WinRarer ransomware / virus (Removal Guide)
WinRarer virus Removal Guide
What is WinRarer ransomware virus?
How does WinRarer virus differ from other ransomware viruses?
WinRarer ransomware is quite a new virus that uses a slightly odd method to blackmail the owner of the victimized PC. Instead of applying AES or RSA cryptography to victim’s files, it locks them up in a YourFilesHere-OpenWithWinrar.ace archive and secures it with a adamant password. We assume that it uses a very long and complex password since brute force programs were unable to crack it in several days. It might take ages to brute force the password, so authors of this ransomware leave some information in certain files for the victim, including RECOVERYOURFILES.HTM and ReciverYourFiles.jpg. The second one becomes the new desktop wallpaper as soon as the virus locks all files up.
The ransom note asks the victim to download and set up Tor browser, and then access a certain .onion website and enter the victim’s ID into it. What is also interesting is that people behind this ransomware project suggest buying “own locker,” and join the cyber crime gang. It means that Winrarer works as ransomware-as-a-service, which means that anybody can join this gang and help to distribute this virus even more actively. If you have found this nasty program on your computer, we suggest you take no actions before you install a reliable anti-malware software. Run it and let it detect components of Winrarer malware automatically. If you had an antivirus or anti-malware program before, update it to the latest version and perform a system scan then. If it fails to detect or remove WinRarer virus, use FortectIntego or another reliable anti-malware program. Please do it as soon as possible because as long as this virus stays on the system, your computer cries for help. The ransomware can silently install more malicious elements or leave the system vulnerable to cyber infections, therefore, it is essential to carry out WinRarer removal.
How does ransomware spread?
Ransomware viruses are meant to be installed without user’s knowledge, so it is right to say that they belong to Trojan category. These crypto-Trojans can silently collect data about the computer user, his/hers activities, files stored on the computer, and later on leak such data to certain web sources. Be very careful – if the computer is unprotected, such data loss can cost you a lot. Therefore, we recommend you to take actions and defend your PC from ransomware attacks in advance. Establish a trustworthy anti-malware program on the system and enable automatic updates for it, then back up most important files and unplug the data storage device from the computer and store it in a safe place. Finally, avoid general Internet menaces – do not open questionable email attachments, do not install software updates from unknown websites, and install software only with Custom or Advanced options (these allow users to review “recommended” programs added to the main program and drop them off, if necessary).
WinRarer virus removal options
If your files have been archived and you cannot access them anymore, we suggest you create a copy of them and export it to a safe place. The structure of this virus is quite promising, which means that cyber security experts might be able to crack it soon. In the meantime, remove WinRarer ransomware and create an anti-malware shield for it with a help of FortectIntego. You can find more information about WinRarer removal below.
Getting rid of WinRarer virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
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 WinRarer 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 WinRarer. 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 WinRarer from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.Paying the ransom means losing, so stay strong! If your files have been encrypted, do not rush to buy Bitcoins and transfer them to criminals. Instead, remember where you can find some important file copies. Check your email, USBs, removable data storage devices, and other places. Remove WinRarer malware and then import clean records to the system. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend you any data recovery options since this virus uses a completely different method to lock user’s files and make them unusable.
If your files are encrypted by WinRarer, you can use several methods to restore them:
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from WinRarer and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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