This virus originates from STOP/DJVU ransomware family, the most widespread crypto-malware of both 2019 and 2020, which is also known to install AZORULT password-stealer on the infected systems. If you have been infected with WEUI file virus and you can see this specific string attached to every file name, it is most likely that you have recently attempted to download an illegal file via torrents. Fake software cracks and keygens is the primary disguise method used for distribution of STOP/DJVU malware variants. As soon as you opened the fake software activation tool, the malicious payload was executed, thus making all of you files inaccessible. This ransomware often runs an additional executable file, called winupdate.exe, which displays a fake Windows update pop-up. The aim of this is to make victim believe that the system slowdown is due to undergoing operating system updates. In the meantime, WEUI ransomware virus encrypts files, changes their extensions by adding an additional one. As a result, all data in computer folders appear as WEUI FILE TYPE. Such files cannot be opened with any program. Furthermore, the virus transmits a message from the criminals, dropping ransom notes in every compromised folder.

Contents of the ransom note and the aim of the attack explained

_readme.txt file can be found in every computer folder after the attack. It contains a message that starts with these lines: Here, the note is stating that it is using military-grade encryption algorithm like RSA to lock victim’s files. During such encryption, public key is used to corrupt files, while the private key (stored in cybercriminals’ servers) can be used to decrypt .weui files. Unfortunately, the criminals are only willing to give up this key for the victim in exchange for a hefty sum of money. That said, they demand paying a ransom to them. The ransom note then explains that the victim can purchase the decryption software and key for a lower price – $490 if the victim writes to the attackers and rushes to transfer the sum in cryptocurrency within 3 days (72 hours). Otherwise, the ransom price will be $980. The criminals suggest inserting the personal ID (stored in each _readme.txt note) to the message when writing to them, and attaching one encrypted file for test decryption. According to the criminals, they will reply with a decrypted file version to prove that WEUI ransomware decryption tool exists.

Additional damage to the computer

Besides encrypting victim’s personal files and taking them hostage, WEUI ransomware also installs an extremely dangerous password-stealer, named AZORULT. This Trojan is an advanced hacking tool that can harvest and exfiltrate various personal information saved in the system, such as:

Passwords (Outlook, Thunderbird, Filezilla, WinSCP, Pidgin, PSI);Cookies;Chat sessions;Browsing history;Cryptocurrency wallet files;other data.

It is up to our the cyber criminals’ imagination what one can do with such amounts of personal data. It can be used to scam you via email, do financial harm and even more. Like that wouldn’t be enough, this virus modifies Windows HOSTS file by adding a lengthy list of domains to it, making them impossible to open via common web browsers. The said list mainly consists of computer-related domains, which gives a hint that the criminals are trying to prevent the victim from visiting articles providing information on how to recover after a ransomware attack. Finally, this virus deletes Volume Shadow Copies, or, in other words, it damages the system, making it impossible to restore file system copies from restore points. That said, the left alternative to this is using a data backup. We strongly recommend you to remove WEUI ransomware virus using a robust malware removal tool. It is also highly suggested to scan the system with software like SYSTEM MECHANIC ULTIMATE DEFENSE to repair virus damage caused by the virus to Windows OS components.

Ransomware distribution ways

WEUI ransomware virus, just like previous STOP ransomware variants (EPOR, LISP, NPPH) arrives in a form of an executable file disguised as a software or game crack, keygen, or KMSPico. The main infection success factor is that users who tend to download such files are used to ignoring antivirus’ warnings about such programs’ insecurity. Furthermore, they proceed opening them, which results in a complete data corruption. Our researchers warn that ransomware variants are commonly disguised as Adobe Photoshop torrents, video editing software cracks, game keygens and others. Therefore, if you wish to get a legitimate and safe copy of your desired software/game, we suggest heading to its official developer’s website and looking for promotional deals so you can get its license for a better price if the full price seems too expensive. Such attachments are often named as invoice-[date] or payment-[date]. Do not open such emails, especially if you did not expect to get them (for example, you did not have any business with the company before or if you didn’t order anything from them lately).

How to remove WEUI ransomware virus securely

Before you begin attempts to decrypt your files, you must remove WEUI ransomware remains from your computer. We strongly recommend deleting malicious components with a robust malware removal software, because the automatic removal process is much easier and not time-consuming. Besides, manual removal typically requires specific computer knowledge that majority of regular computer users do not have. To finalize WEUI virus removal, we recommend running a system scan with SYSTEM MECHANIC ULTIMATE DEFENSE to cleanse malicious remains, optimize Windows OS and recover detected data loss. You can find a full guide on eliminating the virus from your system using Safe Mode with Networking. Do not forget to try the suggested file decryption steps below. OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system: GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs. Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer. Read full review here. RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically. RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them. Read full review here.

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove WEUI ransomware virus virus, you must start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Below, we provide the easiest ways to boot PC in the said mode, but you can find additional ones in this in-depth tutorial on our website – How to Start Windows in Safe Mode. Also, if you prefer a video version of the tutorial, check our guide How to Start Windows in Safe Mode on Youtube. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users Now, you can search for and remove WEUI ransomware virus files. It is very hard to identify files and registry keys that belong to the ransomware virus, Besides, malware creators tend to rename and change them repeatedly. Therefore, the easiest way to uninstall such type of a computer virus is to use a reliable security program such as INTEGO Antivirus. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users After restoring the system, we recommend scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware software. In most cases, there won’t be any malware remains, but it never hurts to double-check. In addition, we highly recommend checking ransomware prevention guidelines provided by our experts in order to protect your PC against similar viruses in the future.

Alternative software recommendations

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Decrypt WEUI files

Fix and open large WEUI files easily:

It is reported that STOP/DJVU ransomware versions encrypt only the beginning 150 KB of each file to ensure that the virus manages to affect all files on the system. In some cases, the malicious program might skip some files at all. That said, we recommend testing this method on several big (>1GB) files first.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. WEUI ransomware virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like BPTO, ISWR, ISZA, BPSM, ZOUU, MBTF, ZNSM (find full list here). This means full data decryption is now possible only if you have been affected by offline encryption key. To decrypt your files, you will have to download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP DJVU, a tool created and maintained by a genius security researcher Michael Gillespie. Note! Please do not spam the security researcher with questions whether he can recover your files encrypted with online key - it is not possible. In order to test the tool and see if it can decrypt WEUI files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The WEUI decryption tool might display several different messages after failed attempt to restore your files. You might receive one of the following messages: Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [example ID] This message typically means that there is no corresponding decryption key in the decryptor’s database. No key for New Variant online ID: [example ID]Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible This message informs that your files were encrypted with online key, meaning no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair, therefore data recovery without paying the criminals 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. If you were informed that an offline key was used, but files could not be restored, it means that the offline decryption key isn’t available yet. However, receiving this message is extremely good news, meaning that it might be possible to restore your WEUI extension files in the future. It can take a few months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. We recommend you to follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here. We strongly recommend backing up your encrypted data and waiting.

Victims of WEUI ransomware virus should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:

In the United States, go to the On Guard Online website.In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website.In Germany, go to the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik website.In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website.In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs Scams website.In the United Kingdom, go to the Action Fraud website.In Canada, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.In India, go to Indian National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.In France, go to the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information.

If you can’t find an authority corresponding to your location on this list, we recommend using any search engine to look up “[your country name] report cyber crime”. This should lead you to the right authority website. We also recommend staying away from third-party crime report services that are often paid. It costs nothing to report Internet crime to official authorities. Another recommendation is to contact your country’s or region’s federal police or communications authority.