How to remove Wintenzz Ransomware and recover encrypted files

Complete tips to delete Wintenzz Ransomware and restore data

Wintenzz Ransomware is a cryptovirus that operates by encrypting stored files, rendering them inaccessible and then demanding ransom payment for the decryption, i.e., decryption tool. During the file-encryption process, the ransomware appends filenames of each of the encrypted files with .wintenzz extension. As for example, a file 1.jpg would appear something similar to 1.jpg.wintenzz, 2.jpg as 2.jpg.wintezz, 3.jpg to 3.jpg.wintenzz and so on.

Once the files encryption process is complete, the ransomware displays a ransom note within STARTOPEN_ote.html file. The HTML automatically opens each time when the infected PC is rebooted. The message within informs the victims that their files have been encrypted. It states that in order to recover the files the needs to follow the provided instructions or else the data will become permanently corrupted.

The victims are told to purchase a decryption tool from the people belonging to Wintenzz Ransomware via providing them 200 USD in Bitcoin. The message contains the Bitcoin address. There is an email belongs to the crooks behind the ransomware provided in the ransom note to establish communication with them. As per the message, soon they verify the transaction, the decryption tool will be delivered to the victims and so they will be able to restore their files.

In most of the cases with system infection with ransomware viruses, it is not possible to decrypt the files without negotiating with the crooks behind the ransomware. It might be possible if the malicious program is in development stage or has some bugs/ flaws in them. Whatever be the case, it is highly not advised meeting the ransom demands. Despite paying, the victims often receive no decryption tool – they suffer huge financial loss and their files remain encrypted.

The best way to deal with this case is to remove Wintenzz Ransomware and recover the files using the existing backups. The malware removal process is necessary to prevent it from further files encryption. However, this process will not decrypt already encrypted files. To recover them, you need to use backup you have. If there no such backups, kindly check below the post in the data recovery section – there you will find two more data recovery options, namely Volume Shadow Copies and data recovery tools with the complete guide.

How did Wintenzz Ransomware infiltrate my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often disguised as or bundled with regular software and then distributed them in a singular unit for download on various untrustworthy downloading channels such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers. Illegal activation tools and fake software updaters are prime examples of this. Cracking tools cause infection instead of activating licensed products and the illegitimate updaters cause system infection by exploiting bugs/flaws of outdated software or by directly downloading malware instead of providing updates.

Malware can also be distributed through spam email campaigns. The campaigns define large scale operations during which thousands of spam emails are designed and delivered. These emails appear as are coming from reputable companies, institutions and organizations with their urgent, important, crucial invoices, document and notifications as attachments. The attachment files such as Microsoft Office Documents, PDF, Archive, JavaScript and executables are the ones that contain malicious scripts, launched soon the users made a click on the provided attachments and lead to the system infection.

Full text presented in the ransom note created by Wintenzz Ransomware:

Warning!

Your files have been encrypted!

Please follow the instructions below to restore them. Failing to follow the instructions may result in permanent data corruption.

1. Purchase $200 in Bitcoin (BTC). Visit hxxps://bitcoin.org/en/buy to learn how to do this.
2. Send the new Bitcoin to the following address: 1M48oia3zbzuwqCWsWSA242EanbxH191CB
3. Contact our support team at [email protected] and explain your issue.
4. After we have confirmed your Bitcoin payment, our support team will send you a decryption password.
5. Use the password with our program to decrypt your files instantly.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

It is important you perform the download from official and verified sources. Additionally, activate/ update the software from the tools/ functions form genuine developers. To avoid system infection through spam emails, it is advised against opening any emails whose senders’ addresses seem suspicious and especially the provided attachment files or links in them. Also, it is paramount to have a reputable antivirus tool installed and kept updated. Furthermore, this software has to be used to run regular system scans and to remove any detected threats and issues.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Wintenzz Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Wintenzz 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 Wintenzz Ransomware using “System Restore”

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