Bansomqare Wanna ransomware (Virus Removal Instructions) - Decryption Steps Included
Bansomqare Wanna virus Removal Guide
What is Bansomqare Wanna ransomware?
Bansomqare Wanna is ransomware that mimics infamous WannaCry
Bansomqare Wanna is a ransomware virus that imitates WannaCry[1] and uses Whatsapp icon. It appends .bitcoin file extension to encrypted files and generates a bitcoin2018.txt ransom note on the desktop, which urges the victim to transfer 100 USD in Bitcoins via provided Bitcoin wallet.
| Name | Bansomqare Wanna |
| Type | Ransomware virus |
| Danger level | Locks personal files, demands a ransom |
| File extension used | .bitcoin |
| Ransom note | bitcoin2018.txt |
| Related files | runas.exe, whatsapp.exe, and notepad.exe |
| Distribution | Malspam, exploit kits, hacked RPD, fake software updates, malicious ads, phishing sites |
| Decryptable | No |
| Elimination | Download FortectIntego and run a full system scan. After Bansomqare Wanna removal, follow the guide on how to decrypt files (at the end of the post) |
Bansomqare Wanna ransomware is distributed in the form of runas.exe or whatsapp.exe. The file can be disclosed in spam email, hacked websites, fake software updates, and similar media that are typically used by hackers to infect users' PCs.
Once the Bansomqare Wanna payload is being executed, the virus enables the runas.exe and whatsapp.exe executables and requires administrative privileges by launching an elevated Command Prompt window. Right after that, it applies an encryption algorithm and locks documents, photos, video, database, and other personal information with the .bitcoin file extension.
Upon successful encryption, the virus generates a ransom note named Bitcoin2018.txt by creating a path C:\Users\Public\Desktop\bitcoin2018.txt. The note says:
Ooops, Your files have been encrypted!
What happened to my computer?
Your important files are encrypted.
Many of your documents, photo, video, database, and other files are no longer accessible because he have been encrypted. Maybe you are busy looking for a way to recover your files but do not waste your time. Nobody can recover your files without our decryption service.Can I recover my files?
Sure, We guarantee that you can recover all your files safely and easily.
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The bitcoin address will be saved to the “bitcoin2018.txt” file
The design of the ransom note is similar to the one used by the infamous WannaCry. It features a red background, a countdown clock on the left side, a lock icon at the top-right corner of the screen and a reference to Bitcoin wallet at the bottom. However, WannaCry does not contain a WhatsApp icon, while the Bansomqare Wanna does.
Hackers ask the victim to pay 100 USD ransom in Bitcoins with 24 hours. Before that, the victim is asked to email crooks via MildredRLewis@teleworm.us email address for more information.
The virus has been detected ate the end of March 2018. At the time of writing, no ransom has been sent to the indicated Bitcoin wallet. Nevertheless, dieviren.de[2] experts point out that the ransomware is being rolled out in phases and the rebound of attacks is expected in the nearest future.
It's not yet clear what cipher the Bansomqare ransomware uses for data encryption, but most probably it relies on the well-known AES-256 algorithm. In case the virus has already attacked your PC, we would recommend you to remove Bansomqare Wanna ransomware using FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes security tool.
Although the Bansomqare Wanna removal will not decrypt your files, you will be able to recover at least a part of them using third-party data recovery tools. Do not pay the ransom for cybercrooks. By supporting their fraudulent activities, PC users encourage them to keep the pace and swindle people's money.
To protect yourself from the loss of personal information, make sure to create backups for the most important file types. That's one and the only trustworthy way to evade Bansomqare Wanna virus and similar attacks.
The main ransomware distribution methods
Experts haven't yet particularized the distribution method that this ransomware relies on. However, most of the Crypto-viruses are distributed via malspam campaigns.[3] Hackers steal people's email addresses and connect them to bots. This way, they can disseminate millions of fake email messages with malicious email attachments to potential ransomware victims.
This specific ransomware is closely related to runas.exe, whatsapp.exe, and Notepad.exe files. However, these files might be disguised under legitimate looking DOC files or downloads of fake software. In addition to malspam, people may get infected by crypto-malware via:
- fake software updates;
- hacked websites;
- fake software updates (Java, Flash Player, Windows 10, Google Chrome, etc.);
- exploit kits;
- hacked remote desktop applications;
- drive-by-download attacks, etc.
It not possible to ensure a hundred percent protection. However, those who keep the system updated and rely on a professional anti-virus program with real-time protection and updated definitions are much less prone to fall victims to ransomware attacks.
Remove Bansomqare Wanna virus
Crooks intimidate people that system's reboot will delete all locked files permanently. It's unknown whether it's true or not, but it's a fact that Bansomqare Wanna removal is a must to restore system's performance.
You won't be able to remove Bansomqare Wanna virus manually since it corrupts multiple files and registry entries that can hardly be detected without dedicated software. Thus, to wipe malicious programs and files from the system, you should scan your PC with a powerful security tool. Our top pick programs are FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, and Malwarebytes.
Getting rid of Bansomqare Wanna virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Anti-virus does not work? Boot your PC into Safe Mode with Networking and try to launch it.
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 Bansomqare Wanna using System Restore
That's an alternative method to boot the system into secure environment. Follow these steps:
-
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 Bansomqare Wanna. 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 Bansomqare Wanna from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.A free Bansomqare Wanna decryptor is not available. Once you neutralize the virus, you can try to recover locked files using third-party recovery tools.
If your files are encrypted by Bansomqare Wanna, you can use several methods to restore them:
Data Recovery Pro
Try to decrypt files using Data Recovery Tool. There's no guarantee that it will manage to crash the malicious code, but in practice it unlocked thousands of files compromised by virus, so it's worth trying.
- 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 Bansomqare Wanna ransomware;
- Restore them.
Retrieve files from the Previous Windows Version
Separate files can be decrypted by recovering their previous versions. This method is possible on Windows OS with System Restore Point created before the attack.
- 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”.
Extract Shadow Volume Copies
The bulk of ransomware currently spreading on the Internet run a script via Command Prompt to eliminate Shadow Volume Copies. However, there are quite a lot of exceptions, so check whether these copies are still available.
- 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.
No decryptor
Bansomqare Wanna removal does not count as a decryptor. Experts haven't yet encoded this virus, so you should try on of the above-given methods to unlock your files.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Bansomqare Wanna and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
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.
- ^ Alex Hern and Samuel Gibbs. What is WannaCry ransomware and why is it attacking global computers?. The Guardian. Weekly international newspaper.
- ^ Dieviren. Dieviren. Cybersecurity news.
- ^ David Balaban. What agents need to know about spam ransomware campaigns. Inman. A leading source of real estate information.