How to remove MegaLocker virus

MegaLocker virus – ransomware which performs the encryption by using the AES-128 cipher in the CBC mode

MegaLocker virus is a ransomware infection which uses unique cryptography to lock up data on the targeted machine. The cyber threat uses the AES-CBC 128 cipher and encrypts files by appending the .crypted extension to each component. MegaLocker ransomware operates as other of its kind, once files are locked, the ransomware drops a message which urges for ransom. Some victims have called for help in tech forums by claiming that the virus leaves the !DECRYPT_INSTRUCTION.txt message and urges for a not very small price in exchange for the decryption tool.^[1] According to the text message, the ransom price is $800 for companies and $250 for a private person. In order to show evidence that the user is private, he/she needs to send a photograph from his/her private life (e.g. birthday, holidays, etc.). Continuously, the cybercriminals allow victims to send three files for decryption as evidence that the recovery key truly exists. To add, the hackers provide an email address: alexshkipper@firemail.cc.

MegaLocker ransomware is a file-encrypting virus which can enter the computer system by manipulating the users. Mostly, this type of malware is spread through rogue email messages and their attached executables. Once the victim receives such email, the crooks present themselves as authorities from well-known organizations in order to trick people and convince them to open the malicious payload which is attached as a file or provided as a hyperlink in the message itself.

MegaLocker ransomware is a threat which is focused towards English or English-speaking users as the ransom note itself is written in the English language. As long as this type of language is the most popularly used one all around the world, criminals can target a wide range of people. Additionally, the crooks provide two notes from which one comes from the charles-small[.]com website. Talking about the ransom message, it looks like this:

All your files were protected with strong encryption using AES cbc-128 using MegaLocker Virus. 
What does it mean ? 
This means that the structure and data in your files have been irrevocably changed, 
you cannot work with them, read them or see them, 
this is the same as losing them forever, but with our help you will be able to recover them. 
The encryption key and ID are unique to your computer, so you are guaranteed to be able to get your files back. 
What should I do ? 
You can buy a transcript for  $ 800  for a company and $ 250 for a private individual. 
But before paying, you can make sure that we really can decrypt any of your files.
To do this, send us 1 random encrypted file at alexshkipper@firemail.cc , a maximum of 5 megabytes, we will decrypt them 
and we will send you back. Do not forget to send in a letter your unique id: 23CAEC83B8FF4ED5A89A8E19B0D7E85C 
You can check the decryption of more than one file, but no more than 3. 
To do this, send us two more letters with files, each letter should contain only one file! 
If you are a private person, send your personal photo (birthday, holidays, hobbies, etc.), 
this will prove to us that you are a private person, and you will pay $ 250 for decrypting files. 
If you are not a private person – do not try to deceive us !!!
Do not complain about these email addresses, because other people will not be able to decrypt their files! 
After confirming the decryption, you must pay it in bitcoins. We will send you a bitcoin wallet along with the decrypted file. 
You can pay for bitcoins online in different ways: 
https://buy.blockexplorer.com/ – payment by credit card 
https://www.buybitcoinworldwide.com/ 
https://localbitcoins.net 
About bitcoins: 
https: //en.wikipedia. org / wiki / Bitcoin 
If you have any questions, email us at alexshkipper@firemail.cc

Be aware the MegaLocker virus developers urge for Bitcoin cryptocurrency as such transfers do not require entering any personal details and remain completely untrackable. If you are a victim of this ransomware and have received the ransom message, we suggest overthinking all options before making any important decisions. Our offer is to decline any payment urges and try recovering files by using data recovery software that is provided below our written article.

Even though valuable data is encrypted^[2] by using a very strong and unique AES-CBC cipher, you can still try recovering some lost files on your own. However, note that, first, you need to permanently remove MegaLocker virus from your Windows computer system. You should use tools such as FortectIntego to detect all malicious components that might be hidden in different locations, e.g. Windows Task Manager, Windows Registry, and other.

The MegaLocker removal is not a process which should be completed by the user himself. If you are a less-experienced computer user, you might cause more damage than fixing. That is why you should choose only reliable computer tools to get rid of the file locking malware. Moreover, we recommend purchasing an USB Flash Drive^[3] for storing valuable data in the future. This way, the saved information will be reachable only for the owner of the USB key. To recover files encrypted by MegaLocker, try this tool.

Spam campaigns – the main ransomware distribution place

Cybersecurity experts from Virusai.lt^[4] claim that email spam is the most popularly used technique for ransomware distribution. Cybercriminals often send messages that come from “reputable organizations”. Many users get tricked and continue to open the attached document which often appears to be a malicious executable or another type of infected file.

Investigate all email messages properly before opening them. Furthermore, use anti-malware to scan the attachment and make sure that it does not contain any malware-related content. Continuously, if email letters fall straight to your spam section, we suggest removing them all as reliable companies usually do not contact users by email at all.

Continuously, another ransomware spreading source might be third-party websites. Peer-to-peer networks are created and promoted by third-parties which means that they lack protection. Due to this, criminals are capable of injecting malicious payload straight to hyperlinks or even advertising posts which users are likely to click on frequently.

MegaLocker ransomware removal guide for Windows users

The MegaLocker removal is a very hard process to carry out. This is the main reason why all users should leave such job for anti-malware programs. Moreover, tools such as FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, and MalwarebytesMalwarebytes are capable of detecting malicious ransomware-related components in the system which might be missed by the human eye and remain on the machine to perform malicious activities all over again.

After you remove MegaLocker virus safely, you should boot your computer to Safe Mode and make sure that the system is newly refreshed. Continuously, we suggest using our below-provided data recovery steps to restore some of your encrypted files. These methods might not be 100% successful but it is definitely a better option than contacting and paying the cybercriminals in order to avoid possible money losses.