Remove [[email protected]].LCK ransomware (File Restoration Explained)

Explicit Guidelines To Remove [[email protected]].LCK ransomware

[[email protected]].LCK ransomware is discovered as one of the new strain of Dharma ransomware family which is known to encrypt files on targeted computers. Once done, it asks the users to pay a defined ransom amount to hackers so as their data can be restored. The malware actually claims that encrypted files can be restored only with decryption tool and key offered by hackers. And paying the demanded sum is mandatory to get those things. Getting more precise to doings of [[email protected]].LCK ransomware, it basically use to encrypt files and renames them. Once the encryption is done, it injects a ransom note on computer which is displayed to users in form of pop up window. The ransom note is named as ENCRYPTED FILES.txt and the appended files will get suffixed with .LCK extension. Take a look over the message which the ransom note displays on screen:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED
Don’t worry,you can return all your files!
If you want to restore them, follow this link:email [email protected] YOUR ID –
If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:[email protected]
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

As the details explain, all files stored on computer are said to be locked or encrypted by [[email protected]].LCK ransomware and can be restored by purchasing decryption key and tool. To do so, victims are asked to write an email to prescribed email details. And in against of that, the developers behind this malware will provide more detailed information through email reply. You are supposed to get details like decryption tool price, how to remit the payment, and off course the steps to perform decryption. All it may seem very simply generally. In addition to these, the ransom note explains that users should not attempt to rename encrypted files or decrypt them using third party software. Doing so may lead to permanent data loss

Means, the overall description extracted from ransom note, it mention that users remain with no other options rather to pay decryption cost to hackers. However, the experts have to say that these malware are made with only intention to earn cyber crime profit, and nothing else. Since the malware is technically not yet cracked by researchers, obviously there’s no free decryption tool available. But, the users can still try restoring their files using their own created backup files if they have. Believing the hackers and paying them can be risky as the criminals once receive their demands, will leave you and your files intact. So, it’s better to choose your own backups to perform file recovery. Also, you may need to remove [[email protected]].LCK ransomware from your infected computer in prior to prevent files from further encryption, for which the details discussed under this article can help you.

Expert’s say, “Pay no ransom to hackers”

As already discussed above, it’s clear that paying to hackers is nothing like a solution as it may lead users to get scammed. And in order to prevent such things to occur, it’s better to choose some alternative file recovery methods. Alike all other data related emergencies, the users should go for their own backup files in order to perform restoration of data. Backups are often suggested to be created after regular intervals. Just you need to place your important files to external drives and keep them safe for emergencies. So, the backup option even helps to recover your files if encrypted by [[email protected]].LCK ransomware, and can be much helpful in this scenario.

How did [[email protected]].LCK ransomware get installed?

As a rule, none of the users intend themselves to have their machine infected by [[email protected]].LCK ransomware. Rather, they are somehow tricked by employed measures by malware authors to interact with some infected objects. In case specific to [[email protected]].LCK ransomware, malspam campaigns are circulated with attached file or links, if interacted or clicked, downloads and executes a script in background. This further installs [[email protected]].LCK ransomware on computer secretly, following which all files are encrypted. Later the users are asked to pay ransom. Malware identities may even sneak inside computer through other employed measures like software bundling, and social sharing through the web. let’s learn now that how a user can remove [[email protected]].LCK ransomware from their machine and restore their files using alternative methods

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove [[email protected]].LCK ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete [[email protected]].LCK ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove [[email protected]].LCK 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 [[email protected]].LCK ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with [[email protected]].LCK 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 [[email protected]].LCK 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 [[email protected]].LCK 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 [[email protected]].LCK 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 [[email protected]].LCK 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 [[email protected]].LCK 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 [[email protected]].LCK 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 [[email protected]].LCK 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 [[email protected]].LCK 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.