How to remove Notwanna ransomware and recover files

Complete tips to delete Notwanna ransomware and decrypt files

Notwanna ransomware is a ransomware-type infection from Xorist ransomware group. It blocks users’ access to all the files stored and ask ransom payment for their decryption. During the process of the files encryption, it appends the filenames of each of the encrypted files with .Notwanna extension. For example, a file 1.jpfg would be renamed as “1.jpg” to “1.jpg.Notwanna”, “2.jpg” to “2.jpg.Notwanna”.

The ransomware changes the desktop wallpaper afterwards and creates the “КАК РАСШИФРОВАТЬ ФАЙЛЫ.txt” file, and shows a pop-up window. Notwanna’s pop-up window, “КАК РАСШИФРОВАТЬ ФАЙЛЫ.txt”, and desktop wallpaper are ransom notes containing contact and (or) payment information.  The pop-up is written in Russian and in Gibberish (for those who don’t under Russian).

The text file and the pop-up contains same ransom message. They inform the victims about the files encryption and instruct them to transfer $300 in Bitcoins to the provided BTC wallet, if they want the data back. They are promised to be provided decryption tool within 36 hours after the payment. However, we do not recommend you to do so under any circumstances.

The people behind the Notwanna ransomware is not the ones to whom you can rely upon. They may provide no decryption tool and just disappear, leaving you without your files –once the ransom payment is received. Unfortunately, the official decryption tool is not available at present. Also, Notwanna ransomware removal will not decrypt the files already encrypted. However, it is necessary to prevent further files encryption.

For the files recovery, existing backups are the best option. However, the problem is that not all users have such backups available. In this case, users must check if Shadow Copies available. These are automatically designed backups from Windows OS. If this option is found to be deleted, you have to rely on third party data recovery tool.

How did Notwanna ransomware infiltrate my system?

Most users infect their systems with ransomware through spam emails, fake software updaters, file downloaded from unreliable sources, software cracking tools or Trojans. Emails used to deliver ransomware often contain malicious files as attachments or links for such files in them. Recipients infect systems with emails when they download and open the malicious files.

Fake software updaters do not fix or update software – they install malware instead of updates, fixes or exploit bugs, flaws of outdated software. Malicious files downloaded from unreliable channels such as unofficial pages, third-party downloaders infect systems when users open/ execute them. Software cracking tools infect systems by allegedly bypassing activation keys of paid software.

Text presented in Notwanna ransomware‘s desktop wallpaper:

Ooops, your important files are encrypted.

If you see this text, but don’t see the “Wana Decrypt0r” window, then your antivirus removed the decrypt software or you deleted it from your computer.

If you need your files you have to run the decrypt software.

Please find an application file named “@[email protected]” in any folder or restore from the antivirus quarantine.

Run and follow the instructions!

Text presented in the Notwanna ransomware’s pop-up window:

Внимание! Все Ваши файлы зашифрованы!

Чтобы восстановить свои файлы и получить к ним доступ,

отправьте 300$ на биткоин кошелек 3HnEF4mk7XECE9dhTWaVB4f89oWaaLt27L  и ввидите почту и пароль через 36 часов придет пароль у вас 1 попытка

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Links and attachments on any irrelevant emails received from unknown senders should never be opened. Downloads from unreliable sources should never be clicked as well. It is recommended to use only official pages and direct links for any software download. Installed software should have to be updated/ activated using tools/ functions from legit developers.

For adequate protection, the system should have a reputable antivirus tool installed and scanned for threats on regular basis. The AV should have to be kept updated so as to get best from it. If the system is already infected with Notwanna ransomware, we recommend you run a full system scan using some reputable antivirus tool and remove it automatically.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Notwanna ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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