How to remove Dewar Ransomware

Tips for Dewar Ransomware removal

Dewar Ransomware is a malicious malware from Phobos ransomware family. It encrypts stored files and demands ransom payment for the decryption. During encryption process, it appends the filenames of the encrypted files using .Dewar extension. For example, a file named 1.jpg becomes 1.jpg.dewar. Following to this, the ransomware creates a .info.txt file and an HTML app info.hta- both of which contain the ransom demanding message.

The text file states that the victims’ data have been encrypted. To get the further instructions, the users are asked to establish contact with the cybercriminals behind the infection via the provided email address, Telegram or Jabber instant messaging platform. The pop-up provides more detailed information. It repeats the initial statement and then adds that the users should include their ID number when they initiate the contact. After the contact, the users are likely to provide the instruction how much to pay for the decryption tool that the crooks have, how to use it and so on. Prior to paying, the victims are asked to send up to 5 encrypted files as a test that the decryption tool is really working. The message ends with a warning to the users that if they rename the files or use any third party software, they will lose all their files. Here is the full text presented on the info.html app:

All your files have been encrypted!

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail: [email protected] and this e-mail:[email protected]

Write this ID in the title of your message 1E857D00-2718

Our operator is available in the messenger Telegram: hxxps://telegram.org/. To find us, enter the alias @hpdec in the messenger search box.

You can install the Jabber client and write to us in support of [email protected]

You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee

Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

How to obtain Bitcoins

The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.

hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins

Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:

hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/

Attention!

Do not rename encrypted files.

Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Jabber client installation instructions:

Download the jabber (Pidgin) client from hxxps://pidgin.im/download/windows/

After installation, the Pidgin client will prompt you to create a new account.

Click “Add”

In the “Protocol” field, select XMPP

In “Username” – come up with any name

In the field “domain” – enter any jabber-server, there are a lot of them, for example – exploit.im

Create a password

At the bottom, put a tick “Create account”

Click add

If you selected “domain” – exploit.im, then a new window should appear in which you will need to re-enter your data:

User

password

You will need to follow the link to the captcha (there you will see the characters that you need to enter in the field below)

If you don’t understand our Pidgin client installation instructions, you can find many installation tutorials on youtube – hxxps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pidgin+jabber+install

The .txt file contains the following text message:

!!!All of your files are encrypted!!!

To decrypt them send e-mail to this address: [email protected] and this: [email protected]

For ease of communication, you can install the telegram messenger.

Messenger site hxxps://telegram.org/

To find us, enter the alias @hpdec in the messenger search box.

jabber: [email protected]

We recommended not pay/contact to the crooks under any circumstances. These people will never help you in getting the files. If you pay, you will be scammed. In other word, you will suffer financial loss and will not receive any decryption tool. The files will remain in the encrypted form. Thus, you are recommended not to negotiate to the crooks. Use some data recovery alternatives. The safest option is to remove Dewar Ransomware and recover the files using existing backup. The malware removal is necessary to prevent it from further files encryption. Following to malware removal, think of data recovery. For this, use the backup and restore the files to the system. If you do not have such files, use data recovery tools that may help you in getting the locked or damaged files back to the original accessible condition.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

Ransomware are distributed using various deceptive methods. However, the most popular four are: 1) spam emails [malicious attachments]; 2) third party software download sources [peer-to-peer {P2P} networks, freeware download websites, free file hosting websites, etc.]; 3) fake software update tools, and; 4) Trojans are described below.

• Spam emails – such emails have some infectious file attachments (e.g., JavaScript files, MS Office documents and similar), once opened –users end up to the malware downloading/installation in their device
• Unofficial download sources- including p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders or installers spread malware by presenting it as legit software
• Fake updaters –they infect the system by exploiting outdated software bugs/flaws or simply downloading and installing malware
• Trojans –they open backdoor in the devices to cause additional malware intrusion after the infection

How to protect yourself from ransomware infections?

Think twice before opening email attachments. If the files seem irrelevant or have been received from a suspicious/unrecognizable email address, delete the email immediately and certainly do not open any attachments. Furthermore, use official sources only (via direct download links) for any software download.The same applies to updating software and their activation – keep installed apps up-to-date using implemented functions or tools provided by official developers only. For betterment, employ some reputable antivirus tool that provides adequate protection to the device.

Remove Dewar Ransomware

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove Dewar Ransomware from the device.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Dewar Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Dewar Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Dewar Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button. In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete Dewar Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Dewar Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to Dewar Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Dewar Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of Dewar Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by Dewar Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like Dewar Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by Dewar Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with Dewar Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove Dewar Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.