ProLock ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
ProLock ransomware – malware that adds .ProLock extension to files after encryption and greets victims with a particular threat name. Virus developers provide all the information in a text file placed on the desktop and in other folders with encoded data that is named .txt.
Facts checked October 7, 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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ProLock ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Typical ransomware threats get distributed via spam email campaigns when infected files get attached or malicious sites that drop the malicious script. This malware spreads using unprotected RDP or via pirated software services |
|---|---|
| Name | ProLock ransomware |
| File marker | .ProLock is the appendix added to every encrypted file that differentiates affected files from safe ones |
| Encryption method | RSA-2048 – army grade algorithm used to modify the original file code and make data useless, so there is the reason for ransom demands |
| Distinct feature | .BMP picture file is used to inject malware into memory via PowerShell |
| Ransom note | [HOW TO RECOVER FILES]; the text of the note is not in our records |
| 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 12 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .prolock |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Encrypted files | .prolock |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 9 August 2021 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.prolock
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on ProLock ransomware
- .txt delivers the message from ransomware creators, so people can know what to do next and follows strict instructions of contacting them and paying the ransom.
- This is the file where malicious actors determine the name of this ransomware
- The removal should be quick, so choose professional anti-malware tools for the procedure and ensure that all virus-related applications and files get deleted
- System functions needed for file recovery or virus termination can be disabled by the threat itself because it alters files and adds net entries to control the functionality.
- Repair these corrupted programs and files with the help of or a similar tool
How ProLock ransomware behaves
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
ProLock ransomware is a virus hacking and locking networks that belong to large companies
ProLock ransomware – malware that adds .ProLock extension to files after encryption and greets victims with a particular threat name.
Virus developers provide all the information in a text file placed on the desktop and in other folders with encoded data that is named .txt. This ransom note informs victims about the encryption method used – RSA-2048 and possibilities to get files restored after the payment.
This is typical ransomware virus behavior because malicious actors who spread these extortion-based programs are focused on getting money and scaring people into paying for useless or non-existent decryption tools.
The recent year of 2020 showed the activity changes of this ransomware when the gang creating ProLock virus started to target government networks and encrypting files related to large companies. Payments from such targets can get bigger, so it is common for cybercriminals to aim at these businesses because ransom payment demands can become huge.
The virus starter working in 2019, but the major upgrade in March 2020 affected the success of the criminals behind this threat. The analysis of distribution showed that the infection was spread using Qakbot trojan and other infections opening the way for the ransomware. Known attacks resulted in ransom demands for 35-90 Bitcoins that is approx. half a million to one million dollars.
Most often threats like this ransomware virus start the infection with encryption procedures. When the victim decides to pay and contact criminals, they can follow up with all the background processes, in the meantime.
This is a new threat, so researchers only can speculate and base their judging on samples that can be obtained. It is thought that this malware spreads around using exposed RDP or by using cracking tools and keygens. These methods become more and more common for ransomware than the before-used spam email campaigns.
ProLock ransomware, as any other cyber threat, is developed by criminals, so there are many additional features that this cryptocurrency-extortion-based virus can have. Of course, the most frustrating is encryption and file-locking because your files get altered and become inaccessible without guaranteed recovery possibility.
However, the newer features of these threats started to involve data exfiltration from the machine directly or the web browser. In the ransom note, the ransomware mentions having gathered sensitive data and claims to share those details if you refuse to pay. There a few different scenarios regarding such data recording. Malware creators may copy known techniques of threat actors who have published non-paying victims' data online and:
Do not fall for these tricks and malicious techniques, you should remove ProLock ransomware instead. The sooner you run an anti-malware on your machine the quicker you can get to your files. Anti-malware programs are based on virus detection engines, and a full system scan allows the application to detect, find, and delete all the malicious intruders and files planted on the system.
Deleted Shadow Volume Copies keep the ShadowExplorer out of the list for data recovery methods, disabled security functions cannot provide you the detection and virus identification needed for system cleaning.
The ransomware can also install direct trojans and information-stealers, so private and sensitive data is at risk, and you may become a victim of the targeted scam later on. Make sure to double-check that there is nothing malicious or possibly dangerous on the machine when you add the external device with your data backups.
