This article aims to help you by showing how to completely remove Wallet CryptoMix(Solheim&Sørensen AS) ransomware and restore files encrypted with .wallet extension.

Another ransomware infection, also known as Solheim&Sørensen AS ransomware has been reported to use the .wallet file extenson, which is the same as the second iteration of Dharma ransomware virus with which this virus should not to be mistaken. This infection encrypts the files on the computers infected by it using the AES and RSA encryption algorithm after which demands a ransom payoff in BTC in it’s ransom note, named #_Restoring_files_#.txt. In case you have become a victim of the Wallet ransomware, advises are to pay attention to this article.

Threat Summary

Name	Wallet
Type	Ransomware
Short Description	Encrypts important files on the infected computer asking a ransom to be paid for their decryption.
Symptoms	Files no longer openable with an added .wallet extension and the e-mail [email protected] Also a ransom note file, named #_Restoring_files_#.txt
Distribution Method	Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by Wallet Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join our forum to Discuss Wallet.
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.

Wallet Ransomware – Infection Process

The distribution of this virus in order to infect targeted victims may be conducted via several different methods:

Spam via e-mail containing either malicious e-mail attachment or web link that lead to infection.

• Via web injectors.
• Via fake updates of either Windows, Flash Player, Java or other important software.
• Via suspiciously downloaded setups that are joined with the malicious code.
• Via fake key generators, game cracks and other software activators uploaded on toerrent sites.

The most common method of spreading ransomware, like the Wallet variant, deriving from the CrypoMix family of viruses is known as e-mail spam. These sophisticated spam campaigns aim to be massively sent via spamming software to computers all over the world. They usually contain documents or executable files as attachments that are malicious. The users are deceived that the attachments are legitimate invoices, receipts and others. In order to learn how to protect yourself from such e-mails, we strongly advise reading the related article:

The Wallet Ransomware – Activity

Once your computer has been infected by the .wallet file virus, the malware causing the infection, which is usually a dropper or downloader Trojan, may download it’s payload. This is achievable by connecting to the following host after infection:

• 185.125.32.14/check/gif.php

The downloaded payload of the Wallet infection consists of a file, named monsendas.exe and it may also have multiple other files with various names, located in important Windows directories:

After having downloaded the payload, the Wallet virus may tamper with the Windows Registry editor, modifying the following sub-keys:

• 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

In addition to this, Wallet ransomware may also focus on deleting the Shadow Volume Copies on the infected machine, by executing the following commands:

→ process call create “cmd.exe /c
vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet
bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no
bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures

Wallet Ransomware – The Encryption

Similar to the Dharma .wallet ransomware, this version of CryptoMix may be focused on very specific files to encrypt. These files may include documents, videos, photos, audio files, files associated with archives and often used programs. The virus may scan for the following files to encode them:

The encryption process of the Wallet virus is achieved by performing modification on blocks of data of the files by replacing their original content with content from the encryption algorithm, similar to what the image below displays:

The encryption algorithms used for this are the following:

• Rivest-Shamir-Adleman also known as RSA with a bit strength of 2048. (strongest stable)t
• Advanced Encryption Algorithm also known as Rijndael with a bit strength of 256. (strongest stable)

After the encryption process has completed, set of decryption keys are generated, the private of which are sent to the cyber-criminals behind the Wallet ransomware infection. The files no longer appear the same:

The final step of the virus is to notify the victim via it’s ransom message:

All your files haue been encrypted!
All your files haue been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail [email protected]
Write this ID in the title of your message *****
You haue to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 10Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information.
(databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. Vou haue to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.
http://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
http://wviw.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins
Attention!
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.

Remove Wallet Ransomware and Restore .wallet Files

Wallet ransomware is not to be mistaken with the Dharma version of the virus. This is why we recommend backing up your important files even if they are in encrypted format.

Then, an advisable approach for removing the Wallet virus is to focus on isolating the threat first after which removing it’s contents either manually or automatically. Malware research experts always advise using and advanced anti-malware software to perform the removal automatically and thoroughly.

For the moment there is no decrypter for the Wallet ransomware virus. However, you can try to get your files back by trying some of the alternative methods in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Wallet” below. They are not 100 percent effective, but may help restoring at least some of the encoded files. One of those methods is called data recovery, which can use revolutionary methods to restore damage data, such as the Forward Branch recovery method.

Manually delete Wallet from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the Wallet threat: Manual removal of Wallet requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Wallet files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by Wallet on your PC.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.

4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries of your computer to change different settings. This is why manual clean up of your Windows Registry Database is strongly recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit lenghty, we recommend following our instructive article about fixing registry entries.

2.Find malicious files created by Wallet on your PC

Find malicious files created by Wallet

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

Step 1:

On your keyboard press  + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Step 2:

Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Step 3:

Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:

Step 1:

Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Step 2:

After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Step 3:

After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

Automatically remove Wallet by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove Wallet with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

Remove Wallet with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove Wallet.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove Wallet. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by Wallet in the future.

Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is highly 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.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.

Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.

Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any Wallet files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.

Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

2. Restore files encrypted by Wallet

Restore Files Encrypted by Wallet

Ransomware infections like Wallet aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to directly decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that they may not be 100% effective but they may help you little or a lot in some situations.

Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:

• Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
• Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
• Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors.
If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:

• Kaspersky Decryptors
• Emsisoft Decryptors

Urgent! It is strongly advisable to first remove the Wallet threat before attempting any decryption, since it may interfere with system files and registries. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using an advanced malware removal tool.

Method 3: Using Shadow Explorer

To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for shadow copies in Windows using this software if ransomware has not deleted them:

• Shadow Explorer

Method 4: Finding Wallet decryption key while it communicates it via a network sniffing software.

Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:

Instructions on How to Find Decryption Key for Files Encrypted By Ransowmare

Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools

Remove Wallet Using Other Alternative Tools

STOPZilla Anti Malware

1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove Wallet.
Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.

Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.
Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.

Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.

Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.

2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all Wallet associated files completely.
Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.
Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.

Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.

Vencislav Krustev

A network administrator and malware researcher at SensorsTechForum with passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cyber security. Strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

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