PC Locker ransomware / virus (Virus Removal Instructions)
PC Locker virus Removal Guide
What is PC Locker ransomware virus?
The peculiar behavior of PC Locker virus
PC Locker virus is another threat from lock screen ransomware series. Though it is less destructive than the viruses, which employ AES and RSA algorithms for data encryption, it is still considered to be a serious infection. Despite that, even if this cyber misfortune has befallen you, you can still remove PC Locker without any problems. For that, you may require FortectIntego. This utility completes the elimination quickly and effectively. More about the removal instructions can be found below. The threat also threatens to lock your data within 72 hours and urge you to make the money. However, we do not recommend doing it.
It seems that lock screen viruses are gaining popularity among hackers. While there are tons of ordinary ransomware employing asymmetric encryption techniques, lock screen viruses are easier to program. Usually, they do not encode personal files which might be regarded as a big advantage. On the other hand, locked screen is a problematic phenomenon as well as you cannot cancel the window and perform any other functions. Therefore, when PC Locker infection infiltration gets into the device, a ransom note pops declaring of the threat‘s misdeeds. You may opt from administrator, log off, restart, and shutdown options. The virus researchers have identified that pchip2012 stands for the user and s2m2sug1 is used as a password. Such information was embedded in the source code of the ransomware. As it is common for lock screen viruses, this current infection also asks you to complete the survey in exchange for the password.
After completing the survey, a certain amount of money is transferred for their developers. Crooks might not be used relying on more trusted domains such as secret servers or bitcoin web pages. Hackers also encourage victims to fill them by setting a 72-hour time period. According to the ransom note, if a victim fails to complete the form within the specified time, all important documents and data might be locked. However, such scenario is unlikely as most of the lock screen viruses only manage to lock the screen. PC Locker malware seems to be the result of beginners as IT specialists have found a code how to unlock the screen without completing tiresome surveys.
The hackers messed up as they also included the unlock key in the cyber code. london1969paris is the key to unlocking the affected computer. The password might be associated with famous Grand Theft Auto game where an action takes place in this specific location and year. Therefore, there are more speculations that teenagers and more hacker-wannabes joining in the ransomware business. Furthermore, the virus is able to inject its specific [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon] registry entry. Though the virus may seem less destructive in comparison with Cerber or Locky, it is necessary to perform proper PC Locker removal.
When does PC Locker ransomware infect computers?
It still uses the usual channels for distribution: spam, exploit kits, outdated tools, and file-sharing domains. Therefore, hardcore gamers might be the primary target of these hackers. Speaking of spam messages, be careful even if you receive the message from tax institution or even a local police office. Crooks have mastered ways how to forge credentials of official companies to make the hoax messages more realistic. Additionally, if you can reduce the risk of encountering the virus via spam messages, then exploit kits are another matter. They might lurk in any website. The only probable way to block them is to launch a security tool.
Eliminate PC Locker effectively
When it comes to ransomware termination, the very process does not take long if you employ an anti-spyware program (FortectIntego or Malwarebytes). Launch it and update it before scanning. Therefore, the tool will be able to detect and remove PC Locker virus completely. Manual elimination might not be as effective as the virus inserts not only the mentioned registry entry but other smaller elements as well. When PC Locker removal is finished, you may read about data recovery possibilities. In the end, keep in mind that personal caution may also highly reduce the risk of PC Locker hijack or other cyber threat.
Getting rid of PC Locker virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Remove PC Locker using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
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Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of PC Locker. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove PC Locker from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If your files are encrypted by PC Locker, you can use several methods to restore them:
Opting for Data Recovery Pro
Though in this case, PCLocker ransomware does not affect your files. Be aware that Data Recovery Pro comes in handy retrieving the encrypted files.
- Download Data Recovery Pro;
- Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
- Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by PC Locker ransomware;
- Restore them.
The benefits of ShadowExplorer
This utility might be highly useful as it recreates the files according to the patterns of volume shadow copies.
- Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
- Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
- Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
- Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from PC Locker and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
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