Remove Locks Ransomware And Recover Encrypted Files

Simple Steps To Delete Locks Ransomware

Locks Ransomware is a kind of very dangerous file-encrypting virus that has been specially designed by a group of potent cyber criminals for evil purposes. Once this deadly crypto-malware successfully infiltrates the Windows computers, it encrypts files and documents stored inside the machine and then asks victims to pay off for the decryption tool. It uses a very strong cryptography to lock pictures, videos, audios, documents, spreadsheets etc. and appends “.locks” extension with each of them as suffix. After that, the compromised files become inaccessible and can only be opened by using the decryption tool that is allegedly kept on attackers’ server.

Depth Analysis of Locks Ransomware:

Once the encryption process is completed, Locks Ransomware displays a ransom note named “HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt”. This text file informs users about the unpleasant situation and also asks them to pay the attackers a ransom amount of $1500 in BitCoins to regain access to the locked data. After every 48 hours, the ransom amount will be doubled. For more details, victims can contact the hackers via the provided email address.

Should You Pay The Ransom?

Although, at the most of the occasions data encrypted by Locks Ransomware or other crypto-viruses can’t be retrieved without using the decryption tool. But still, we highly advise to not make any sort of payment to the criminals. Remember that the only motive of such hackers is to extort illicit revenues from the victimized users. They are not going to decrypt your files even after taking the extortion. There are various occasions when hackers just ignored the victims once the ransom is paid and cause them to lose both files as well as money.

What Should The Affected People Do?

For any victimized users, the first thing they need to do here is to perform Locks Ransomware removal from the computer immediately. As far as restoring the infected files is concerned, you should use alternative methods such as backups or third-party file-recovery software. Be very careful while choosing a proper recovery tool as hackers may attempt to trick you into purchasing a fraudulent recovery program. You can download an appropriate file-recovery software via the link provided under this article. Victims should never consider dealing with the crooks as there is huge chance of getting scammed and ending up with losing both files as well as money.

Threat Specification

Name: Locks Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, File-encrypting malware, Crypto-virus

Short Description: Destructive virus which encrypts important files and then asks victims to pay the attackers a hefty sum of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension: “.locks”

Ransom Notes: HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt file

Ransom Amount: $1500 in BitCoins

Attackers’ Contact: [email protected]

Symptoms: Locked files become inaccessible and useless stored inside the infected PCs, previous functional data now have different extension, a ransom demanding message is put on each affected folder. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to unlock their encrypted files.

Distribution methods: 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.

Penetration of Locks Ransomware:

Similar to other file-locking viruses, it is also mostly spread through spam email campaign. Cyber criminals send a number of phishing emails that pretend to be from some well-known shipping company like FedEx or DHL. The letter states that you have been delivered a package which failed for some reason. Sometimes, these mails claim to be notifications of a shipment you have made. Either way, they include malicious attachments which when opened, lead to the virus penetration.

And hence, you should not open emails and download their attachments that you receive from unknown addresses. These mails are specially designed to trick recipients into downloading their files that triggers the installation of the malware.

This hazardous crypto-virus has been also found attacking the computers by exploiting vulnerabilities in the software installed on the device or operating system itself. In general, the exploited programs include the OS itself, Microsoft Office, browsers and third-party apps. And hence, it is important to keep updating software and apps using official sites only. But at the moment, you must remove Locks Ransomware from the machine without wasting any time.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

All your personal FILES are now ENCRYPTED!

Don’t worry, you can get back all your files

I don’t want to lose your files too. If I want to do something nasty I would have wiped out all of your data

but that is not helping me. 🙂

So temporarily all of your files are mine now until you pay the service cost of recovering them.

If you want to recover them contact me at the email below, I’ll be more than happy to help you to get out of this situation.

You have got 48 hours exactly before you lost your files forever.

Failing which, the price to recover double with every 48 hours passing!

Rest assured, all your files will be recovered once payment is received.

The Price to get all things back to normal: US$ 1500

My BTC Wallet : [removed]

Email : [email protected]

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Locks Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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