Unfortunately, there are no indications about the infection before ProLock ransomware displays some symptoms itself, so you cannot react before encryption. However, encryption, in most cases, is the first step, so when you get the ransom demanding note - get a security tool and run in on the machine. You may get rid of the threat before any crucial damage is done.
Even though the ransom note file states about the possibility of getting your files decrypted, you cannot know how big the ransom amount is. This question is the main one that people ask criminals via the email or TOR website link provided in the note.
Warning: This communication can lead to the installation of additional malware or direct access to your device if you don't pay attention to connections that criminals make via email notifications or the website.
Experts note to stay away from these malicious actors at any cost.
The virus is reportedly injecting code into the memory of the device and adding additional files on the system to affect the persistence and possibly damage the device further. You should take that into consideration and clean the system properly from any malware.
ProLock ransomware removal can get difficult because of this PowerShell functionality any fileless malware execution is easier than you may think. Attackers can rely on this system tool and load automated scripts of malware that also can become a way for criminals to directly launch the attack.
One of the more common ways used to spread malware like this virus can rely on breaking through unprotected remote desktop connections or using pirating software services and deliver payload as a file included in one of the cracking tool packages. You may have already been exposed to a few different types of malware, so an automatic anti-malware tool check is crucial for the security of your machine.
- collect information from devices or online accounts with keystroke loggers, other malware, worms, and so on;
- trick people into believing they did so to make people more scared and willing to pay up.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
New features of the malicious program
PRoLock ransomware manages to infect a large number of devices, so the damage is maximized.
The research shows that sums asked from victims average to $1.8 million. Furthermore, these sums get increased over time. The more recent cases show that victims got asked to pay 225 Bitcoin that is approximately $2,5 million.
Various ATM makers, companies from financial fields, various businesses get targeted, so payments result in large profits for the hacker group and huge losses for the victims. Nevertheless, the FBI and other researchers warn organizations against paying the sum that should result in the file decryption. The tool that victims should receive, in most cases, is not working as it is supposed to.
Another feature of the upgraded ProLocke virus - victim shaming. There are some incidents when the gang leaked data from the affected network when the company refused to pay up. Some other malware creators have developed a system - the site where data gets leaked. This infection dumped files in different hacking forums and pass data to journalists via email randomly.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Hijacking RDP is the method used to spread malware like this around
The feature that allows connecting to another session is useful for many people, but can also be used by malicious actors.
In most cases, such features should be protected by passwords, but unprotected RDP configurations can be easily broken into and used to distribute malware or directly access the machine.
Criminals have various methods of identifying particular RDP sessions that are vulnerable and possibly exploitable. So attackers can steal identities, logins, other credentials, and install or launch malware, including ransomware. You need to protect such sessions if you continuously use these tools and make sure to avoid any other dangerous activities:
- spam emails with attachments that may include malicious macros;
- hyperlinks randomly included in such email notifications;
- pirating services and downloading cracks or cheats from such pages.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Terminate the dangerous ProLock virus and related files or apps
There are no particular connections between already known malware and ransomware virus, so you should consider this new variant more dangerous and powerful because of this.
There are many unanswered questions since researchers cannot get needed malware samples and fully test them.
However, based on the facts that are known right now, you can try to remove ProLock ransomware using typical malware elimination methods like anti-malware tools and some system features that help with AV detection applications. Choose professional software like or and run a full system check.
Follow indications and scan results and go for the proper ProLock ransomware removal method when the AV tool detects a malware, intruders, and potential threats. Also, check the methods below with decryption and data recovery alternatives.
The ProLock ransomware note
We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.
How to remove ProLock 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 ProLock 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
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so ProLock ransomware cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
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 identify the family
The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.
Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.
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
Our last check found that for ProLock ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing ProLock ransomware does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.
If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and 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
Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them.
vssadmin list shadowsin an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.
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
A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.
Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that ProLock ransomware deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
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.
Repair damaged system components
Once a computer is infected with malware, its system is changed to operate differently. For example, an infection 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 capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is. Consequently, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required.
Therefore, we highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology of repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.
- 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
- If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.
By employing , you would not have to worry about future computer issues, as most of them could be fixed quickly by performing a full system scan at any time. Most importantly, you could avoid the tedious process of Windows reinstallation in case things go very wrong due to one reason or another.
Identify ransomware affecting your PC
Manual removal using 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.
Restore files using data recovery software
Since many users do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by ransomware, they might often lose access to their files permanently. Paying criminals is also very risky, as they might not fulfill the promises and never send back the required decryption tool.
