How to remove DCRTR-WDM Ransomware and decrypt .LOCKEDS, .CRYZP, .LOCK or .GOLD files

What is DCRTR-WDM Ransomware

DCRTR-WDM Ransomware is encryption virus, endangering unprotected user’s data on Windows computers. It is a successor of DCRTR Ransomware and uses the AES encryption algorithm to cipher information and demand ransom of $1270 in BTC (BitCoins). The virus was allocated to a separate subspecies in November 2018 and continued its activity in 2019 and 2020. DCRTR-WDM developers have been hiding their malware under fake “Windows Defender Monitor” updaters that can be downloaded from the web. Regrettably, once installed, it breaks all expectations because, instead of defending your PC, it instantly starts running scripts to encrypt the data stored on your computer. Currently, several generations of malware are active and distributed in the web. DCRTR-WDM Ransomware can append following extensions to encoded files:

.crypt, .SONG, .PAFOS, .COLORIT, .COPAN, .WALAN, .CAGO, .STAFS, .SOS, .LOCKEDS, .CRYZP, .LOCK or .GOLD

Once finished, ransomware developers are pleased to notify you about encryption with a note generated on the desktop. The ransom called commonly named HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.hta. Below is the contents from such files

In the following message, extortionists tell you to not worry because they are able to help decrypt your files for 1270$. The fee, therefore, has to be paid via Bitcoin in the Tor browser that can be downloaded by following the instructions attached in the note. Besides that, frauds offer to decrypt one low-weight file that can be sent through the e-mail. This is just a trick to prove integrity and fool users into paying a ransom. However, you should never rely on their promises, because their main purpose is to deflate money and continue hunting for other victims. Unfortunately, bypassing the encryption often brings no fruits whatsoever, because developers use intricate AES-256 algorithms to encipher the data. However, with the help of our instructions, you will be able to remove it from your computer to prevent further data loss. Use this tutorial to remove DCRTR-WDM Ransomware and decrypt .LOCKEDS, .CRYZP, .LOCK or .GOLD files in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7.

DCRTR-WDM Ransomware (.LOCKEDS)

DCRTR-WDM Ransomware (.GOLD)

How DCRTR-WDM Ransomware infected your PC

As mentioned above, DCRTR-WDM Ransomware can inflict your computer by downloading false “Windows Defender Monitor” updates from unofficial websites. Basically, downloading any type of system updates from third-parties pages is dangerous. Instead, all of the updates are usually available on the official developers’ websites that can be downloaded for free meaning that you do not need to search for the cracked versions on dubious file-hosting resources. There are various other reasons why ransomware impacts so many users worldwide like e-mail spams, Trojans, botnets, exploits, web-injectors, malicious repacks and so forth. E-mail spams have been most effective and popular among the list since everybody uses e-mail services for registrations and communication. This way extortionists send a plethora of e-mail messages holding ostensibly positive character. By doing so, they promote malicious files and push inexperienced and curious users into downloading them. These downloads often lead to Trojan-based infections that are meant to cause so-called malware chains. For example, when a Trojan gets installed on your PC, it will provoke the installation of appendant malware like adware, fake system optimization tools and ransomware as well. The best way to evade these agonizing attacks is being wary of everything you visit and download across the web. Either way, it is much better to move off your curiosity unless you do want to experience massive privacy loss as a result of carelessness. See the underneath steps on how to get rid of DCRTR-WDM Ransomware from your computer and recover the data. Great tools to protect against DCRTR-WDM Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

How to remove DCRTR-WDM Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove DCRTR-WDM Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

DCRTR-WDM Ransomware files:

wdm.exe
FileCryptor.pdb
install.bat
setup.exe


DCRTR-WDM Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .LOCKEDS, .CRYZP, .LOCK or .GOLD files

Use automated decryptors

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .LOCKEDS, .CRYZP, .LOCK or .GOLD files. Download it here:

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 .LOCKEDS, .CRYZP, .LOCK or .GOLD 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 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with DCRTR-WDM 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 .LOCKEDS, .CRYZP, .LOCK or .GOLD 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.

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 DCRTR-WDM Ransomware in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

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.

2. Back up your files

Regardless of success of protection against ransomware threats, you can save your files using simple online backup. Cloud services are quite fast and cheap nowadays. There is more sense using online backup, than creating physical drives, that can get infected and encrypted when connected to PC or get damaged from dropping or hitting. Windows 10 and 8/8.1 users can find pre-installed OneDrive backup solution from Microsoft. It is actually one of the best backup services on the market, and has reasonable pricing plans. Users of earlier versions can get acquainted with it here. Make sure to backup and sync most important files and folders in OneDrive.

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

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is 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 very high level of anti-spam protection.