How to remove Wearefriends ransomware and recover files
Complete tips to delete Wearefriends ransomware and decrypt files
Wearefriends ransomware encrypts stored files and renames the filenames of the affected files with .wearefriends extension. For example, it renames 1.jpg to “1.jpg.wearefriends”, “2.jpg” to “2.jpg.wearefriends”, and so on. Also, it displays a pop-up window (as its ransom note) with contact and payment information.
The ransom note informs the victims that their files have been encrypted and instructs that they need to pay 0.5 in Bitcoin for the files recovery. After the payment, the victims are asked to send the transaction ID to the provided email address belongs to the crooks.
Usually, crooks behind ransomware infection are the only people who can restore the file as they have the unique decryption tool needed for the files decryption. Despite that, it is strongly not recommended to contact/ pay to the crooks under any circumstances.
Despite paying, victims often do not receive the decryption tool. Therefore, they suffer financial loss and their files remain encrypted. To prevent Wearefriends ransomware from further files encryption, its removal is necessary. However, this process even will not decrypt the files.
The sole solution for the files recovery is to use existing backups. However, you should not worry if you have no backup option available. You have options in the form of Shadow Copies and data recovery tools still available –refer below the post in the data recovery section for more on data recovery tips.
How did Wearefriends ransomware enter my system?
Most crooks use Trojans, emails, unreliable sources for downloading files, programs, unofficial software updaters and software cracking tools to proliferate in their malware. Trojans are malicious apps that can be designed to steal information, distribute malware and do other things.
Another popular way to distribute malware is through spam emails. These emails have infectious files or links for such files in them, if opened –the malware download/ installation is triggered on users’ systems.
Users install malware via unreliable sources for downloading files by opening malicious files. In order to trick people into downloading those files, crooks disguise them as regular, harmless files. Third party updaters and software cracking tools cause infection by supposedly software update/ activation.
Text presented in Wearefriends ransomware‘s pop-up window:
Your files (count: -) have been F***ED!
In order to recover your data…
Please send 0.05 Bitcoin’s to the following BTC
bc1q4v9ngtqpdq6jfvmz7f72xd7cg97cd082vnmv63
Next, E-mail your transaction ID to the following
How to prevent ransomware infection?
Installed programs should have to be updated and activated using tools/ functions from legit developers. Most often, by using third party, unofficial tools to update or activating software, users infect their systems with malware.
Files attached to any irrelevant emails received from unknown, suspicious addresses should not be opened. These emails are often used by crooks to deliver malware. It is important to mention that their emails may look like official letters from legit companies.
Programs and files should have to be downloaded from official, legitimate sites. Other sources for downloading files, programs could be used to distribute malicious programs. A couple of examples of unreliable sources for downloading files, programs are provided in the previous section.
Also, it is recommended to have a data backup and keep it stored on a remote server or unplugged storage device. If your computer is already infected with Wearefriends ransomware, we recommend you run a full system scan using some reputable antivirus tool to remove it automatically.
Special Offer (For Windows)
Wearefriends ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
Antimalware Details And User Guide
Step 1: Remove Wearefriends ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”
Step 2: Delete Wearefriends ransomware using “System Restore”
Step 1: Remove Wearefriends 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 Wearefriends ransomware using “System Restore”
Log-in to the account infected with Wearefriends ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.
Special Offer (For Windows)
Wearefriends ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
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 Wearefriends 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 Wearefriends 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 Wearefriends 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 Wearefriends 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 Wearefriends 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 Wearefriends 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 Wearefriends 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 Wearefriends 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.
Special Offer (For Windows)
Wearefriends ransomware can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.
Data Recovery Offer
We Suggest you to choose your lately created backup files in order to restore your encrypted files, however in case if you don’t have any such backups, you can try a data recovery tool to check if you can restore your lost data.
