VirLock virus (Recovery Instructions Included) - Feb 2017 update

What is VirLock virus?

Key facts about VirLocker ransomware

VirLock ransomware virus is a program that you don’t want to run into. It acts just like Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus, Crypt0l0cker, Locky virus, etc. Once installed, this virus executes several copies of its executive file. The first copy registers itself as a Windows service and runs without stopping, while the other copy acts like a spare copy of the first process which ensures that the first one does not stop working and encrypting victim’s files. The virus is designed to target particular file extensions, so as a result, it encrypts all files that have these extensions^[1]. Bear in mind that VirLock virus can irrecoverably corrupt the vast of your precious files, including photos, videos, documents, presentations, music, and other file types. Also, it has been discovered that this version of ransomware can also connect to removable drives, DropBox, etc., so you should consider other solutions where you could keep your files (see this post – How to backup your files?)^[2]. Then, this deceptive virus launches a frightening message, stating that pirated software has been detected in the computer system and that the computer has been blocked. Instead of following its commands, you should follow our VirLock removal guide in the end of this post. FortectIntego could be your quick fix for this virus.

The following message informs the user that he can be sentenced to up to five years in prison and 250,000 pounds fine. However, according to this message, as the “first-time offender,” the victim of VirLock ransomware can fix this problem by paying 250 pounds in Bitcoins. The message says that the user can pay the fine online via Bitcoin payment system, or pay it offline by going to the local courthouse and paying by cash. We believe that criminals included the “offline” payment option only to make the message sound more legitimate since legal authorities do not ask to pay fines in Bitcoins. To put it simply, this message is simply a ransom note, urging the victim to pay a ransom. This note end with a threat, saying that all victim’s files will be deleted if the penalty is not paid within three days of if the victim attempts to “remove the message.”

VirLock virus displays a deceptive message and demands to pay up.

However, we have some good news for victims of VirLock virus. Despite the fact that its authors had put big efforts and attempted to make this virus powerful, it seems that they failed and made a huge mistake by forgetting to delete Volume Shadow Copies^[3] from victim’s computer. You can use these copies to restore previous versions of your files, or, in other words, you can just recover your data for free. If your PC is already infected, you should download a reliable security software or other reputable anti-spyware, remove VirLock, and then recover your files using VSC.

Update 2017 January: the polymorphic ransomware gets improved

2016 year has been the year full of elaborate and vivid ransomware. Locky virus and Cerber ransomware might have been perceived as most destructive and terrifying cyber infections. However, the world is yet to see the new modified version of VirLocker ransomwrae. Though previously it has been already spotted as a polymorphic virus, the hackers introduced some changes making the virus more damaging. It is capable of multiplying its malware infections by absorbing affected files. There are several stages of executing its mission. Firstly, it processes the infected files. Then, it injects its malevolent code into a targeted file. Thirdly, the targetted data is encoded. Finally, the affected files are merged with the original version of the threat and, likewise, evolve into malware themselves. In comparison with other threats, careless click on the affected file results in the malware execution. Previous ransomware infections tend to disguise their activity in order to avoid elimination. It seems that VirLock malware, on the contrary, exposes itself in order to strike a fatal blow.

Distribution and infection peculiarities

In most of the cases, VirLock ransomware is spread via misleading email messages that pretend to be important notifications from reputable companies. You may be informed about important payments, fines, purchases or other things that typically make people download the attachment. In fact, that’s the thing that you should never download to your PC because that’s how this virus is spread around. Of course, these are lots of other ways how to ransomware can show up on your computer. You should be very careful with various pop-up messages if you want to avoid viruses like this one. Also, you should stop visiting illegal sites because they can also infect your computer^[4].

Avoiding ransomware

If you wish to protect your computer from ransomware attacks^[5], you have to apply several layers of protection. Here are our top tips on how to secure your data and prevent ransomware from infecting your PC:

1. Do not open suspicious email letters, and especially avoid opening files attached to such emails. Even if the attachment is Word file, it does not mean that it is safe. Cybercriminals nowadays use advanced technologies and they no longer need to send .exe files to infect user’s computers.
2. Update all your programs to the latest version to prevent criminals from taking advantage of software vulnerabilities.
3. Back up your files. It is the only 100% effective way of recovering your files in case the original ones get encrypted. We do not recommend using online clouds to store your files because some viruses can access them via an Internet connection and encrypt them as well.
4. Install a good anti-malware software and set scheduled system scans to keep your computer spyware/malware free.

VirLock elimination instructions

Unlike typical computer programs, VirLock ransomware does not have an uninstaller and in fact, it is very hard to remove it if you do not have a proper malware removal program. We do NOT recommend you to mess with this malicious virus on your own because you might do more harm than good to your computer. The easiest, safest and fastest way to remove VirLock is to command an anti-spyware program to detect it and eliminate it. For that, download a reputable security software and run a system scan with it. We recommend using FortectIntego software. If you can’t use VirLocker removal steps because this ransomware is blocking you, you should reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Networking or use System Restore.