WastedLocker ransomware (Virus Removal Guide) - Free Instructions

WastedLocker virus Removal Guide

What is WastedLocker ransomware?

WastedLocker ransomware – a customized malware developed and distributed by BitPaymer gang

WastedLocker ransomwareWastedLocker ransomware is a data locking virus that targets businesses and corporations

WastedLocker ransomware is a threat that is known for its ability to attack businesses, organizations, websites, lock all the files located on the local and networked drives, and then demand ransom between $500,000 and $10 million. The malware was developed and is distributed by a cybercriminal group known as the Evil Corp/Indrik Spider[1] – hackers who are responsible for such prominent threats as Dridex banking trojan and BitPaymer ransomware, although, the virus has no associations with previous gang's creation and operates quite a bit different. WastedLocker virus recently encrypted files of a tech giant Garmin, which interrupted the services the company ran for several days.

WastedLocker uses a combination of AES and RSA encryption algorithms in order to encrypt files on networks and servers. However, the way the virus applies an extension is quite a bit different – it uses an abbreviation of the company's name and the word “wasted.

For example, the variant “d2l” would append the “.d2lwasted” extension to all vulnerable files (document, database, audio, video, and others). Another interesting trait of this ransomware is that it also creates a ransom note for each of the encrypted files, e.g., “picture.d2lwasted_info.”

Name WastedLocker
Type Ransomware, file locker
Developers Evil Corp (Indrik Spider) – an established cybercriminal gang that is believed to be Russian
Release date May 2020
Targets Malware targets mainly US organizations, with a few exceptions (some attacks were also seen in Europe)
Ransom size $500,000 – $10 million, sometimes even more
Distribution Fake update prompts and other sophisticated methods
File extension “wasted” which is accommodated by the version name at the front, e.g., .d2lwasted
Removal Perform a full system scan with powerful anti-malware software. In case malware interferes with security software operation, access Safe Mode with Networking as explained below
System fix Ransomware might sometimes damage various system components, which might result in PC crashes and similar issues after malware elimination. To fix these issues, we recommend using FortectIntego

WastedLocker ransomware can be spread via several different ways, although researchers spotted the booby-trapped websites that attempt to begin the attack. In most cases, the fake notifications show up in a way that they look legitimate as they mimic original software looks.

An example of such fake notification as follows:[2]

Attention!

Free up some memory urgently, your computer is overloaded!
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36
(KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome 83.0.4103.61 Safari/537.36

Click “Free memory” button and follow the instructions

Once the company member clicks on a fake update prompt, the attackers manage to gain access to the company's networks thanks to the exploit kit that is used. Once malicious actors behind WastedLocker ransomware gain access to the network, they deploy the ransomware payload.

As soon as malware is injected into the network, it begins system modifications (some of these changes can be difficult to revert, so we recommend using FortectIntego after the WastedLocker ransomware removal), e.g.:

  • Attempts to disable Windows Defender, Symantec, and other implemented protection suites;
  • Deletes Shadow Volume Copies and other automated Windows backups;
  • Acquires elevated permissions that grants access to manage directories;
  • Modifies Windows registry files;
  • Creates several processes and runs its own service, etc.

WastedLocker takes a different approach than most ransomware when it comes to the selection of which data is to be encrypted. Most malware of such type use a predetermined list of file extension for the purpose, and this malware strain rather uses a list of directories where the data is to be encrypted. Nonetheless, the virus has a list of file extensions that are not to be encrypted as well.

WastedLocker ransomware virusWastedLocker ransomware is a malicious program developed and deployed by a cybercriminal gang Evil Corp

The extension applied to files once encryption is complete uses a combination of the company's name + the word “wasted.” There have been many attacks on various companies (including the most notorious one against Garmin), so file extensions varied as follows: .bbawasted, .d2lwasted, .eswasted, .rlhwasted, .garminwasted, and others.

The ransom note explains the following:

BBA Aviation

YOUR NETWORK IS ENCRYPTED NOW
USE – | – TO GET THE PRICE FOR YOUR DATA
DO NOT GIVE THIS EMAIL TO 3RD PARTIES
DO NOT RENAME OR MOVE THE FILE
THE FILE IS ENCRYPTED WITH THE FOLLOWING KEY:

KEEP IT

Luckily for those who had backups available, there is no need to pay the ransom, as malicious actors do not leak sensitive data in order to post it publicly as many other ransomware gangs, such as Maze, DoppelPaymer, Clop, Nefilim, and others.[3] Thus, the infected users should disconnect each of the machines from the network and then remove WastedLocker ransomware. If a need arises, Safe Mode with Networking can be used for the purpose.

WastedLocker file recovery options

Ransomware has been on the for several years now, as the business is very lucrative, and even North Korean state-backed hackers are keen on cashing on it.[4] Therefore, new strains are being released regularly, and companies should keep in mind that they are in great danger.

To prevent maximum damage caused by WastedLocker, backups are needed. However, backups need to be stored on a separate medium that should not be connected to the main server/network. This way, negating the infection can become much easier, as paying the ransom becomes obsolete.

However, if WastedLocker ransomware encrypted your backups, recovery can be very difficult, if not impossible, without paying the ransom. There are several methods that could work, in some cases:

  • Third-party recovery tools that sometimes could retrieve at least some files;
  • Built-in Windows defenses could sometimes be preserved if malware failed to perform its core functions;
  • Data decryption software that could be designed by security researchers in the future.

As evident, WastedLocker developers ask for very high ransom payments, and there is no guarantee that the crooks will provide service that they promised.

WastedLocker ransomware detectionWastedLocker ransomware detection rates on Virus Total

WastedLocker removal instructions

To remove WastedLocker ransomware, a powerful anti-malware solution should be used. However, in case of backups are not available for you, you should first copy all the encrypted files to a separate hard drive or another medium, as they might be useful in the future.

Before WastedLocker ransomware removal can be executed, each of the machines should be disconnected from the network so that the infection would not reoccur. Then, you should perform a full system scan with powerful anti-malware software that would be able to eliminate all the malicious files and restore Windows to its pre-infection stage.

Finally, if you do not have backups available after the WastedLocker virus attack, you should attempt to retrieve them by following the instructions we provide below.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of WastedLocker virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

In case of malware is tampering with your security software, follow these steps to gain access to Safe Mode with Networking:

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
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. 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.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

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:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

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:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. 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).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. 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 WastedLocker using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of WastedLocker. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that WastedLocker removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove WastedLocker 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 WastedLocker, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro method

Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading tools when it comes to lost data recovery. Unfortunately, it rarely works for ransomware victims.

  • 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 WastedLocker ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions Feature could be useful

If you had System Restore enabled and it was not eliminated during ransomware infection routine, you could attempt to recover encrypted files one-by-one.

  • 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”.

Make use of ShadowExplorer

ShadowExplorer would help if the virus failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies on the system.

  • 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 decryption tool is currently available

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from WastedLocker and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Linas Kiguolis
Linas Kiguolis - Expert in social media

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