How to remove WastedLocker Ransomware and decrypt .***wasted files

What is WastedLocker Ransomware

According to multiple reports on security forums, WastedLocker Ransomware attacked some of Garmin servers with .garminlocker extension.

WastedLocker is a file-encrypting malware categorized as ransomware. Programs within this category block access to stored data and require paying a fee to get decryption tools. When ransomware gets settled on your system, all files (videos, images, documents, text files, etc.) will be updated with new extensions. There is a range of extensions used by WastedLocker to highlight encrypted files. Most basic variants include 3 random letters alongside .***wasted extension at the end. For example, files affected by WastedLocker might get a new look of 1.mp4.bbawasted, 1.mp4.rlhwasted or similar. After this, unlike other ransomware that use one common note to explain ransom details, WastedLocker creates separate notes for each infected file. It simply replicates the name of encrypted files and adds _info just like in this instance 1.mp4.rlhwasted_info.

Inside of a ransom note, users are instructed against deleting encryption keys, moving or renaming the file, and interacting with third-parties tools. The only way to decrypt your files, as cybercriminals claim, is to buy their decryption software in BTC. Otherwise, your data will remain restricted even after deleting the virus. Unfortunately, this is precisely so unless ransomware contains some frailties or unsupervised bugs. Despite this, we do not recommend you to meet demands of swindlers, because oftentimes there is a scenario when users get fooled and do not receive any decryption software even after completing the payment. The best thing you can do safe and definite is to get rid of WastedLocker and try to recover data from external backups, if possible. Follow our guide below to find out how.

How WastedLocker Ransomware infected your computer

Officially, ransomware experts tease out more than 6 methods of infiltration. These include fake software cracking tools, trojans, backdoors, keyloggers, unprotected RDP configuration, e-mail spam, and other channels. E-mail spam has been a tool for spreading reconfigured files (MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, and JavaScript files) that contain malware. If you see any of these files from the list, this might be an immediate call to stay away from doing any manipulations with them (downloading or clicking) since they could be used to initiate the installation of malicious software. Our guide below will enlighten you with protection tips so that you could be more careful next time when seeing unknown content.

1. Download WastedLocker Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .***wasted files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like WastedLocker Ransomware

WastedLocker Ransomware files:


C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Port
Arbiter.exe
%AppData%\Lsa:bin
%AppData%\Pin:bin
lck.log
{randomfilename}_info
{randomfilename}.exe


WastedLocker Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .***wasted files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .***wasted files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .***wasted files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with WastedLocker Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .***wasted files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like WastedLocker Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. WastedLocker Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro