Wiot ransomware removal

Wiot ransomware is malware that encrypts files. It belongs to the notorious Djvu/STOP ransomware family that has released hundreds of ransomware versions. Wiot ransomware can be differentiated by the .wiot extension it adds to encrypted files. Files with that extension cannot currently be decrypted for free, and the malicious actors operating this ransomware demand $980 for the decryptor. At this moment, only those with a backup can recover files for free.

 

 

Ransomware like Hoop, Muuq, Aeur, and Efdc all come from the same Djvu/STOP ransomware family, as does Wiot ransomware. They’re more or less identical but you can differentiate which one you’re dealing with by the extension added to your encrypted files. Wiot ransomware is called that because it adds .wiot. For example, an image.jpg file would become image.jpg.wiot. While it’s encrypting files, the ransomware will show a fake Windows Update window to distract you. Most of your personal files including photos, videos, documents, etc., will have this extension, as the ransomware primarily targets the files users find most important. The files will not be openable unless you first use a decryption tool on them. As is explained in the _readme.txt ransom note that gets dropped in all folders containing encrypted files, you can buy the decryptor for $980, or $490 if you make contact within the first 72 hours. manager@mailtemp.ch and managerhelper@airmail.cc are given as the contact email addresses.

If you do not have a backup, buying the decryptor may seem like the best option. However, giving in to the demands of cybercriminals is never a good idea. While there are many reasons why victims are not encouraged to pay, the most important is that paying does not guarantee a decryptor. It’s not uncommon for malicious actors to just not send the decryptor even after victims pay so keep that in mind if you are considering paying the ransom. Furthermore, if you pay, you may become a target again. Cybercrooks may think that if you paid once, you would pay again.

Having a backup of all important files is usually the most effective means of protecting yourself from a successful ransomware attack. Regularly backing up files should become a habit. If you have a backup of the files that have been encrypted, you can start their recovery as soon as you remove Wiot ransomware from your computer. Keep in mind that if the ransomware is still present when you connect to your backup, backed-up files may become encrypted as well.

If you do not have a backup, waiting for a free decryptor may be the only option. While Emsisoft does offer a free Djvu/STOP decryptor for older versions, one for more recent versions like Wiot ransomware is yet to be made available. It should be noted that Djvu versions released after mid-2019 use online keys to encrypt files, which means the keys are unique for each victim, and that makes it impossible to create a working free decryptor. It’s not possible to do it without the keys. However, the cybercriminals themselves may end up releasing those keys, or law enforcement may do that for them, so there is hope for a free Wiot ransomware decryptor. Back up the encrypted files and occasionally check NoMoreRansom for a decryptor.

How does ransomware spread

Having good browsing habits can significantly decrease the chances of encountering a malware infection. Malicious programs like ransomware spread via email attachments, torrents, malicious ads/downloads, rootkits, etc. If you avoid doing things like carelessly opening email attachments or clicking on advertisements while on dangerous sites, you will encounter malware much less.

It’s no secret that torrents are a great platform for spreading malware. Torrent sites are not regulated properly, which allows cybercriminals to easily upload malware and disguise it as a torrent for a movie, TV show, video game, software, etc. In particular, it’s very common to find malware in torrents for popular content. For example, torrents for recently released Marvel movies will often contain malware. So if you use torrents to pirate content and software, you should reconsider not only because you’re essentially stealing but also because it’s dangerous for the computer.

Malspam, or malicious spam, is also a very common method for ransomware distribution. If your email address has even been leaked or part of a data breach, you likely receive malspam quite regularly. The emails carrying malware are harmless as long as you don’t open the attachments. These emails are often disguised to look like they come from legitimate/known companies whose services you use. But fortunately, they’re pretty low-effort so it’s usually easy to know when you’re dealing with malspam. They are sent from random-looking email addresses, are full of grammar and spelling mistakes, claim that opening the email attachment immediately is necessary, and just seem off in general. One very noticeable sign of a potentially malicious email is the email addressing you as User, Customer, Member, etc., instead of using your name. If a company whose services you use were to send you an email, they would address you by your name, not generic greetings. Nonetheless, because some malicious emails can be more sophisticated, it’s recommended to scan email attachments with anti-virus software or a service like VirusTotal.

You should also be very careful about what ads you interact with, especially when visiting high-risk websites. Avoid clicking on ads in general and make sure to have an adblocker program installed.

Wiot ransomware removal

Because ransomware is a complex malware infection, we do not recommend trying to remove Wiot ransomware manually because you could end up causing additional damage. Instead, use anti-malware software to delete Wiot ransomware. When the ransomware is gone, you can safely access your backup to start recovering files.

If a backup is not an option for you, the only thing you can do is wait for a free decryptor to be released. There is no free working decryptor for Wiot ransomware at this moment but it may change in the future. We recommend backing up encrypted files and checking NoMoreRansom once in a while. Keep in mind that there are many fake decryptors, downloading which will infect your computer with more malware. Only download decryptors from reputable sources like NoMoreRansom.