Remove Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware [File Restore Instructions]

Details About Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware

The term Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware is a recently discovered malware infection which was first spotted by a well known researcher named Raby. According to him, this ransomware is a new iterated form of Crysis/Dharma ransomware, and is creaed with intention just to encrypt all stored data on computer, following which the victims are demanded to pay a hefty ransom fee for seeking decryption of files. Speaing about the appended file in specific case of this ransomware, it uses .WHY as new file extension after encryption is processed. And once the encryption process is completed, it inserts a text file based ransom note on computer named as FILES ENCRYPTED.txt, which can be seen placed on the desktop. Also, the ransom message will appear before users in form of pop up window, whenever the affected files are attempted to be accessed. For an instance, here comes the message which the aforesaid ransom note displays on screen:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED

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

If you want to restore them, follow this link:email [email protected] YOUR ID 1E857D00

If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:[email protected]

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.

So, the text file based note simply displays the files are now locked and encrypted. But the locked data still can be restored if a valid decryption tool or key is utilized. The users are urged to contact hackers through listed email addresses. When the ransom pop up appears, it describes about the ransomware in more details and informs that users must send their assigned unique ID. Furhter, it states that in case if criminals fail to respond within 12 hours of sending the emails, victims can also try to sent the mail through secondary email ID mentioned. In final lines, the ransom note actually ends with warnings, which alerts users that they should not attempt to decrypt encrypted files with ohter third party tools, doing so will permanently damage those files. The note simply claims that file decryption is possible only through remitting ransom payment to crimianals, following which they will send back with a valid decryption key or tool.

So, the overall impacts of Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware on a computer seems to be very nasty as it blocks users to access thier files. But, should the users trust over criminals who just developed the Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware for wrong intentions? Definitely not, if the users end up to believe the hackers are really going to help them back after the ransom demand is fulfilled, they are just being tricked. None of the users have yet reported about successful recovery of files. The better option they can choose is to find some help measures through which detection and removal of Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware can be processed in easy. Once the removal is processed, they can attempt to restore their files, for which some suggested options are described through this article.

Threat Summary

Name: Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, cryptovirus

Description: Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware is said to be a creep new iteration derived from Dharma/Crysis ransomware, that locks down all possible file types stored on computers and enforce users to remit a hefty ransom fee for files’ recovery.

Distribution: Spam/junk email attachments, freeware or shareware downloads, visits to malicious websites, and many more.

Removal (File Restore): Check through the guidelines or methods included here either to remove Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware and restore your files back.

How did Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware infects a machine? How it should be sorted out?

As per the researchers, there can be many possible ways through which a malware can be spread on global network. Some commonly known such measures are spam email campaigns, software activation tools, fake software updaters, unreliable download channels, and many more. Well, when it comes to ransomware distribution, the mostly reported technique as found is spam email campaigns. The hackers use to distribute a trojan or payload script through email campaigns which is bundled with documents or links, then sent to users in bulk. These messages are represented in such a manner that it appears really helpful. But, sooner the attached files or links are interacted, the ransomware gets activated inside.

Although, the overall impacts of Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware on a computer seems to be nasty and scary, the users should never believe hackers as they are behind the same ransomware creation. In order to remove Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware completely, it’s suggested to identity and terminate the threat along with all its associated files, processes, and leftovers completely. In order to perceive this task, you can go through the steps or guidelines as included under this article. Also, you can try to restore your encrypted files back by using a lately created backup files or other possible file recovery options too.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Dharma (.WHY) 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 Dharma (.WHY) Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Dharma (.WHY) 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 Dharma (.WHY) 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 Dharma (.WHY) 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 Dharma (.WHY) 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 Dharma (.WHY) 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 Dharma (.WHY) 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 Dharma (.WHY) 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 Dharma (.WHY) 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 Dharma (.WHY) 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.