Remove ISWR Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .iswr Files)

Iswr malware is a type of computer virus that infiltrates your system, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the money for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant activities, that malware also modifies some important settings and can even disable your security tool.

Iswr ransomware – what is it?

Iswr ransomware can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu ransomware family. That sort of computer virus is targeted at individuals. This specification supposes that Iswr does not bring any type of additional malware, which often helps malware of other families to control your system. Because of the fact that the majority users do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no need to infiltrate other viruses that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The common signs of Iswr ransomware activity is the appearance of .iswr files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.iswr, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.iswr and so on. You cannot to prevent this process, as well as can’t open these files – they are ciphered with quite strong cipher.

You can also see different other signs of malware activity. Suddenly disabled Microsoft Defender and inability to check the well-known anti-malware forums or websites, where the ransomware removal and decryption guides are posted. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to delete Iswr virus and get the .iswr files back.

How did Iswr ransomware encrypt my files?

After the injection, the Iswr virus establishes a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by malware maintainers – fraudsters who manage the distribution of this malware. Another activity which is conducted by those crooks is answering the emails of sufferers, who wish to get their files back.

The files are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The digit in the name of this algorithms means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption password variations – it is not real to brute force it. As analysts say, it will take more time than the Earth can estimate to exist, even when you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that contains the encrypted file(s), Iswr virus creates the _readme.txt file with the following contents:

ATTENTION!

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

All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees you have?

You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku

Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.

Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.

Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:

support@fishmail.top

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nonetheless, you can still open some of your documents. The Iswr virus ciphers only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other part of this document can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are definitely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player can open these files – WinAmp is the best option, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every recording will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Iswr ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was mentioned several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about ciphering the files. Iswr malware makes the changes in your computer in order to prevent looking for the ransomware removal and file decryption guides. Iswr virus does not establish the software obstacle – it just modifies the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Through the networking configurations, the most damaged item is the HOSTS file. This text file has the DNS-address instructions, which are used by the browsers while sending a request to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain website, your browser will connect that site through that DNS next time. Ransomware alters that file, adding the unknown DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other modifications done by the virus are aimed at prevention of early detection of itself, and also blocking the installation of the majority of security tools. Iswr malware makes some alterations in Group Policies – the system configuration interface which gives you the right to modify the abilities of each program. In such a way, ransomware disables the Microsoft Defender and various other antivirus tools, as well as prevents the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using questionable applications as the main way of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious programs I mean apps that are already not updated by the developer and distributed through the third-party websites. These apps may be cracked, to make them possible to use without purchasing any license. One more example of such a program type is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

These apps may be distributed in different methods – through the web page that offers a downloading link, and also through the p2p networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the most popular computer piracy resources. People use these pages to get a wide range of apps or games for free, even if these programs must be purchased. No one can stop the users who crack these apps from adding malware of some type to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw purposes, so their creators can easily insert the malware under the guise of some program part.

These hacked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various malware, and 100% the most used one for Iswr malware. It is better to avoid making use of it, and not only because of virus injection risks. Avoiding the license purchase is an outlaw action, and both hackers and users who use cracked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Iswr malware?

The Iswr malware is extremely hard to remove manually. In fact, because of the amount of alterations it makes in your PC, it is almost unreal to detect them all and fix. The best option is to make use of anti-malware programs. But which one to choose?

You may read the advices to use Microsoft Defender, that is already inside of your computer. However, as it was mentioned before, most of STOP/Djvu virus examples disable it even before the ciphering process. Using the third-party tool is the only solution – and I can advice you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for that case. It has impressive detection abilities, so the malware will not be missed. It is also capable of system recovery, that is heavily needed after the Iswr virus attack.

To remove Iswr malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Ransomware removal is required to prevent the repeating encryption of your files: while Iswr ransomware is active, it will not pass any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .iswr files?

There are two ways to recover your files after a Iswr ransomware attack. First one and the most popular is file decryption. It is performed with a special program, designed by Emsisoft, and called Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is absolutely free. Analysts update its decryption keys databases as often as possible, so you will surely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another way to get your files back is to try to recover them from your disk drives. Since ransomware deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the documents are still kept on the disk drive. After the removal, the information about them is removed from the file system, but not from a disk drive. Special tools, like PhotoRec, are able to recover these files. It is free, too, and may also be used for file recovery in case when you have deleted something unintentionally.

Decrypting the .iswr files with Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu

Download and install Emsisoft Decrypter tool. Agree with its EULA and continue to the interface.

The interface of this program is extremely easy. All you have to do is to select the folder where the encrypted files are stored, and wait. If the program has the decryption key which corresponds to your ransomware case – it will decrypt it.

During the use of Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu, you may observe various error messages. Don’t worry, that does not mean that you did something wrong or a program does not work properly. Each of these errors refer to a specific case. Here is the explanation:

Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]

The program does not have a corresponding key for your case. You need to wait for some time until the key database will be updated.

No key for new variant online ID: [your ID]

Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible.

This error means that your files are encrypted with an online key. In such a case, the decryption key is unique and stored on the remote server, controlled by crooks. Unfortunately, the decryption is impossible.

Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]

This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.

Ransomware uses the offline key to encrypt your files. This key is not unique, so you likely have it in common with another victim. Since offline keys must be collected, too, it is important to keep calm and wait until the analysts team finds one which will fit your case.

Remote name could not be resolved

This error indicates that the program has problems with DNS on your computer. That’s a clear sign of malicious alterations in your HOSTS file. Reset it using the official Microsoft guide.

Recovering the .iswr files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk drive. It checks each disk sector for the remains of deleted files, and then tries to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different extensions. Because of the described feature of ransomware encryption mechanism, it is possible to use this tool to get the original, unencrypted files back.

Download PhotoRec from the official website. It is absolutely free, however, its developer warns that he does not guarantee that this program will be 100% effective for file recovery purposes. Moreover, even paid apps can barely give you such a guarantee, because of the chain of random factors that can make the file recovery harder.

Unzip the downloaded archive to the folder you like. Don’t worry because of its name – TestDisk – this is the name of the utility developed by the same company. They decided to spread it together since PhotoRec and TestDisk are often used together. Among the unzipped files, search for qphotorec_win.exe file. Run this executable file.

Before you can start the recovery process, you need to specify several settings. In the drop-down list, choose the logic disk where the files were stored before the encryption.

Then, you need to specify the file formats you need to recover. It may be difficult to scroll all 400+ formats, luckily, they are sorted by alphabetical order.

Finally, name the folder you want to use as a container for recovered files. The program will likely dig out a lot of useless files, which were deleted intentionally, so desktop is a bad solution. The best option is to use the USB-drive.

After these easy manipulations, you may just press the “Search” button (it turns active if you specified all required parameters). The recovery process may take several hours, so keep patient. It is recommended not to use the computer during this term, since you may overwrite some files you are intending to recover.

Frequently Asked Questions