Remove Qlocker Ransomware (Unlock Encrypted Files)

Qlocker Ransomware: Manual Uninstall Process

Qlocker Ransomware is a dangerous computer virus that has been specially designed by potent cyber criminals for evil purposes. Ransomware programs like Beaf ransomware and others tend to encrypt important files and documents stored inside the infected computers and then force victims to pay the attackers an amount of ransom for their decryption. However, as far as this particular threat is concerned, it stores the data in password-protected 7zip archives. Yet, it does rename the compromised files like other crypto-viruses by appending “.7z” extension with each of them. At the research time, this notorious parasite had been found targeting QNAP brand Network-attached storage (NAS) devices completely.

Qlocker Ransomware Shows Ransom Note After Encryption:

Once the encryption process is completed, Qlocker Ransomware leaves a ransom note titled “!!!READ_ME.txt” in each affected folder and informs victims regarding the attack. They are also instructed to purchase the decryption key from the criminals to regain access to the infected files. In other words, victimized users have to pay the ransom Ito the attackers to unlock the password-protected archives (which includes the contaminated data). The size of the ransom is not listed in the note, however, it has to be paid in BitCoins cryptocurrency.

For more details, Qlocker Ransomware victims are asked to use the Tor browser and visit the website through the link given in the message. To access the site, they must provide the “Client Key” assigned to them. Once done, they are redirected to a different web portal. It is mentioned in the site that the price of the data-recovery password is 0.01 BTC (BitCoin cryptocurrency) which is approx. $500 (exchange rate keeps fluctuating). Once the payment is made, victims have to enter the transaction ID to the site and submit it. They are promised that they will be delivered the password after the payment.

Paying Ransom Is Not Recommended:

Under any circumstance, you should not consider making any sort of payment to the Qlocker Ransomware operators. Remember, paying ransom to such criminals doesn’t guarantee that they will deliver the required password even after taking the money. Quite often, hackers ignore the victims once the payment is made and cause them to lose both files as well as money. In such case, you must terminate the virus from the system to prevent it from compromising more data.

QNAP (the creators of NAS devices affected by this Ransomware) highly advise to install the latest Malware Remover version. You have to perform a scan through this software and after that, contact the QNAP Technical Support. It is also vital not to shut down the NAS equipment. Sadly performing Qlocker Ransomware removal from the device will not restore the infected files. For this, you will have to find other options.

Recover Files From Backup:

It is very important to create and maintain backups at regular intervals that can be very useful in restoring the compromised data in such perilous situation. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize the significance of having a proper backup until they require it and it is not there. Yet, even if you don’t have an appropriate backup, you can still retrieve the contaminated files by using a powerful data-recovery application via the link provided under this article.

Penetration Of Qlocker Ransomware:

Qlocker Ransomware or other file-locking threats are mostly spread via spam campaigns. In a large-scale operation, thousands of deceptive emails are sent by cyber criminals that are disguised as important letters from some well-known companies. These mails generally contain infectious files which when executed, run or opened, triggers the installation of the virus. The virulent file could be in multiple formats e.g., PDF and Microsoft Office documents, archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), JavaScript, and so forth.

To prevent such lethal attacks, it is important to ignore suspicious emails coming from unknown addresses. Especially never download attachment of such mails before scanning it with a reputable anti-malware tool. But at the moment, you must remove Qlocker Ransomware from the machine4 without wasting any time.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

!!! All your files have been encrypted !!!

All your files were encrypted using a private and unique key generated for the computer. This key is stored in our server and the only way to receive your key and decrypt your files is making a Bitcoin payment.

To purchase your key and decrypt your files, please follow these steps:

1. Dowload the Tor Browser at “hxxps://www.torproject.org/”. If you need help, please Google for “access onion page”.

2. Visit the following pages with the Tor Browser:

gvka2m4qt5fod2fltkjmdk4gxh5oxemhpgmnmtjptms6fkgfzdd62tad.onion

3. Enter your Client Key:

–

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Qlocker Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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