Jaff ransomware virus has a new version that renames all encrypted files with .wlu file extension. Another trait of Jaff ransomware virus infection is the file README_TO_DECRYPTl.txt it drops on the infected computers. The file is a ransom note that informs victims of their data encryption and instructs them how to acquire the private decryption key. This article aims to help all victims to remove Jaff ransomware virus from the infected computer and restore .wlu files avoiding the ransom payment of 0.4 BTC.
Manual Removal Guide
Recover .Wlu Files
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New Jaff Ransomware Virus Variant (.Wlu) – More Details
The computer virus infection Jaff ransomware starts with the execution of a malicious payload on the system. It is a data locker malware that encrypts target files with strong AES algorithm and generally aims to blackmail infected users into paying a ransom to cyber criminals. The analyses of Jaff virus’ samples made by security researchers indicate that some malicious files are likely to be located in:
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp\
How does Jaff ransomware virus work? First, it is searching for targeted file types by performing a scan of all PC drives. Each file that belongs to Jaff virus’ list of predefined extensions is modified and renamed with the malicious .wlu extension. Here is the list of file types that are modified during Jaff ransomware virus infection:
.xlsx, .acd, .pdf, .pfx, .crt, .der, .cad, .dwg, .MPEG, .rar, .veg, .zip, .txt, .jpg, .doc, .wbk, .mdb, .vcf, .docx, .ics, .vsc, .mdf, .dsr, .mdi, .msg, .xls, .ppt, .pps, .obd, .mpd, .dot, .xlt, .pot, .obt, .htm, .html, .mix, .pub, .vsd, .png, .ico, .rtf, .odt, .3dm, .3ds, .dxf, .max, .obj, .7z, .cbr, .deb, .gz, .rpm, .sitx, .tar, .tar.gz, .zipx, .aif, .iff, .m3u, .m4a, .mid, .key, .vib, .stl, .psd, .ova, .xmod, .wda, .prn, .zpf, .swm, .xml, .xlsm, .par, .tib, .waw, .001, .002, 003., .004, .005, .006, .007, .008, .009, .010, .contact, .dbx, .jnt, .mapimail, .oab, .ods, .ppsm, .pptm, .prf, .pst, .wab, .1cd, .3g2, .7zIP, .accdb, .aoi, .asf, .asp., aspx, .asx, .avi, .bak, .cer, .cfg, .class, .config, .css, .csv, .db, .dds, .fif, .flv, .idx, .js, .kwm, .laccdb, .idf, .lit, .mbx, .md, .mlb, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .mpg, .pages, .php, .pwm, .rm, .safe, .sav, .save, .sql, .srt, .swf, .thm, .vob, .wav, .wma, .wmv, .xlsb, .aac, .ai, .arw, .c, .cdr, .cls, .cpi, .cpp, .cs, .db3, .docm, .dotm, .dotx, .drw, .dxb, .eps, .fla, .flac, .fxg, .Java, .m, .mov, .pcd, .pct, .pl, .potm, .potx, .ppam, ppsx, .ps, .pspimage, .r3d, .rw2, .sldm, .sldx, .svg, .tga, .wps, .xla, .xlam, .xlm, .xltm, .xltx, .x1w, .act, .adp, .al, .bkp, .blend, .cdf, .cdx, .cgm, .cr2, .dac, .dbf, .dcr, .ddd, .design, .dtd, .fdb, .fff, .fpx, .h, .iif, .indd, .jpeg, .mos, .nd, .nsd, .nsf, .nsg, .nsh, .odc, .odp, .oil, .pas, .pat, .pef, .ptx, .qbb, .qbm, .sas7bdat, .say, .st4, .st6, .stc, .sxc, .sxw, .tlg, .wad, .xlk, .aiff, .bin, .bmp, .cmt, .dat, .dit, .edb, .flvv, .gif, .groups, .hdd, .hpp, .log, .m2ts, .m4p, .mkv, .ndf, .nvram, .ogg, .ost, .pab, .pdb, .pif, .qed, .qcow, .qcow2, .rvt, .st7, .stm, .vbox, .vdi, .vhd, .vhdx, .vmdk, .vmsd, .vmx, .vmxf, .3fr, .3pr, .ab4, .accde, .accdt, .ach, .acr, .adb, .srw, .st5, .st8, .std, .sti, .stw, .stx, .sxd, .sxg, .sxi, .sxm, .tex, .wallet, .wb2, .wpd, .x11, .x3f, .xis, .ycbcra, .qbw, .qbx, .qby, .raf, .rat, .raw, .rdb, rwl, .rwz, .s3db, .sdO, .sda, .sdf, .sqlite, .sqlite3, .sqlitedb, .sr, .srf, .oth, .otp, .ots, .ott, .p12, .p7b, .plc, .pdd, .pem, .plus_muhd, .plc, .pptx, .psafe3, .py, .qba, .qbr.myd, .ndd, .nef, .nk, .nop, .nrw, .nsg, .ns3, .ns4, .nwb, .nx2, .nxl, .nyf, .odb, .odf, .odg, .odm, .ord, .otg, .ibz, .iiq, .incpas, .jpe, .kc2, .kdbx, .kdc, .kpdx, .lua, .mdc, .mef, .mfw, .mmw, .mny, .moneywell, .mrw.des, .dgc, .djvu, .dng, .drf, .dxg, .eml, .erbsql, .erd, .exf, .ffd, .fh, .fhd, .gray, .grey, .gry, .hbk, .ibank, .cdr4, .cdr5, .cdr6, .cdrw, .ce1, .ce2, .cib, .craw, .crw, .csh, .csl, .db_journal, .dc2, .dcs, .ddoc, .ddrw, .ads, .agdl, .ait, .apj, .asm, .awg, .back, .backup, .backupdb, .bank, .bay, .bdb, .bgt, .bik, .bpw, .cdr3, .as4
The encryption algorithm used by Jaff ransomware virus is Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). It modifies the original code of the files and generates a unique decryption key that can restore them. Corrupted .wlu files remain unusable until the key is applied. Unfortunately, Jaff ransomware virus is designed to contact a server controlled by hackers and send them the unique decryption key.
