LockData ransomware (virus) - Free Instructions

LockData virus Removal Guide

What is LockData ransomware?

LockData ransomware is a malicious computer program that asks for payment after locking all personal files on the system

LockData ransomwareLockData ransomware is a file-encrypting virus that restricts access to personal data

LockData ransomware is a computer virus that attacks Windows operating systems. First spotted in the middle of May 2022, it was found to be a variant of Chaos ransomware – we have covered some of its variants (Odaku or LokiLok) previously. While there are some differences between the versions, the encryption and malware's operation are unsurprisingly similar.

Upon infection, the LockData virus scans the system for files to encrypt: it targets most commonly used files, including pictures, documents, databases, and other valuable data. These files are then appended with a randomly-generated file extension, for example, .ybne, which would convert a “picture.jpg” file into a “picture.jpg.ybne.” Suchlike data immediately becomes unusable due to a strong encryption algorithm used by malware.

Once the data locking process is finished, the LockData ransomware would drop a note for communications purposes – read_it.txt. In it, the attackers explain that victims have to transfer 5 BTC into the Bitcoin wallet bc1q7g29t9pyf87z20w4ym8zmkh50dl37ma9pjyhg. We do not recommend paying, as there is no guarantee that crooks would keep their word. The attackers also threaten to release stolen information on the Dark Web.[1]

Name LockData virus
Type Ransomware, file-locking malware
File extension A combination of random four characters is appended to each of the files, for example, a picture.jpg is turned into picture.jpg.ybne
Contact @odaku in Telegram
Ransom note read_it.txt
File Recovery The only secure way to restore files is by using data backups. If such is not available or were encrypted as well, options for recovery are very limited – we provide all possible solutions below
Malware removal Disconnect the computer from the network and internet and then perform a full system scan with SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner security software
System fix Once installed on the system, malware might seriously damage some system files, resulting in crashes, errors, and other stability issues. You can employ FortectIntego PC repair to fix any of such damage automatically by replacing system corruption

High ransom demands

A ransom note essentially serves as a message from the attackers to the affected users. Some people have not even heard of ransomware before, and cybercriminals' goal is to make users aware of what has happened to their files and how they could restore them. Evidently, they want to make sure that all users know how and where to transfer the requested funds, as they do in the read_it.txt file:

—-> LockData is multi language ransomware. Translate your note to any language <—-
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?
Only if you pay the rasnom. 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:
Coinmama – https://www.coinmama.com Bitpanda – https://www.bitpanda.com – https://www.coinbase.com/

Payment informationAmount: 5 BTC
Bitcoin Address: bc1q7g29t9pyf87z20w4ym8zmkh50dl37ma9pjyhg

The ransom size is particularly large, although this can greatly vary from person to person. Likewise, ransom demands tend to increase quite a bit when the target is a company rather than a home user.

LockData ransomware virusLockData virus stems from a malware family known as Chaos ransomware

Regardless of how large or small, the ransom is, paying it is always risky. While there are some “fair” criminals who do keep their promises, there is simply never a guarantee. Thus, those who pay may risk losing not only files but also money. While it is true that recovering files without the decryption key is almost impossible, we will provide a few methods that might work for some users.

Removal explained

It is important to perform remediation actions in the correct order, or you might risk losing your files forever. As we already explained, trusting cybercriminals is not advisable, as it might cause even more losses. Your first task is to ensure that the connection between malware and attackers is no longer active.

Step 1. Disconnect from the network

Ransomware often establishes a connection with a remote server, known as Command & Control.[2] With the help of these connections, the attackers can send various commands to be executed remotely. Thus, before you do anything else, make sure you disconnect your PC from the internet and network.

  • Type in Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter
  • Go to Network and InternetNetwork and internet
  • Click Network and Sharing CenterNetwork and internet 2
  • On the left, pick Change adapter settingsNetwork and internet 3
  • Right-click on your connection (for example, Ethernet), and select DisableNetwork and internet 4
  • Confirm with Yes.

Step 2. Scan with anti-malware

As soon as all network connections are terminated, ransomware authors can no longer send commands, which is a perfect opportunity to begin the LockData virus removal process. There is only one way this can be done – by employing anti-malware software, as manual elimination isn't always even possible (and should be left to professionals).

Security software can quickly and easily find and remove malicious files at once, ultimately deleting any secondary payloads that could be located on the system, as ransomware is known to be spread along with other malware.

Step 3. Attempt to restore your files without paying

Once ransomware gains access to the machine, it encrypts all personal files with a sophisticated encryption algorithm. The key to unlocking it uses a long alphanumeric string which is randomized to each of the individual users. This means that the same key can't be applied to two different machines. It is similar to a password, although it is always unique, which is what makes LockData ransomware so devastating.

