LockeR ransomware / virus (Removal Guide) - Bonus: Decryption Steps
LockeR virus Removal Guide
What is LockeR ransomware virus?
LockeR ransomware virus asks for 10.000 dollars for the decryptor
LockeR ransomware is a recently emerged file-encrypting virus that uses a combination of RSA-2048 and AES-256 cipher to corrupt files on the affected device. Then malware creates a ransom note called “[How_To_Decrypt_Files].txt” where cybercriminals provide the instructions how to pay the ransom.
In the text file, authors of the LockeR virus briefly tell about data encryption and inform that victims have to get a special program to decrypt files and the private key. In order to obtain these entries, people are asked to visit one of the four lockerwhuaf2jix.onion websites that can be accessed only via Tor web browser.[1]
The LockeR payment website informs that victims are asked to pay $10.000 in Bitcoins (1.78910400 BTC) within four days. The site has a timer that shows how much time left. Once the timer turns to zero, the size of the ransom will double. However, following greedy hackers’ demands is not recommended. You might only lose the money and do not get a possibility to use decryption software.[2]
However, creators of the LockeR ransomware offers to restore one encrypted (smaller than 10 MB) for free to convince people that they actually have working decryptor. Additionally, the payment site has a support line. Victims can send a message to criminals if they have any problems with transferring Bitcoins to the provided Bitcoin wallet address.
After the infiltration, LockeR malware also drops a .KEY file on the targeted device. Victims who are willing to take hackers’ offer (not recommended) has to send it to the criminals. However, in the payment website developers inform that if this file was not downloaded to the infected computer, it means that it is already synchronized.
Thus, it’s extremely important to remove LockeR from the computer. Having malicious program installed means that your machine is vulnerable and you cannot use it safely. We understand that data is essential to you, but having business with evil-minded developers is most likely to increase your loss.
If you lost access to your files (it’s not reported that ransomware appends a specific file extension to the targeted files) and found this threatening .txt document on the desktop, you should take care of your computer’s safety. Obtain FortectIntego or another reputable anti-malware tool and perform automatic LockeR removal to protect the PC from other cyber threats and your privacy.
Distribution strategies and how to avoid ransomware
According to the latest analysis, the LockeR virus mostly attacks Sweden[3] computer users. Thus, users from this country should be cautious and pay attention to cyber security tips. Crypto-malware might spread using different methods. However, malicious spam emails remain the No 1 strategy.
To protect your files from the attack, you should:
- never open spam emails;
- stay away from links, buttons, and attachments that are sent from unknown senders;
- double-check information provided in the email before opening any content included in it;
- keep away from suspicious ads especially on high-risk sites;
- do not download illegal content or programs;
install software updates only from legit sources; - keep all the programs up-to-date;
- install reputable antivirus and keep it updated.
Termination instructions of the LockeR malware
The only safe way to remove LockeR ransomware from the device is to employ professional malware removal tool. There’re plenty of powerful programs that can help you. However, we recommend our readers to choose FortectIntego or Malwarebytes. These programs are strong enough to wipe out all recent cyber threats without any problems.
However, before installing the program and scanning the system, you should start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. It will assure that LockeR removal will be smooth. Sometimes malware is designed to disable or block antivirus or anti-malware tools. Thus, Safe Mode helps to disable the virus and run automatic elimination.
Getting rid of LockeR virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Follow the instructions how to reboot the device to 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.
Remove LockeR using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
-
Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
-
Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
-
Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of LockeR. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove LockeR from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.Data recovery is currently impossible if you do not have backups. However, security experts suggest trying alternative methods instead of paying a ridiculous ransom. We cannot assure that these methods will work perfectly, but they MIGHT help to restore some of the lost data.
If your files are encrypted by LockeR, you can use several methods to restore them:
Try Data Recovery Pro after LockeR ransomware attack
This tool is created for restoring files after system wreckages. Thus, it might help after ransomware attack as well.
- Download Data Recovery Pro;
- Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
- Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by LockeR ransomware;
- Restore them.
Try Windows Previous Versions feature
If System Restore has been enabled before this unpleasant incident, you can follow these steps and restore individual files:
- Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
- Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
- Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.
Try ShadowExplorer
This tool might be helpful if malware did not delete Shadow Volume Copies.
- Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
- Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
- Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
- Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.
The official and safe to use LockeR decryptor is not released yet.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from LockeR and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
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- ^ Rex Santus. What you need to know about Tor and the hackers targeting it. Mashable. Technology, business, marketing, social media and entertainment website.
- ^ Michael Collis. Hospital Paid the Ransom, but the Criminals Didn’t Decrypt the Files. WatchPoint Blog. The security blog.
- ^ UtanVirus. UtanVirus. Swedish cyber security news.