How to remove L0cked ransomware

L0cked – ransomware know as .lckd file extension virus

L0cked is crypto-malware^[1] that has been spotted at the end of March 2018. It's based on the open-source HiddenTear ransomware, which is carried on the Internet as a winlogon.exe Trojan horse dispersed in malicious spam attachments. Once the payload is being executed, the virus locks personal files, appends a .lckd file extension, changes the desktop wallpaper to C:\Windows\Back.jpg, and asks the victim to pay $150 ransom in Bitcoins.

The L0cked ransomware developers exploit multiple social engineering strategies to attack English-speaking computer users, but malspam campaigns are the most successful distribution strategy applied. If the potential victim opens a winlogon.exe file, the ransomware payload is being executed, and the virus enrolls a combination of AES-256 and RSA-2048 ciphers^[2] to lock targeted file types.

L0cked virus targets the most popular file types, including but not limited to .mp3, .png, .jpg, .pdf, .xlr, .apk, .exe, .rom, .aspx, .php, .doc, .docx, .log, .txt, .key, .pptx, .rar, .zip, .tax2015, .mpa, .wav, .gif, .jpg, etc. Upon successful encryption, the virus changes desktop background to C:\Windows\Back.jpg and creates a ransom note, which instructs the victim to pay $150 ransom in Bitcoins. The ransom note says:

Warning: Your important files are encrypted….. If you save your files, Run and follow the instructions!
Enter Correct Key to decrypt your files

PAYMENT WILL BE RAISED ON:
[RANDOM DATE]
YOUR FILES WILL BE LOST ON:
[RANDOM DATE]
Bitcoin Value: 150 $

What Happened to My Computer?

Your important files are encrypted. Many of your documents, photos, videos, databases and other files are no longer accessible because they have been encrypted. Maybe you are busy looking for a way to recover your data but do not waste your time. Nobody can recover your files without our decryption service.

Can I Recover My Files?

Sure. We guarantee that you can recover all your files safely and easily. But you have not so enough time.You can decrypt some of your files for free. Try now by clicking .But if you want to decrypt all your files, you need to pay. You only have 3 days to submit the payment.After that the price will be doubled.
Also, if you don't pay in 7 days, you won't be able to recover your files forever. We will have free events for users who are so poor that they couldn't pay in 6 months.

How Do I Pay?

Payment is accepted in Bitcoin only. For more information, click *About bitcoin*. Please check the current price of Bitcoin and buy some bitcoins. For more information, click .
And send the correct amount to the address specified in this window. After your payment, click . Best time to check: 9:00am – 11:00am GMT from Monday to Friday.
Once the payment is checked, you can start decrypting your files immediately.

Contact

If you need our assistance, send a message by clicking .
We strongly recommend you to not remove this software, and disable your anti-virus for a while, until you pay and the payment gets processed. If your anti-virus gets updated and removes this software automatically, it will not be able to recover your files even if you pay!ýýýý

Bitcoin Address 1LXhpinYWzF73hUyDvxApkChq2QfZhm6GA

The desktop background, a black background with red text, inform the victim that the system was hacked and asks to email decryptorsoon301@aol.com and then transfer the ransom to 1LXhpinYWzF73hUyDvxApkChq2QfZhm6GA wallet address. While its customary redeem is $150, the redeem raises within 72 hours and may exceed $2000.

Although the virus intimidates people that they are going to lose personal files if they attempt to use third-party data recovery tools, Udenvirus..dk^[3] experts point out to the fact that it will not be capable of doing that if it's no longer active. In other words, you should remove L0cked ransomware and then try to recover encrypted data. You can find a thorough guide on how to do that down below.

According to ransomware researchers, the L0cked virus deletes Shadow Volume Copies. Besides, it creates a decryptor.exe.bin.exe.bin, which blocks victim's attempts to run third-party data recovery tools.

Before any attempts to recover locked files, you have to initiate L0cked removal. For this purpose, you have to run a deep system scan with FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes and delete all the entries that it detects. Powerful AV engines should detect a multitude of malicious files, including Mal/Behav-116, TR/Crypt.Xpack.ldzmd or Trojan.Agent (A).

Ransomware infects PCs via malicious spam email attachments

To protect your PC and files stored on it from being attacked by ransomware, it's a must to double-check email messages before opening their attachments. Although you may receive a warning and reports from well-known companies like Amazon or IRS, they might be fake.

Crooks trick people into installing malware using social engineering strategies. People might be intimidated by false claims about supposed state debts, bank reports, dispatched parcel, and similar.

While some emails might contain links that redirect to phishing sites immediately, the bulk of spam includes .doc or .docx file attachments that carry ransomware payload. If you are asked to enable Macros to open the file attached to an email, close the email and report it as spam immediately. By allowing macros, the potential victim becomes a real victim with a ransomware payload being executed.

Apart from malspam, viruses can spread via exploit kits, fake software updates, drive-by-download, and similar techniques.

Get rid of L0cked virus securely

Regular PC users should not attempt to initiate manual L0cked removal as the virus is rooted deeply in the operating system. Locked files are only a consequence of multiple system's changes, such as Registry corruption and modification of core system's files. The only safe way to remove L0cked virus is to install FortectIntego or another reliable AV engine and run a scan with it.

The bad news is that the virus removal does not recover the files. Although a free L0cked decryptor hasn't yet been developed, you should try to retrieve at least the most essential files from backups or employ third-party tools.