Wearefriends ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Wearefriends is a file locker malware that targets machines with Intel 386 CPU or later and compatibles. The virus prevents users from opening pictures, videos, music, documents, and other files.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
Before you restore backups, a full scan can confirm the program that added .wearefriends is gone.
Do it yourself · free Remove Wearefriends ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
Wearefriends ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Email attachments, peer-to-peer file sharing platforms, malicious ads |
|---|---|
| NAME | Wearefriends |
| TYPE | Ransomware, cryptovirus, data locking malware |
| ENCRYPTION METHOD | AES via .NET |
| FILE EXTENSION | .wearefriends |
| RANSOM NOTE | !!YOU ARE FU**ED!! pop-up window; the text is quoted in full below |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 16 more facts
| RANSOM AMOUNT | 0.05 BTC |
|---|---|
| FILE RECOVERY | It is almost impossible to recover the files if you do not have backups |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | clay_whoami_1@protonmail.ch |
| Encrypted file extension | .wearefriends |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Wearefriends |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .wearefriends |
| Ransom note | the ransom note |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 25 August 2021 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.wearefriends - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Wearefriends
- Scan your machine with anti-malware software to eliminate the malicious files.
- This will not recover your files.
- Windows reinstallation can be avoided with maintenance tool, which can fix damaged files
How Wearefriends ransomware behaves
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Hacker group behind Wearefriends ransomware extorts innocent users
Wearefriends is a file locker malware that targets machines with Intel 386 CPU or later and compatibles.
The virus prevents users from opening pictures, videos, music, documents, and other files. After the malicious program infiltrates the computer, files are locked using the AES algorithm.
The affected files are marked with a .wearefriends extension. It is usually during this period that victims notice the infection. The file names look something like this - picture.jpg.wearefriends, video.mp4.wearefriends, and the icons turn to white pages.
Shortly after file locking is done, the malware opens a pop-up window named "!!YOU ARE FU**ED!!". In this animated window, hackers reveal to victims what happened to their files and ask for payment to receive a decryption key.
Hackers use strong language to convey their short message - you have to send 0.05 of Bitcoin (which at the time of writing is about $2,300) to [payment address omitted] wallet address to recover your data. Victims are then supposed to send the transaction ID to clay_whoami_1@protonmail.ch email.
It is recommended not to pay the ransom because victims often do not receive anything back from ransomware developers after the payment is sent. Once you make a cryptocurrency transaction, you cannot reverse it, so you will most likely be left without your money and data. By paying the money, you will also support the malicious activity, which leads to more malware attacks on innocent users.
Ransomware attacks have been increasing rapidly since the pandemic started, most likely because more people are forced to work from home and spend more time online in general.
People who do not have their data backed up anywhere else are likely to pay the amount asked if the files are essential to them. Often, there is no other way to recover the files, so people take a risk by paying the money.
In addition to file locking, the virus has been observed using an abnormal amount of CPU power, potentially having a key logger, crypto functionalities which means cryptojacking is a possibility resulting in slower speeds and electricity usage increase.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
How do file locking programs infect operating systems?
Cybercriminals use email attachments, fake software updates, unofficial sites that distribute "cracked" programs, and peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms to spread malicious code.
Wearefriends virus is delivered using a .NET executable file. Net.exe is a system file used by Microsoft Windows and appears in Windows Task Manager as a process named "Net Command." However, some viruses or Trojans use the same file name in order to remain undetected. Opening .exe files can be the launch of a virus that brings down your computer and the entire network.
You should always be careful when downloading email attachments. Do not download attachments from senders you do not recognize, although sometimes malicious programs can infiltrate emails and send them from your friend's list. So non-regardless of who sent the email, always make sure to check it is safe to download.
Fake software updaters infect computers by installing malware instead of updates. Never update your software through your browser. If a page pops up saying you need to update something, go to the software official page or open the program itself and check. Never download anything from a pop-up or suddenly opened new tab.
It is prevalent for cracking tools to contain malware or have malicious code injected into them. As this activity is illegal, they are distributed on third-party sites that are not regulated.
Users who have been infected should disconnect from their network, as ransomware could infect other machines on the local network and remove the malicious program first. For private individuals disconnecting the ethernet cable is enough.
The full ransom note from the hacker group:
Hackers use cryptocurrency as a method for payment because it hides their identity. Most often, criminals can only be caught if they want to turn it into fiat currency or transfer it to a bank account as that requires a person to prove their identity. One of the only ways cybercriminals can remain anonymous is by exchanging crypto for gift cards.
Threat actors also use ProtonMail as their communication channel because it does not require any personal details to sign up. The emails are also encrypted to hide the IP addresses. Investigators were able to identify 4 IP addresses located in the US for the servers used to generate decryption keys, but that does not give any indication of where the attackers are actually from.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Safety measures are key if you want to avoid ransomware attacks
- Have all your data backed up. Do not store it just in one place to prevent permanent data loss
- Use antivirus software to perform regular system scans. Security software also warns you about potential threats
- Keep everything updated and patched. Hackers often use vulnerabilities to infiltrate
- Use ad-blocking software to avoid clicking on malicious advertisements
- Do not use unofficial sources to download programs as they can have other software bundled together in the installation
The Wearefriends ransomware note
Your files (count: -) have been F***ED!
In order to recover your data...
