Remove HDLocker ransomware (Unlock Encrypted Data)

HDLocker ransomware: Simple Uninstall Process

HDLocker ransomware is a file-encrypting virus that was first discovered by security researcher xiaopao. This pernicious computer infection has been specially designed by potent hackers with their evil purpose to lock users’ crucial files and then extort ransom money from them in exchange of the decryption tool. It uses a very strong cryptography to encrypt videos, audios, images, documents, spreadsheets, PDFs etc. and also renames them by adding “_HD” extension with each of them. If you ever notice your important files and documents are marked with this weird extension, then this means you are a victim of this hazardous ransomware.

Depth Analysis of HDLocker ransomware:

Soon after getting into the target computers, HDLocker ransomware makes vicious entries in Windows registries and alters its default settings to create persistence and get automatically activated with each PC startup. After that, it starts its malicious process and encrypts all the target data. Once the encryption process is completed, this deadly malware displays a pop-up window and informs victims regarding the unkind situation. They are also instructed to contact the hackers via the provided email address. At the end, the affected people may have to pay the criminals a hefty sum of ransom to acquire a decryption tool/software and open the locked files.

Should You Pay The Ransom?

Paying ransom to HDLocker ransomware authors is not a good decision as there is no guarantee that they will send you the required decryptor even after taking the extortion. Keep in mind that the only objective of such criminals is to swindle illicit money from the victimized users. It has been their tendency that they often ignore the victims once the payment is made. Additionally, paying the demanded fee to such people will only boost their confidence and they will surely consider triggering more such attacks.

What Should The Victims Do?

If you are a victimized person, the first thing you require to do here is to perform HDLocker ransomware removal from the computer immediately. This is because apart from locking your crucial files, this deadly parasite can lead to several other notorious issues such as boot errors, application malfunctioning, hard drive crash and so on. As far as restoring the infected files is concerned, you should use alternative methods such as backup saved on any external drive. In the absence of a proper backup, you can also try a powerful file-recovery application that you can download in this very place via the link provided under this article.

Threat Specification

Name: HDLocker ransomware

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

Short Description: Precarious threat which encrypts crucial data and then asks victims to pay the attackers a huge sum of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension:  “_HD”

Rogue Process Name: HD_LS (process name may vary)

Symptoms: Files become unusable stored inside infected systems, previous functional files now have different extension, a pop-up window and a text file is displayed. Victims are asked to pay an amount of ransom to decrypt their encrypted 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 HDLocker ransomware:

These ransomware programs can be spread through multiple deceptive methods. However, crypto-viruses mostly get distributed through malspam campaigns during which, hackers send thousands of spam emails that have malicious files attached to them. These attachments could be in various formats such as archive file (like ZIP, RAR), PDF document, Microsoft Office document (like Word, Excel), JavaScript file, or executable file like .exe etc. As soon as recipients open, run or execute the attachment, it leads to the installation of malware.

So, to prevent such notorious attacks, it is highly important to ignore suspicious mails that are coming from unknown addresses and never open their attachments. It is necessary to first check the legitimacy of the mails before opening them. Furthermore, download any software or product from reliable sources, official pages, direct links only and avoid using third-party downloaders/installers, peer-to-peer sharing networks etc. In case your device is already infected with this crypto-virus, you must remove HDLocker ransomware from the computer without wasting any time.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete HDLocker ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove HDLocker 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 HDLocker ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with HDLocker 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 HDLocker 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 HDLocker 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 HDLocker 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 HDLocker 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 HDLocker 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 HDLocker 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 HDLocker 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 HDLocker 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.