ITLOCK ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
ITLOCK is malware that belongs to ransomware type - it encrypts files in order to blackmail victims to pay ransom in Bitcoin for the decryptor. The virus stems from Matrix ransomware - a relatively old threat that has more than a dozen variants during its two-year lifespan.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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ITLOCK ransomware: summary
| Name | ITLOCK |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware |
| Family | Matrix |
| File extension | [rescompany19@qq.com].[random]-[random].ITLOCK |
| Cipher | AES-128 and RSA-2048 |
| Ransom note | !README_ITLOCK!.rtf; the text of the note is not in our records |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 14 more facts
| Contact | rescompany19@qq.com, rescompany19@yahoo.com and rescompany19@cock.li |
|---|---|
| Decryptable? | No |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .itlock |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Evidence | 3 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .itlock |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 30 January 2019 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Ransom:Win32/Genasom |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
What antivirus programs call ITLOCK
Microsoft Defender reports ITLOCK as Ransom:Win32/Genasom.
In a Defender name, the part before the colon is the category, the part after it is the platform, and the part after the slash is the family Microsoft assigned. A suffix after ! is an internal Microsoft marker, not a different threat.
Generic labels such as Agent, GenericKD or Malware.AI only say that a file looks malicious, not what it does; our guide to antivirus detection names shows how to read them.
- File extension:
.itlock
How ITLOCK ransomware behaves
From our report of Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
ITLOCK ransomware is a file locking virus that comes from Matrix family
ITLOCK is malware that belongs to ransomware type - it encrypts files in order to blackmail victims to pay ransom in Bitcoin for the decryptor.
The virus stems from Matrix ransomware - a relatively old threat that has more than a dozen variants during its two-year lifespan. ITLOCK ransomware uses AES-128 and RSA-2048 ciphers to lock data and adds .ITLOCK extension, also modifying the file name to a random string of characters.
Once encoding procedure is complete, malware drops a !README_ITLOCK!.rtf file which explains victims the situation and urges them to contact criminals via all three email addresses:
- rescompany19@qq.com
- rescompany19@yahoo.com
- rescompany19@cock.li
Note that it is not the first time .ITLOCK extension is used, and a similar variant came out back in September 2018.
It is yet unknown what methods ITLOCK ransomware uses to propagate the machines. However, previous variants of Matrix used Internet Explorer (CVE-2016-0189) and Flash (CVE-2015-8651) vulnerabilities to infect victims. Later on, malware authors started using brute-force attacks via the poorly protected RDP connections.
Because ITLOCK virus is a relatively new threat, not all AV engines recognize it. Currently, 46 vendors detect malware using the following names:
Users should pick one of the tools that can detect the threat for ITLOCK ransomware removal.
During the encryption, ITLOCK ransomware uses two Command Prompt windows, so users can instantly notice that something is doing on. However, the process usually does not last too long, and files become encrypted in the following pattern: [rescompany19@qq.com]. - .ITLOCK.
For example, a file called picture.jpg will be converted to [rescompany19@qq.com].HKu8jex-WHQUrnX.ITLOCK. From that time, all the pictures, documents, databases and other files become unusable. To unlock files, users are asked to pay ransom in Bitcoin. It is yet unknown how much ITLOCK ransomware authors want, but paying cybercriminals is not recommended by experts.
Victims might end up being scammed and lose their money, along with the data. Therefore, users should remove ITLOCK ransomware from their devices with the help security software and only then proceed to alternative file recovery methods.
Those who failed to prepare backups before ITLOCK virus attacked, should check our guide below on how to use third-party software that might be able to restore at least some of the files.
- Gen:Variant.Ransom.Matrix.6
- Win32:DangerousSig
- TR/FileCoder.gousb
- Ransom:Win32/Genasom
- Ransom.Matrix
- Trojan/Win32.Matrixran.R234829, etc.
From our report of Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
Employ reputable anti-malware software and be attentive online to avoid ransomware attacks
As we previously mentioned, older variants of malware used weak RDP or software vulnerabilities to spread.
To protect yourself from these infiltration methods, you should make sure that your system and software is adequately patched. Security updates come out very often (or as soon as vulnerabilities are discovered) and without applying updates, users still are vulnerable to old flaws.
For example, the EternalBlue exploit was actively used in WannaCry campaigns back in 2017, and the flaw is yet being actively exploited by criminals to infect not only ransomware but also cryptojackers like NRSMiner.
