The ransom note briefly explains that all files can be returned, even though they were encrypted with the “strongest algorithm and unique key.” According to the _readme.txt, WRUI ransomware developers offer a special price for victims who contact them within 72 hours from the infection timestamp – a 50% off the full ransom price. In this scenario, the criminals want $490 in cryptocurrency. If the victim delays contacting and paying the attackers, the price bounces back to $980. As mentioned previously, the crooks will ask to transfer the money in cryptocurrency as this helps to guarantee their privacy. To encourage the victim to pay up, they suggest testing the decryption tool on one file for free. The “decryption testing” procedure starts with victim sending the criminals one small encrypted file. The attackers promise to respond with a healthy file version. However, the file must not contain any important information, as the attackers are afraid that restoring such file would repel the victim from paying the ransom at all. Cybersecurity experts as well as FBI advise AGAINST ransom payments due to many ethical reasons, such as:

In some countries, ransom payments are considered illegal.Paying money to cybercriminals doesn’t mean you will get something that you want or need (in this case, decryption). Since the payments are completely anonymous, they might steal your money and vanish. In worst scenario, they might demand more money.Paying money to virtual attackers directly funds this crime industry and might encourage more people to roll in. Various reports show that ransomware industry rakes millions in ransoms each year.Variants of STOP/DJVU are known to install information-stealing malware called AZORULT which is capable of stealing various sensitive data from your computer, potentially leading to financial losses. Do you really want to consider paying these stealthy attackers?

Ransomware damage: what this virus does to your computer

Upon installation, WRUI ransomware scans all system folders and encrypts files with target extensions with a robust encryption algorithm. This makes files inaccessible, however, that is not the only malevolent activity that this virus carries out on the compromised computer. In addition, it also executes Command Prompt tasks to delete Volume Shadow Copies (System Restore points) to prevent the victim from restoring encrypted files easily. Moreover, the ransomware adds a list of domains to Windows Hosts file, thus stopping computer’s access to them even when Internet connection is stable. It is noticeable that most of these domains are websites publishing mostly about computers or cybersecurity. Therefore, it is believed that the attackers try to stop the victim from reaching virus-related help online and feel cornered to pay the ransom to get things back to normal again. Another damaging activity completed by this ransomware is installation of password-stealing Trojan Azorult. The list of this’ virus capabilities is extensive. It can be used as a Remote Access Trojan to view, delete, drop or download files (both in and out of the computer) and steal the following kinds of information:

Cryptocurrency wallets;Browser cookies, browsing history;Steam and Telegram login details (names, passwords);Browser-saved passwords.

Needless to say, such malicious software should be deleted from your computer as soon as possible. To remove WRUI ransomware virus as well as other threats, we suggest using powerful malware removal software. Additionally, we recommend downloading and scanning with RESTORO that is capable of repairing virus damage on Windows OS files.

Ransomware Summary

Ways to avoid ransomware infection: learn how such threats are distributed

WRUI ransomware distribution mainly relies on malicious torrent downloads, such as software cracks, keygens, movies and any copyright-protected and paid content offered as free. The criminals try to lure potential victims by uploading infected downloads to various file sharing websites. Victims who come looking to get specific software or content for free get lured into downloading these malware samples and often ignore antivirus’ warnings about potential dangers, thinking these might be false alarms. Unfortunately, upon opening such download, malicious payload gets downloaded and executed on the computer instantly. Cybersecurity experts do not get tired repeating the same advice over and over: you should download software from legitimate, confirmed or official sources only. All other web locations offering free versions of paid software or content are likely to distribute damaging additions alongside them. In addition, we’d like to add our two cents and say that software licenses mostly cost less than hefty ransoms demanded by cybercriminals. Ransomware operators sometimes try to trick the victims of ransomware into downloading additional malware. For example, crooks behind ZORAB ransomware used to promote fake STOP/DJVU decryptor that installed a variant of Zorab virus, causing a double file encryption for the victim. Finally, beware that cybercriminals might be distributing fake software update ads that deliver additional spyware/malware alongside the primary installer. Most of the time, these deceptive ads can be found on shady websites or sites with questionable security reputation, such as adult-only, online gambling or file sharing sites. The fake ads typically suggest Adobe Flash Player or Java updates. These modified installers are created by malevolent people and not legitimate software vendors.

Remove WRUI ransomware virus easily and recover your files

The easiest way to remove WRUI ransomware virus is to boot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking and run a robust malware removal program. The procedure is explained in the guide provided below. In addition, we strongly suggest repairing virus damage on Windows OS with well-reviewed RESTORO software. It can identify damaged or malformed Windows system files and repair them. Once WRUI virus removal is completed, we suggest checking your backups to see if you can recover some files from them. Next, you should run the decryption/repair tools recommended below to see if there can be more files restored. Finally, we suggest reporting Internet crime incident to a responsible institution in your country (see references below) and changing your passwords due to Azorult’s activity. 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 WRUI 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 WRUI 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

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense If you’re looking for an all-in-one system maintenance suite that has 7 core components providing powerful real-time protection, on-demand malware removal, system optimization, data recovery, password manager, online privacy protection and secure driver wiping technology. Therefore, due to its wide-range of capabilities, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense deserves Geek’s Advice approval. Get it now for 50% off. You may also be interested in its full review.

Disclaimer. This site includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission by recommending certain products, at no additional cost for you. We only choose quality software and services to recommend.

Decrypt WRUI files

Fix and open large WRUI 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. WRUI 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 WRUI files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The WRUI 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 WRUI 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 WRUI 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.