Remove WELL ransomware

Is this a severe infection

The ransomware known as WELL ransomware is categorized as a serious infection, due to the possible harm it may do to your computer. While ransomware has been widely talked about, it’s possible it is your first time coming across it, thus you may be unaware of what infection could mean to your device. Files will be unavailable if they’ve been encrypted by ransomware, which usually uses strong encryption algorithms. This is thought to be a very harmful infection because it’s not always possible to restore files. Cyber crooks will give you a decryptor but buying it is not suggested. Paying does not automatically result in decrypted data, so expect that you could just be spending your money on nothing. Bear in mind that you are expecting that cyber crooks will feel any responsibility to help you in data recovery, when they do not have to. That money would also go into future activities of these crooks. It’s already estimated that ransomware costs millions of dollars in losses to different businesses in 2017, and that’s an estimation only. People also realize that they can make easy money, and when people pay the ransom, they make the ransomware industry appealing to those kinds of people. Consider buying backup with that money instead because you could end up in a situation where you face file loss again. You could then just erase WELL ransomware virus and restore data. And in case you’re confused about how the data encrypting malicious software managed to contaminate your device, we will explain how it spreads in the following paragraph.
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Ransomware spread ways

Ransomware usually uses rather simple methods for distribution, such as spam email and malicious downloads. It’s often not necessary to come up with more sophisticated ways since a lot of people aren’t careful when they use emails and download something. Nevertheless, some ransomware may be spread using more sophisticated ways, which need more time and effort. All crooks have to do is claim to be from a credible company, write a plausible email, attach the malware-ridden file to the email and send it to possible victims. Users are more inclined to open emails talking about money, thus those types of topics are commonly used. And if someone like Amazon was to email a person that dubious activity was observed in their account or a purchase, the account owner may panic, turn careless as a result and end up opening the attachment. Because of this, you need to be careful about opening emails, and look out for signs that they might be malicious. First of all, if you do not know the sender, investigate them before opening the file attached. Don’t make the mistake of opening the attached file just because the sender seems familiar to you, you first need to double-check if the email address matches. The emails can be full of grammar errors, which tend to be quite easy to see. Take note of how you’re addressed, if it’s a sender with whom you’ve had business before, they will always use your name in the greeting. It is also possible for data encrypting malicious software to use out-of-date programs on your device to infect. Those weak spots in software are usually fixed quickly after they’re found so that malware cannot use them. Nevertheless, not all users are quick to update their software, as proven by the WannaCry ransomware attack. It is highly crucial that you regularly update your software because if a weak spot is serious, all kinds of malicious software may use it. Updates can install automatically, if you do not want to bother with them every time.

What can you do about your files

Your files will be encoded by ransomware as soon as it infects your computer. In the beginning, it may be confusing as to what’s going on, but when you notice that you cannot open your files, it ought to become clear. Files that have been affected will have a strange file extension, which can help people find out the data encrypting malware’s name. A powerful encryption algorithm may be used, which would make file decryption potentially impossible. After the encryption process is finished, you will see a ransom note, which will try to explain what has occurred and how you ought to proceed. You will be proposed a decryption utility, in exchange for money obviously, and crooks will allege that using any other way to recover files might harm them. If the price for a decryptor is not shown properly, you’d have to contact the criminals via email. Buying the decryptor isn’t the suggested option, for reasons we have already discussed. You should only think about paying as a last resort. It’s possible you’ve just forgotten that you’ve made copies of your files. In some cases, decryptors could be available for free. If the ransomware is decryptable, someone could be able to release a tool that would unlock WELL ransomware files for free. Consider that option and only when you’re entirely sure a free decryption program is unavailable, should you even think about complying with the demands. Using part of that money to buy some kind of backup may turn out to be more beneficial. If backup is available, you can restore data after you erase WELL ransomware virus entirely. Become familiar with how a data encrypting malware spreads so that you do your best to avoid it. Ensure you install up update whenever an update is available, you don’t randomly open files attached to emails, and you only download things from trustworthy sources.

Ways to terminate WELL ransomware virus

Implement a malware removal software to get rid of the file encoding malware if it still remains. If you have little experience when it comes to computers, unintentional damage may be caused to your device when attempting to fix WELL ransomware by hand. Going with the automatic option would be a much better choice. These types of utilities are developed with the intention of removing or even stopping these types of infections. Once you have installed the anti-malware program, simply scan your device and if the infection is identified, allow it to remove it. Sadly, those utilities will not help with data decryption. If you’re certain your system is clean, unlock WELL ransomware files from backup, if you have it.
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Learn how to remove WELL ransomware from your computer

• Step 1. Remove WELL ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.
• Step 2. Remove WELL ransomware using System Restore
• Step 3. Recover your data

Step 1. Remove WELL ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.
• b) Step 2. Remove WELL ransomware.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Choose Safe Mode with Networking

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

b) Step 2. Remove WELL ransomware.

You will now need to open your browser and download some kind of anti-malware software. Choose a trustworthy one, install it and have it scan your computer for malicious threats. When the ransomware is found, remove it. If, for some reason, you can't access Safe Mode with Networking, go with another option.

Step 2. Remove WELL ransomware using System Restore

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
• b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

1. You will need to type in cd restore in the window that appears. Press Enter.
2. Type in rstrui.exe and again, press Enter.
3. A window will pop-up and you should press Next. Choose a restore point and press Next again.
4. Press Yes.

While this should have taken care of the ransomware, you might want to download anti-malware just to be sure no other threats are lurking.  

Step 3. Recover your data

• a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.
• b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions
• c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

While backup is essential, there is still quite a few users who do not have it. If you are one of them, you can try the below provided methods and you just might be able to recover files.

a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.

1. Download Data Recovery Pro, preferably from a trustworthy website.
2. Scan your device for recoverable files.
3. Recover them.

b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions

If you had System Restore enabled, you can recover files through Windows Previous Versions.

1. Find a file you want to recover.
2. Right-click on it.
3. Select Properties and then Previous versions.
4. Pick the version of the file you want to recover and press Restore.

c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

If you are lucky, the ransomware did not delete your shadow copies. They are made by your system automatically for when system crashes.

1. Go to the official website (shadowexplorer.com) and acquire the Shadow Explorer application.
2. Set up and open it.
3. Press on the drop down menu and pick the disk you want.
4. If folders are recoverable, they will appear there. Press on the folder and then Export.

* SpyHunter scanner, published on this site, is intended to be used only as a detection tool. More info on SpyHunter. To use the removal functionality, you will need to purchase the full version of SpyHunter. If you wish to uninstall SpyHunter, click here.