How to remove Marlock Ransomware: Restore locked files

Easy methods to delete Marlock Ransomware in Windows 10/8/7 computer

Marlock Ransomware or ‘.marlock7 File Virus’ is very dangerous file virus considered as Ransomware. It is new variant of MedusaLocker Ransomware designed to encrypts all formats of files including images, audios, videos, games, pdf, ppt, xlx, css, html, text, documents, databases and other formats of files. You can’t access or open your personal files or locked files anymore due to its dubious behaviors. It modifies each file by adding ‘.marlock7’ File Extension to the original filename. For example, it renames ‘1.png’ filename to ‘1.png.marlock7’.

After encryption process is finished, ‘HOW_TO_RECOVER_DATA.html’ html files as ransom notes are dropped into each folder of your computer hard drive that contains locked files. The ransom note contains the information about this ransomware, how you can recover your locked files, cybercriminals’ email ID, and ransom money details. The text presented in ransom-demanding ransom note states that all files of your computer hard drive have been locked using AES & RSA cryptographic algorithm and a copy of those files is stored on a private server.

The ransom note also states your all encrypted files that are stored on a private server will be published or sold to third-parties if you decide not to pay ransom money. It also claims that in order to uninstall this ransomware, renames locked files manually or use third-party decryption software, you will lose your all locked files permanently. According to attackers behind this ransomware, you need to establish the contact with them via provided Tor website link or via provided email addresses within 72 hours after that attack.

It also claims if you do not contact attackers with 72 hours after attack, the price for the decryption keys/software will be increased. It also provides some free decryption service for 2-3 locked files as proof that they have right decryption keys/software. After free decryption test successful, they force you to pay certain amount of extortion money to decrypt your files. They are not going to recover your locked files even when ransom money is paid. So, you should never trust on them at and avoid paying any amount of ransom money to them. If you really want to recover your locked files, then at first you should try to find and remove Marlock Ransomware related malware in your computer.

How did you get Marlock Ransomware in Windows computer?

Ransomware-type malware is distributed through spam email campaign or malspam campaign. Scammers or malware programmers send spam email in your mailbox which contains some false-positive messages along with suspicious hyperlinks/attachments. Once opened, it executes certain codes/scripts to infect your computer with malware or viruses. Ransomware-type malware can also be distributed through unofficial/unsafe websites, fake software downloaders/installers/updaters, or other third-party sources. When you install the updates for the software installed in your computer using some fake software updaters or illegal activation tools, you install malware instead of updates in your computer.

How to protect your system against Ransomware-type malware?

Any applications must not be downloaded, installed or purchase from unofficial/unsafe websites, fake software downloaders/installers/updaters or other third-party sources. Any attachments/hyperlinks presented in spam emails must not be opened at any cases. You should never reply to spam emails. Also, you should keep up-to-date your operating system and all other software installed in computer including antivirus with latest updates that could help you to find and remove all types of malware including latest malware in computer. After ransomware or malware removal, you can go for data recovery solution to restore your locked data.

Let’s take a look at ransom note:

YOUR PERSONAL ID:

–

/!\ YOUR COMPANY NETWORK HAS BEEN PENETRATED /!\

All your important files have been encrypted!

Your files are safe! Only modified. (RSA+AES)

ANY ATTEMPT TO RESTORE YOUR FILES WITH THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE

WILL PERMANENTLY CORRUPT IT.

DO NOT MODIFY ENCRYPTED FILES.

DO NOT RENAME ENCRYPTED FILES.

No software available on internet can help you. We are the only ones able to

solve your problem.

We gathered highly confidential/personal data. These data are currently stored on

a private server. This server will be immediately destroyed after your payment.

If you decide to not pay, we will release your data to public or re-seller.

So you can expect your data to be publicly available in the near future..

We only seek money and our goal is not to damage your reputation or prevent

your business from running.

You will can send us 2-3 non-important files and we will decrypt it for free

to prove we are able to give your files back.

Contact us for price and get decryption software.

qd7pcafncosqfqu3ha6fcx4h6sr7tzwagzpcdcnytiw3b6varaeqv5yd.onion

* Note that this server is available via Tor browser only

Follow the instructions to open the link:

1. Type the addres “hxxps://www.torproject.org” in your Internet browser. It opens the Tor site.
2. Press “Download Tor”, then press “Download Tor Browser Bundle”, install and run it.
3. Now you have Tor browser. In the Tor Browser open qd7pcafncosqfqu3ha6fcx4h6sr7tzwagzpcdcnytiw3b6varaeqv5yd.onion
4. Start a chat and follow the further instructions.

If you can not use the above link, use the email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

* To contact us, create a new free email account on the site: protonmail.com

IF YOU DON’T CONTACT US WITHIN 72 HOURS, PRICE WILL BE HIGHER.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Marlock Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Marlock Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Marlock 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 Marlock Ransomware using “System Restore”

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