LockFile ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Ransomware attacks have been on the rise all over the world. The most targeted entities are big companies, as you can get more money from them than private individuals.
Facts checked October 6, 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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LockFile ransomware: summary
| NAME | LockFile ransomware |
|---|---|
| TYPE | Ransomware, cryptovirus, data locking malware |
| ENCRYPTION METHOD | AES+RSA |
| FILE EXTENSION | .lockfile |
| RANSOM NOTE | [victim_name]-LOCKFILE-README.hta |
| FILE RECOVERY | Recovering the data is close to impossible if you do not have backups |
| 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 16 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Contact | contact@contipauper.com |
| Encrypted file extension | .lockfile |
| 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 |
| Name | LockFile ransomware |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .lockfile |
| Ransom note | LOCKFILE-README-COMPUTERNAME-7344587665.hta |
| Attacker contacts | contact@contipauper.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 24 August 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.lockfile - Note file:
LOCKFILE-README-COMPUTERNAME-7344587665.hta - Contact:
contact@contipauper.com
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on LockFile ransomware
- Use professional security software like to perform a full scan of your machine
- To remediate your operating system and take care of errors, crashes scan it with the maintenance tool.
How LockFile ransomware behaves
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
LockFile ransomware locks your files away and demands payment
Ransomware attacks have been on the rise all over the world.
The most targeted entities are big companies, as you can get more money from them than private individuals. LockFile is no exception. The new group has been active since June 2021 and has targeted 10 organizations in a month. Victims are in manufacturing, financial, engineering, legal, business, and travel and tourism sectors.
The attackers gain access to victims' networks via vulnerabilities within the Microsoft Exchange Servers. Once cybercriminals breach the network, they move laterally with elevated privileges. A final stage of the attack ends with the deployment of ransomware, which infects each of the Windows PCs within the network.
The files are encrypted using AES-256 and RSA-1024 encryption algorithms. This prevents the user from opening documents, pictures, videos, and other files, making it extremely difficult to recover data when no backups are available.
During the encryption process, the ransomware appends every file with an extension .lockfile. For example, if the file name is picture.jpg, it is renamed to picture.jpg.lockfile. Data encryption is the main indication of the attack, although, within corporate environments, intrusion can often be spotted early. This is also one of the reasons why ransomware is installed during the step of the attack.
Shortly after file encryption is complete, LockFile ransomware sends a ransom note - a .hta file. Its' full name depends on the victim's computer name. This filename contains ransomware name, computer name, and a string of random characters.
For example - LOCKFILE-README-COMPUTERNAME-7344587665.hta. The HTA file provides victims with instructions on what attackers want them to do. The note is similar to the one used by the LockBit ransomware group. It also includes a reference to the Conti ransomware.
The attackers state that the only way to retrieve files is to pay them. The ransom amount is not listed; perhaps it is a subject of negotiation. Victims are prompted to contact the attackers via the email address contact@contipauper.com or a link that is only accessible from the Tor browser.
Warning: You should never pay the ransom because attackers are not obliged to provide you with a decryption key after payment.
You might end up without money and your files. The only thing you can do is try to remove the malware and recover your files and system.
The full .hta message after encryption from the attackers reads as follows:
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
A never seen before strain of ransomware
LockFile virus seems to be a new threat in the ransomware universe.
The investigations indicate that the attackers gain access to networks via Microsoft Exchange Servers and then use the incompletely patched PetitPotam vulnerability to gain access to the domain controller and spread across the network. It is still unknown how attackers gain initial access to the Microsoft Exchange Servers.
Microsoft patched these vulnerabilities in May, but hackers have been able to recreate the exploit, which is now being used to enable the LockFile attacks. The hackers can also infiltrate Exchange servers that were not updated.
The LockFile ransomware note
LOCK FILE
ALL YOUR IMPORTANT FILES ARE ENCRYPTED!
Any attempts to restore your files with the thrid-party software will be fatal for your files!
Restore you data posible only buying private key from us.
There is only one way to get your files back:
contact us
qTox ID: hxxps://tox.chat/download.html
Email: contact@contipauper.com
Through a Tor Browser - recommended
Download Tor Browser - hxxps://www.torproject.org/ and install it.
Open link in Tor Browser - hxxp://zqaflhty5hyziovsxgqvj2mrz5e5rs6oqxzb54zolccfnvtn5w2johad.onion This link only works in Tor Browser!
Follow the instructions on this page
ATTENTION!
Do not try to recover files yourself. this process can damage your data and recovery will become impossible
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not waste time trying to find the solution on the Internet. The longer you wait, the higher will become the decryption key price
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our).
Tor Browser may be blocked in your country or corporate network. Use https://bridges.torproject.org or use Tor Browser over VPN.
Thanks to the warning wallpaper provided by lockbit, it's easy to use
How to remove LockFile 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 LockFile ransomware 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
LockFile ransomware encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
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 confirm the family
Copy
LOCKFILE-README-COMPUTERNAME-7344587665.htaand one or two files ending in.lockfileto a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
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
For LockFile ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while LockFile ransomware still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or 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
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
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
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
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.
Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
Report the incident to your local authorities
Ransomware is a lucrative, highly illegal business, and authorities are actively targeting ransomware operators. The level of investigation and follow-up depends on the country, the scale of the incident, and whether the attack is linked to known ransomware groups. To increase the likelihood of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. In many cases, reports are used primarily for intelligence gathering, trend analysis, and victim support rather than immediate identification of attackers.
Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help stop the cybercriminal activities and catch the threat actors. Reporting does not guarantee investigation or recovery of data, but it contributes to broader efforts to track ransomware campaigns. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Relevant details may also include affected systems, ransom demands, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and any communication with the attackers. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, encrypted files, or malware executables would 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:
- USA - Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
- United Kingdom - ActionFraud
- Canada - Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia - ScamWatch
- New Zealand - ConsumerProtection
- Germany - Polizei
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.
Isolate the infected computer
Some ransomware strains aim to infect not only one computer but hijack the entire network. As soon as one of the machines is infected, malware can spread via the network and encrypt files everywhere else, including Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. NAS devices are commonly compromised via reused administrator credentials and remote access services, and attackers may also delete existing snapshots. If your computer is connected to a network, it is important to isolate it to prevent re-infection after ransomware removal is complete.
In modern environments, ransomware often spreads using stolen credentials, remote management tools, VPN connections, and cloud synchronization services, not only through shared network drives.
The easiest way to disconnect a PC from everything is simply to plug out the ethernet cable. This does not disconnect wireless networks, VPN connections, or cloud services, which must also be disabled separately. However, in the corporate environment, this might be extremely difficult to do (also would take a long time). In many organizations, devices are centrally managed, and network isolation is typically performed by IT or security teams using endpoint security or device management tools. The method below will disconnect from all the networks, including local and the internet, isolating each of the machines involved.
On modern Windows systems, network connections can also be disabled through the Settings app or automatically isolated using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools.
- Type in Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter
- Go to Network and Internet
- Click Network and Sharing Center
- On the left, pick Change adapter settings
- Right-click on your connection (for example, Ethernet), and select Disable
- Confirm with Yes.
If you are using some type of cloud storage you are connected to, you should disconnect from it immediately. It is also advisable to disconnect all the external devices, such as USB flash sticks, external HDDs, etc. Once the malware elimination process is finished, you can connect your computers to the network and internet, as explained above, but by pressing Enable instead. Before reconnecting, credentials should be reset, persistence mechanisms checked, and backups verified to ensure reinfection does not occur.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
What to do if you were affected?
The most important thing is - do not try to retrieve files first, as it might result in permanent data loss.
The first step has to be the elimination of malware to stop it from encrypting your files again. This security software should find all the malicious files and entries and remove them automatically for you.
Once malware is deleted, you can proceed with the data recovery methods we provide below. If malware is not letting you use antivirus in normal mode, access Safe Mode and perform a full system scan from there:
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
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.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Data recovery
Many users do not back up their data properly, which is devastating because they might completely lose access to their files.
Paying cybercriminals in cryptocurrencies is very risky as often, even after payment, victims do not receive decryption keys. Paying them money also supports their activities further and leads to more victims.
You can try to get back your data with data recovery software. The recovery of the files is not guaranteed as there are thousands of ransomware strains. We suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, there are a couple of important things to note:
- 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.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Install data recovery software
- Download .
- Double-click the installer to launch it.
- Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
- 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.
- 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.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Fix your operating system
After a malware infection, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required.
These types of infections can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not going to help you.
This problem requires a different tool - . It can fix damage caused by the infection like Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc. By using this maintenance tool, you could avoid Windows reinstallation. To begin the process:
- 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
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Prevent ransomware attacks in the future
To protect yourself from malware infection, you should always be careful when opening emails from unknown senders.
Do not download attached files that you were not expecting especially if it is an MS Office file. The most important part is checking the sender, their email address, searching the text for grammar and spelling mistakes. If the message comes from an unidentifiable sender or includes many mistakes, you should delete it without opening it. Also, scan all received attachments with reliable anti-malware software.
Additionally, ransomware infections can get delivered via peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. That includes "free" or "cracked" software. Also, malware can use the disguise of a fake software update. Get all the upgrades only from official websites, never from a window that popped up or a random website that appeared suddenly.
Below, you will find additional information on how you can back up your files so you would not lose them if this happens again and organizations you can report to about the attacks.
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
LockFile ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .lockfile 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.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about LockFile ransomware
How do I open .lockfile files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .lockfile has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:
- OneDrive versions
- File History
- an offline backup drive
- Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them
Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.
How did LockFile ransomware get on my computer?
The way LockFile ransomware 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 .lockfile 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.
Did LockFile ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by LockFile ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .lockfile 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.
Is there a free LockFile ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for LockFile ransomware no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "LockFile ransomware decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
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.
Is LockFile ransomware 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.
Can I delete LOCKFILE-README-COMPUTERNAME-7344587665.hta?
Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. LOCKFILE-README-COMPUTERNAME-7344587665.hta contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.
Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.
My files got .lockfile overnight. What happened?
Ransomware often runs at night or when the PC is idle, so the encryption finishes before anyone notices. It usually entered earlier through a cracked program, a fake installer, an e-mail attachment or remote desktop with a weak password.
The .lockfile extension marks every file it reached. Start by disconnecting the PC from the network, then identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check for a decryptor, and look for copies in backups and OneDrive before you consider anything else.
Will Fortect remove LockFile ransomware?
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 LockFile ransomware, 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
- Wikipedia: Microsoft Exchange Server (read October 6, 2026)
- TheGuardian: What is Tor? A beginner's guide to the privacy tool (read October 6, 2026)
- Rapid7: PetitPotam: Novel Attack Chain Can Fully Compromise Windows Domains Running AD CS (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)