How to remove Wanqu ransomware

Wanqu ransomware can infiltrate the system and encrypt users' personal files

Wanqu ransomware is file-locking malware that uses encryption algorithms. It locks users' personal data, such as photos, videos, documents, etc. It appends the affected files with the .Wanqu extension. So if a file was previously named picture.jpg, after encryption it would look like this – picture.jpg.Wanqu. The icons are also changed to white pages so thumbnails are unavailable.

The ransom note

When Wanqu ransomware infiltrates the system, it generates two ransom notes on the system: RESTORE_FILES_INFO.hta and RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt. It reads as follows:

Hello !!!
Many of your documents, photos, passwords, databases and other files are no longer
available as they were encrypted. You may be looking for a way to recover your files,
but don't waste your time. No one will be able to recover your files without our decryption KEY (if someone says they can do it, theywill also contact me and
I will make the price much more expensive than if you contacted directly).

DONT USE GMAIL.COM TO CONTACT US

!!!THE DATARECOVERY COMPANIES JUST WANT YOUR MONEY!!!
!!DATA RECOVERY COMPANIES WILL ONLY INCREASE THE DECRYPTION TIME!!

Can i Recover My Files?Sure. We guarantee that you can recover all your files safely and easily But You have not so enough time .As fast you pay as fastall of your data will be back as before encryption.

Send e-mail to this address: yourdata@RecoveryGroup.at
Or contact hxxps://supportdatarecovery.cc/users.php user:Wanqu password:zVIJmqEB
You have to pay for decryption in 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.

We also have all your information to share .It is in your best interest to contact us as soon as possible.

Key Identifier: –

Ransomware developers want to get paid with Bitcoins for decryption. They choose this type of payment because it provides anonymity. The ransom amount is not specified in the note, which means it is most likely negotiated privately. However, cybercriminals warn victims that if they try to use other tools for recovery, they will increase the price of the decryption key.^[1]

We strongly advise against contacting the threat actors because they cannot be trusted. Many previous ransomware victims say that they never received the promised decryption tools after paying the ransom. Although it is almost impossible to decrypt data without the key that only cybercriminals hold, we first recommend trying third-party recovery solutions that help in some cases.

Distribution methods

There are many channels that cybercriminals use to spread ransomware. The most common infection sources are Torrent websites and peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms. Users look for “cracked” software^[2] to install for free. However, this activity is illegal so websites that distribute them are unregulated. It is impossible to know if the packages you are downloading do not contain any malicious files.

Another popular method is to include malware in infected email attachments or malicious links. Cybercriminals use social engineering^[3] methods to create letters that look like urgent messages. They usually disguise them as messages from well-known companies to appear trustworthy. We suggest you never open any attachments from unknown senders.

Many people are not aware of the risks that come with not updating the operating system and software. Hackers can use software vulnerabilities to deliver their malicious programs. Software developers regularly release security patches to prevent this from happening. They should be installed as soon as they come out.

Use professional security tools

The critical thing to do is disconnect the affected machine from the local network. For home users, disconnecting the ethernet cable should do the job. If this happened at your workplace, doing that might be complicated, so we have instructions for corporate environments at the bottom of this post.

If you try to recover your data first, it can result in permanent loss. It can also encrypt your files the second time. It will not stop until you remove the malicious files causing it first. You should not attempt removing the malicious program yourself unless you have experience.

Use anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to scan your system. This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. In some cases, malware is not letting you use antivirus in normal mode, so you need to access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan from there:

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing the 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.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings.
   
2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find the Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Click Restart.
10. Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Fix system errors

Performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a complete Windows reinstall is required, are expected after a malware infection. These types of infections can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not able to repair it. 

This is why FortectIntego was developed. It can fix a lot of the damage caused by an infection like this. Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc., can make your computer completely unusable. By using this maintenance tool, you could avoid Windows reinstallation.

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.

File recovery options

Many people think that they can fix their files with anti-malware tools, but that is not what they are designed for. All the security tools can do is detect suspicious processes in your system and eliminate malicious files. The truth is, that the files can be restored only with a decryption key or software that only the cybercriminals have.

If you did not back up your data previously, you possibly lost your files forever. You can try using data recovery software, but third-party programs cannot always decrypt the files. We suggest at least trying this method. Before proceeding, you have to copy the corrupted files and place them in a USB flash drive or another storage. And remember – only do this if you have already removed the Wanqu ransomware.

Before you begin, several pointers are essential while dealing with this situation:

• Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
• Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.

Install data recovery software

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
8. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
9. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
10. Press Recover to retrieve your files.