I wrote this article to help you remove Wlu Ransomware. This Wlu Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
Wlu is a ransomware infection which is a new and improved version of the Jeff ransomware. Jeff, on the other hand, is believed to be connected to the Locky ransomware. And Locky, in turn, is considered the most dangerous ransomware family that you can encounter. So, needless to say, you are in big trouble. You are currently stuck with the Wlu ransomware and you need to take immediate action against it. There is a reason why this type of parasites is considered the most dreadful. They aim at your back account. Your money is their goal but unlike other viruses which try stealing your credit card number, for instance, ransomware pieces rely on a different technique. Wlu is not an exception. It follows a standard pattern of Invade, Encrypt, and Extort.
Let`s get into details. Wlu enters your machine with trickery and deceit. Usually, ransomware turns to spam email messages in order to get on board. You need to be careful and think twice before opening an email from an unknown sender. Usually, crooks disguise the messages to look like legitimate ones so they can fool you. Then, a single click of yours is enough to let the nasty ransomware enter your PC. Be more vigilant and doubting when it comes to messages, sent from people you don’t know. Don’t blindly open them and don’t download their attachment. More often than not, such emails deliver malware. Also, a ransomware can be distributed via fake program updates, corrupted links/page, freeware/shareware bundles, unverified download sources, etc. Carelessness is what all these methods need in order to work. Don’t grant it.
The second step of Wlu`s operation process is encryption. As soon as the pest enters, it performs a quick scan of your PC in search for your private files. All of your private files, to be exact. Of course, it doesn’t take long before it finds what it is looking for after which it encrypts everything with a strong encryption algorithm. Thus, all of your pictures, music, videos, MS Office documents, presentations, etc. get locked. You cannot open them anymore. They all receive the brand new “.Wlu” extension and your machine is unable to read them.
Seeing this new appendix means that the encrypting process is over and all of your private data is being kept hostage. It this situation, if you don’t keep backups of your most valuable data, there is nothing you can do to recover it. This is exactly what hacker pray for. They need you to panic so they can get what they want. And what they want, as we already said, is money. Your money. Why do you think they lock your files? It is because they need a leverage. They need something to blackmail you with. And now they have your files, among which there is probably some very important information. You wanting that information back is their leverage.
Once the encryption process has finished, the crooks proceed to the actual extortion step. The ransomware drops READMEw.txt or READMETODECRYPT.html files of your desktop for you. Those are Wlu`s ransom notes. The messages explain your unpleasant situation and provide information on how to get your data back. According to them, the only way to free your files is by purchasing a special decryption tool. The crooks demand 0.35 Bitcoins for that tool, which equals $968. They claim that once you pay, they will send you the decryptor. The question is, however, can you trust cybercriminals to keep their end of the deal. And the answer is always a “No”.
There is no guarantee that you will get what you paid for whatsoever. He hackers only want your money. They couldn’t care less about your locked files. Don’t be gullible and don’t give these people money. You will end up double-crossed. Even if you receive the decryptor and free your data, the ransomware itself remains on your machine ready to strike again. Paying is not an option. Instead, use our removal guide below and get rid of Wlu once and for all. Once your PC is clean, use the guide again to try and recover your files.
Wlu Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Wlu Ransomware deletes all shadow copies, stored in your computer. Luckily, the ransomware is not always able to delete the shadow copies. So your first try should be restoring the original files from shadow copies.
- Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
- Install ShadowExplorer
- Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
- Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
- Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
- Right-click on the encrypted file
- Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file
Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore
- Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
- Click “Next“
- Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
- Click “Next“
- Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
- Click “Next“. Wait for a few minutes and the restore should be done.
Method 3: Restore your files using File Recovery Software
If none of the above method works, you should try to recover encrypted files by using File Recovery Software. Since Wlu Ransomware first makes a copy of the original file, then encrypts it and deletes the original one, you can successfully restore the original, using a File Recovery Software. Here are a few free File Recovery Software programs:
