How to remove WildFire Locker Ransomware and decrypt .wflx files

What is WildFire Locker Ransomware

WildFire Locker is a malicious program categorized as ransomware. It operates by restricting access to data (with AES-256 CBC encryption algorithms) and then demanding money from victims. During the data encryption process, all targeted files acquire this long and written format #WildFire_Locker#[original file name]##.[original extension].wflx. Cybercriminals do so to highlight encryption and make victims spot it. For instance, a file previously named documents.pdf will therefore become something like #WildFire_Locker#documents##.pdf.wflx and reset its original icon as well. Following this, the virus creates three files with .txt, .html, and .bmp extensions providing relevant information about the decryption procedure. Most detailed instructions are given inside the HOW_TO_UNLOCK_FILES_README_(victim’s unique ID).txt text note.

In general, it is said victims have 7 days to pay the ransom of 299$/€ in Bitcoins using the attached web page in Tor Browser. After this, the price will increase and cost 999$/€. It is worth noting that much information on the Internet about WildFire Locker is from 2016 when Bitcoin cost much cheaper than now. Therefore, it is quite possible that newer versions of this virus may state even higher amounts for ransom compared to back then. Before paying the ransom, it is also offered to send 2 files and get them decrypted for free. This is a popular thing many cybercriminals do to demonstrate their decryption capabilities. Although extortionists promise to send decryption passwords and software after the payment is made, they sometimes don’t leaving victims with nothing. This is why it is always recommended to think twice and also evaluate your risks before deciding on the payment of ransom. It is actually possible to decrypt older versions of the virus with Kaspersky WildFireDecryptor, however, it may be the opposite with newer versions of it. In case third-party decryption is impossible, the only alternative that works all the time is to recover your data via backup copies of it. You can also try some other tools presented in our guide below, however, we cannot promise that they will actually help – due to what was already mentioned before. If you are to recover your data without the interference of cybercriminals, it is important to make sure the malicious program no longer operates within your system. You can do so by deleting it in our tutorial below and then trying to recover the files for free.

How WildFire Locker Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware infections are can be delivered through various channels like trojans, unreliable software cracking tools, dubious file-sharing pages, fake software updates/installers, backdoors, keyloggers, unprotected RDP configuration, and so forth. One more important to mention is e-mail spam. Cybercriminals have shown massive activity in setting up e-mail campaigns that spread a number of spam letters. These letters are usually very similar to informational messages about products or services sent by official and legitimate companies (DHL, FedEx, DPD, banks, etc.). Usually, legitimate companies do not send newsletters unless you are subscribed to them yourself. However, in the case of spam letters, the message get to your e-mail for no significant reason with malicious attachments bundled along. If you are brave to open one of them (e.g. MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, JavaScript files), your PC will be most likely infected without your consent. In other words, this means there will be no opportunity to prevent the virus before it locks down your data. To avoid such infections happening in the future, it is keeping your e-mail in order and also equip yourself with antimalware software specially designed to combat various channels. You can find more information on malware removal and system security in the article below.

1. Download WildFire Locker Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .wflx 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 WildFire Locker Ransomware

WildFire Locker Ransomware files:


HOW_TO_UNLOCK_FILES_README_(victim's unique ID).txt
{randomname}.exe


WildFire Locker Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .wflx files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky WildfireDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called WildfireDecryptor, that can decrypt .wflx files. Download it here:

Download WildfireDecryptor

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 .wflx files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing 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 WildFire Locker Ransomware and removed 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 .wflx 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 WildFire Locker 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 storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. WildFire Locker 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 a 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 are 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