What is Willow Ransomware ?
Are you unable to open any of your images, documents stored on PC? Have these files appended with the .willow extension ? If yes then it is confirmed that your system is infected with Willow ransomware. As soon as this ransomware infects the PC it changes all the files and renames it with .willow extension as suffix. Victims will soon find a ransom note that offers for the file decryption in exchange for ransom payment in Bitcoins. Yes, Willow ransomware is a nasty file locker malware that scans the computer and encrypts all important files such as .doc, docx, xls, images, videos and PDFs. As soon as these files get detected on the computer, Willow ransomware encrypts them by encrypting and appending .willow as file extension. Therefore the files become inaccessible and cannot be used further. The files are held hostage and victims are demanded to pay the ransom usually in Bitcoin to get the files unlocked and decrypted. Even if the victims try to rename the files its not possible to edit them manually. Whenever they try to open the files, it displays a file which is a ransom note containing information on how to contact the Willow ransomware hackers.
Willow ransom Note Screenshot
All the files get renamed with a new .willow extension at the end of their file names. If a file name is 1.jpg , it gets renamed as 1.jpg.willow . There is also change in the desktop wallpaper that reads as “READMEPLEASE.txt” It contains information on ransom payment and how hackers can be contacted for the same. Victims are instructed to pay $500 that amounts to 0.1473766 BTC (Bitcoin) in the given BTC wallet. They are further warned that if the ransom is not paid within the stipulated time frame, all the encrypted files would get deleted and hence victims will end up in losing their important data. The victims are asked to pay the ransom if they want to access their data once again. Unfortunately there is no free decryptor tool available till the time of writing this article. However, it is advised not to pay the ransom, After all, this ransomware was created by cyber criminals and you should be careful and not trust all the promises they make to you. All users should be very careful, regardless of the operating system they use. Rather it is better to remove Willow ransomware. Some more examples of similar ransomware viruses are Rugj Ransomware, Maql Ransomware, BlackByte Ransomware etc.
How Does Willow Ransomware Infect Computer?
Like any other ransomware, Willow ransomware also get distributed through malicious emails, using fake installers and pirated software. Files downloaded from untrustworthy sources might contain trojans that install other threats by encoding and executing malicious files. There is more vulnerability if your computer is unprotected and you surf the Internet having security loopholes in the system and other devices. Have you ever noticed When you go to your email inbox, you might not even think twice about opening a message, for example, from a known internet service provider or your own. It is very important that you ignore the notice which might expose Willow ransomware because clicking on any malicious links in the mail will mislead you. It is not clear why you need to use it, but there is a possibility that cyber criminals will control this threat remotely. To keep your system secure users should remove Willow ransomware as soon as possible. It is also recommended that you do not download files and programs from third-party websites.
How to Remove Willow ransomware
It is impossible to remove Willow ransomware manually. Also there is risk in the removal process and there is no guarantee that you will be able to recover the files. Also victims might lose their important files and data permanently. So it is always better to create a backup of the data before trying out this removal guide. users are requested to scan their PC with a legit Antivirus software to detect malware present on the system.
Best Offer (For Windows)
Willow Ransomware can be creepy PC threat that may keep on running in background by hiding its files on computers. For complete and hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest users to try Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Kindly Note *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Spyhunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and more details about Free Remover
Best Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and Willow Ransomware has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you.
Details of Antimalware with User’s Guide
Step 1 Remove Willow Ransomware using “Safe Mode with Networking”
Step 2 Delete Willow Ransomware using “System Restore”
Step 1 Remove Willow Ransomware using “Safe Mode with Networking”
Windows XP and Windows 7 users:
First of all Reboot the PC in “Safe Mode”. For this users need to Click on “Start” option and then continuously Tap on F8 during the start process. Then a “Windows Advanced Option” menu will appear on the screen. Now Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the listed options.
This will open a new Windows homescreen and your PC or work-station will be working on “Safe Mode with Networking”.
For Windows 8
First Go to Start Screen. Now type “Advanced” after selecting settings within the searched results Within the “General PC Settings” option, Select “Advanced startup” option. Then click on the “Restart Now” option. This will boot work-station to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Now Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button. Then under “Advanced Option Screen”, You need to press on “Startup Settings”. Now again, click on “Restart” button. This will restart PC or Work-station with “Startup Setting” screen. You need to tap F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.
For Windows 10
First of all click on Windows logo by clicking on the “Power” icon. This will open a new menu. Select “Restart” by constantly keeping “Shift” button pressed on keyboard. Once the new Window open Select on “Troubleshoot” as advanced option. Within the startup settings users need to press on “Restart” by clicking on F5 button of the keyboard.
Step:2 How To Delete Willow Ransomware using System Restore
For this you need to log in on the PC which is compromised by Willow Ransomware. Now open any browser and download legit anti-malware software. Once installed you need to undergo complete system scan. Thereafter remove the infected and suspicious entries which are detected.
Best Offer (For Windows)
Willow Ransomware can be creepy PC threat that may keep on running in background by hiding its files on computers. For complete and hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest users to try Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Kindly Note *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Spyhunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and more details about Free Remover
Best Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and Willow Ransomware has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you.
Suppose if you are unable to start PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, you need not worry. Try “System Restore” Process
Continuously tap F8 Key during “Startup” and then “Advanced Option” menu will appear. Now from the given list of option you need to select “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and hit on Enter button.
Within new open window of command prompt, type “cd restore” and then click “Enter”
Now type rstrui.exe and then press “ENTER”
In the new opened Window Click on “Next” option.
You can select and choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on Next (This would restore your PC to earlier period before Willow Ransomware invasion when it was working fine.)
Press on “Yes” in new opened Window.
As soon as your PC gets restored to its previous time, download the suggested anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Willow Ransomware infected files if still present on the the work-station.
If you want to restore each file separately which is infected by this ransomware, kindly use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This step is most effective whenever “System Restore Function” is enabled on the PC or work-station.
Important Note: Some variants of Willow Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” so in such cases this feature may not work all the time and will work in specific cases only.
Know How To Restore Encrypted Files Individually
If you want to restore an individual file, you need to right click on it and then go to “Properties”. Now Select “Previous Version” tab. then Choose a “Restore Point” and finally click on “Restore” option.
If you want to access the files encrypted by Willow Ransomware, alternatively you can try “Shadow Explorer”. To know more details on this application, Click here.
Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are very devastating and hence it is always better to take necessary precautions to avoid any attack on your work-station or PC. We recommend using a powerful anti-malware tool for real time protection. “SpyHunter”, “Enigma group policy objects” are enabled in the registries so that it can block harmful infections such as Willow Ransomware.
Also, it is highly important to get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” installed on Windows 10. This would ensure to offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature to block any kind of encryption of the data files. Using this feature all the files stored in their default locations are safe.
How To Recover Files Encrypted by Willow Ransomware
You would have understood now that how you can remove the scripts and payloads of personal files that got encrypted due to Willow Ransomware in order to protect your personal files which were fortunately not damaged or encrypted till now. If you are unable to retrieve the locked files, using “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” you must try using a Data Recovery Software.
Step 1: Download Data Recovery Software
Step 2: Double click to execute the installer file on your PC
Step 3: Click to Accept to agree the terms and agreement.
Step 4: Once installed, this program will be ready to execute. Now select the file you want to recover
Step 5: Select the drive on which the recovery tool is to be run upon. Then click on Scan option
Step 6: This will show Scan in progress bar