If you had backups available, it would already negate most of the damaging traits of malware, i.e., you would be able to restore all files without any issues. However, if you do not have backups, the chances of restoring files without paying are rather slim. Nevertheless, we recommend trying anyways.

Before proceeding, it is important to make backups of encrypted files, as the recovery process might corrupt them.

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

Security experts are known to work on decryption tools for major ransomware strains. In some cases, flaws within the encryption process can be found or criminals' servers seized by the lay authority agencies. In any case, you could look for decryptors on the following pages, although keep in mind it might take a while until there's a working one made.

No More Ransom Project

Prevention tips and system fix

After malware infection, Windows is no longer the same, as some system files might get damaged or even destroyed. This can result in system instability – crashes, failure to launch programs, BSODs, and many other issues. If you are suffering from these problems after eliminating the infection, use data recovery software such as FortectIntego.

The best way to battle ransomware is to make sure you don't get infected with it in the first place. Likewise, even in an unfortunate event, there are many things you can do to reduce the negative impact it can cause. Here are a few tips from security experts[3] that should help you avoid getting infected and reduce the damage:

  • Install powerful security software and keep it updated at all times;
  • Backup all your files on a separate medium (for example, virtual cloud storage or external HDD);
  • Do not open email attachments that ask you to enable macro function;
  • Protect all your accounts with strong passwords;
  • Make sure all software installed on your device is updated;
  • Do not visit and download files from the pirated program and crack websites.

Below we provide instructions on how to make effective data backups to mitigate ransomware infection damage. Likewise, we recommend reporting the attack to authorities, as it could help catch the culprits in the future.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of LockData virus. Follow these steps

Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future

One of the many countermeasures for home users against ransomware is data backups. Even if your Windows get corrupted, you can reinstall everything from scratch and retrieve files from backups with minimal losses overall. Most importantly, you would not have to pay cybercriminals and risk your money as well.

Therefore, if you have already dealt with a ransomware attack, we strongly advise you to prepare backups for future use. There are two options available to you:

  • Backup on a physical external drive, such as a USB flash drive or external HDD.
  • Use cloud storage services.

The first method is not that convenient, however, as backups need to constantly be updated manually – although it is very reliable. Therefore, we highly advise choosing cloud storage instead – it is easy to set up and efficient to sustain. The problem with it is that storage space is limited unless you want to pay for the subscription.

Using Microsoft OneDrive

OneDrive is a built-in tool that comes with every modern Windows version. By default, you get 5 GB of storage that you can use for free. You can increase that storage space, but for a price. Here's how to setup backups for OneDrive:

  1. Click on the OneDrive icon within your system tray.
  2. Select Help & Settings > Settings.
    Go to OneDrive settings
  3. If you don't see your email under the Account tab, you should click Add an account and proceed with the on-screen instructions to set yourself up.
    Add OneDrive account
  4. Once done, move to the Backup tab and click Manage backup.
    Manage backup
  5. Select Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, or a combination of whichever folders you want to backup.
  6. Press Start backup.
    Pick which folders to sync

After this, all the files that are imported into the above-mentioned folders will be automatically backed for you. If you want to add other folders or files, you have to do that manually. For that, open File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard, and then click on the OneDrive icon. You should drag and drop folders you want to backup (or you can use Copy/Paste as well).

Using Google Drive

Google Drive is another great solution for free backups. The good news is that you get as much as 15GB for free by choosing this storage. There are also paid versions available, with significantly more storage to choose from.

You can access Google Drive via the web browser or use a desktop app you can download on the official website. If you want your files to be synced automatically, you will have to download the app, however.

  1. Download the Google Drive app installer and click on it.
    Install Google Drive app
  2. Wait a few seconds for it to be installed. Complete installation
  3. Now click the arrow within your system tray – you should see Google Drive icon there, click it once.
    Google Drive Sign in
  4. Click Get Started. Backup and sync
  5. Enter all the required information – your email/phone, and password. Enter email/phone
  6. Now pick what you want to sync and backup. You can click on Choose Folder to add additional folders to the list.
  7. Once done, pick Next. Choose what to sync
  8. Now you can select to sync items to be visible on your computer.
  9. Finally, press Start and wait till the sync is complete. Your files are now being backed up.

Report the incident to your local authorities

Ransomware is a huge business that is highly illegal, and authorities are very involved in catching malware operators. To have increased chances of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help with stopping the cybercriminal activities and catching the threat actors. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, examples of encrypted files, or malware executables would also be beneficial.

Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:

Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3

If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from LockData and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

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 Private Internet Access 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 Private Internet Access 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. Data Recovery Pro 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.

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

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