How to remove LOL (Dharma) ransomware

Complete LOL (Dharma) ransomware removal guide

Dwnls0719 discovered LOL (Dharma) ransomware is a malicious computer infection from Dharma belonging. Systems infected with this threat have all their files stored encrypted and inaccessible for the users till a certain amount is paid. The encryption it necessary for the users to use the unique decryption tool that the developers have to get back the files in the original form. The encrypted files get marked with .LOL extension plus unique ID number associated with each victim and cybercriminals belonging email address. For example, a file named 1.jpg becomes1.jpg.id-1E857D00.[[email protected]].LOL. Rightly after that, the ransomware creates a ransom note in a pop-up window and FILEs ENCRYPTED.txt text file.

The text presented on the FILES ENCRYPTED.txt informs the victims that their data have been locked and if they want to retrieve it, they have to write an email to the crooks behind LOL (Dharma) ransomware. The pop-up contains more detailed information. It clarifies that the users require purchasing a unique decryption tool from the crooks to get the files back. The price of the tool is not mentioned in it. But, it will supposedly depend on how quickly the users contact to those people. Additionally, the preferred currency is Bitcoin Cryptocurrency only. For the communication, emails addresses belong to the crooks are provided in this note. The victims have to send provided ID number to them to the crooks via the provided email address and wait for their response. As per the note, when contacted, the users will provided further details like how much to pay, how to use the decrpytor and so on. Before the payment is done, the users are asked to send one small file less than 1 MB in size and must contain no valuable information for the test that the decryptor is really working. The message ends with a warning message that states that the renaming the encrypted files and/or attempting to decrypt them using third party software can result into permanent data loss. Here is the full text presented on the .txt file:

all your data has been locked us

You want to return?

Write email [email protected] or [email protected]

The pop-up window displayed by LOL (Dharma) ransomware states:

All your files have been encrypted!

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail [email protected]

Write this ID in the title of your message –

In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:[email protected]

You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee

Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

How to obtain Bitcoins

The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.

hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins

Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:

hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/

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.

Unfortunately, in many cases of ransomware infections, decryption is not possible without the involvement of the crooks behind them. It may be, if the malware in question is still in development and/or has significant flaws. Regardless of the circumstances, it is highly recommended against communicating with and/or paying to the criminals. Since often, despite meeting the demands – victims do not receive the necessary tools to recover their files. Therefore, they experience financial loss and their data is left worthless.  The safest option is to remove LOL (Dharma) ransomware and recover the files using existing backup files.

The malware removal is necessary to prevent further files encryption. Also, its removal makes you ensure that you will not get interrupted during the data recovery process and thus the recovery will become an easy task for you, especially if you have the existing backup. However, if you lack of such backups, you should use Volume Shadow Copy- a backup cloud created by OS for short time. The problem with this is that many ransomware delete this option by running PowerShell command. In this case, you have to rely on data recovery tools. Nowadays, such tools are designed with special functionality added and so you can anticipate of getting the files back using them.

Possible ransomware distribution channels

LOL (Dharma) ransomware authors use targeted attacks to penetrate companies’ networks. In most cases, the attacks can be performed with the help of the following methods:

• Targeting the device with spam emails containing hyperlinks or attachments that would initiate infection process
• The crooks might abuse outdated computer vulnerabilities if the security updates are not applied on time
• Corporate intrusions by hackers are often performed to brute force attacks via weak RDP

To prevent the infection, it is important to employ complicated passwords with two factor authentication feature, keep the OS and the installed software updated as well as use cyber security solutions that would be able to detect and stop the incoming payloads.

Remove LOL (Dharma) ransomware

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove LOL (Dharma) ransomware from the device.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove LOL (Dharma) ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete LOL (Dharma) ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove LOL (Dharma) 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 LOL (Dharma) ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with LOL (Dharma) 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 LOL (Dharma) 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 LOL (Dharma) 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 LOL (Dharma) 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 LOL (Dharma) 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 LOL (Dharma) 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 LOL (Dharma) 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 LOL (Dharma) 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 LOL (Dharma) 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.