CryptoWire ransomware / virus (Removal Guide) - Apr 2018 update
CryptoWire virus Removal Guide
What is CryptoWire ransomware virus?
CryptoWire – ransomware which has been spread as an open-source project
CryptoWire is an open-source ransomware[1] that has been attacking computer users since 2016. However, this crypto-Trojan was updated on March 2017 and continues encrypting various types of files for almost a year.[2] The virus uses AES encryption[3] and encodes all files on the target computer as soon as it gets installed. Malware starts encrypting files located in the deeper folders and finishes with the desktop folders. In this way, CryptoWire ransomware stays invisible and works silently. Though, malware appends .encrypted file extension that it is impossible to overlook.
| Name | CryptoWire |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware |
| Danger level | Low |
| Extension | .encrypted |
| Email address | wlojul@secmail.pro |
| Ransom | $200. The ransom should be paid in Bitcoins |
| Elimination | To get rid of this ransomware, use FortectIntego after updating it to its latest version |
When data encryption is other, the virus runs CryptoWire program which provides an unpleasant message for the victim. It states that files stored on the computer have been safely encrypted and that the only way to recover them is to buy a decryption key. Unfortunately, developers of the ransomware are right. It’s nearly impossible to recover files without the specific key. You can recover the lost data from a backup or email, but first, you need to remove CryptoWire virus safely.
This virus is nothing but an illegal software that blackmails the victim to pay a ransom in order to get personal files back. It asks for $200 for possibility to recover damaged files. The CryptoWire program provides a button “Buy Bitcoins,” which redirects the user to the ransom payment page. We highly recommend you not to make this payment – please do not support cyber criminals by paying the ransom they demand.[4]
There is no guarantee that it will work as you expect and you will recover your files. Thus, you should perform the CryptoWire removal. For that, you will need a professional malware removal tool, for instance, FortectIntego. To launch it, you have to start your PC in a Safe Mode with Networking first. If you do not know how to do it, you can learn that by reading virus removal instructions that we provide below.
Variants of the CryptoWire ransomware
HAHAHA ransomware virus. In March 2017, malware researchers spotted a new crypto-malware based on CryptoWire open-source project. The virus uses sophisticated encryption technique to damage files on the affected computer. Just like its predecessor, it also appends the .encrypted file extension to the targeted files. After data encryption, the virus runs a pop-up window informing about the possibility to get back access to the files. It also drops a “TEXT FILE.txt” on the desktop and reveals instructions how to pay the ransom. HAHAHA virus demands 500$ for the decryption. However, cyber security specialists recommend virus removal instead of paying the ransom and risking to lose the money.
How can ransomware infiltrate my computer?
CryptoWire ransomware can infiltrate the computer pretty easily if the user does not have any security software installed on it.[5] Usually, such viruses are distributed in an obfuscated form via email. Usually, frauds send out thousands of bogus emails containing a malicious Word or JS file that carries the destructive payload.
We counsel you to avoid email letters that come from unknown parties and never open attachments that come with them. Bear in mind that scammers often try to deceive victims by crafting professionally and officially looking messages, but we suggest you check the sender’s email online first to make sure that it is legitimate and it is actually related to the company that the email sender claims to be working at.
Malware distributors use different techniques to infect users computers.[6] They can infect ad networks and get their malware-laden ads to be displayed on legitimate websites. Also, they set up exploit kits on insecure websites, and if the user visits such site, the exploit kits scan the computer system for vulnerable software to exploit and uses it to infect the computer with ransomware.
CryptoWire removal from the system
If your PC has been infected with CryptoWire virus, do not waste your time and get rid of this infection as soon as you can. If you are not willing to pay the ransom, there is no need to keep this malicious program on the system. It only makes your computer vulnerable and attractive for other malware.
Remove CryptoWire with antivirus or anti-malware tool because it is very hard to delete this infection manually. Anti-malware programs are programmed to detect and eliminate certain files that belong to computer viruses, and they make no mistakes. If you try to do it on your own, you may delete crucial system files and cause more damage. We recommend using these programs for CryptoWire removal: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
Getting rid of CryptoWire virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking allows disabling the virus and installing antivirus or malware removal tools that are necessary for virus elimination.
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Remove CryptoWire using System Restore
System Restore is another method to disable the virus. Follow these steps and then install reputable malware removal tool. Update it and run a system scan several times.
-
Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
-
Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
-
Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
-
Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
-
Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
-
When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of CryptoWire. After doing that, click Next.
-
Now click Yes to start system restore.
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove CryptoWire from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If your files are encrypted by CryptoWire, you can use several methods to restore them:
Restore files encrypted by CryptoWire with Data Recovery Pro
Data Recovery Pro is a professional tool that restores corrupted, deleted and some of the encrypted files. If you do not have data backups, this method will help you to retrieve at least some of your files.
- Download Data Recovery Pro;
- Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
- Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by CryptoWire ransomware;
- Restore them.
Take advantage of Windows Previous Versions feature to restore files encrypted by CryptoWire ransomware
If you have enabled System Restore function earlier, follow these steps to retrieve individual files. If you haven't activated this function, this method is not useful for you.
- Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
- Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
- Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.
Try ShadowExplorer to restore files encrypted by CryptoWire virus
If virus left Shadow Volume Copies of the targeted files untouched, you can try ShadowExplorer to restore your files.
- Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
- Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
- Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
- Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.
CryptoWire decryptor
To unlock your files, you can also try using this code: VgjRPoOM0oa92_jId!/wkMeW6,guuSe
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from CryptoWire and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Maya Rotenberg. A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Ransomware, Open Source and IoT. WhiteSource. Open Source Security and License Management.
- ^ CryptoWire ransomware not dead. Blaze's Security Blog.
- ^ AES. Webopedia. Online Tech Dictionary for IT Professionals.
- ^ Dave Venable. Ransomware: Why you mustn’t pay the ransom. IDG Connect. Provides research and editorial insight to its global community of B2B decision makers.
- ^ You Need An Antivirus on Windows, No Matter How Careful You Are. How-to Geek. Includes help, tutorials, tips and how-to guides for Windows and Linux.
- ^ How does malware infect your PC. Microsoft. Malware Protection Center.