How to remove IWAN ransomware and recover files

Complete tips to delete IWAN ransomware and decrypt data

Ransomware encrypts all stored files so that victims could not access to them and use their data unless they pay ransom. IWAN ransomware encrypts files and renames them with .IWAN extension. For example, it renames a file 1.jpg to 1.jpg.IWAN, 2.jpg to 2.jpg.IWAN and so on.

Also, IWAN creates _readme.txt file (a ransom note). It shows the same ransom demanding message as all other DJVU variants’ ransom notes. The message provides contact and payment information. For example, the email address, cryptocurrency wallet, price of the decryption tool.

Initially, the IWAN ransomware’s ransom note informs the victims about their files encryption. It states that it is impossible to decrypt the files without a unique decryption tool and a unique key purchased from the attackers. Those tools can be purchased for $980 or $490 – depends on whether the victims contact the attackers before or after 72 hours of the attack.

The crooks behind IWAN ransomware instruct the victims to contact the them to get a cryptocurrency wallet address that they can use to make the purchase. The ransom note makes it clea that the victims cannot decrypt the files without paying to the crooks.

Unfortunately, in most of the cases with ransomware infection, the victims cannot decrypt the files without the right decryption tool. Usually, the crooks behind the infection are the only people who have the right decryption tools.

However, it is strongly not recommended to contact/ pay to the crooks- they will never provide you the decryption tool even if all their demands are met. It is important to know that the ransomware may be capable of encrypting new files or infecting other computers in network. Thus, it should be immediately removed from the system.

However, the removal process will not decrypt the already encrypted files. For this, the best option is to use existing backups. However, even if this option is not available, you should not worry as there are at least two data recovery options still available for you.

You can use Shadow Copies from Windows Operating Systems. Other data recovery option is to use third party data recovery tools. Full data recovery instructions are provided below the post in the data recovery section. There, you will also find complete step-by-step guide to remove IWAN ransomware from system as well.

How did IWAN ransomware enter my system?

Usually, ransomware and other malicious malware are distributed through fake software updaters, Trojans, untrustworthy sources for downloading files or programs and cracking tools. Emails used for delivering malware often contain malicious attachments or website links.

Crooks trick people into opening those malicious files to trigger malicious malware download. In most cases, the cyber-criminals attempt to trick people into opening malicious Microsoft Office documents, JavaScript files, archives, PDF documents, and executables and so on. It is important to remember that these emails that are used to deliver malware may look like official letters from legit companies.

Fake software updaters infect systems by installing malware instead of updates, fixes or exploiting bugs, flaws of outdated software. Trojans are malicious malware that can be used to spread malware. More precisely, there are Trojans that are especially designed to install additional malware on already compromised systems.

Examples of untrustworthy sources include p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers spread malware by presenting it as legit software. Cracking tools cause system infection by allegedly bypassing activation keys of paid software.

Full text presented in IWAN ransomware’s ransom note (_readme.txt text file):

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.

The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.

This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees you have?

You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.

But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

https://we.tl/t-fhnNOAYC8Z

Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.

Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.

Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.

Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:

[email protected]

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

[email protected]

How to protect system from ransomware infection?

Attachments and links on any irrelevant emails received from suspicious, unknown addresses could be malicious. Therefore, it is recommended not to open them. Installed software should have to be updated/ activated using tools/ functions from official software developers.

Any new software should have to be downloaded from official and trustworthy sources. Furthermore, the operating system should have to be scanned for threats on regularly. It should be done using some reputable antivirus tool.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove IWAN ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete IWAN ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove IWAN 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 IWAN ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with IWAN 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 IWAN 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 IWAN 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 IWAN 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 IWAN 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 IWAN 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 IWAN 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 IWAN 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 IWAN 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.