Do you know what WannaOof Ransomware is?
What did you do to let WannaOof Ransomware in? Did you download new files or software carelessly? Did you open a file sent to you along with a strange email message? Did you leave security backdoors open? Considering that the malicious infection is silent, you might not even have an answer to this question. All we know is that once the infection is executed on your operating system, it takes no time for the encryption process to begin. Of course, it would be ideal if you knew where the launcher of this malware was because that would make it possible for you delete WannaOof Ransomware manually. If you are unsure about the whereabouts of the infection’s .exe file, you might have to use anti-malware software to have the malicious threat removed, but there are other reasons to install it too.
When WannaOof Ransomware encrypts files, it changes their data to ensure that only a decryptor can read them. It is like changing the lock to one’s home. The home is there, you know what’s inside, but you simply cannot get access to it. Unfortunately, in this analogy, there’s always the option of breaking the door down, and when it comes to encrypted files, there truly isn’t anything that can be done. In some cases, free decryptors are made available to the victims, but this has not happened for the victims of WannaOof Ransomware as of yet. If the situation changes, we will update this report. Of course, it is most likely that your files were encrypted permanently. That means that even if you delete the “.oof” extension attached to their names or remove the malicious ransomware, the files will remain corrupted.
WannaOof Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
To ensure that you understand what is going on, WannaOof Ransomware changes the wallpaper image using the %TEMP%\wallpaper.bmp file. This file points to the window that the infection is meant to launch as well. This window is entitled “WannaOof,” and it displays a message that asks to pay a ransom in 24 hours. It is stated that if the ransom of 0.02 BTC (~$150) is paid, the decryption key will be made available, and the victim will be able to decrypt files. Even if you were able to pay the ransom, how could the attackers identify you? How could they provide you with the decryptor? These are questions we do not have answers to. Also, we have to understand that there are no guarantees when it comes to cyber criminals. They can say and promise anything just to manipulate victims and make them act in one way or another.
Even though you cannot restore the corrupted files by removing WannaOof Ransomware, this threat must be eliminated as soon as possible. You have two main paths you can choose in this situation. You can either follow the instructions below, which show how to delete WannaOof Ransomware. Just note that we cannot guarantee success, and these instructions require you to be capable of identifying malware components. The second option is to install anti-malware software. We strongly recommend doing that because this software will quickly eliminate existing threats and, at the same time, will ensure that your system is protected and is able to fend off malware in the future. Just do not forget that even if your system is protected, you still need to backup files to protect them. If backups exist, they can replace the encrypted files, and you can forget about the unfortunate incident right away.
Delete WannaOof Ransomware
Note: If the infection’s window is still active, follow the instructions below. If the window has been closed, the process might have ended, and this method will not help you find and delete the launcher.
- Simultaneously tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys to open a menu.
- Click Task Manager and then open the Processes menu.
- Find the malicious process and right-click it.
- Choose Open file location to access the malicious .exe file.
- End process to kill it and then Delete the malicious file.
- Exit Task Manager and then launch Explorer by tapping Win+E keys.
- Enter %TEMP% into the field at the top to access the folder.
- Delete the file named wallpaper.bmp.
- Complete the process with Empty Recycle Bin.
- Run a full system scan using a malware scanner to check for leftovers.
In non-techie terms:
WannaOof Ransomware is no joke. It is a serious threat that acts as a file-encryptor. When it invades the operating system, it corrupts the files to make them unreadable, and then it demands a ransom in return for a decryptor that, allegedly, can help you restore corrupted data. Even if the attackers had a working decryptor, no one knows if they would provide it to the victims. After all, they are interested in getting money, not assisting Windows users. Hopefully, you can replace the corrupted files with backup copies, but you should do that only after you remove WannaOof Ransomware. Follow the manual removal guide above or, better yet, employ anti-malware software that will automatically clean your system and secure it against malware attacks in the future.