Remove WATZ Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .watz Files)

Watz ransomware is a type of computer virus that injects your PC, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these bad actions, that virus also modifies some important settings and can even disable your security tool.

Watz ransomware – what is it?

Watz virus can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu virus family. That sort of malware is targeted at individuals. This specification supposes that Watz does not carry any sort of additional malware, which often helps ransomware of various other families to take control of your PC. Since most users do not have anything valuable on their PCs, there is no reason to infiltrate other malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

The common signs of that ransomware activity is the emersion of .watz files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.watz, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.watz and so on. You cannot to suspend this action, and can’t open that files – they are encrypted with quite strong cipher.

You can also spectate different other signs of malware activity. Abruptly disabled Microsoft Defender and inability to open the famous anti-malware forums or websites, where the removal and file decryption guides are published. You will see how it is conducted in the paragraph below. The malware removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to wipe out Watz malware and get the .watz files back.

How did Watz ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Watz ransomware establishes a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by ransomware maintainers – crooks who manage the spreading of this malware. Another activity which is conducted by those crooks is answering the emails of sufferers, who want to decrypt their files.

The documents are encrypted with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The “256” digit in the name of this algorithms means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible password variations – it is not real to brute force it. As analysts say, it will take more time than our planet can approximately exist, even when you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that keeps the encrypted file(s), Watz ransomware leaves 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

Nevertheless, you can still use some of your files. The Watz ransomware encrypts only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the other part of this file can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are definitely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best choice, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every song or video will be missing – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the file will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Watz ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was described several paragraphs before, ransomware is not only about encrypting the files. Watz ransomware makes the changes in your system in order to prevent searching the virus removal and file decryption guides. Malware does not create the software obstacle – it just changes the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

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

Other alterations done by the ransomware are aimed at prevention of fast spotting of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of security tools. Watz ransomware implements several changes in Group Policies – the system setting interface which gives you the right to modify the abilities of each app. In such a way, the virus stops the Microsoft Defender and several other anti-malware tools, and also blocks the launch of anti-malware installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using dubious applications as a primary way of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious programs I mean programs that are already not supported by the developer and spread through the third-party websites. These applications may be hacked, to make them usable without buying any license. One more example of such a program class is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

Such applications may be spread in many methods – through the site that offers a downloading link, or through the peering networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are well-known as the biggest computer piracy sites. People use these sites to get various programs or games for free, even if these apps must be purchased. No one can prevent the users who hack these programs from adding viruses of some sort to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw targets, so their developers can easily add the virus under the guise of some program element.

These hacked apps, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various viruses, and definitely the most popular one for Watz malware. The best solution is to avoid making use of it, and not only because of virus installation risks. Avoiding the license buying is an illegal action, and both hackers and persons who use hacked apps fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Watz malware?

The Watz malware is very hard to delete manually. In fact, because of the amount of changes it makes into your PC, it is almost unreal to find them all and fix. The best option is to use antivirus programs. But which one to choose?

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

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

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

How to decrypt the .watz files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Watz ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed with a special tool, 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 definitely 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 Watz virus deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the files are still kept on the disk. After the deletion, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk drive. Special programs, 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 .watz 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 .watz files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk. It checks each disk sector for the remains of deleted files, and then attempts to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different formats. 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