Wcry 2.0 Ransomware Removal (+File Recovery)

How to Remove Wcry 2.0 Ransomware?

There is a new player on the dreaded ransomware field. It seems the virus targets numerous countries across Europe and has already created quite a mess. Meet the Wcry 2.0 Ransomware. This pest of a program will lock your files in order to steal your money. You see, most ransomware infections follow the same pattern which has established to be super efficient. How does the scheme work? First of all, your machine gets infected in silence. You never agreed to download such an aggravating piece of malware, did you? Ransomware slithers itself on board behind your back. It then initiates a thorough scan of your device. As a result, the parasite locates the personal files stored there. You probably keep important information on your PC and that is precisely what crooks rely on. We strongly recommend that you have backups of all your valuable data. This way, you’d eliminate the potential threat ransomware poses. Unless you think in advance, you might cause your very own computer system serious damage. After Wcry 2.0 Ransomware finds your precious files, it starts encrypting them. By using a complicated cipher, the virus successfully locks every single bit of information it finds. Your pictures, music files, your videos, your MS Office documents. Are you starting to grasp the proportions of the harm this infection could cause? It modifies your files’ original format. Eventually, you’re left unable to open or use any of your personal files. Crooks go after your private information because they want to take advantage of your panic. Therefore, don’t panic. Easier said than done, though, as your files get locked out of the blue. Hackers also rely on the shocking factor so keep that in mind. You’re stuck with one particularly tricky and dangerous type of virus. Its only goal is to blackmail you so don’t give into your anxiety. Your situation is indeed rather bad but panicking would make things worse. Once your data gets encrypted, you’ll notice that the virus has  created payment instructions. It drops these files into all folders that contain locked data and onto your desktop wallpaper. As a result, you see the ransom messages practically all the time. Don’t even consider following crooks’ instructions.

How did I get infected with?

Have you recently opened some random email from an unknown sender? Then it’s highly likely that’s how the ransomware landed on board. Corrupted emails and messages are among the oldest virus infiltration techniques. You can see for yourself how effective they still are. Next time you receive something in your inbox you don’t trust, delete it. There is no logical reason for you to be opening unreliable emails or messages. Just to make the lie more believable the ransomware might use fake logos or fake names. Watch out for potential intruders and be careful when surfing the Web. Don’t underestimate any cyber parasite. Instead, make sure you prevent malware infiltration so you don’t have to deal with viruses later on. Another favorite method involves bogus program updates or corrupted third-party pop-ups. Stay away from illegitimate websites and program bundles as well. Ransomware might travel the Web attached to some seemingly safe bundle or via exploit kits. It might even use some help from a Trojan horse which means you should check out the device for further threats. Long story short, there are plenty of ways for a ransomware virus to get to you. To protect your computer, always take your time and be cautious online. You definitely will not regret it.

Why is Wcry 2.0 dangerous?

This program uses tricks and lies to steal your Bitcoins. Unless you remove the virus right away, it might achieve its malicious goal. Don’t waste time. The Wcry 2.0 Ransomware attempts to convince you that you need to pay for a decryption key. That is why it covers your PC screen with its irritating ransom notes. It goes without saying that if you pay, you fall straight into hackers’ trap. You don’t want to become a sponsor of cyber criminals, do you? Then don’t give your Bitcoins away. Forget about the decryptor crooks promise you because they are only focused on gaining profit. Restoring your files is their last concern so your encrypted data could remain hackers’ hostage. Get rid of this infection instead of believing its empty promises. To delete Wcry 2.0 Ransomware for good, please follow our detailed manual removal guide. You will find it down below.

Wcry 2.0 Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Wcry 2.0 Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with Wcry 2.0 encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate Wcry 2.0 encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.