Please send 0.05 Bitcoin's to the following BTC
[payment address omitted]
Next, E-mail your transaction ID to the following
clay_whoami_1@protonmail.ch
How to remove Wearefriends ransomware
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove Wearefriends and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Wearefriends encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Copy
the ransom noteand one or two files ending in.wearefriendsto a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
For Wearefriends, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Wearefriends still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Report the incident to your local authorities
Ransomware is a lucrative, highly illegal business, and authorities are actively targeting ransomware operators. The level of investigation and follow-up depends on the country, the scale of the incident, and whether the attack is linked to known ransomware groups. To increase the likelihood of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. In many cases, reports are used primarily for intelligence gathering, trend analysis, and victim support rather than immediate identification of attackers.
Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help stop the cybercriminal activities and catch the threat actors. Reporting does not guarantee investigation or recovery of data, but it contributes to broader efforts to track ransomware campaigns. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Relevant details may also include affected systems, ransom demands, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and any communication with the attackers. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, encrypted files, or malware executables would be beneficial.
Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:
- USA - Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
- United Kingdom - ActionFraud
- Canada - Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia - ScamWatch
- New Zealand - ConsumerProtection
- Germany - Polizei
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.
Isolate the infected computer
Some ransomware strains aim to infect not only one computer but hijack the entire network. As soon as one of the machines is infected, malware can spread via the network and encrypt files everywhere else, including Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. NAS devices are commonly compromised via reused administrator credentials and remote access services, and attackers may also delete existing snapshots. If your computer is connected to a network, it is important to isolate it to prevent re-infection after ransomware removal is complete.
In modern environments, ransomware often spreads using stolen credentials, remote management tools, VPN connections, and cloud synchronization services, not only through shared network drives.
The easiest way to disconnect a PC from everything is simply to plug out the ethernet cable. This does not disconnect wireless networks, VPN connections, or cloud services, which must also be disabled separately. However, in the corporate environment, this might be extremely difficult to do (also would take a long time). In many organizations, devices are centrally managed, and network isolation is typically performed by IT or security teams using endpoint security or device management tools. The method below will disconnect from all the networks, including local and the internet, isolating each of the machines involved.
On modern Windows systems, network connections can also be disabled through the Settings app or automatically isolated using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools.
- Type in Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter
- Go to Network and Internet
- Click Network and Sharing Center
- On the left, pick Change adapter settings
- Right-click on your connection (for example, Ethernet), and select Disable
- Confirm with Yes.
If you are using some type of cloud storage you are connected to, you should disconnect from it immediately. It is also advisable to disconnect all the external devices, such as USB flash sticks, external HDDs, etc. Once the malware elimination process is finished, you can connect your computers to the network and internet, as explained above, but by pressing Enable instead. Before reconnecting, credentials should be reset, persistence mechanisms checked, and backups verified to ensure reinfection does not occur.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Remove the intruder from your machine
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.
This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. Automatic removal is the best option because there is less risk of leaving some of the traces behind.
Malware could prevent you from using antivirus software by turning it off. In that case, you should proceed with accessing Safe Mode first:
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- 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.
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
File recovery using third-party software
Only hackers hold the decryption key, which can unlock your files, so if you did not back them up 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 Wearefriends ransomware.
- Download .
- Double-click the installer to launch it.
- Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
- As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
- Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
- Press Next.
- At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
- Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
- You can now pick which folders/files to recover - don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
- Press Recover to retrieve your files.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
The operating system is left damaged after an attack
Performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required, are expected after 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 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
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like Wearefriends together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .wearefriends and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
Questions about Wearefriends ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .wearefriends files?
That depends on the family behind the .wearefriends extension, which this guide cannot confirm yet from the reports alone. Check No More Ransom and ID Ransomware with your ransom note and one encrypted file; they list families with free tools.
If none exists today, keep the encrypted files and a copy of the note on a separate drive, because decryptors are sometimes published months later after flaws are found or servers are seized. Never buy a decryptor from a website that is not the security company that made it.
How do I open .wearefriends files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .wearefriends ending shows that Wearefriends encrypted the content, and only the matching key can reverse it. Renaming a file back to .docx or .jpg changes nothing except the icon, and it can confuse a future decryptor, so leave the names as they are.
To get the content back, use a backup, an unencrypted copy elsewhere, or a decryptor listed on No More Ransom if one exists for Wearefriends. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Wearefriends steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Wearefriends, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .wearefriends and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did Wearefriends get on my computer?
The way Wearefriends spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened. On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password.
Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before files that end in .wearefriends and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is Wearefriends the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I delete the ransom note?
Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. the ransom note contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.
Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.
Will .wearefriends spread to my other drives?
It can. Ransomware encrypts every drive and network share it can reach while it runs, so external disks, USB sticks and shared folders connected during the attack may also have files ending in .wearefriends. Disconnect everything now, then check each device from a clean computer.
Do not plug a backup drive into the infected PC until the ransomware has been removed with an offline scan. Cloud folders such as OneDrive sync the encrypted versions, but they keep earlier versions you can usually restore.
Will Fortect remove Wearefriends?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Wearefriends, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Medium: Ransomware encryption techniques (read October 7, 2026)
- Varonis: What Is Cryptojacking? Prevention and Detection Tips (read October 7, 2026)
- ProtonMail: Security Details (read October 7, 2026)
- Virustotal: Contacted IP Addresses (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)