Waffle Ransomware Removal Guide

Do you know what Waffle Ransomware is?

Waffle Ransomware may seem funny, but as its ransom note says it is not a joke since it can actually encrypt user’s personal data. However, truth to be told, it does not look like the most dangerous ransomware out there either as while it can lock your files it can only do so in a couple of directories on the C: disk. In exchange for a decryption key Waffle Ransomware’s creators want to be paid fifty US dollars in twenty-four hours. The sum could look quite small to some of you, but still, we would not recommend risking it. If the malware did not encrypt a lot of essential data, it might be not worth it, and if did there are no guarantees the hackers will decrypt it like they promise. For users who cannot decide yet we recommend learning more while they continue reading our text, but if you already chose to delete the malicious program, you could slide below the main text and use our provided removal guide instead.

As usual for threats like Waffle Ransomware, we think it should be distributed through infected email attachments. For instance, the infected file could look like a text document, an image, an executable file, and so on. Thus, it is possible you might have escaped this malicious application if you were more careful with suspicious email attachments. We would not recommend opening files received from unknown senders, for unknown reasons, with emails categorized as Spam, etc. Of course, if you believe it might be something important for you to see, you could employ an antimalware tool to scan the suspicious file before opening it. This way, the user may learn about potential threats without endangering the computer and in this case the data located on it.

Waffle Ransomware is supposed to start the encryption process soon after it enters the system. Our researchers claim, the malware targets only the following directories: %USERPROFILE%\Desktop, %USERPROFILE%\Documents, %USERPROFILE%\My Pictures, %USERPROFILE%\My Music, and %USERPROFILE%\My Videos. It means all other data located in different directories should be safe. As for locked files they might be marked with a .waffle extension. The unusual part is that the malicious application switches this extension with the original one instead of placing it next to it, for example, a file titled picture.jpg should turn into picture.waffle. Also, the infection should open a pop-up window called Waffle right after the encryption. Its purpose is to display a ransom note in which the hackers demand users to pay fifty US dollars to a provided Bitcoin wallet address.Waffle Ransomware Removal GuideWaffle Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions

Furthermore, we would like to explain why we believe the malicious application’s creators might trick you. First of all, usually such threats give the infected computer a unique ID number so the hackers would know which individual decryption key is associated with a particular system. Plus, most of the ransom notes include an email address to contact the hackers or even send a couple of files for decryption to prove the malware’s developers have the needed decryption tools. Not to mention, an email address is required in order to deliver the decryption tool or just a decryption key if the infection’s window works as a decryptor. Therefore, the lack of the mentioned details on the Waffle Ransomware’s ransom note, makes us doubt these people intend to restore any files.

Under these circumstances, we advise not to put up with any demands since you might lose your money in vain. If you do not intend to do so, there is no point in keeping the malicious application on the system. There are two ways you could eliminate Waffle Ransomware. The first one is to install a reputable antimalware tool and do a system scan; after which, the malware could be erased along with other detections by simply clicking the provided removal button. The second option is advisable for more experienced users because it might be a little bit difficult too complicated for some of you. If you want to see if you are up for such a task, you should just slide below this paragraph, check the provided removal guide, and try to compete the listed steps.

Erase Waffle Ransomware

  1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
  2. Go to the Processes tab and find a process called Waffle.
  3. Right-click this process and press Open file location.
  4. Minimize the opened File Exploder’s window.
  5. Go back to the Task Manager.
  6. Select the process called Waffle and press the End Task button.
  7. Go back to the opened File Explorer’s window.
  8. Get rid of the file belonging to Waffle Ransomware by right-clicking it and pressing Delete.
  9. Exit the Explorer.
  10. Empty Recycle bin.
  11. Restart the computer.

In non-techie terms:

Waffle Ransomware is a malicious program that encrypts data only in particular locations. Also, it does not lock executable files, which means it should not damage any program data. Our researchers who tested the threat say it should not delete encrypted files if the computer is turned off either, although the malware’s creators claim it will do so in the provided ransom note. According to them, the user can get his files back if he pays the ransom in twenty-four hours, but as explained in the main text our researchers believe they might trick users and for this reason, they recommend erasing the infection either with the removal guide laced above or a reputable antimalware tool you like.