While this might sound terrible, not all is lost - data recovery software might be able to help you in some situations (it highly depends on the encryption algorithm used, whether ransomware managed to complete the programmed tasks, etc.). Since there are thousands of different ransomware strains, it is immediately impossible to tell whether third-party software will work for you.
Therefore, we suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:
- 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.
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.
Find a working decryptor for your files
File encryption is a process that is similar to applying a password to a particular file or folder. However, from a technical point of view, encryption is fundamentally different due to its complexity. By using encryption, threat actors use a unique set of alphanumeric characters as a password that can not easily be deciphered if the process is performed correctly.
There are several algorithms that can be used to lock data (whether for good or bad reasons); for example, AES uses the symmetric method of encryption, meaning that the key used to lock and unlock files is the same. Unfortunately, it is only accessible to the attackers who hold it on a remote server - they ask for a payment in exchange for it. This simple principle is what allows ransomware authors to prosper in this illegal business.
While many high-profile ransomware strains such as Djvu or Dharma use immaculate encryption methods, there are plenty of failures that can be observed within the code of some novice malware developers. For example, the keys could be stored locally, which would allow users to regain access to their files without paying. In some cases, ransomware does not even encrypt files due to bugs, although victims might believe the opposite due to the ransom note that shows up right after the infection and data encryption is completed.
Therefore, regardless of which crypto-malware affects your files, you should try to find the relevant decryptor if such exists. Security researchers are in a constant battle against cybercriminals. In some cases, they manage to create a working decryption tool that would allow victims to recover files for free.
Once you have identified which ransomware you are affected by, you should check the following links for a decryptor:
- No More Ransom Project
- Free Ransomware Decryptors by Kaspersky
- Free Ransomware Decryption Tools from Emsisoft
- Avast decryptors
If you can't find a decryptor that works for you, you should try the alternative methods we list below. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that it sometimes takes years for a working decryption tool to be developed, so there are always hopes for the future.
Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
Scan your system with anti-malware
If you are a victim of ransomware, you should employ anti-malware software for its removal. Some ransomware can self-destruct after the file encryption process is finished. Even in such cases, malware might leave various data-stealing modules or could operate in conjunction with other malicious programs on your device.
or can detect and eliminate all ransomware-related files, additional modules, along with other viruses that could be hiding on your system. The security software is really easy to use and does not require any prior IT knowledge to succeed in the malware removal process.
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.
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.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like ProLock ransomware together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .prolock and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
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 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 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. 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.
Questions about ProLock ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .prolock files?
That depends on the family behind the .prolock extension, which this guide cannot confirm yet from the reports alone. Check No More Ransom and ID Ransomware with your ransom note and one encrypted file; they list families with free tools.
If none exists today, keep the encrypted files and a copy of the note on a separate drive, because decryptors are sometimes published months later after flaws are found or servers are seized. Never buy a decryptor from a website that is not the security company that made it.
How do I open .prolock files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .prolock ending shows that ProLock ransomware encrypted the content, and only the matching key can reverse it. Renaming a file back to .docx or .jpg changes nothing except the icon, and it can confuse a future decryptor, so leave the names as they are.
To get the content back, use a backup, an unencrypted copy elsewhere, or a decryptor listed on No More Ransom if one exists for ProLock ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did ProLock ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by ProLock ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .prolock 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.
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.
How did ProLock ransomware get on my computer?
The way ProLock 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 .prolock 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.
Is ProLock 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.
My files got .prolock 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 .prolock 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 removing ProLock ransomware unlock my .prolock files?
No. Removing ProLock ransomware stops it from encrypting more files and from starting again, but it does not decrypt the files that already end in .prolock. The scanner does not have the attackers' key.
Files come back only from a backup, from copies the ransomware did not reach, such as OneDrive version history, Previous Versions, e-mail attachments or a phone, or with a working decryptor if one exists.
Remove the ransomware first anyway: if you restore files while it is still active, it can encrypt them again. Keep the encrypted files; a decryptor may be published later.
Will Fortect remove ProLock 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 ProLock 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: RSA cryptosystem (read October 7, 2026)
- Twitter: New ransomware #ProLock (read October 7, 2026)
- Techtarget: Macro virus (read October 7, 2026)
- Virusai: Virusai (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)