ShinoLocker ransomware / virus (Removal Instructions)

ShinoLocker virus Removal Guide

What is ShinoLocker ransomware virus?

What is known about ShinoLocker ransomware?

Although ShinoLocker virus has not been created with an intention to take advantage of inexperienced computer users and collect ransoms, there is a possibility that crooks might exploit its code and use it to build severe ransomware variants. This virus is known as an educational ransomware variant, just like Hidden-Tear ransomware is. Sadly, such educational projects can quickly become a hazardous play tool for those who wish to create malicious computer viruses. Although it differs from traditional crypto-ransomware examples, it still can do some matching activities, including key download, file search, elimination of volume shadow copies, data encryption, and data decryption. However, it does not ask for Bitcoins or search network drive (at least not yet).

Anyone can create their own ransomware variants using this ransomware simulator for free. The user can adjust what file types the ransomware can encrypt, where to place the registry key, and whether to erase Volume Shadow Copies or not. The data can be easily decrypted using ShinoLocker decryptor, which requires Host ID and Transaction ID.
Although this project has been launched with purely good intentions to help computer users understand how ransomware virus work, we are afraid that bad people might try to exploit the opportunity and learn how to create real ransomware viruses that can wreak havoc on innocent users’ computers. New crypto-viruses are developed each week, and to protect your computer system from such viruses, users must take precautions and apply several layers of protection to keep their personal files and information safe. Programs like FortectIntego can identify and remove ShinoLocker and similar viruses. You can try to delete this educational malware variant manually, but the full system scan and ShinoLocker removal can be completed only with an automatic malware detection and removal software.
ShinoLocker ransomware educational project

How do such viruses spread?

Speaking of this particular ransomware variant, it does not spread like other ransomware threats, since it has been created for educational purposes only. You can find it and download your own educational copy via shinolocker(dot)com site. However, as we have already warned you, we are afraid that soon enough modified versions of ShinoLocker are going to appear, so it is better to keep yourself informed on how such threats spread. In most cases, crooks send them directly to victims via email while pretending to be representatives of legitimate organizations. Please, do not open emails that carry links or attachments in case they come from unknown parties!
Ransomware is also distributed via malvertising, which means that it spreads along bogus software updates and corrupted links. Although the only way to protect your computer from such cyber attacks is to install an anti-malware that provides real-time protection, you can also lower the possibility to infect your PC with ransomware by avoiding to click on suspicious links, ads, and refusing to install software updates from vague-looking sites.

How to remove ShinoLocker ransomware and similar threats from my computer?

ShinoLocker ransomware should be eliminated just like any other ransomware threat – it has been made to allow the user feel what it actually feels like to be attacked by ransomware. As you have guessed, it can be removed using anti-malware application. When a ransomware attacks the computer, you need to start your computer in a Safe Mode to activate the anti-malware program. The instructions provided below will help you to do that. If you wish, you can try to delete ShinoLocker virus manually, but in case you ever get affected by a modified version of this virus, you should complete the ShinoLocker removal automatically.

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

Getting rid of ShinoLocker virus. Follow these steps

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
  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 ShinoLocker using System Restore

  • 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 ShinoLocker. 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 ShinoLocker removal is performed successfully.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from ShinoLocker 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
Olivia Morelli
Olivia Morelli - Ransomware analyst

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