For the decryption key exchange cyber criminals extort from victims a ransom payment of ≈ 0.4 Bitcoins. The way they communicate with the infected users is via three files dropped on the PC that contains a ransom message. All files are named README_TO_DECRYPTl and their file types are TXT, BMP, and HTML. They all contain the identical text:
JAFF DECRYPTOR
Your files are encrypted!
To decrypt you need to obtain the private key.
The only copy of the private key, which will allow you to decrypt your files, is located on a secret server in the Internet.
1. You must install Tor Browser:
https://www.torproject.org/download/download-easy.html.en
2. After installation, run the Tor Browser and enter address:
http://rktazuzi7hbln7sy.onion/
Follow the instruction on the website.
Your decrypt ID: ****
In order to replace the desktop wallpaper Jaff ransomware virus is believed to modify the following Windows registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop
Jaff Virus – Distribution
The new Jaff ransomware virus version that appends the .wlu extension is detected to be distributed through malicious spam campaigns that utilize PDF attachments with embedded Word documents containing malicious macros. Once the victims download and open the PDF attachment, it prompts them to open an embedded Word document. In fact, the Word document contains malicious macros that once enabled infect the computer with Jaff ransomware virus.
Related: .Jaff File Virus Removal Guide
Remove Jaff Ransomware Virus and Restore Your PC
WARNING! Manual removal of the Jaff ransomware virus requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removing important data accidentally can lead to permanent system damage. If you don’t feel comfortable with manual instructions, download a powerful anti-malware tool that will scan your system for malware and clean it safely for you.
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Jaff Ransomware Virus – Manual Removal Steps
Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently. The steps bellow are applicable to all Windows versions.
1. Hit the WIN Key + R
2. A Run window will appear. In it, write msconfig and then press Enter
3. A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named Boot
4. Mark Safe Boot option and then go to Network under it to tick it too
5. Apply -> OK
Show Hidden Files
Some ransomware threats are designed to hide their malicious files in the Windows so all files stored on the system should be visible.
1. Open My Computer/This PC
2. Windows 7
- – Click on Organize button
– Select Folder and search options
– Select the View tab
– Go under Hidden files and folders and mark Show hidden files and folders option
3. Windows 8/ 10
- – Open View tab
– Mark Hidden items option
4. Click Apply and then OK button
Enter Windows Task Manager and Stop Malicious Processes
1. Hit the following key combination: CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
2. Get over to Processes
3. When you find suspicious process right click on it and select Open File Location
4. Go back to Task Manager and end the malicious process. Right click on it again and choose End Process
5. Next, you should go folder where the malicious file is located and delete it
Repair Windows Registry
1. Again type simultaneously the WIN Key + R key combination
2. In the box, write regedit and hit Enter
3. Type the CTRL+ F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4. In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Click for more information about Windows Registry and further repair help
Recover .Wlu Files
WARNING! All files and objects associated with Jaff ransomware virus should be removed from the infected PC before any data recovery attempts. Otherwise the virus may encrypt restored files. Furthermore, a backup of all encrypted files stored on external media is highly recommendable.
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1. Use present backups
2. Use professional data recovery software
Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery – a specialist tool that can restore partitions, data, documents, photos, and 300 more file types lost during various types of incidents and corruption.
3. Using System Restore Point
- – Hit WIN Key
– Select “Open System Restore” and follow the steps
4. Restore your personal files using File History
- – Hit WIN Key
– Type restore your files in the search box
– Select Restore your files with File History
– Choose a folder or type the name of the file in the search bar
– Hit the “Restore” button
