How to remove unlckr@protonmail.com ransomware virus

Computer users from Russia should be aware of unlckr@protonmail.com ransomware virus

unlckr@protonmail.com ransomware is an alternative name for recently emerged Unlckr virus. Researchers suspect that malware is related to Unlock92 ransomware. It seems that Russian-speaking computer users are in the target field of the ransomware. The virus uses RSA-2048 encryption algorithm and appends .cr020801 file extension to affected files. The instructions how to recover files are delivered in ! _INSTRUKTSYA _ !. txt file.

The first task ransomware^[1] does on the affected computer is making connections to multiple remote hosts. Once Command and Control (C&C) server responds, malware starts completing received the tasks. Before starting data encryption, unlckr@protonmail.com virus might modify Windows Registry in order to run on system startup. What is more, it might install other malicious files or affect numerous system processes.

Once system modifications are made, unlckr@protonmail.com virus starts looking for targeted file extensions. For data encryption, it uses a strong RSA-2048 cipher that prevents users from opening or using necessary files. Once this procedure is over, all the encrypted files have .cr020801 file extension. In order to use the data again, users have to get a private decryption key.

The ! _INSTRUKTSYA _ !. txt file offers to obtain a necessary decryption key. In the ransom note, victims are told to contact cyber criminals via unlckr@protonmail.com email and send one encrypted file. Within 24 hours hackers should respond and give further instructions. However, it may not happen.

Cyber criminals warn that if victims do not receive the answer in one day, they supposed to access a particular website via Tor browser. In the website, people will find a current contact email. Thus, they have to send another message.

Communicating with cyber criminals and following their orders is not recommended. We can assure that they won’t allow using decryptor for free. They may ask a huge amount of money for the exchange. If you are thinking about this shady deal, you should be aware that there’s a huge possibility that you will lose your money. Cyber criminals may disappear as soon as their get the ransom.

We highly recommend focusing not only on your files but computer’s security. Thus, the first you have to do is to remove unlckr@protonmail.com with the help of reputable malware removal program such as FortectIntego. While this malicious program runs on the computer, the system is vulnerable, and other malware or trojans might attack your device as well.

After unlckr@protonmail.com removal, you can plug in an external device where you keep your backups and copy necessary files. If you do not have copies of your files, we cannot promise anything positive to you. Malware might delete Shadow Volume Copies.^[2] Thus, data recovery becomes complicated. However, at the end of the article, you will find a few methods that may help to bring back your files.

Hackers employ several strategies to spread ransomware

Cyber criminals might spread unlckr@protonmail.com ransomware with the help of:

• malicious email attachments;
• fake updates;
• bogus software downloads;
• malvertising;
• exploit kits.

To avoid ransomware attack, you should stay away from suspicious emails. Do not open spam emails and especially included links, buttons or documents.

Install new programs and their updates only from reliable sources. Suspicious file-sharing sites and advertisements usually hide malicious components.

When browsing the web, keep away from eye-catchy and too-good-to-be-true ads. Nevertheless, the majority of malware-laden ads are delivered on high-risk websites; they might be placed on popular sites as well.

In order to protect your PC from unlckr@protonmail.com ransomware, you should also install reputable security software and backup your files.

Remove unlckr@protonmail.com ransomware virus safely

Only professional security software can assure that unlckr@protonmail.com removal is safe and effective. Trying to delete ransomware manually may end up with irreparable system damage.

We suggest installing one of these tools and dedicate virus removal for them: FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. If you cannot install or run security tools, reboot the PC to Safe Mode with Networking (instructions provided below).

Once you remove unlckr@protonmail.com from the device, you can restore your files from backups or try additional recovery methods.