Remove Lockedfile Ransomware & Restore Files

Simple steps to delete Lockedfile Ransomware

Lockedfile Ransomware is newly detected crypto-malware infection. It is a variant of Xorist ransomware. On the encrypted files, it adds .lockedfile extension and makes it totally inaccessible for the victims. When you try to access the encrypted files, a ransom note (HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt) appears on the desktop screen. It contains basic details of malware and instructions to pay the ransom money for getting the decryption key/tool.

As you can clearly see in the ransom note, you are threatened to pay the ransom money which is to be paid in 7 days. Victims are asked to send an SMS to a certain number. However, the number they should use to contact ransomware developers is not provided. It means that Lockedfile Ransomware is still in development. Moreover, they threat you not to use any other data recovery method as you will lose your files permanently.

In order to win your trust, it agrees to decrypt some encrypted file for free. This ransomware uses RSA 1024 encryption cipher for file locking. Sadly, the cyber experts have not been able to develop the free decryption tool for Lockedfile Ransomware until now. On the other hand, it is never recommended to pay any money to the cyber criminals as ransom to get the decryption key. Simply said, this is a spam.

Text in the pop-up window and “HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt” file:

Attention! All your files are encrypted!
To restore your files and access them,
please send an SMS with the text XXXX to YYYY number.

You have N attempts to enter the code.
When that number has been exceeded,
all the data irreversibly is destroyed.
Be careful when you enter the code!

How did ransomware infect system?

In most cases, users unintentionally install malware through fake software updating tools, spam email campaigns, questionable software download sources, unofficial software activation tools and Trojans. Among all, the most common method for malware circulation is via spam email campaigns. You will receive emails that pretend to be containing some kind of important invoice, receipt, tax message etc.

When you download the attached file, the malware payloads and scripts also get downloaded. Such attachments are presented as if it is sent by some reputed companies or organizations. On the other hand, unreliable download sources (freeware download, free file hosting web pages, third party downloader’s etc) are also used to distribute malware by disguising malicious files as legitimate. When users download and open them, they install malware.

How to recover the encrypted files?

In any situation, paying money may not provide any positive results. Once payments are made, cyber criminals totally ignore the victims. For your file recovery, you should use some alternative tricks such as backup files, “Shadow Volume Copies” or use a third party data recovery tool. Remember, before you being the data recovery process, it is important to remove all the payloads and files of Lockedfile Ransomware completely from the PC. In case, if the malware is still persistent in the system, it will continue encrypting other important files and programs.

Some precautionary steps to avoid malware attack:

• Don’t visit doubtful websites such as gambling, pornography, adult-dating etc.
• Always choose advance/custom installation step so that hidden harmful files could be avoided.
• Carefully read the terms and agreements and privacy policy before you download any program.
• Enhance the system security setting by using powerful antimalware tool and get protection from malware in real-time.

Remove Lockedfile Ransomware

Complete removal instructions have been described below, follow it so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. To remove Lockedfile Ransomware, you can install Spyhunter or other reliable antivirus tool that will help you to eliminate this nasty file virus completely and safely from the computer to avoid further problems.

Threat specification

Name : Lockedfile Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Cryptovirus

Extension: .lockedfile

Description: The ransomware encrypts files on your computer and displays a ransom message afterward.

Symptoms: The ransomware will encrypt your files and put the extension .lockedfile to them after it finishes its encryption process.

Additional Information: Lockedfile is still in development

Distribution: Spam emails, email attachments, bundled freeware, porn or torrent sites, harmful hyperlinks, cracked software, illegal patches and many others.

Ransom demanding message: error pop-up window, HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt

Damages: causes permanent data loss and can also drop other pernicious infection onto the compromised system.

Removal: Manual and automatic guidelines as provided under this article.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Lockedfile Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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