This article is created to help you remove the .WNCRY Wana Decrypt0r 2.0 ransomware infection (new WannaCry variant) and restore files encrypted with the .WNCRY file extension.
A new ransomware, called Wana Decrypt0r 2.0 by malware hunters has been reported to encrypt files on the computers infected by it. The ransomware virus uses the .WNCRY file extension and it is basically reported to be a new version of the WannaCry also known as WCry family of ransomware viruses. The infection drops a ransom note, named @Please_Read_Me@.txt and changes the wallpaper as well as adds software with instructions for paying the ransom. In case you have become a victim of this ransomware infection, we strongly recommend to read the following article thoroughly.
Threat Summary
| Name |
.WNCRY |
|
| Type | Ransomware | |
| Short Description | New May 2017 version of the WannaCry ransomware viruses. Encrypts files and then demands victims to pay a hefty ransom fee in order to restore the encrypted files. | |
| Symptoms | Files are encrypted with the .WNCRY file extension added to them. In addition to this a ransom note is added, named @Please_Read_Me@.txt. Also adds a lockscreen, named “Wana Decrypt0r 2.0”. | |
| 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 malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss .WNCRY. | |
| 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. |
Update November 2017! WannaCry has stopped infecting since the malware researcher, known as @malwareTechBlog has found a kill-switch to it. The bad news is that the financial damage caused by this virus is still continuing to increase in magnitude.
.WNCRY Virus – How Does It Spread
Similar to the previous .wcry variant , this ransomware iteration may also use the very same methods to spread. They are connected with the usage of different types of tools used specifically to distribute malicious files and URLs without being detected:
- The ETERNALBLUE and DOUBLEPULSARE Exploits leaked by the ShadowBrokers in a leak, called “Lost in Translation” which happened back in April 2017
- Spamming software (spam bots, crawlers, etc)
- Pre-configured list of e-mail addresses of potential victims to which spam mail may be sent.
- Intermediary malware to conduct the infection.
- A set of C2 servers and distribution domains for command and control and the download of .WNCRY file virus’ payload.
Even though the WanaCrypt0r 2.0 ransomware may spread via torrent websites, fake updates or other fake setups and executables uploaded on shady hots, the virus’s primary method of spreading may be via convincingly created e-mails. Such e-mails aim to get victims to click on a malicious e-mail attachment and hence become infected with the .WNCRY file virus.
The attachments may usually be .js, .exe or other type of executable files, but in some situations they are also related with malicious macros. These malicious macros may be activated once the user enables the content on a document. Here is how this infection process is conducted:
The first infections of Wana Decrypt0r 2.0 have been in Germany, Russia, Taiwan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Spain, Ukraine and the Philippines. But the countries number may rise very rapidly soon, since this pattern shows global distribution campaign.
.WNCRY File Virus How Does It Work
The main activity of the Wana Decrypt0r 2.0 ransomware virus after infection is to drop an embedded file into the folder where the infection file is located. The file is a password protected .zip, named wcry.zip. It has the following contents:
- b.wnry
- c.wnry
- r.wnry
- s.wnry
- t.wnry
- u.wnry
- taskse.exe
- taskdl.exe
The Wana Decrypt0r 2.0 ransomware’s infection file will then extract those zipped files into a folder and begin to connect to the download web page of the TOR web browser. From there, the .Wana Decrypt0r 2.0 virus may connect to multiple command and control servers:
- 57g7spgrzlojinas.onion
- xxlvbrloxvriy2c5.onion
- 76jdd2ir2embyv47.onion
- cwwnhwhlz52maqm7.onion
Then, Wana Decrypt0r 2.0 prepares for encrypting vital victim files. To do this, it runs an administrative command in Windows in order to obtain Administrator functions:
→ icacls . /grant Everyone:F /T /C /Q
Then, the Wana Decrypt0r 2.0 virus shuts down the following Windows System processes from the Task Manager:
→ Mysqld.exe
Sqlwriter.exe
Sqlserver.exe
MSExchange
Microsoft.Exchange
The payload may consist of multiple different types of files. Some of those files may modify the Windows Registry Editor and target the following sub-keys:
→ HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\
HKCU\Software\WanaCrypt0r\
HKCU\Software\WanaCrypt0r\wd
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop\Wallpaper
In those keys, custom value strings with data in them may be input so that it is possible for the ransomware to run on system startup and begin encrypting files on boot.
In addition to the activity of WanaCrypt0r .WNCRY infection may be to delete the shadow volume copies and eradicate all chances of reverting your files via backup on the infected computer. This is done by executing the following administrative Windows commands:
→ vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet
wmic shadowcopy delete
bcdedit /set boostatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no & wbadmin delete catalog -quiet
In addition to this activity, WannaCry .WNCRY virus also drops a program, named @WanaDecryptor@.exe that has an actual timer with advanced instructions on how to pay the ransom. This program is called “Wana Decrypt0r 2.0” and it’s message looks like the following:
After the timer on this program runs out the cost of the ransom payoff may double, according to the scareware messages and the previous version, also using this software.
