ShurL0ckr ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
ShurL0ckr is zero-day ransomware which has been detected by security broker Bitglass and Cylance at the beginning of February 2018. It was confirmed to be a version of Gojdue ransomware and a Ransomware-as-a-Service type virus.
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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ShurL0ckr ransomware: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | Not named in our report; the text of the note is not in our records |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| 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 8 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | ShurL0ckr ransomware |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 13 February 2018 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
How ShurL0ckr ransomware behaves
From our report of Feb 2018 · not reviewed since
ShurL0ckr - a ransomware virus that avoids detection by most of AV engines
ShurL0ckr is zero-day ransomware which has been detected by security broker Bitglass and Cylance at the beginning of February 2018.
It was confirmed to be a version of Gojdue ransomware and a Ransomware-as-a-Service type virus. In other words, all people who want to earn money illegally by locking people's data and then demanding a ransom, can participate in the distribution of the ShurL0ckr virus.
Currently, ShurL0ckr is capable of bypassing the most of the anti-virus engines and evading well-known cloud applications, including Google Drive and Microsoft Office 365. Several tests of Bitglass on VirusTotal have revealed that only 7% of 67 tested AV engines are able to detect and remove ShurL0ckr.
As we have already mentioned, this ransomware has already been dubbed as a version of Gojdue, though its performance coincides with Satan ransomware. However, no matter how surprising its ability to infect cloud services seems, it uses traditional distribution techniques. Mostly, it spreads around via spam when Word attachments are filled with the malicious Macros code.
ShurL0ckr virus is hazardous regarding capabilities to lock data in the cloud. The Bitglass Threat Research Team has already provided shocking test results that claim that 44% of organizations have already been infected and at least one of their clouds has been locked by this ransomware. OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox and other cloud services with the built-in malware protection have already been found to be vulnerable to ShurL0ckr ransomware attack.
Because of the ability to evade detection by apps and services with the in-built malware protection, ShurL0ckr virus is expected to continue spreading worldwide. The amount of the ransom demanded is not clear. It might be that hackers customize the ransom fee according to the number of files encrypted or the amount of organization.
If you fall victim to this ransomware, you should remove ShurL0ckr virus from the system at first. At the moment, there are no official decrypters for this ransomware virus. Therefore, security experts do not recommend paying the ransom. Each ransom motivates hackers for further crimes, but there's no guarantee that the victim will receive a working decryptor after the transfer.
To decrypt files encrypted by the ShurL0ckr virus, you should either use backups or employ professional data recovery tools. You can find more information on data recovery methods at the end of the post. However, make sure you perform ShurL0ckr removal first. For that, use , , or other professional anti-malware.
From our report of Feb 2018 · not reviewed since
There's no hundred percent protection from ransomware attack
The ransomware we are talking about in this post is disseminated using the same methods as Satan ransomware.
The author of the virus distributes spam email messages with a Word file attached. Such emails are sent to diverse email clients that are chosen randomly, so no one is immune from the reception of the spam.
If the potential victim tries to open the file, he or she is asked to enable Macros. If the user allows for it, the ransomware executable, which is usually named as setup.exe, is launched and the virus settled down.
Also, hackers can also distribute it via phishing or a drive-by download. Once the virus is executed, it starts encrypting files and then creates a .txt file on the desktop, which is dubbed as ransom note by the security community. It explains the background of the virus and instructs the victim to pay the ransom (usually in Bitcoins via Tor browser).
Unfortunately, the golden rule that would help people to stay protected from ransomware doesn't exist. However, we suggest people not to open suspicious email messages, do not click on fishy lookings ads while browsing or downloading unknown software. You should be careful with stand-alone .exe installers.
The ShurL0ckr ransomware note
We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.
How to remove ShurL0ckr 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 ShurL0ckr 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 ShurL0ckr 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 ShurL0ckr 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 ShurL0ckr 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 ShurL0ckr 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.
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.
From our report of Feb 2018 · not reviewed since
Remove ShurL0ckr before recovering data
The Shurl0ckr virus is currently under investigation.
Up until now, ransomware hunters informed people about the risk of this new zero-day ransomware attack and warned that it's capable of evading the detection by the majority of AV engines and cloud apps, including those managed by Microsoft and Google.
If you are a victim of this virus, we would not recommend paying the ransomware. Since it's a newcomer to the market, it may have many flaws that can be discovered by cybersecurity experts in the nearest future.
Before that happens, we would suggest you remove Shurl0ckr ransomware from the system. Yes, all encrypted data will be wiped out with Shurl0ckr removal, but there's a chance to retrieve personal information from backups, Volume Shadow Copies or previous Windows Versions.
[GI=method-1]Often ransomware blocks anti-virus programs. Therefore, to remove To remove Shurl0ckrreboot, you may need to reboot the system into Safe Mode with Networking:
[GI=method-2]If the previous method did not work, try the following steps:
Nevertheless, many people reported that it managed to unlock most of the files encrypted by ransomware, so it's worth a try.
Decrypt files with Windows Previous Versions feature
Windows Previous Version feature can help you to recover individual files. However, that's possible only if you have a System Restore function enabled on the system.
Recover encrypted files after Shurl0ckr ransomware arttack using ShadowExplorer
If you are dealing with a ransomware that does not remove Shadow Volume Copies, this method may work:
Shurl0ckr decryptor is not yet available
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.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows shurL0ckr ransomware in the list of installed apps; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on Windows.
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 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 can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
Questions about ShurL0ckr ransomware
Is there a free ShurL0ckr ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for ShurL0ckr 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 "ShurL0ckr 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.
How did ShurL0ckr ransomware get on my computer?
The way ShurL0ckr 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 shurL0ckr ransomware in the list of installed apps, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
Did ShurL0ckr ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by ShurL0ckr ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is shurL0ckr ransomware in the list of installed apps, 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.
Is ShurL0ckr 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.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by ShurL0ckr?
You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that ShurL0ckr adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.
No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.
What is ShurL0ckr ransomware?
ShurL0ckr is zero-day ransomware which has been detected by security broker Bitglass and Cylance at the beginning of February 2018. It was confirmed to be a version of Gojdue ransomware and a Ransomware-as-a-Service type virus.
The summary table at the top of this guide lists the type, the detection names, the symptoms and the damage of ShurL0ckr. Reading it first helps you decide whether your computer shows the same signs. The removal plan below it works in order, from the safest step to the more thorough ones.
Will Fortect remove ShurL0ckr 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 ShurL0ckr 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
- MakeUseOf: SECURITY Yes, Ransomware Can Encrypt Your Cloud Storage (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)