How to remove Hello (WickrMe) Ransomware and decrypt .hello files

What is Hello (WickrMe) Ransomware

Also known as WickrMe, Hello Ransomware is a dangerous virus that encrypts personal data (photos, videos, documents, etc.). Alike other infections of this sort, it also demands a fee to be paid after encryption. However, before that Hello Ransomware changes your files with the new .hello extension. No extra symbols are included, so your files will look like this 1.mp4.hello and similarly. Then, once such changes are over, the virus creates a text note (Readme!!!.txt) containing ransom instructions.

Within this document, users are instructed to contact cyber criminals via attached e-mails or Wickr Me (a private messenger). Therefore, they will receive a list of steps to perform the payment and recover the compromised data. Unfortunately, although ransomware developers are usually the only figures able to decrypt your data, we do not recommend implementing the required payment. Otherwise, it may appear to be a waste of cash since there is no guarantee you will get the promised decryption. Statistically, extortionists ignore users even after completing all of the steps. Thus, it is necessary to delete Hello Ransomware from your computer to prevent further data encryption. After this, you can also try to involve third-party instruments presented below. Maybe they will be able to unlock some of the blocked data.

How Hello (WickrMe) Ransomware infected your computer

Very often infections that run data encryption are spread via unprotected RDP configuration, trojans, e-mail spam, fake software cracking tools, backdoors, keyloggers, and other infamous channels. Usually, the most popular vector of distribution has been around e-mail spam. In other words, these are the messages bundled with malicious attachments (MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, JavaScript files). Most users receive them unwillingly from ostensibly legitimate companies. Although mail algorithms detect such messages as spam, some audacious users look inside of them and open the compromised files. Unfortunately, after doing so, the consequences are clear – background infection alongside data encryption. If you already opened such attachments, the aversion of this process is next-to-impossible, so you should never open such content from unknown resources. Even if the senders’ address looks to be legitimate, stay cautious because it may be a fake one. In order to be protected against such threats in the future, we have prepared a detailed guide with the instructions to do it.

1. Download Hello (WickrMe) Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .hello 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 Hello (WickrMe) Ransomware

Hello (WickrMe) Ransomware files:


Readme!!!.txt
list.hello
{randomname}.exe


Hello (WickrMe) Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .hello files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .hello 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 .hello 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 Hello (WickrMe) 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 .hello 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 Hello (WickrMe) 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. Hello (WickrMe) 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