How to remove StalinLocker

StalinLocker is a ransomware that locks files and asks the victim to guess the decryption code

StalinLocker is the name of a ransomware virus^[1] that has been detected by ransomware research team in the middle of May 2018. It's not typical ransomware what so ever. Its payload spreads on the Internet in the form of StalinLocker.exe. Once it's executed, the data on the system's drives are encrypted using strong encryption algorithm. It then locks the screen with a Stalin picture, starts playing a USSR Hymn and gives the victim 11 minutes to guess the decryption code. Thus, this ransomware virus does not fall for the group of extortionists. It's a destructor that aims to wipe out system's drives out of an idea.

StalinLocker ransomware started circulating on the Internet on May 10, 2018. Cybersecurity experts detected StalinLocker.exe file, which once executed appeared to be extremely aggressive.

If opened, the StalinLocker.exe ransomware payload unravels StalinLocker ransomware, which runs a multiplicity of system's scrips under administrative privileges to lock all Windows OS drives, including (C:), (D:) or any other detected.
As soon as the virus locks all drives, it sets the Stalin-themed desktop background and enables USSR_Anthem.mp3. Thus the sound of USSR hymn is heard. The lock screen contains the following information:

The victory of socialism in our country is assured
The foundation of the socialist economy is complete
“The reality of our production plan is millions of working people who are creating a new life.”
I. Stalin.

The text has been translated from Russian. At the moment of writing, StalinLocker ransomware targets Russian-speaking users. It hasn't been translated into any other language, but experts speculate that it's only a matter of time when it gets the update with an English translation.

The worst part is that the StalinLocker virus cannot be decrypted. In fact, it's the destructive piece of malware, which does not seek for money. One the lock screen appears the victim gets only 600+60 seconds (or 11 minutes) to enter a decryption key. However, there's no way to redeem the data except to guess the code.

Unfortunately, people can hardly guess the code without having a background on the USSR history. Crooks ask the victim to calculate the date: 1922.12.30, which is significant for Russia as it's the date of USSR formation.^[2] 

As soon as the countdown timer gets to 00, all data from the system is wiped out. To prevent this from happening, we would strongly recommend people to restart the system into Safe Mode with Networking right after the attack and run a scan with FortectIntego or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner. That should be sufficient to remove StalinLocker ransomware from the system.

Unfortunately, it's not clear if StalinLocker removal will leave locked drives as they were before the attack. There's a risk of getting the data removed, but there's the same possibility to find it unlocked. In the worst case scenario, you should try to recover the data encrypted by this ransomware with the help of third-party data recovery tools.

No to mention, experts consider the StalinLocker virus to be unfinished yet. It is speculated that it may be rebuilt into extortionist demanding a redemption.

Ransomware distribution techniques

Spam email attachments are the primary ransomware distribution source. Infested files are being appended to .doc, .pdf, .png and similar attachments, which are introduced in a catchy way to attract as many people to open them as possible. However, spam is not the only medium used to disseminate crypto-ransomware viruses. LosVirus.es^[3] team distinguished the following methods that currently stand out as the most common:

• Hacked RDP;
• Exploit Kit;
• Rogue software installers or updates;
• Phishing websites;

Therefore, you should not only be careful when handling emails from unknown sources. Hackers use multiple social engineering attacks, so be cautious and always weigh the risk before doing something on the Internet, especially when contacting with files and installers.

Get rid of StalinLocker ransomware virus

StalinLocker removal is the only way to save your files undeleted. In case of attack, you have only 11 minutes to restore your PC to the previous state.

Unfortunately, there's no way to remove StalinLocker ransomware manually. It's a destructive piece of malware, which injects a variety of malicious entries, which can hardly if at all, be detected without a professional anti-virus.

Before you run a scan, make sure to select a reputable anti-virus and necessarily update its definitions. According to VirusTotal analysis, StalinLocker virus features a quite low detection ratio (29/67)^[4], so using a reliable tool is a must.