A second important step into malware-less PC is the anti-virus program. There are plenty to choose from, and if you are not using one, there is a tremendous risk of being infected.
Finally, you should generally be more careful when using the internet:
- Use strong passwords for RDP and all your accounts;
- Avoid high-risk websites;
- Use Firewall, adblock, and VPN (for RDP);
- Do not casually open spam email attachments or links;
- Etc.
The ITLOCK ransomware note
We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.
How to remove ITLOCK ransomware
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove ITLOCK and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so ITLOCK cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and identify the family
The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.
Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
Our last check found that for ITLOCK, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing ITLOCK does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.
If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them.
vssadmin list shadowsin an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.
Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that ITLOCK deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
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.
From our report of Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
Eliminate ITLOCK ransomware and protect your files from danger in the future
To remove ITLOCK ransomware, you should download and install security software that is capable of doing so.
We suggest using or , although other programs can be good for the job as well. Be aware that malware may interfere with anti-virus engine working properly. In such a case, you should enter Safe Mode with Networking as explained below.
Once ITLOCK ransomware removal is complete, you can start file recovery. If you have a backup device, feel free to connect it to your computer and copy all the files. Unfortunately, most users fail to backup their data and risk losing it all in case of ITLOCK virus or other infection.
For those who do not have backups prepared, we suggest checking third-party software that might be able to help. Finally, making a copy of files and waiting till security researchers release official decryptor is an option as well, although its discovery is never guaranteed.
[GI=method-1]To make sure ITLOCK ransomware is removed without any problems, we suggest you enter Safe Mode with Networking:
[GI=method-2]You can try System Restore to remove .ITLOCK file virus:
This tool is extremely useful to those who accidentally deleted or corrupted their files.
Windows Previous Versions feature might help you recover some of your data
You could try this method if you had System Restore enabled before ransomware has infected your device.
ShadowExplorer may recover all of your data
ITLOCK, just like many other similar viruses, tries to delete Shadow Volume snapshots using command lines vssadmin Delete Shadows /All /Quiet and wmic SHADOWCOPY DELETE. However, this process sometimes fails. In such a case, ShadowExplorer will be able to get all of your files back.
No decryptor is available yet
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Make the next attack harmless
ITLOCK could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .itlock and no longer open) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
Questions about ITLOCK ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .itlock files?
That depends on the family behind the .itlock extension, which this guide cannot confirm yet from the reports alone. Check No More Ransom and ID Ransomware with your ransom note and one encrypted file; they list families with free tools.
If none exists today, keep the encrypted files and a copy of the note on a separate drive, because decryptors are sometimes published months later after flaws are found or servers are seized. Never buy a decryptor from a website that is not the security company that made it.
How do I open .itlock files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .itlock ending shows that ITLOCK encrypted the content, and only the matching key can reverse it. Renaming a file back to .docx or .jpg changes nothing except the icon, and it can confuse a future decryptor, so leave the names as they are.
To get the content back, use a backup, an unencrypted copy elsewhere, or a decryptor listed on No More Ransom if one exists for ITLOCK. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did ITLOCK steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by ITLOCK, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .itlock and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did ITLOCK get on my computer?
The way ITLOCK spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened. On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password.
Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before files that end in .itlock and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is ITLOCK the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
What does the name Ransom:Win32/Genasom tell me?
Microsoft builds names in a fixed order:
- category
- then platform
- then family
- sometimes followed by a variant letter
- a suffix
The category is the most useful part for you. Trojan, Backdoor and PWS mean real malware that can download more, give remote access or steal passwords. PUA means unwanted software.
Ransom means ransomware. Suffixes such as !ml or !MTB mean the detection came from machine learning or behaviour analysis. Search for the family part of Ransom:Win32/Genasom together with the word Microsoft to find its entry in Microsoft's security encyclopedia.
Will .itlock spread to my other drives?
It can. Ransomware encrypts every drive and network share it can reach while it runs, so external disks, USB sticks and shared folders connected during the attack may also have files ending in .itlock. Disconnect everything now, then check each device from a clean computer.
Do not plug a backup drive into the infected PC until the ransomware has been removed with an offline scan. Cloud folders such as OneDrive sync the encrypted versions, but they keep earlier versions you can usually restore.
Will Fortect remove ITLOCK?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For ITLOCK, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Hackernoon: How does RSA work? (read October 7, 2026)
- Virus Total: 7a00ba75b9cc0542947b0bd65f46aa2b6c5bee25eb28023e7db2e09bfe8cd5e7 (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)