF.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\culture.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\nlssorting.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\clrjit.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\VERSION.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\rsaenh.dll
\REGISTRY\MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\System.ni.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\System.Core.ni.dll
\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug
\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\DebugApplications
\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-1482476501-1645522239-1417001333-500\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\DebugApplications
\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-1482476501-1645522239-1417001333-500\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\PCHealth\ErrorReporting
\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\PCHealth\ErrorReporting
\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PCHealth\ErrorReporting\ShowUI
\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PCHealth\ErrorReporting\DoReport
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\diasymreader.dll
\Registry\Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\xpsp2res.dll

Then, the .waifu variant of Dharma ransomware proceeds to terminate the following Windows process:

→ C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\EB93A6\996E.exe

Dharma ransomware also creates several mutexes on the infected Windows machine:

→ CTF.LBES.MutexDefaultS-1-5-21-1482476501-1645522239-1417001333-500
CTF.Compart.MutexDefaultS-1-5-21-1482476501-1645522239-1417001333-500
CTF.Asm.MutexDefaultS-1-5-21-1482476501-1645522239-1417001333-500
CTF.Layouts.MutexDefaultS-1-5-21-1482476501-1645522239-1417001333-500
CTF.TMD.MutexDefaultS-1-5-21-1482476501-1645522239-1417001333-500
CTF.TimListCache.FMPDefaultS-1-5-21-1482476501-1645522239-1417001333-500MUTEX.DefaultS-1-5-21-1482476501-1645522239-1417001333-500

In addition to those activities, the malware may also delete your shadow volume copies and disable Windows Recovery. This is done by running Windows Command Prompt as an administrator and executing the following commands in /quiet mode, so that the whole activity is hidden:

→ sc stop VVS
sc stop wscsvc
sc stop WinDefend
sc stop wuauserv
sc stop BITS
sc stop ERSvc
sc stop WerSvc
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe” /C vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet

.waifu Dharma Virus – Encryption Process

Once infected by the .waifu variant of Dharma ransomware, your documents, videos, images, audio files, archives, databases and many other important files, become it’s target. The virus scans for files by checking their file extensions. In this case, the .waifu Dharma variant may look for the following file types to encrypt them:

“PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRFEncodedFiles .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJR.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”

Once the files are detected, the .waifu variant of Dharma uses the same encryption model as the variant it’s based on, which first used the .cezar file extension.

After the virus encrypt the files on your computer it leaves them in a crippled state and they start to look like the following image shows:

The files are encrypted with the AES cipher, which generates a decryption key that is used effectively only by the cyber-crooks after the victim pays the ransom, which is requested in cryptocurrency tokens, like BitCoin or Monero. Paying the ransom is not among the recommended things to do, since you cannot trust these people to recover your files.

Remove Dharma Ransomware and Restore .waifu Encrypted Files

Before starting any removal process, we strongly advise you to backup your files, even though they can no longer be opened. And not only this, but we also recommend that you learn how to safely store them(https://sensorstechforum.com/safely-store-your-important-files-and-protect-them-from-malware/) in the future, to prevent any damages.

To remove Dharma ransomware, you are welcome to follow the removal instrucitons down below. They are created to help you delete this malware either manually or automatically from your PC. Be advised that if manual removal is not something you feel confident in doing, we strongly recommend that you remove Dharma by using an advanced anti-malware software. Such tool aims to automatically scan your computer for any files, objects and settings that are malicious and then make sure that they are safely removed from your PC.

If you want to restore .waifu, encrypted files, you can try to use the alternative methods in step “4. Try to restore files, encrypted by .waifu Dharma virus”. They are not a 100% guarantee to recover all your files, but their main idea is to help recover as many files as possible.

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.

Step 1: Scan for .waifu Dharma Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

scan for and delete ransomware virus step 2

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

scan for and delete ransomware virus step 3

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

scan for and delete ransomware virus step 4

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide

Step 2: Uninstall .waifu Dharma 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear. delete ransomware from windows step 1

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER. delete ransomware from windows step 2

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall" delete ransomware from windows step 3

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .waifu Dharma 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 .waifu Dharma Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK. delete ransomware virus registries step 1

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above. delete ransomware virus registries step 2

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it. delete ransomware virus registries step 3

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.

IMPORTANT!
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 .waifu Dharma Virus

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows Key + R. remove ransomware in safe mode step 1

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK. remove ransomware in safe mode step 2

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK". remove ransomware in safe mode step 3

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode. remove ransomware in safe mode step 4

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen. remove ransomware in safe mode step 5

Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .waifu Dharma 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:

stop ransomware decryptor step 1

2. Agree with the license terms:

stop ransomware decryptor step 2

3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:

stop ransomware decryptor step 3

4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.

stop ransomware decryptor step 4

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 .waifu Dharma 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.

1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:

EaseUS Data Recovery Software

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.

.waifu Dharma Virus-FAQ

What is .waifu Dharma Virus Ransomware?

.waifu Dharma 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.

Can .waifu Dharma Virus Ransomware Cayse Damage?

Yes, ransomware can damage your computer. Ransomware is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.

Ransomware can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.

Should I Ignore Viruses, Like .waifu Dharma Virus?

No, you should never ignore ransomware. It can encrypt your data and block access to your computer, making it impossible to access your files until you pay a ransom.

Ignoring ransomware could lead to the permanent loss of your data, as well as the potential for the ransomware to spread to other computers on your network. Additionally, paying the ransom does not guarantee that your data will be recovered.

How Does .waifu Dharma Virus Infect?

Via several ways..waifu Dharma 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.

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 .waifu Dharma 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 ..waifu Dharma Virus files?

You can't. At this point, the ..waifu Dharma Virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryptionkey 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 ..waifu Dharma Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.

Can I Restore "..waifu Dharma Virus" Files?

Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..waifu Dharma 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 .waifu Dharma 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 .waifu Dharma Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..waifu Dharma Virus files.

Also, keep in mind that viruses like .waifu Dharma Virus ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts.

What to Do If I Cant Get The Files Back?

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 can be re-downloaded from the web.
Another clever way 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.

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 .waifu Dharma 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.

Why Is the Ransom Paid in Crypto?

Cryptocurrency is a secure and untraceable form of payment, making it the ideal choice for ransom payments. It is difficult to trace, and the transactions are almost instantaneous. This means it is nearly impossible for authorities to track the payment and recover the money.

Can 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 .waifu Dharma Virus Research

The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .waifu Dharma 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 .waifu Dharma 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.

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.waifu Files Virus (Dharma Ransomware) – Remove + Restore Files