WininiCrypt ransomware virus - How to remove

WininiCrypt ransomware virus uses a template of Globe crypto-infection for its ransom note. It could also be identified as another Globe Imposter. However, the differing feature is that the novel sample is written in the .NET framework. The fresh threat resurfaces into the group of ransomware viruses that encrypt files and demand for a payment transaction in order to share the decryption software/key with the victim (1). .[[email protected]] extension, consisting of the email address of hackers, will be appended to the encoded data. Most of the anti-virus applications stressed out this infection to be labeled as Trojan.Generic.

Alarming features of WininiCrypt computer virus

The Winini.exe application is described as a “Windows Start-Up Application” which is obviously not true. As soon as this executable finds a path into Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 or 10, files that have gotten used to being in hard drives, will be viciously encrypted. AES cipher has been selected for this purpose; therefore, this crypto-virus belongs to the family of ransomware samples that exploit the same strategy for file-encoding: like Nemucod-AES, Diablo6 and Diamond Computer Encryption viruses.

Sometime during this process, WininiCrypt crypto-virus will also insert HOW_TO_BACK_FILES.html into operating systems (2). Another procedure, supplementary to file-encoding, should be considered the deletion of Shadow Volume Copies (3). What is more, some files are going to be removed from hard drives with the help of SDelete software. This malicious software has no other purpose but to swindle bitcoins out of you and the presumably sum of demanded bitcoins can fluctuate from 0.1 to 1 BTC. Specific information about the ransom is provided to victims via the email address which should be exploited as a destination link for letters from victims.

With the deception that many ransomware creators turn against people, paying the ransom that WininiCrypt crypto-virus demands is in no way beneficial to the user (4). It is more likely that hackers are going to run away with their profit and refuse to transfer decryption tools. In other cases, crooks do not even have the right equipment to recover files, but still trick their victims into paying. This disturbing feature should severely discourage you from giving a chance to hackers to prove their credibility.

Recover files that this crypto-virus has managed to corrupt

While we would be glad to announce that encoded data can be restored without any issues, we cannot offer such luxury to victims of this infection. WininiCrypt virus is not yet decryptable, but we are hoping for the moment we can present you with the good news. Also, since Shadow Volume Copies are deleted, their recovery is also not an option. To find out about the other techniques, we suggest you to read the sections below.

If you have stored your files in backup storages, there is an extremely convenient way of file-recovery. First you should eliminate the infection from your operating system.This can be done with Spyhunter: this tool will make sure that no threats are left in your operating system. Never try to recover files (in no matter which manner) if you have not eliminated the crypto-virus itself. Even if you are successful in the file-recovery, ransomware could re-encrypt the data.

To stay perfectly secure, we recommend you to always give your best shot in avoiding potentially dangerous websites, downloads and advertisements. Therefore, one of the most successful strategies for ransomware distribution is the malicious spam letters that get delivered into various email accounts. If the recipient downloads the file attachment, operating system becomes contaminated with ransomware. Soon enough, some part or all of your digital data will be impossible to recognize and require decryption. Sadly, while getting infected with ransomware is rather easy, it is much more difficult to find a way to cure it properly.

How to recover WininiCrypt ransomware virus encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before WininiCrypt ransomware virus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of WininiCrypt ransomware virus

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to WininiCrypt ransomware virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore WininiCrypt ransomware virus affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually WininiCrypt ransomware virus tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover WininiCrypt ransomware virus encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.

References:

1. What is Ransomware and 15 Easy Steps To Keep Your System Protected. Heimdalsecurity.com. 
2. Analysis of the payload. Hybrid-analysis.com
3. Shadow copy. Wikipedia.com.
4. Don’t pay WannaCry demands, cybersecurity experts say. Theguardian.com.