Remove .wiot file virus

.wiot file virus refers to the ransomware infection that adds .wiot to encrypted files. If your files have this extension and you cannot open them, your computer is infected with the Wiot ransomware, a file-encrypting piece of malware from the Djvu/STOP ransomware family. The gang has released hundreds of ransomware versions, with .wiot being the more recent one. The versions can be differentiated by the extensions they add to encrypted files. In this case, it’s .wiot, hence why it’s known as Wiot ransomware.

 

 

.wiot file virus will encrypt all your personal files and then essentially blackmail you into paying for a decryptor to recover them. This ransomware comes from the same family as Lqqw, Orkf, and Efdc, and the group operating the ransomware releases new versions on a regular basis. You can identify which one you are dealing with by the extension added to encrypted files. As we mentioned above, this one adds .wiot. For example, image.jpg would become image.jpg.wiot. The ransomware will encrypt all your personal files, in particular all photos, images, videos, and documents. While it’s encrypting files, it will show a fake Windows update window. Once file encryption is done, the ransomware will drop a _readme.txt ransom note in all folders that contain encrypted files. The note explains how to buy the decryptor. If victims contact the cyber crooks within the first 72 hours, the price for the decryptor would be $490, and then go up to $980.

The decision of whether to pay the ransom or not is yours. However, you should be aware of the risks. The most important thing to mention is that there is a possibility you will not receive the decryptor just because you pay the ransom. Remember that you are dealing with cybercriminals, and who knows whether they will feel obligated to send the decryptor. Cybercriminals have not sent decryptors to many victims in the past, despite receiving payments.

If your files have been backed up prior to infection, recovering them should be easy. However, you first need to make sure to completely remove .wiot file virus from the computer. Use anti-malware software because ransomware is a complex malware infection. If the ransomware is still present when you connect to your backup, backed-up files would become encrypted as well.

For users who have not backed up files, there aren’t many options left. Waiting for a free decryptor is really the only option that’s left. Software company Emsisoft has released a free Djvu/STOP decryptor but it will not work on most Djvu versions released after 2019. New versions like .wiot use online keys to encrypt files, which means that all victims have unique keys. Unless those keys are released, it’s not possible to develop a universal decryptor. However, it’s not impossible for the keys to be released. The cyber gang itself may do it if it eventually decides to stop its ransomware activities. It’s also possible that law enforcement will eventually catch the cybercriminals and release the keys. We recommend backing up encrypted files and checking NoMoreRansom for a decryptor occasionally. NoMoreRansom is one of the sources from which you can safely download decryptors.

How does ransomware infect a computer?

If you have a habit of opening random email attachments without double-checking, use torrents to pirate entertainment content, click on ads when browsing high-risk websites, etc., you have a much higher chance of infecting your computer with a serious infection like ransomware. Developing better browsing habits will help avoid various malware infections.

If you are someone who often uses torrents to pirate content, you’re likely to encounter malware eventually. Torrent sites are poorly moderated, which means that malicious torrents can be uploaded and stay up for a while. Malicious actors certainly take advantage of this and often disguise malware as torrents for movies, TV shows, video games, software, etc. It’s particularly common for content that’s popular at the time to contain malware. For example, torrents for Marvel movies often contain malware, especially at the time of the movie’s release. If you pirate, know that you are not only stealing content but also jeopardizing your computer and your data.

But perhaps the most common way users pick up ransomware infections is via spam email attachments. Users whose email addresses have been leaked or part of a data breach most likely receive malicious spam on a regular basis. Such emails are not dangerous as long as the attachment is not opened. However, once the file is opened, the malware initiates. Fortunately for users, those emails are fairly obvious as long as you know what to look for. The most obvious sign is grammar and spelling mistakes. If the email is supposed to be official correspondence from a company whose services you use, there will be no grammar mistakes as they seem unprofessional. But for whatever reason, malicious emails are often full of them. The emails are also often sent from random-looking email addresses so you should always check who the sender is before opening email attachments. You should also take note of how you are addressed. If a company whose services you use sends you an email, it will always use your name to greet you. If you are addressed as User, Member, Customer, etc., you should be cautious. Lastly, it’s strongly recommended to use anti-virus software or VirusTotal to scan unsolicited email attachments before opening them.

.wiot file virus removal

Do not attempt to remove .wiot file virus manually because you may end up causing even more damage. Ransomware is a very serious infection so using anti-malware software for its removal is a must. If you don’t use anti-virus software, you might miss something that could later allow the ransomware to recover. And unless you fully delete .wiot file virus from your computer, do not connect to your backup. If the ransomware is still present when you do, backed-up files would become encrypted as well.

For users who do not have a backup, the only option for file recovery may be to wait for a free decryptor to be released. It’s not available at this moment but it could be released in the future. If you’re out of options, back up encrypted files and check NoMoreRansom for a decryptor from time to time.