Dharma Ransomware Data Recovery

Dharma (.dharma) Ransomware and Dharma (.wallet) Ransomware are both ransomware programs that encrypt files on an infected computer and demand a ransom be paid to decrypt them.

Dharma is a family of ransomware that has been active since 2016. It is notable for its use of the “. Dharma” extension for encrypted files, as well as its use of the “Your personal ID” note text. Dharma (.wallet) Ransomware is a variant of Dharma that uses the “.wallet” extension for encrypted files. It was first seen in the wild in May 2017.

Attackers distribute both variants of Dharma ransomware via spam emails that contain attachments or links to websites that host the malware.

Once executed, Dharma will scan the victim’s computer for certain file types and encrypt them using a strong encryption algorithm. Dharma ransomware will then append the “.dharma” or “.wallet” extension to the encrypted files and drop a text file named “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” that contains instructions on how to decrypt the files. The Dharma variants will also contact a remote server to generate a unique encryption key for each victim. This makes it very difficult to decrypt Dharma ransomware without paying the ransom.

What types of files does Dharma ransomware encrypt?

Dharma ransomware primarily targets the following file types:

– Documents: .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .pdf, .txt, .HTML, .xml

– Images: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif

– Database files: .mdb, .sqlite3, .sqlitedb, .dbf, .odb

– Archives: .zip, .rar

– Audio and video files:.mp3,.wav,.wma,.WMV,.mpg,.mpeg,.avi,.flv

Protection

There are several things you can do to protect yourself from Dharma ransomware:

– Keep your operating system and software up to date: Dharma ransomware exploits vulnerabilities in outdated software to infect computers. By keeping your software up to date, you can close these security holes and make it more difficult for Dharma to infect your computer.

– Use a reputable antivirus program: most antivirus programs detect Dharma ransomware. Using a good antivirus program can help protect your computer from Dharma and other ransomware infections.

– Be cautious when opening email attachments: One of the most common ways someone distributes Dharma ransomware is via email attachments. When you receive an email with an attachment, even if it comes from a trusted source, make sure you scan the attachment with your antivirus program before opening it.

– Don’t click on links in email messages: attackers also distributed Dharma ransomware via email messages that contain links to websites that host the malware. If you receive an email with a link, even if it comes from a trusted source, don’t click on it. Instead, go to the website directly by typing the URL into your web browser.

– Back up your files regularly: Dharma ransomware will encrypt all the files on your computer. If you have a backup of your files, you can restore them after Dharma has encrypted them. Dharma ransomware will also delete any shadow copies of your files that are stored on your computer, so it’s important to have a backup that is stored offline or on a separate device. Dharma ransomware will also encrypt any connected external hard drives or USB devices.

– Be cautious when downloading files from the Internet: attackers often distribute Dharma ransomware via fake downloads, such as cracks or keygens for pirated software. When you download files from the Internet, make sure you only download them from trusted sources.

What should I do?

If Dharma has encrypted your files, the first thing you should do is disconnect your computer from the Internet.

This will prevent Dharma from encrypting any more of your files and make it more difficult for Dharma to steal your personal information. You should then scan your computer with an antivirus program and remove Dharma ransomware. Once Dharma has been removed, you can then restore your files from a backup. If you don’t have a backup, you may be able to use file recovery software to recover some of your files. We built SalvageData data recovery software to help you.

However, Dharma ransomware uses a strong encryption algorithm, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to recover all of your files without paying the ransom. Dharma will also delete any shadow copies of your files that are stored on your computer, so file recovery software may not be able to recover all of your Dharma-encrypted files.

If Dharma has encrypted your files, do not pay the ransom. There is no guarantee that Dharma will provide you with a decryption key even if you do pay the ransom. Dharma may also delete your files if you don’t pay the ransom within a certain amount of time, so you could end up losing your files even if you do pay the ransom. Dharma may also steal your personal information, so you could be at risk of identity theft even if you do pay the ransom.

Is there a public Dharma decryption tool?

Yes, The No More Ransom project offers a Dharma decryption tool that you can use to decrypt Dharma ransomware-encrypted files for free. However, this tool may not work for all Dharma variants, but it’s worth a try if you don’t have a backup of your Dharma-encrypted files.

You can find Dharma Decryptor here.

Contact a data recovery service

If you don’t feel comfortable recovering your files on your own, you can contact a data recovery service.

SalvageData ransomware data recovery team will decrypt your files and guarantee it is restored. Contact now SalvageData experts to learn more and get help.