Remove Hello (WickrMe) ransomware and decrypt .hello files

Effective guide to delete Hello (WickrMe) ransomware

Hello (WickrMe) ransomware is highly risky system file encryption virus that belongs to ransomware family. This virus can encrypt sensitive user data located on the computer like audio, video, documents, databases and much more. Once the encryption procedure is completed, the virus appends each infected file with “.hello” extension. After that, it leaves Readme!!!.txt file on victim’s desktop that contain instructions on how to contact its developers.

In order to get further instructions, users are instructed to contact ransomware developers via email. Users are also advised to use candietodd or kevindeloach user on Wicker Me messenger if they did not receive response from the criminals within 48 hours after ransomware attack. The message basically states that the files are encrypted and users must have to purchase decryption tools from the cyber criminals.

However, the price of tool is not mentioned under the ransom note. Typically, it depends upon users how fast they contact to the criminals. also, the victims are allowed to send some encrypted files which are offered to be guaranteed free decryption to make them believe that the decryption key is really working. If you take our opinion, we advise you not to pay the ransom.

Short summary

Name: Hello (WickrMe) ransomware

Type: File locker, Ransomware, File coder, Crypto virus

Ransom note: Readme!!!.txt  

Extension used: .hello  

Symptoms: Encrypted files. Your photos, documents and music have different extension appended at the end of the file name. After that ransom demanding message note appears on your desktop which informs you about encryption.

Distribution ways: Spam mails that contain malicious links. Drive-by downloading (when a user unknowingly visits an infected web page and then malware is installed without the user’s knowledge). Social media posts (they can be used to entice users to download malware with a built-in ransomware downloader or click a malicious link). Torrent web-sites.

Removal: Use Spyhunter to remove Hello (WickrMe) ransomware automatically from the PC.

Why the sending money to the hacker is risky?

Sending money to the criminal is risky for the victim because there is no any guarantee that they will send decryption tool. So, victim should not trust this person and never try to send money. It is only a trick to extort huge money by the fooling innocent users. If you will contact them to send money, they will ask your personal and confidential information and later misused for illegal purposes.

How to recover files and remove Hello (WickrMe) ransomware?

There is only one viable solution available to recover files without paying ransom is to restore them from a backup. Many users’ complaints that they don’t have backup file in that situation users should not be worry, they are recommended to use third party data recovery tool/software. Recovery of encrypted files can only be possible after removing Hello (WickrMe) ransomware because if this malware stays in your PC then it will encrypt other files that were not encrypted.

How Hello (WickrMe) ransomware distributed into the system?

Ransomware viruses are mostly distributed via using spam email campaigns that are basically used to send thousands of deceptive emails containing malicious attachments or download links. Once users click on them, Hello (WickrMe) ransomware gets installed into the machine. So, users are highly advice not to open any files without deeply scanning. Despite this, there are various other methods used by the developers for the distribution of ransomware infections including Trojans, third party software download sources, misleading ads, fake software updater’s/cracks and by using various other deceptive techniques.

How to avoid Hello (WickrMe)ransomware from PC?

• Don’t try to open attachment of spam emails which comes from unknown addresses or look irrelevant.
• During installation process, never skip any steps and use custom or advanced settings.
• Always download and install freeware applications from their official and trustworthy sites.
• Installed software must be updated using tools that are provided by official developers.
• Install reputable antivirus software, and scan the system regularly with that software.

Text presented in the “Readme!!!.txt” file:

Oops, some files in your computer are encrypted! If you want to decrypt these files, you need to contact me and pay some fees. Then, I will give the decryption key and software.

File Name Extension:
.hello

Contact Emails:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Contact WickrMe Usernames:
candietodd
kevindeloach

Warning, please send mail to all mailboxes at the same time. If the email does not reply within 48 hours, please use WickrMe to contact me.
If you contact a security or data company and cause my account is blocked, you will never be able to decrypt these files.

Encrypted UUID: –

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Hello (WickrMe) ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Hello (WickrMe) ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Hello (WickrMe) 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 Hello (WickrMe) ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Hello (WickrMe) 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 Hello (WickrMe) 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 Hello (WickrMe) 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 Hello (WickrMe) 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 Hello (WickrMe) 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 Hello (WickrMe) 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 Hello (WickrMe) 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 Hello (WickrMe) 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 Hello (WickrMe) 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.