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Lockify ransomware / virus (Virus Removal Guide) - Quick Decryption Solution

by Alice Woods - - | Type: Ransomware

Lockify virus Removal Guide

What is Lockify ransomware virus?

Lockify ransomware prevents people from accessing files without paying the ransom

Lockify is a ransomware-type virus which is based on the HiddenTear [1] open-source project. It uses a sophisticated AES encryption[2] algorithm to corrupt numerous types of files stored on the affected computer. Once all data is corrupted with .lockify file extension, malware drops a ransom note called “readme.HTA.” Victims will find this file in each folder that includes encrypted data. The ransom-demanding message gives a detailed explanation what have happened to user’s files. Crooks tell that these files are not damaged; they are simply modified. Thus, victims can restore them with the help of Lockify Decryptor. In order to scare people and encourage them to pay for decryption software, cybercriminals tell that any other attempts to restore encrypted files will lead to data loss. Though, if you got infected with this ransomware, you should believe in what crooks are saying. Remove Lockify from the device using professional malware removal software, for instance, FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner. Once the virus is gone, you will be able to restore your files from backups or try our suggested methods presented at the end of the article.

The image of Lockify

Lockify leaves an informative ransom note where cyber criminals give detailed instructions how to install and use Tor browser[3] which is necessary to open a personal page. In the personal page, victims receive guidelines how to buy a decryption tool and restore corrupted files. It’s still unknown how much Bitcoins crooks ask to pay. Though, the size of the ransom may differ based on a number of encrypted files. However, purchasing and using decryption software might end up only with money loss and infiltration of other malware. Once you transfer a demanded sum of money, you may not be allowed to use a decryption software or crooks might offer you to use a malicious tool. In the ransom note hackers also claim that third-party software won’t help in data recovery or may cause even more damage. On the one hand, they are right – third-party tools can barely help. However, you should not give up and give them a try. Victims of ransomware often restore at least some of their files using alternative recovery methods. However, before taking care of your files, you should perform the Lockify removal. While malware resides on the computer, it might encrypt files again.

The illustration of Lockify ransomware virusAfter the infiltration Lockify encrypts various files and demands to pay the ransom in Bitcoins.

Distribution techniques of the ransomware virus

The malicious payload including Lockify might be spreading via malicious email attachments,[4] fake software downloads or updates, malware-laden ads,[5] exploit kits, and many other techniques. Though, these are used the most. Malware might be hiding under obfuscated Word or PDF file or ZIP archive. These files are often renamed as “invoice,” “statement,” or another important document that should encourage a user to open it. Once he or she clicks on it, Lockify virus is installed on the system. The same thing might happen if you click on a malware-laden ad. Such advertisements usually promote bogus software, warns about detected viruses on a computer or reminds to update programs. Thus, you should be careful with such ads. Keeping software updated is also important for ransomware prevention; however, you should now how to update them safely.

Elimination of Lockify ransomware

Lockify removal can be performed only automatically. Trying to eliminate virus manually might cause serious damage to the system because ransomware-type viruses are capable of modifying the registry or injecting malicious codes to legitimate processes. Thus, you might delete wrong files. In order to prevent from damaging the system, you should employ professional malware removal software, such as FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner. If you cannot install or run a system scan with a security program, reboot your device to the Safe Mode with Networking. The instructions below will help you to deal with such obstacles and remove Lockify from the device.

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If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
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Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
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Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.
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Getting rid of Lockify virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Lockify might block access to the security program. Thus, you may need to reboot your PC to the Safe Mode with Networking in order to disable the virus. Then you will be able to install, update and run your chosen tool.

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
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. 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.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

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:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

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:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. 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).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. 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 Lockify using System Restore

System Restore method also helps to run automatic malware removal.

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Lockify. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that Lockify removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Lockify from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by Lockify, you can use several methods to restore them:

Recover your data
Recover your data

Recover your files with Data Recovery Pro

Data Recovery Pro might help you to restore files encrypted by Lockify ransomware. It is designed to restore corrupted, deleted and some of the encrypted files.

  • 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 Lockify ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Take advantage of Windows Previous Versions feature

If System Restore function has been enabled ransomware attack, you can restore individual copies of previously saved versions of the encrypted 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”.

ShadowExplorer might also help to restore files encrypted by Lockify ransomware virus

If malware failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies of the encrypted files, ShadowExplorer might help you as well.

  • 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.

Lockify decryptor is not available yet

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

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are

There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.

Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.

Data backups are important – recover your lost files

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.

While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.

About the author
Alice Woods
Alice Woods - Likes to teach users about virus prevention

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