Wiaw Virus Ransomware (.wiaw File)

What is Wiaw ransomware?

Malware can obtain different forms, and sometimes it becomes hazardous. Wiaw ransomware is just an example of the most dangerous virus currently. It does not destroy your operating or file system; instead, it makes your files inaccessible. To make its “task” easier to complete, the Wiaw virus manages to prevent the use of any sort of antivirus software by its victim.

The encryption algorithm this malware uses is Salsa20. Its strength (based on the number of possible decryption keys) is complemented by the unique key for each victim kept on the remote server. Cybercriminals control that server, and the only way to get the keys is to pay the ransom or wait until the police bust the crooks.

It is also important to mention how you get this on your computer. All STOP/Djvu variants are usually spread through third-party websites that spread the “free” versions of some familiar programs. While hacking the license checking mechanism, which makes it possible to use without any payments, users may add malware into the program code. And only the amount of revenue from the malware distributors distinguish which virus you will get with a “free” 3DS Max or Photoshop.

Encryption process

The Wiaw ransomware uses the Salsa20 encryption algorithm. That is not the strongest method, but it still provides an overwhelming amount of possible decryption keys. To brute force the 78-digit number of keys, you need 3.5 unvigintillion years (1*10^65), even if you use the most powerful regular PC. Quantum computers can show a bit better results, but it is still too slow to get your files back while you are alive.

The exact algorithm of encryption is next: malware scans each folder for the files it is able to encrypt. Then, when it finds the target, it makes a copy of your file, removes the original one, encrypts the copy and leaves it instead of the removed original. Such a procedure is done to prevent the situation when you have already opened the file, so ransomware is not able to read it because of the Windows restrictions. To each encrypted copy, the virus adds the specific extension - ".wiaw". Then, ransomware creates a _readme.txt file in the folder where the encrypted file is located, and goes to the next folder.

Such an encryption method can be exploited for file recovery. Since the original file is deleted, you may try to recover it using the file recovery tools. The less time is passed - the bigger the chance to get your files back, so hurry up!

Another specific moment that can help you to use the files even after the encryption is the fact that Wiaw ransomware encrypts only the first 150KB of each file. Hence, you can try to run a big file, such as video or music, without the encryption. Similar feature also works with other ransomware families - Dharma, Conti and Makop encrypt the same 150KB.

Ransom note: _readme.txt

Ransom note is the same for the whole ransomware family. In fact, it is one of the main signs of to which family the certain ransomware belongs. Here is the typical note for STOP/Djvu family:

External Links:

🔗 HowToFix.Guide: How To Decrypt .wiaw Files?

Indicators of Compromise(IOC)

File Name	MD5	File Size
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	dbd4c8abf1e774cea2e0373b77a7405d	3337913
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	f3e096781f3e1d764adffee2a9278ffa	740294656
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	1fd8a6f9547a5872474a231618edc468	3312168
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	2b1cd2906bc223edba908c8ea7cc0f65	775168
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	6349f272fca95cf2c19d8d299466d111	793772032
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	f1b5eeef2a0749e3989f4be3ccc72c78	17862158
📜 SAMPLE.EXE	6afba73a4fb7142b5f7e376234e94e75	3638470