WinRarer is the latest ransomware that uses the encryption of the popular WinRar program to encrypt users’ files. If the virus gets into your system, it will lock your important files in a single .ace archive that is protected with a password. The password seems to be extremely long to prevent you from trying a brute force program to crack it easily. To see how to remove this ransomware and what ways you can try to restore your files, read the article, carefully.
Threat Summary
| Name | WinRarer |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware will lock your files in an archive and display a ransom note with instructions for payment. |
| Symptoms | The ransom note is also a screen locker and all encrypted files are locked in an .ace password protected archive. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executables |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss WinRarer. |
| 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. |
WinRarer Ransomware – Infection
The WinRarer ransomware can enter your personal computer through various ways. Interestingly enough, the malicious payload file can hide inside torrents for games. One such example is Battlefield 1 and games that run Denuvo protection, as pirated versions can always be filled with malware. The protection makes it harder for people to crack it and when people see there is a working version they download it as if it’s hot bread. Another example of such distribution is the MM Locker Ransomware.
That way of infecting users does not exclude of others being in play. The payload file might be spread via spam e-mails as an attachment and make you believe that it is something important. Opening the attached file will infect your PC. The WinRarer ransomware might also infect your system by delivering its payload via social media and file-share networks. Refrain from opening files from suspicious sources, e-mails or links. Do a scan with a security tool, check their size and signature. You should read the ransomware prevention tips from the topic in the forum.
WinRarer Ransomware – Details
A ransomware cryptovirus named WinRarer has surfaced on the Web. The virus uses WinRar to encrypt your files. Other ransomware viruses of this type have been seen in the past, but this one actually uses the name of the archiving tool.
When the WinRarer ransomware launches its payload, it can create entries in the Windows Registry. Thus, the ransomware can achieve persistence. The registry entries will make the virus start automatically with each boot of the Windows operating system. Your files will become locked in an archive, and after that, the ransom note will lock your desktop screen.
You will be presented with the payment instructions. The following files associated with the ransomware are put on your computer, when the encryption process is done:
- RECOVERYOURFILES.HTM
- RecoverYourFiles.jpg
The ransom message is spread around directories with encrypted files, and you can see how it looks from here:
The ransom message reads:
Attention : YOUR FILES were LOCKED
————————————-
What happened ?
—————
Your important files were LOCKED with Winrar
so its now unusable and unreadable,
The only way to get your files back is to pay us.
Otherwise, your files will be useless
How can I get my files back?
—————————-
The only way to restore them to a normal condition is to use our
site to decrypt your key to get the password
follow the flowing steps to enter our site :
——————————————–
1. Download and install tor-browser: https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en
2. After a successful installation, run the browser and wait for initialization.
3. Go to this site ( paste it in the url address ) : pgzhzhje5v7dzrcr.onion
4. Copy your id from the bottom of the page to paste in the site.
your id is : [Redacted]
————
done
On top of that, there is a file called RecoverYourFiles.jpg, which also serves as a screen locker and shows the following image on your desktop:
The file reads:
WINRARER
YOUR FILES LOCKED
WITH WINRAR
WHAT HAPPENED ?
YOUR IMPORTANT FILES WERE LOCKED WITH WINRAR
SO ITS NOW UNUSABLE AND UNREADABLE,
THE ONLY WAY TO GET YOUR FILES BACK IS TO PAY US.
OTHERWISE, YOUR FILES WILL BE LOST.
HOW CAN I GET MY FILES BACK?
THE ONLY WAY TO RESTORE THEM TO A NORMAL CONDITION IS TO USE OUR
SITE TO DECRYPT YOUR KEY TO GET THE PASSWORDFOLLOW THE FLOWING STEPS TO ENTER OUR SITE:
1. DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL TOR-BROWSER: HTTP://WWW.TORPROJECT.ORG
2. AFTER A SUCCESSFUL INSTALLATION, RUN THE BROWSER AND WAIT FOR INITIALIZATION.
3. GO TO THIS SITE USING TOR BROWSER ONLY: [Redacted] 4. COPY YOUR ID FROM RECOVERYOURFILES.HTM FILE AND PASTE IT IN THE SITE
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A JOB ENTER THE SITE AND GET YOUR OWN LOCKER
You are not given a specific deadline for paying or contacting the cybercriminals. The note with instructions just states that your only option is to pay to recover your files. That is not true. Besides, you should NOT contact the cyber crooks or pay the ransom, as you will fund criminal activity. Not only that, but there is no guarantee that your files will become accessible again if you do pay. Furthermore, the criminals will probably use the money for a new ransomware project.
The WinRarer ransomware will lock your files by using WinRar. Your files will be placed in a single .ace archive. That archive is password protected, and the key used for it is very long, so it can prevent simple brute-forcers from being used. Documents, drivers, photos, databases and many other file types will be among the locked files. WinRar uses the AES encryption algorithm with 128 bits, so your files are in fact encrypted.
The WinRarer cryptovirus is very possible to erase the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows operating system by using the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
Read more to see what types of methods you can try to restore parts of your data.
Remove WinRarer Ransomware and Restore Your Files
If your computer got infected with the WinRarer ransomware virus, you should have some experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as fast as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect more computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide given below. To see ways that you can try to recover your data, see the step titled 2. Restore files encrypted by WinRarer.
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.
About the WinRarer Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this WinRarer 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 WinRarer 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.
References
1. How to Recognize Spam Emails with Ransomware
2. How Does Ransomware Encryption Work?
3. How to Decrypt Ransomware Files
4. Ransomware Getting Greedier and Bigger, Attacks Increase by 40%
5. 1 in 5 Americans Victim of Ransomware
How to Remove WinRarer from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove WinRarer
1. Hold Windows Key + R.
2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.
3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".
4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.
5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
Step 2: Uninstall WinRarer 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:
1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.
2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.
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"
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by WinRarer 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 WinRarer there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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 WinRarer with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
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.
Video Guide for Automatic and Fast Removal
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by WinRarer.
Ransomware infections and WinRarer 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:
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.
Step 6: How to Restore Files Encrypted by Ransomware (Video Guide)
Get rid of WinRarer from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall WinRarer 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to WinRarer:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to WinRarer. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash
”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to WinRarer. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- 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 WinRarer 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:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as WinRarer. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 WinRarer.
Ransomware infections and WinRarer 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:
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.
WinRarer FAQ
What is WinRarer ransomware and how does it work?
WinRarer 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 WinRarer ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.WinRarer 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 WinRarer 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 .WinRarer files?
You can't. At this point the .WinRarer 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 .WinRarer files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by WinRarer 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 ".WinRarer" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .WinRarer 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 WinRarer 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 WinRarer ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .WinRarer files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like WinRarer 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.