How to remove Infowait ransomware and restore encrypted files

This article is dedicated to ransomware called Infowait, which penetrates users' systems in different countries of the world, and encrypts their data. In this entry, you will see complete info on Infowait's essence, and how to uninstall Infowait from your machine. Except that, we'll explain how to restore the encrypted files, if possible.

Infowait is a new extension of GlobeImposter 2.0 virus. Another extension for this ransomware virus are STOP and Datawait. This virus make a Read me message, where it asks around 800$ in Bitcoins.After 48 hours, the sum will be doubled.

Ransomware is the dangerous virus getting into computers mainly with help of Trojans, cracked software and scam e-mails. Sometimes hackers use exploits to penetrate the PC, but well-known program vendors fix them promptly . When infection takes place, ransomware checks the computer memory to find the folders for encryption and their general worth. Nowadays, any new virus is able to encrypt image, video, text and audio info in all known extensions. Special attention is attracted to businesslike files, since medium and large companies are the main target for criminals. Ransomware targets only files with information, and does not affect the software, so that the user can use the PC to pay the ransom. Encryption is executed with the help of famous encryption algorithms, and its complexity is so high that decipherment of information with no key is impossible. This is the reason for impressive success of this sort of viruses in last years: common PC operator, even if he has a high knowledge of the PC, will never recover the files, and will have no way out except paying the ransom. The sole method to recover the data is to find the scammer's webpage and get the master key. Sometimes it is possible to get these keys via defects in viruses’ program code.

There is one thing in common between all kinds of hazardous programs: it's much easier to prevent it than to cure it. Statistically, 90% of users comprehend the importance of computer knowledge just when ransomware penetrates their PC. To protect yourself, you must remember these four basic regulations:

• Don't use cracked software or programs from unfamiliar vendors
• Carefully examine your emails, specifically those messages that have files attached to them. If this letter was sent from an unknown sender and it tells about earning any prize, a lost parcel or something like that, this is most likely ransomware. You also should keep an eye on business correspondence, particularly if you don't know the man who send it and not sure what's inside. It is natural to be interested and read the e-mail even if it is obviously not for you, but remember that one click on the viral file may cost you lots of time, headache and money.
• Take notice to the pop-up windows. One of the most efficient manners of information restoration is the recovery through Shadow Copies, so hackers have included the elimination of those copies into the default features of viruses. However deletion of copies requires admin rights and your acceptance. Thus, if you do not accept changes from a weird software at the right moment, you will keep the chances to restore all corrupted files for free.
• Monitor the state of your computer. Data encrypting is a sophisticated act that uses a lot of computer resources. If you detect a significant fall in PC power or notice a unknown process in the Process Manager, you need to switch off the machine, load it in safe mode, and run the AV-tool. These measures, in case of infection, will protect some of your data.

We draw your attention to the fact that the removal of ransomware is only the first and required turn for the regular operation of the PC. If you uninstall virus, you will not get back the data immediately, it will require more actions described in the "How to restore encrypted files" paragraph. In case of encrypting virus, we do not give the manual deletion instruction, because its complexity and the probability of faults will be very high. We don't recommend you to delete Infowait by hand, since it has different security mechanisms which will interfere you.

Removal instruction

Step 1. Boot into Safe mode

Start -> Msconfig.exe

On the tab Boot select Safe boot

Step 2. Check Startup folder

Start -> Msconfig.exe ->Disable unknown programs in the Startup tab

Step 3. Check hosts file

Modify hosts file, that located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\ .

Open the file with Notepad and delete suspicious strings.

It has to look like this:

Step 4. Scan the system with antiviral scanner

Why we recommend Reimage Repair

Detects viruses fully: all files and even registry keys of malware will be found

Can fix system errors

Protects your computer in the future

24/7 free support team

Reimage's scanner is only for malware detection. If the program detects a virus on the computer, you will need to purchase Reimage Repair's full version to delete viruses. Uninstall steps and Refund policy, EULA, Privacy Policy.

Alternative scanners: HitmanPro and AdwCleaner. Also, you can use Dr. Web - it can help too.

Step 5. Disable Safe mode

Start -> Msconfig.exe ->Disable Safe boot in the Boot tab

After eliminating Infowait from the system, you just need to restore the polluted data. Actually, this is not literally decryption, as the encrypting methods owned by swindlers are extremely complex. Generally, to get back the data, you should ask for support on targeted forums or from famous ransomware researchers and AV program manufacturers. Concretely for Infowait - decryption is available with the help of Dr.Web antivirus. If you can't wait and are ready to recover the information in manual mode - here's the complete article on data recovery. Common information about restore - the article about files decryption.