How To Remove PureLocker Ransomware And Recover Infected Files

Simple Steps To Delete PureLocker Ransomware From Computer

PureLocker Ransomware is a destructive file-encrypting virus that has been affecting the Windows computers all around the world. Once this deadly infection successfully infiltrates your PC, it encrypts your crucial files and data and makes them completely inaccessible. In order to mark the encoded data, the malware is using “CR1” extension after encoding the targeted file types. Just because this crypto-threat uses AES and RSA file encryption algorithms, the locked files becomes unusable for the victimized users. After that, the affected people will be left with a ransom note titled “YOUR_FILES.txt” that can be identified by users as it convinces them to contact the attackers through an email address, mentioned in the shown ransom notification.

Although, in exchange for a decryption key, the PureLocker Ransomware operators demand several USD in the form of Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, the decryption key/tool which is highly required to restore the files enciphered by this virus is stored on the Command and Control server operated by team of vicious hackers responsible for this malevolent attack. Here, it is important for you to understand that the data saved on your computers have been locked using a strong AES-256-CBC and RSA-4096 ciphers that makes the recovery of files almost impossible without having a right decryption software.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

#CR1

All your files have been encrypted using: AES-256-CBC + RSA-4096.

Shadows copies were removed, original files were overwritten, renamed and deleted using safe methods.

Recovery is not possible without own RSA-4096 private key.

Only we can decrypt your files!

To decrypt your files contact us at: [email protected]

Your private key will be deleted after 7 days starting from: 5/12/2020, after that the recovery of your files will not be possible.

Should You Pay The Ransom?

Even if the enciphered files mean a lot to you, then you should hold yourself and avoid paying demanded ransom money to the PureLocker Ransomware operators. This is because the chances of getting scammed by the hackers is quite high if you believe in the fake promises of threat actors and decided to pay asked extortion money to them. There are multiple instances when crooks just ignored the victims after taking the ransom or delivered rogue software in the name of decryption tool which only harms the machine badly with its malicious deeds upon getting installed. Furthermore, dealing with the criminals will only motivate them to drop more such infections inside for further profits. And hence, never trust on the attackers under any circumstance and try to remove PureLocker Ransomware from the device as early as possible.

Threat Details

Name: PureLocker Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Crypto-virus

Description- Destructive malware that aims to encrypt users’ crucial files and then ask them to pay off for the decryption key/tool.

Extension- “.CR1”

Ransom demanding message: “YOUR_FILES.txt”

Attackers’ Contact- [email protected]

Symptoms: Users can not open files available on their desktop, previously functional files now have different extensions, A ransom demanding message is displayed on the desktop screen. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to unlock their encoded data and files.

Distribution methods: Torrent websites, 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.

Other Harmful Traits of PureLocker Ransomware:

This notorious Ransomware eats up enormous amount of memory resources and drags down the overall computer performance severely. Due to this, machine starts responding slower than ever before and takes more than usual time to complete any task. It messes with vital system files that are necessary for efficient PC functioning and prevents many installed apps as well as drivers from working in an appropriate manner. This hazardous ransomware has ability to deactivate all the running security services and Windows Firewalls and make the device vulnerable for more Online threats. PureLocker Ransomware may easily bring other pernicious infections like adware, Trojans, rootkits, spyware, etc. in your computer and turn the device into a malware-hub.

How Does This Infection Enter Your System:

Such types of file-encoding viruses sneak into the targeted device though several illusive tactics such as spam email campaigns, Trojans, questionable download sources, fake software updaters, unofficial software activation tools etc. The most common tactic used by Cyber actors to spread ransomware programs is by sending emails that contain malicious attachments. Crooks generally attach MS office, exe files, PDF documents, and JavaScript files. Once you open the attachment, those precarious files install some malicious application. And therefore, it is necessary to stay away from suspicious mails coming from unknown source. But at the moment, just take a quick action and remove PureLocker Ransomware from the computer by following the effective removal steps given below.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete PureLocker Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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