How to remove Coinlocker ransomware

Coinlocker ransomware uses encryption algorithms to lock files and asks for money

Coinlocker ransomware is a file-locking malware that uses complicated encryption algorithms to lock users' personal files, such as photos, videos, documents, databases, etc. Ransomware infections can result in permanent data loss if people do not have backups.

When it infiltrates the system, the affected files are appended with the .exe extension. So if a file was previously named picture.jpg, after encryption it would look like this – picture.jpg.exe. The icons are also changed so thumbnails become unavailable.

The ransom note

When the Coinlocker ransomware finishes encrypting files, it generates a ransom note “bitdecrypter.txt” on the machine. The full message reads as follows:

coinlocker
All of your files have been encrypted
Your computer was infected with a ransomware virus. Your files have been encrypted and you won't
be able to decrypt them without our help.What can I do to get my files back?You can buy our special
decryption software, this software will allow you to recover all of your data and remove the
ransomware from your computer.The price for the software is 100 btc  Payment can be made in Bitcoin only.
How do I pay, where do I get Bitcoin?
Purchasing Bitcoin varies from country to country, you are best advised to do a quick google search
yourself  to find out how to buy Bitcoin.
Many of our customers have reported these sites to be fast and reliable coinbase kraken
Payment information Amount: 100 BTC
Bitcoin Address:  17CqMQFeuB3NTzJ2X28tfRmWaPyPQgvoHV  dog12353@yahoo.com

The ransom note is the message from the ransomware developers. They try to pressure and intimidate victims into paying as quickly as possible. However, the cybercriminals ask for an insane amount of money – 100 BTC (Bitcoin) which at the time of writing is roughly $2,156,910,00. 

Only big corporations could afford to pay this kind of money, so for most people, this should be out of the question. Threat actors choose cryptocurrencies^[1] because they provide anonymity. Unfortunately, it is very risky to trust cyber criminals. Many previous ransomware attack victims say that they never received the promised decryption tools after paying.

Although decryption is rarely possible without the cybercriminals' help, there are third-party recovery solutions that help in some cases. Sometimes threat actors release the decryption keys^[2] to the public, so another option would be to just wait. In this post, you will find instructions on how to use third-party software for recovering encrypted data.

Distribution methods

Ransomware developers use a number of methods to spread their malicious programs. Most of the time, people get infected by installing “cracked” software. They use Torrent websites, and peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms to download programs for free.

However, these platforms are unregulated, so they are the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of malware. It is impossible to know if the package you are downloading does not contain any malicious files. That is why it is best to use official web stores and developer websites.

Another common method used for ransomware distribution is email. Threat actors often use social engineering techniques to create convincing letters made to look like urgent messages from well-known companies. They include malicious links or infected attachments and urge people to open them.

To prevent hackers from exploiting software vulnerabilities it is important to keep your operating system and software updated. Software developers regularly release security patches. They should be installed as soon as possible to ensure the security of the system.

Use professional security tools to eliminate malicious files

The thing that you have to do immediately is to disconnect the affected machine from the local network. For home users, disconnecting the ethernet cable or disabling the Wi-Fi should do the job. If this happened at your workplace, doing that might be complicated, so we have separate instructions for you at the bottom of this post.

If you try to recover your data first, it can result in permanent loss. Malware can also encrypt your files the second time if it is not eliminated first. It will not stop until you remove the malicious files causing it. You should not attempt removing the malicious program yourself unless you have excellent IT skills.

Use anti-malware tools like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to scan your system. This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. In some cases, malware can prevent you from using antivirus software, so you need to access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan from there:

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing the 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.
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Settings.
   
2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
4. Now scroll down to find the Advanced Startup section.
5. Click Restart now.
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Go to Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Click Restart.
10. Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Fix system errors to prevent Windows reinstallation

Performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a complete Windows reinstall is required, are expected after malware infection. These types of viruses can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other functions, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software will not able to repair it.

This is why FortectIntego was developed. This powerful software can fix a lot of the damage caused by Coinlocker ransomware. Blue Screen errors,^[3] freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc., can make your computer completely unusable. By using this maintenance tool, you could avoid Windows reinstallation.

• Download the application by clicking on the link above
• Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  
• If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
• Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
• The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
• Once complete, check the results – they will be listed in the Summary
• You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
• If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.

File recovery options

Many people think that they can fix their files with anti-malware tools, but that is not what they are designed for. All the security tools can do is detect suspicious processes in your system and eliminate them. The truth is, the files can be restored only with a decryption key or software that only the cybercriminals have.

If you did not back up your data previously, it might be possible that you will never get them back. You can try using data recovery software, but we have to note that third-party programs cannot always decrypt the files. We suggest at least trying this method. Before proceeding, you have to copy the corrupted files and place them in a USB flash drive or another storage. And remember – only do this if you have already removed the Coinlocker ransomware.

Before you begin, several pointers are essential while dealing with this situation:

• Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it – use a USB flash drive or another storage.
• Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.

Install data recovery software

1. Download Data Recovery Pro.
2. Double-click the installer to launch it.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
4. As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
5. Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
6. Press Next.
7. At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
8. Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
9. You can now pick which folders/files to recover – don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
10. Press Recover to retrieve your files.