Another action the program makes is that it also changes the wallpaper on the victim’s computer with the following message:
Ooops, your important files are encrypted.
If you see this text, but don’t see the ”Wana Decrypt0r” window,
then your antivirus removed the decrypt software or you deleted it from your computer.
If you need your files you have to run the decrypt software.
Please find an application file named “@WanaDecryptor@.exe” in any folder or restore from the antivirus quarantine.
Run and follow the instructions!
.WNCRY File Virus – Encryption Process
Two encryption algorithms may be used for this specific ransomware infection. One of those is known as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and may be used in 128-bit of strength. It is one of the strongest ciphers and cannot be decrypted unless the criminals make a mistake in the encryption code. It may generate a symmetric key, called FEK key after encryption. This key may be the only method to decrypt the files because with it the process can be reversed.
In addition to this, another cipher known as Rivers-Shamir-Adleman or RSA is also used in combination with the AES cipher in order to generate unique public and private keys for each of the files. This makes the decryption of each file separate and very difficult and unique process.
For the encryption process, the .WNCRY virus targets files that are widely used. These files are usually the following:
→ .ldf, .sln, .suo, .cpp, .pas, .asm, .cmd, .bat, .vbs, .dip, .dch, .sch, .brd, .jsp, .php, .class, .wav, .swf, .fla, .wmv, .mpg, .vob, .mpeg, .asf, .avi, .mov, .mkv, .flv, .wma, .mid, .djvu, .svg, .psd, .nef, .tiff, .tif, .cgm, .raw, .gif, .png, .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, .vcd, .iso, .backup, .zip, .rar, .tgz, .tar, .bak, .tbk, .PAQ, .ARC, .aes, .gpg, .vmx, .vmdk, .vdi, .sldm, .sldx, .sti, .sxi, .hwp, .snt, .onetoc2, .dwg, .pdf, .wks, .rtf, .csv, .txt, .vsdx, .vsd, .edb, .odp, .otp, .sxd, .std, .uop, .odg, .otg, .sxm, .mml, .lay, .lay6, .asc, .sqlite3, .sqlitedb, .sql, .accdb, .mdb, .dbf, .odb, .frm, .myd, .myi, .ibd, .mdf, .msg, .ost, .pst, .potm, .potx .eml, .der, .pfx, .key, .crt, .csr, .pem, .odt, .ott, .sxw, .stw, .uot, .max, .ods, .ots, .sxc, .stc, .dif, .slk, .asp, .java, .ppam, .ppsx, .ppsm, .pps, .pot, .pptm, .pptx, .ppt, .xltm, .xltx, .xlc, .xlm, .xlt, .xlw, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xls, .dotx, .dotm, .dot, .docm, .docb, .docx, .doc, .jar
After the encryption is done, the .WNCRY virus may send the decryption key to the cyber-criminals so that they can create a custom decrypter for the victim which will be sent back to him once the ransom is paid. Paying the ransom, however is highly inadvisable.
The files have an added .WNCRY file extension to them which is unique for the infection. The files may appear like the following and cannot be opened with any software:
Remove WanaCrypt0r 2.0 and Restore .WNCRY Encrypted Files
In order to remove .WNCRY ransomware, we urge you to backup your files first by creating copies of them and then to proceed with the removal. One method to remove it is if you follow the removal instructions at the bottom of this article. They are carefully created in order to help you delete all the files by isolating the .WNCRY virus first. If you want to automatically and completely remove the WanaCrypt0r 2.0 threat, recommendations are to focus on removing the ransomware infection with the aid of an advanced anti-malware tool which will make sure the removal process is swift.
For the recovery of your files, we urge you to try out the alternative methods for restoring encrypted files. They may not fully recover all your files but may restore most of your encrypted files in the right scenario. You can find the methods In step “2. Restore files encrypted by .WNCRY” below.
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 .WNCRY with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .WNCRY 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 .WNCRY 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 .WNCRY 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 .WNCRY
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .WNCRY.
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 .WNCRY 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.
.WNCRY-FAQ
What is .WNCRY Ransomware?
.WNCRY 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 .WNCRY 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 .WNCRY Infect?
Via several ways..WNCRY 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 .WNCRY 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 ..WNCRY files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..WNCRY 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 ..WNCRY files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..WNCRY" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..WNCRY 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 .WNCRY 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 .WNCRY ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..WNCRY 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 .WNCRY 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 .WNCRY Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .WNCRY 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 .WNCRY 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.
and .VHD and .AVHD too. Containers for Hyper-V Server,
yes, and I also believe that you can used .VHDX, but i haven’t tested it
is there anybody who could give me a virus example?
If you needed I can give you the file but we need to find an solution to decrypt the effected files. As in my research they have encrypted all the files in the computer, the removal of virus is easy but the file may needed to be recovered. add your email here so I will share you the virus file
i need that virus too for educational purpose
Well, given how widespread it is, i do not think it will be a challenge for you to obtain a sample.
System Restore May Help To Remove This Virus…By Using Windows Installation DVD…
Buenas tardes, si este virus le llegara a afectar a mi PC, se lo puede eliminar formateando la maquina?, este virus afecta a linux?