GermanWiper (Improved Instructions) - Removal Guide

What is GermanWiper?

GermanWiper – a new kind of ransomware that executes itself via PowerShell and destroys file data

GermanWiper is a ransomware virus that does not encrypt files but destroys them

GermanWiper is a ransomware-type virus that targets companies and users based in Germany via the spam email attachments which come with names such as ctNfy_Entschluesselungs_Anleitung.html, eRq7E_Entschluesselungs_Anleitung.html, RadEW_Entschluesselungs_Anleitung.html, Unterlaged_Lena_Kretschmer.zip,^[1] and others.

As soon as the malicious file attached to the email is launched, it calls up a PowerShell^[2] command that executes the main malware program on the computer. GermanWiper ransomware then rewrites all the files located on the system with zero-based code, which consequently corrupts them.

Despite that, GermanWiper virus appends fake extensions (for example, .ctNfy, .eRq7E, .RadEW, .08kJA, .AVco3)to make victims believe that an actual encryption algorithm was used to encrypt data. However, paying the ransom is useless, as the files get corrupted as soon as the first PowerShell command is launched. Attackers ask for 0.15 BTC for the alleged file decryption tool that actually does not even exist in the ransom note that is named after the bogus file extension and comes in HTML format.

A large number of reports have already echoed throughout the Internet claiming about the surprising appearance of GermanWiper. Several news sources have commented that the malicious payload is distributed via email messages and pretends to be a CV from “Lena Kretschmer” which is provided as a ZIP file that carries the malware in an LNK file.^[3]

Victims worries about the activities of GermanWiper have also flooded the Web. People claim that the find files locked with rogue appendixes and receive huge ransom demands. Even though the messages are written in the German or English languages, some victims have found the IP address of the ransomware activity coming even from France.

It seems that the main targets of GermanWiper are German-speaking users but this malware supposedly has been distributed and controlled from more countries, not only Germany. However, we urge all users to be careful and try not to fall for these crooks' tricks. Note that data decryption is not a necessity as there is NOTHING to decrypt!

As long as GermanWiper virus wipes out all file information but does not encrypt it, decryption software will not help you here and the only slight possibility of recovering your documents is by restoring your infected system. Do not keep the malware on the system for a longer time as it might initiate other malicious actions, for example, inject a trojan infection.

GermanWiper - ransomware that is distributed via fake CVs

If GermanWiper is placed on a computer system, various antivirus engines can detect the ransomware differently. According to Virus Total file information,^[4] the most popular variants are Win32:Malware-gen, Ransom.FileCryptor, RDN/Generic PWS.y, Trojan.Win32.Yakes.ywph, Trojan.GenericKD.32208067 (B), TR/AD.MalwareCrypter.sbepq.

If you happened to be unlucky and got GermanWiper installed on your computer system, you will supposedly be provided with a message looking like this or something very similar:

Alle Dateien Ihre wurden verschluesselt!
Was ist passiert?
Alle Ihre Dateien wurden verschluesselt und sind fuer Sie nicht mehr zugaenglich bis wir diese wieder entschluesseln. Verschluesselten Dateien wurden alle mit der Dateiendung .ctNfy Versehen.
Bitte folgen Sie unseren Anweisungen, wenn Sie Ihre Dateien zeitnah wieder entschluesseln wollen! Es besteht keine andere Moeglichkeit Ihre Daten wieder zu entschluesseln ausser unseren Anweisungen zu folgen!
Ich moechte meine Dateien entschluesseln!
Kein Problem! Um Ihre Dateien zu entschluesseln, benoetigen Sie unsere Entschluesselungssoftware, diese steht zum Kauf fuer umgerechnet ca. $ 1,500 bereit.
Der Betrag ist ausschliesslich in Bitcoin an die untenstehende Adresse zu zahlen.
Welche Garantien habe ich?
Uns interessiert nicht wer Sie sind oder was fuer Dateien Sie auf Ihrem Computer haben, wir sind ausschliesslich daran interessiert Ihnen die Entschluesselungssoftware zu verkaufen. Schlechtes Business spricht sich herum, sollten wir Ihre Dateien nicht entschluesseln, wuerde in Zukunft niemand unsere Entschluesselungssoftware kaufen – Was nicht in unserem Interesse liegt.
Wo bekomme ich Bitcoins?
Bitcoin koennen Sie schnell und einfach kaufen, zB mit Kreditkarte, GiroPay oder (SOFORT) Ueberweisung. Folgt eine Auflistung es populaerer Tauschboersen und the Bitcoin Marktplaetzen:
Coinmama – https://coinmama.com/
Bitpanda – https://www.bitpanda.com/
AnyCoinDirect – https://anycoindirect.eu/
Bitcoin.de – https://www.bitcoin.de/
The BTC the Direct – https://btcdirect.eu/de-at
Es gibt noch weitere moeglichkeiten the Bitcoin zu erwerben, sollte der keine gelisteten fuer Sie funktionieren, hilft Ihnen eine kurze Google Suche.
Bitcoins habe die ich gekauft
Senden Sie den folgenden Betrag an fuer die Sie generierte the Bitcoin Adresse is:
Betrag
0.15038835 the Bitcoin

<…>

GermanWiper removal is a necessity that you need to complete as soon as possible if you want to bring your computer back to its previous condition. We suggest using a piece of reputable software for detecting malicious components on your system that were brought by the ransomware virus. An antivirus tool such as FortectIntego should be helpful.

Note that you CANNOT remove GermanWiper on your own as there are too many risks of completing damaging mistakes or skipping malicious content. Ransomware infections can leave harmful keys in the Registry section or plant several hazardous processes in the Task Manager that need to be terminated for full virus elimination.

GermanWiper is a newly discovered malware strain that loads itself via PowerShell automatically

Knowing ransomware distribution techniques helps to protect yourself from cyber attacks

Ransomware viruses are one of the sneakiest and dangerous cyber threats distributed throughout the cybersphere. This type of malware comes delivered in email spam campaigns. Criminals pretend to be from reputable organizations, for example, banks, or some types of companies that offer great deals, etc.

Mostly, these messages come with an additional file or hyperlink that needs to be entered for “further information”. This is the exact location where the malicious payload is hidden and waiting for the user to access it. Our suggestion would be not to open any attached components before scanning them with reputable anti-malware software.

Continuously, ransomware might have more than one spreading directory. Some of this malware is also found on secondary networks, especially, piracy ones. Sources such as The Pirate Bay, Torrents, eMule, and similar need to be avoided at all costs. Better download videos and products from reliable locations only.

The termination of the GermanWiper ransomware

Even though GermanWiper ransomware does not encrypt files and documents, it is still very dangerous in its own way. Components affected by this malware are CORRUPTED and can easily be permanently lost. However, if you want to have a chance of recovering your losses, you can try booting your computer with System Restore or Safe Mode with Networking.

If you want to prevent the same activities from appearing again, you need to remove GermanWiper from your Windows computer system and this needs to be done IMMEDIATELY after the malware is detected. If you are likely to locate infected objects automatically, you can do this by downloading software such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes.

After GermanWiper removal is successfully carried out, it is about time to take good care of your future data. If you have any important files left or are going to create some soon, you should store copies of them on remote servers or devices. Specialists from LosVirus.es^[5] suggest using USB drives, iCloud or Dropbox services.