Remove W2tnk Virus (.w2tnk Files Ransomware) – Hive Ransomware

W2tnk – Ransomware

The W2tnk mean a ransomware-type infection. The infection comes from the Hive ransomware family. W2tnk was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. W2tnk adds the “.w2tnk” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, once encrypted by W2tnk, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.w2tnk“. As soon as the encryption is completed, W2tnk places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by W2tnk text file requesting the ransom is absolutely the like the statements given by other ransomware representatives coming from the Hive type. It literally points out that the info is encrypted and that the only way to restore it is to use a a distinct decryption key. Regretfully, this is definitely true. The type of cryptography mechanism applied by W2tnk is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is definitely certain that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is absolutely unique. It is difficult to bring back the files without the key available.

Another technique of W2tnk is that the victims cannot get to the key. The key is kept on a specific server run by the frauds related to W2tnk ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people have to pay the ransom.

Nevertheless, irrespective of the asked for quantity, people must stay away from paying the ransom virus. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to completely disregard what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom generally does not give any positive result and people just lose their money for nothing.

We strongly encourage that you do not contact these crooks and absolutely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack W2tnk ransomware and to recover the information data totally free. Therefore, the just right decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	W2tnk Ransomware
File Extension	.w2tnk
Type	Ransomware
Family	Hive
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
Symptoms	File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special w2tnk extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Keep in mind that the web is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to W2tnk ransomware. Malicious programs of such kind are generally elaborated to encrypt essential information and to state the demand before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a similar algorithm to produce the unique decryption key for data decryption.

Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, manually recovering the information is simply not feasible. The only method to avoid the loss of your important files is to regularly create backups of your important information.

Bear in mind that even if you create such backups, they need to be put into a special storage utility not connect to your main computer. You may use the USB Flash Drive or external disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you keep your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted together with other files, so it’s definitely not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

There are a number of ways used by online scams to distribute W2tnk ransomware. Even though it doubts how exactly W2tnk injects your system, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

• integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
• spam emails from unknown senders;
• sites rendering free hosting services;
• pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Typically W2tnk ransomware may exist as some genuine software, for example, in the pop-ups instructing users to carry out some essential software application updates. This is the common technique used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing W2tnk infection manually, by ways of their direct participation in the installation process.

Additionally, the criminals might describe numerous email spam methods to inject harmful codes into Windows PC. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notices promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones motivating users to open some receipts, files, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade alerts may result in W2tnk ransom injection. When it comes to the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may also consist of malicious codes causing W2tnk secret installation. Lastly, injection of W2tnk may occur by methods of Trojans that covertly get injected into the system and set up harmful utilities without the user’s authorization.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of W2tnk ransom virus?

Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your PC from getting infected, there are some pieces of recommendations we want to show with you. First off, be extremely mindful when you browse the web and specifically while downloading complimentary apps. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Keep in mind that some freeware installers may consist of other unwanted utilities in the package, so they may be malicious. Ensure that your current antivirus software and your entire OS is always appropriately updated.

Naturally, downloading pirated software is unlawful and may result in vital damage to be made for your PC. Hence, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise highly advised to reconsider your existing security software and perhaps change to another security solution that can render far better services of defending your Windows.

Below please find the quotation from the W2tnk text file:

Your network has been breached and all data were encrypted.

To decrypt all the data or to prevent your sensitive data from leakage at
hxxp://hiveleakdbtnp76ulyhi52eag6c6tyc3xw7ez7iqy6wc34gd2nekazyd.onion
you will need to purchase our decryption software.

Please contact our sales department at:

hxxp://hivecust6vhekztbqgdnkks64ucehqacge3dij3gyrrpdp57zoq3ooqd.onion

Login:    ********
Password: ********

Follow the guidelines below to avoid losing your data:

 - Do not shutdown or reboot your computers, unmount external storages.
 - Do not try to decrypt data using third party software. It may cause
   irreversible damage.
 - Do not fool yourself. Encryption has perfect secrecy and it\'s impossible
   to decrypt without knowing the key.
 - Do not modify, rename or delete *.key.w2tnk files. Your
   data will be undecryptable.
 - Do not modify or rename encrypted files. You will lose them.
 - Do not report to authorities. The negotiation process will be terminated
   immediately and the key will be erased.
 - Do not reject to purchase. Your sensitive data will be publicly disclosed.

Screenshot of files with “.w2tnk” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove W2tnk ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.

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.

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, 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.