Remove .lock2bits Ransomware (+ File Recovery Guide)

Know Steps To Remove .lock2bits Ransomware And Restore Encrypted Files Easily

In the list of dubious ransomware, .lock2bits Ransomware is a new addition as a creation of cyber crime master minds which use to encrypt all files stored on targeted computers. Even the ransomware identities are mostly renowned for same purpose that is to lock down all files using strong encryption algorithms and demands the victims to pay off specified ransom money to get decryption key. Since the files are now encrypted, they can be decrypted back only by using a valid decryption key, however those keys now belong to hackers. And unless you buy them, you can’t be able to access your files. This is why, the term ransomware is considered as the most hectic malware kind and should not be dealt in easy manner.

Speaking about its technical details, the aforementioned ransomware is basically a new sample or a strain derived from Lockbit ransomware family. However, it’s still unknown about the hacker’s group who are behind this malware and created this threat with sole mean to block users against accessing their own files, following which they are enforced to contact hackers and pay demanded ransom fee. Following the encryption is processed on targeted machine, the term .lock2bits Ransomware appends all affected files using a new extension which appears as .lock2bits. After completion of these processes, the users can expect those files to be inaccessible that throws a text file based ransom note on screen every time the files are launched.

Technically, the .lock2bits Ransomware is able to attack any Windows OS based computers easily whether it has installed Windows XP or even the latest build of Windows 10. Also, the malware is compatible to work with all browser variants like Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, etc if require to throw some errors to scare users. However, in most cases, the .lock2bits Ransomware often modifies some critical settings in Windows OS which are fully known to assure system security and efficiency. And once it manage to replicate its presence inside, it turns its built-in modules on to scan and encrypt all your files, and throw a ransom note on screen with instructions regarding how to contact hackers, pay demanded ransom amount, and use the decryption key for file restoration.

Threat Summary

Name: .lock2bits Ransomware
Type: Ransomware, cryptovirus
Description: .lock2bits Ransomware is another new strain of lockbit ransomware that will encrypt your files and ask you to remit a specified ransom payment to hackers to seek files’ recovery.
Distribution: Malicious file downloads, spam/junk email attachments, freeware or shareware downloads, and so on
Removal (File Restoration): For more information about removal of .lock2bits Ransomware and recovery of files, we suggest you get through the guidelines

How .lock2bits Ransomware mainly intrudes, and how it should be sorted out?

The vicious malware terms like .lock2bits Ransomware is mostly spread by its creators through deceptive marketing tricks or measures. They often use email spam marketing trick to distribute ransomware based payload dropper. A number of email messages are sent to targeted users, and such emails include some attached files or links which acts like a background downloader for payload. This payload if gets somehow installed, runs in background to connect system to a remote server to download and activate ransomware and its files.

As a result, the victims if try to access their files, a ransom note erupts on screen asking them to contact hackers, pay them with their demanded ransom fee, and get the decryption key and tool to accomplish file’s recovery easily. But, is it really worth to pay the demanded ransom fee to criminals? As per the experts, it’s not suggested to pay any ransom fee to hackers as this is just a trap to earn profit, and once they receive their demands, will start to ignore your messages and leave your files intact.

In order to overcome issues caused by .lock2bits Ransomware, the victims should better seek some possible measures or guidelines through which the threat can be eliminated along with all its associated files, processes, and leftovers completely. To do so, we suggest you refer to guidelines section to learn some instructions which may assist you. Once the threat is cleaned from a compromised system, victims can restore their encrypted or lost files using a lately created backups or other file recovery measures as explained later.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove .lock2bits Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete .lock2bits Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove .lock2bits 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 .lock2bits Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with .lock2bits 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 .lock2bits 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 .lock2bits 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 .lock2bits 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 .lock2bits 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 .lock2bits 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 .lock2bits 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 .lock2bits 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 .lock2bits 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.