Xlockr ransomware (Simple Removal Guide) - Bonus: Decryption Steps

Xlockr virus Removal Guide

What is Xlockr ransomware?

Xlockr ransomware – a crypto-virus that counts your time in dollars

Xlockr virusThe ransomware locks your device and demands a $100 ransom. It increases it if it's not paid immediately.

Xlockr ransomware is a computer virus that locks your device and gives you three days to pay the ransom. This ransomware demands $100 for restoring the system access and each minute costs you a dollar more. This ransomware could lock your files, and this way keeps you from using them.

When access to your PC system is limited, the file-locker displays you a ransom message in a pop-up window that contains information about the attack,[1] time counting table, and a ransom amount. The virus encrypts files with the help of the AES encryption algorithm, so there is no way to recover this data manually.

However, paying the ransom is not a good option as the decryption tool might not even exist. Instead of focusing on data recovery, you should remove Xlockr first. Later on, recover your data from backups or alternative software which is presented in our instructions sections.

Name Xlockr virus
Type Ransomware, file-locker
Ransom note Displayed in a pop-up window
Ransom amount $100 but gets bigger every minute (1min =$1)
Encryption algorithm AES
Distribution Malicious script in spam email attachments, questionable websites, file-sharing platforms
Symptoms Locked computer screen, Pop-up window with the countdown
Elimination Use our recommended software to completely remove the infection
System health To recover altered system files and settings, use the FortectIntego system diagnostics tool

It is unknown if this ransomware locks files at the beginning of the attack since there is no information about the file extension appended to target files. It is possible that the virus locks your computer's screen only and makes your PC unreachable for a while. Also, it could encrypt your files.

After this modification to your files, the ransom message is displayed as a pop-up window on the desktop. As it is typical to ransomware developers, Xlockr ransomware claims that files will be recovered safely and easily right after you make payment. However, note that these people are criminals, and you should never trust them.

Often, these decryption tools do not exist, and even virus developers cannot recover your files. Any communication may lead to money or data loss. The ransom note reads:

Sorry! Your files have been encrypted!

What Happened to My Computer?
Your important files are encrypted.

Many of your documents, photos, videos, databases and other files are no longer accessible because they have been encrypted. Maybe you are busy looking for a way to recover your files, but do not waste your time. Nobody can recover your files without our decryption service.
Can I Recover My Files?
Sure. We guarantee that you can recover all your files safely and easily. But you have not so enough time.
If you want to decrypt all your files, you need to pay.
You only have 3 days to submit the payment. It will be increase $1 every minute.

Payment will be raised!

If you don’t pay
Your files will be lost!

Right after the infection, ransomware stops antivirus protection to initiate other system changes. Xlockr file virus can add new or modify existing registry keys,[2] executable files, and similar components that can be noticed only after a full system scan with anti-virus programs such as Malwarebytes or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner.

If the program is blocked, it is always recommended to reboot the computer to Safe Mode with Networking. Also, remove Xlockr ransomware as soon as you can if you want to avoid further problems related to this malware. Since this kind of virus tends to infiltrate your system unknowingly, you need to be aware that any access to it may lead you to significant damage related to your device.

The loss of personal information is also possible. You can never know what these cybercriminals are up to. Before proceeding to data recovery (instructions posted at the bottom of the article), you need to fix virus damage by employing the FortectIntego PC repair software.

Xlockr ransomwareCrypto-extortionists develop the virus. It aims to swindle money by making its victims pay ransoms.

Hackers use social engineering for spreading ransomware

Social engineering is used to manipulate people and trick them into falling for deceptive messages. To make them even more convincing, virus developers often “borrow” the names of legitimate companies or services. However, in most of the cases that are filled with infected email attachments or links to malicious domains filled with malware.

Spam emails with infected attachments are the most common ways used to spread ransomware. However, there are more other ways used to spread ransomware viruses around:

  • Unsafe sites filled with malicious links or ads;
  • Illegal programs' versions.

Researchers[3] advise you to delete spam emails without opening them or downloading any attachments. You should clean your email box more often and be aware of which services you use, so you don't fall for these tricks with legitimate company names.

Xlockr ransomware removal requires legitimate tools

To remove Xlockr ransomware from your computer, you need to use programs designed for virus termination. We have selected several anti-malware tools that can cope with this virus perfectly: SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes. To detect and remove malware that is already on your device, you need to download the latest program's version and run a full scan. If it is blocked, there are several options provided by our experts.

If you choose to get other programs for ransomware removal, make sure you select reliable sources. To prevent such viruses in the future, always keep your anti-malware and anti-virus programs up-to-date so that you can avoid any infection. After the threat elimination, restore overall system health by using the FortectIntego system diagnostics software. If you are still concerned about data recovery, we provided several solutions down below.

Offer
do it now!
Download
Fortect Happiness
Guarantee
Download
Intego Happiness
Guarantee
Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
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 Xlockr virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Reboot your system in Safe Mode with Networking as a first step:

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 Xlockr using System Restore

You can also try the System Restore feature to reboot your PC to the normal state:

  • 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 Xlockr. 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 Xlockr removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Xlockr from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by Xlockr, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro is a program designed for file restoring

If your files got encrypted, you could recover them with this program. Data Recovery Pro can also restore accidentally deleted files:

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Xlockr ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions feature is also helpful in file recovery

If you want to restore the most important individual files, you can use Windows Previous Versions feature. It can only work if SystemRestore was enabled before the initial attack:

  • Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
  • Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
  • Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

Use ShadowExplorer if your files got encrypted

If this ransomware you are dealing with left Shadow Volume Copies, you can use ShadowExplorer and get your files back:

  • Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
  • Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
  • Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
  • Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Unfortunately, the decryption tool for this ransomware is not available.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Xlockr and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

 

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection. 

 

About the author
Jake Doevan
Jake Doevan - Computer technology expert

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