Remove LCK ransomware And Restore Encrypted Files

Complete Guideline To Delete LCK ransomware

LCK ransomware is a precarious crypto-virus that is a new member of Dharma ransomware family. Once this hazardous file-encoding malware gets into the Windows computers, it encrypts stored files and data and then forces victims to pay the attackers an amount of ransom for the decryption tool/key. It uses a very powerful encryption algorithm to lock images, audios, videos, presentations, spreadsheets etc. and makes them completely inaccessible or unusable. Such files can easily be identified as it renames them by adding victims’ unique ID, attackers’ email address and also appending “LCK” extension with each of them.

Depth Analysis of LCK ransomware:

Initially upon getting into the targeted computers, LCK ransomware alters the registry settings in order to remain persistent and to get automatically activated with each system startup. After that, it scans the entire device in search of the files that have to be locked and once detected, encrypts each of them. Following successful encryption, this destructive file-encrypting malware presents couple of ransom notes in a pop-up window and “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” file and informs victims about the unpleasant situation.

Notes displayed by LCK ransomware include email addresses in order to contact the hackers and get further details. It is also mentioned that trying to rename the compromised files or using some third-party tools to decrypt them may lead to permanent data loss. At the end, users may have to pay a huge amount of ransom to get the decryption software. The size of the amount may vary from $200 to $1500 that has to be paid in BitCoins cryptocurrency.

Text Presented In the Pop-up Window:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED

Don’t worry,you can return all your files!

If you want to restore them, follow this link:email [email protected] YOUR ID –

If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:[email protected]

Attention!

Do not rename encrypted files.

Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Text Presented In The “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” File:

all your data has been locked us

You want to return?

write email [email protected] or [email protected]

Should You Pay The Ransom?

Although, it is true that the only method to access the files locked by LCK ransomware is by using a decryption tool which is allegedly kept on attackers’ server. But still, security experts strongly deny from dealing with the criminals as you have absolutely no guarantee that they fulfill their promises even after taking the extortion. The only purpose of such hackers is to swindle illicit money from the victimized users. There are various occasions when crooks just ignored the victims once the payment is made without providing the functional decryptor.

What Should The Victims Do?

For victimized people, the first thing they require to do here is to perform LCK ransomware removal from the machine immediately. As far as restoring the infected files is concerned, you should use a recently made backup that you have saved on any external drive. In case you don’t have any appropriate backup, you can try a powerful file-recovery application that can be downloaded right here via the link provided under this article.

Threat Details 

Name: LCK ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Crypto-virus, File-encrypting malware

Short Description: Destructive malware which locks users’ essential files and then forces them into paying the attackers an amount of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension:  “.LCK”

Ransom Demanding Notes: Pop-up window, FILES ENCRYPTED.txt

Attackers’ contact: [email protected], [email protected]

Symptoms: Encrypted files become useless and unapproachable stored inside the compromised systems, previous functional data now have different extension, A ransom demanding message is left on each affected folder. Victims are asked to pay an amount of ransom to get the functional decryptor and unlock their encoded data and files.

Distribution methods: Spam emails, peer to peer network sharing, unofficial activation and updating tools.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be accessed without paying ransom, Additional password stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed along with ransomware infections and other malware.

Removal: To remove this virus from the system, we advise you to use a reliable anti-malware tool. Once malware gets removed, you can recover your files by using existing backup or data-recovery software.

Penetration of LCK ransomware:

Most of the times, crypto-viruses enter the targeted PCs via malspam campaigns. Cyber hackers use this technique to deceive users into installing ransomware by sending dubious emails to them. These mails include malicious attachments that can be in any of these formats: executable files (like .exe), JavaScript files, Microsoft Office documents, PDF documents, archive files (like ZIP, RAR). As soon as the attached file is run, opened or executed, the infection process begins.

So, it is highly advised to never download attachments of irrelevant emails that you receive from unknown or suspicious senders as you never know what they are containing. In case your PC is already infected with this notorious crypto-virus, you must remove LCK ransomware from the device without wasting any time.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove LCK ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete LCK ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove LCK ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete LCK ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with LCK ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to LCK ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove LCK ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of LCK ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by LCK ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like LCK ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by LCK ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with LCK ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove LCK ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.