WhyCry ransomware virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
WhyCry attacks unprotected computer systems to extort money from their owners
WhyCry ransomware is another virus that seeks to look like it comes from WannaCry ransomware family. It, however, is a poorly programmed virus that encrypts files and marks them with .whycry file extensions. The ransomware actually belongs to FTSCoder malware family that can be decrypted using particular decryption tools. After noticing this virus on your computer, an immediate WhyCry removal is required.
When the ransomware hits the computer, it firstly shows a blue screen showing computer directories and also a loading bar that shows how much volume has been processed (encrypted). The virus tells the victim “don’t turn off your computer, this will take a while.” During the procedure, the malware might trigger a couple of pop-ups saying “please check to make sure that the path and filename are correct and if the file exists.”
Once the ransomware encrypts all data, it then changes the blue screen with a gray screen that informs the victim about “Why-Cry” ransomware attack. The virus suggests that files can be decrypted for $300. This sum must be paid in Bitcoins. Scammers praise themselves by saying that the decryption key will pop on the screen automatically right after the victim transfers the required amount to their Bitcoin address. They name such feature as a sign that shows their “advanced skills.” However, the ransomware is apparently coded by an amateur. We suggest you remove WhyCry and use decryption tool presented at the end of this post to recover your files for free.
Distribution of the virus
This Wannacry-wannabe is expected to use mail spam[1] as the main attack vector. It is the most basic malware distribution technique, and surprisingly, the most efficient one as well as it relies on social engineering. All that cyber criminals do is compose convincing messages and attach some files to them.
The content of the message is meant to trigger victim’s curiosity and make him/her open the malicious attachment that either is an obfuscated ransomware executable or a malicious file intended to download it from a malicious domain. However, you shouldn’t think that simply staying away from suspicious emails can help to protect your PC from ransomware entirely.
Select 'Safe Mode with Networking'
Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Networking'
Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next'
Select your restore point and click 'Next'
Click 'Yes' and start system restore
Remember that developers of much more sophisticated ransomware, for instance, Cerber or Jaff use completely different distribution tricks that are related to exploit kits, trojans, and malvertising[2]. It is hard to ward off such attacks, so we highly suggest installing anti-malware software for system protection and create a data backup right now.
WhyCry removal tricks
You should not try to remove WhyCry virus on your own – allow a professional malware removal tool to take care of this ransomware. Use a powerful anti-malware software for WhyCry removal so that all of the files related to it would be erased from your system for good. However, if you seek for extra precision, reboot the system into a safe mode using these instructions before launching the anti-malware or antivirus.
To remove WhyCry virus, follow these steps:
Remove WhyCry using Safe Mode with Networking
To eliminate WhyCry, reboot your machine into a proper mode. The guide on how to do it is given below.
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Networking
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.
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Select Safe Mode with Networking 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.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Remove WhyCry
Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete WhyCry removal.
If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.
Remove WhyCry using System Restore
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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.
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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.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of WhyCry. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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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 WhyCry from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.You can recover files by importing them back to your computer from a backup. If you did not create a backup a while ago, you should try these data recovery solutions.
If your files are encrypted by WhyCry, you can use several methods to restore them:
Recovery with recovery tools
Data Recovery Pro is an excellent data recovery software that helps to reverse corrupted files back to their initial condition. It also can recover deleted files.
- 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 WhyCry ransomware;
- Restore them.
Shadow exploring
You should find Volume Shadow Copies on the system and use them to recover your files. However, keep in mind that the ransomware tends to delete them.
- 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.
Stupid Decrypter
Stupid Decrypter is a tool created by Michael Gillespie, who is an experienced malware analyst. You can try it on files with .whycry extensions.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from WhyCry and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner or Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes
About the author
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References
- ^ Tom Spring. Blank Slate Spam Campaign Spreads Cerber Ransomware. Threatpost. The First Stop for Security News.
- ^ Joseph C Chen. New Version of Cerber Ransomware Distributed via Malvertising. Trend Micro Blogs. Simply Security News, Views and Opinions.