How to remove Niwm Ransomware and decrypt .niwm files

What is Niwm Ransomware

If you landed on this article, you most likely got hit by Niwm Ransomware, that encrypted your files and modified their extensions to .niwm. The name Niwm is only given to this malware to help users find the removal and decryption solution, and according to the suffix it appends. In fact, this is just the 681-th version of STOP Ransomware (sometimes called Djvu Ransomware), that has been active for more than 5 years and became one of the most widespread ransomware families. Niwm was released in the first days of April 2023. Unfortunately, there are low chances for 100% decryption now as it uses strong encryption algorithms, however, with instructions below you will be able to recover some files. uses the combination of RSA and AES encryption algorithms to encrypt the victim’s files. The RSA algorithm is used to encrypt the AES key, and the AES algorithm is used to encrypt the victim’s files. The AES key is generated randomly for each victim and is stored on the attacker’s server. But first you need to remove ransomware files and kill its processes. Below is an example of Niwm Ransomware ransom note, that it leaves on the desktop (_readme.txt). It’s quite typical and remains almost the same with minor changes for several years.

One of the keys to the success of this ransomware is the price of decryption, which may seem “affordable” in comparison with other ransomware families. Many users are ready to pay $980 (or $490 if paid in first 3 days) ransom for valuable documents, personal video or photo archive. However, we must warn you, that many times malefactors won’t send decryption keys even after getting paid. Anyway, STOP Ransomware developers earn millions of dollars, which allows them to maintain a distribution network. Ransom is demanded to be paid in cryptocurrency, and that makes chances to track and catch the hackers close to zero. Below, in the tutorial, you will see all known methods to restore .niwm files, such as STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft, system restore and some special functions of operating system. However, most of the methods are useless, if ransomware used online encryption key. To date, file-recovery tools like Stellar Data Recovery Pro proved to be the most effective way to recover some percent of data. The level of success is very personalized and depends on how you kept certain type of data on your computer. Proceed with instructions below, to remove Niwm Ransomware and decrypt .niwm files.

How Niwm Ransomware infected your computer

As for the techniques used to spread, Niwm Ransomware is typically distributed through various means, including spam emails, malicious downloads from untrusted sources, software cracks, and fake software updates. It may also be distributed through exploit kits that take advantage of vulnerabilities in outdated software. In some cases, it may also be spread through peer-to-peer file-sharing networks and social media platforms.

1. Download Niwm Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .niwm 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. Restore media files with Media Repair
7. How to protect from threats like Niwm Ransomware

Virus modifies “hosts” file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. Niwm Ransomware comes along with AZORult trojan, which was initially created to steal logins and passwords. The process of infection also looks like installing Windows updates, the malware shows a fake window, that mimics the update process.

It uses rdpclip.exe to replace a legal Windows file and to launch an attack on a computer network. After encrypting the files, the encrypter is deleted using the delself.bat command file. Niwm Ransomware virus is propagated via spam attack with malicious e-mail attachments and using manual PC hacking. Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged, and infected installers. The virus assigns a certain ID to the victims, which is used to name those files and supposedly to send a decryption key. Great tools to protect against Niwm Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

How to remove Niwm Ransomware manually

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

Niwm Ransomware files:

_readme.txt
rdpclip.exe
delself.bat
{randomname}.exe

Niwm Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .niwm files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.niwm variations)

IMPORTANT: Read this detailed guide on using STOP Djvu Decryptor to avoid file corruption and time wasting.

STOP Djvu Decryptor is able to decrypt .niwm files, encrypted by Niwm Ransomware. This tool was developed by EmsiSoft. It works in automatic mode, but in most cases works only for files encrypted with offline keys. Download it here:

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 .niwm files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analysis 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 Niwm Ransomware and removed it from your computer, you can try decrypting 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 .niwm 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.

Use Media Repair to decrypt media files encrypted with .niwm

1. Download Media Repair tool.
2. Right-click on the downloaded archive, and select Extract to Media_Repair\.
3. Then double-click on the extracted .exe file to launch the utility.
4. At first, you have to choose which file type you want to decrypt. You can do it from the drop-down menu in the utility.
5. Next, browser the folder with encrypted or reference files. Choose any of them and click on the Test icon located in the top right corner.
6. Media Repair will display a pop-up message with information on whether it can repair the selected file or not.
7. After checking if it is possible or not, select your reference file and click on the icon right under the Test button we used in step #5.
8. If the file pair is properly matched, you can move on and hit the Play button to start repairing. You can also stop the process anytime by clicking on the Stop button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Niwm 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

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. Niwm 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.