What is .WELL file virus?
Also referred to as DHARMA ransomware1, it modifies your documents by means of encrypting them and demanding the ransom to be paid allegedly to restore access to them. [mewellwisher@protonmail.ch].WELL indicates mewellwisher@protonmail.ch as a channel for contacting the ransomware criminals.
The DHARMA ransomware is active again through its new cryptovirus bearing the name of .WELL. This particular virus family modifies all popular file types by means of adding the .WELL extension, thus making the data absolutely unavailable. The victims simply cannot open their important documents anymore. The ransomware also assigns its unique identification key, just like all previous representatives of the virus family. As soon the file is encrypted by the ransomware, it obtains a special new extension becoming the secondary one. The file virus also generates a ransom note providing the users want instructions allegedly to restore the data.
WELL Threat Main Facts
| Name | .WELL file virus |
| Extension | [mewellwisher@protonmail.ch].WELL file virus |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Detection | Ransom:MSIL/JigsawLocker.A, Ransom:MSIL/Birbware.A, Razy.396392 |
| Short Description | The ransomware modifies the documents on the attacked device through encryption and asks for the ransom to be paid by the victim supposedly to restore them. |
| Symptoms | The file virus encrypts the data by adding the .WELL extension, also generating the one-of-a-kind identifier. Note that the [mewellwisher@protonmail.ch].WELL extension becomes the secondary one. |
| Distribution Method | Spam, Email attachments, Compromised legitimate downloads, Attacks exploiting weak or stolen RDP credentials2. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by .WELL file virus |
.WELL File Virus – Dharma Ransomware
What Is It and How Did I Get It?
The .WELL ransomware is most commonly spread by means of a payload dropper. It runs the malicious script that eventually installs the file virus. The threat circulates actively on the web, considering the facts about the ransomware mentioned in the VirusTotal database. The .WELL ransomware may also promote its payload files through popular social networks and via file-sharing platforms. Alternatively, some free applications hosted on many popular resources may also be disguised as helpful tools, whereas they instead may lead to the malicious scripts that injected the ransomware. Your personal caution to prevent the .WELL virus attack matters a lot!
.WELL ransomware is a infection that encrypts your data and presents a frustrating ransomware notice. Below is the screenshot depicting the ransomware note:
![[mewellwisher@protonmail.ch].WELL virus demanding message in a pop-up window](https://howtofix.guide/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/WELL-files-virus.jpg)
[mewellwisher@protonmail.ch].WELL virus demanding message in a pop-up window
Quotation of the scary message
All your files have been encrypted! All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail mewellwisher@protonmail.ch Write this ID in the title of your message XXXXXX In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:mewellwisher@protonmail.ch You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files. Free decryption as guarantee Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.) How to obtain Bitcoins The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price. hxxps://localbitcoins[dot]com/buy_bitcoins Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here: hxxps://www.coindesk[dot]com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/ Attention! Do not rename encrypted files. Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss. Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
Remove [mewellwisher@protonmail.ch].WELL File Virus (Dharma)
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft3
The is an excellent way to deal with recognizing and removing threats – using Gridinsoft Anti-Malware. This program will scan your PC, find and neutralize all suspicious processes4.
Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
Run the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your PC.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Press “Install” button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for WELL infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has finished, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
How to decrypt .WELL files?
You can download and use this decrypter that Kaspersky released if you were hit by .[mewellwisher@protonmail.ch].WELL extension.
You can download and use this decrypter that Avast released or this decrypter that Kaspersky released if you were hit by .WELL extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
No way. These files are encrypted by DHARMA ransomware. The contents of “.WELL” files are not available until they are decrypted.
If your data remained in the WELL files are very valuable, then most likely you made a backup copy.
If not, then you can try to restore them through the system function – Restore Point.
All other methods will require patience.
Of course not. Your encrypted files do not pose a threat to the computer. What happened has already happened.
You need GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove active system infections (viruses, trojans, spyware, rootkits). The virus that encrypted your files is most likely still active and periodically runs a test for the ability to encrypt even more files. Also, these viruses install keyloggers and backdoors for further malicious actions (for example, theft of passwords, credit cards) often.
You can try to find a copy of an original file that was encrypted:
- Files you downloaded from the Internet that were encrypted and you can download again to get the original.
- Pictures that you shared with family and friends that they can just send back to you.
- Photos that you uploaded on social media or cloud services like Carbonite, OneDrive, iDrive, Google Drive, etc)
- Attachments in emails you sent or received and saved.
- Files on an older computer, flash drive, external drive, camera memory card, or iPhone where you transferred data to the infected computer.
Also,You can contact the following government fraud and scam sites to report this attack:
- In the United States: On Guard Online;
- In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
- In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
- In Australia: SCAMwatch;
- In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
- In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;
What the next?
If the guide doesn’t help you to remove WELL infection, please download the GridinSoft Anti-Malware that I recommended. Also, you can always ask me in the comments for getting help.
How to remove WELL Virus?
Name: WELL Virus
Description: WELL Virus is a DHARMA family of ransomware-type infections. This infection encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific [mewellwisher@protonmail.ch].WELL extension. So, you can't use them at all.
User Review
( votes)References
- Read more about Dharma Ransomware: https://howtofix.guide/about-dharma-crysis-ransomware/
- How To Change Remote Desktop (RDP) Port: https://howtofix.guide/change-remote-desktop-port-on-windows-10/
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
