Malware

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What is file-encrypting malware

L0cked ransomware is file-encrypting ransomware. Normally, file-encoding malware uses spam emails and fake downloads to contaminate users, which is how it might have invaded your PC. File-encoding malicious software will lock your files as soon as it enters your machine and ask for money, which is why we consider it to be a highly dangerous infection. If if you regularly backup your files, or if malware researchers release a free decryptor, file-recovery would not be difficult. Other than that, data recovery might be impossible. Paying for the presented decoder will not necessarily lead to file decoding so take that into consideration if you are thinking about paying. There are of cases when file-encoding malicious software authors just take the money and leave files encoded. The choice of whether to pay or not is up to you but going along with the requests when you are not even positive the whole thing will end in data recovery is rather risky, therefore you should terminate L0cked ransomware instead.


Download Removal Toolto remove L0cked ransomware

How does file-encrypting malware act

Ransomware doesn’t need complicated distribution methods, and infection generally happens through spam email. All damaging software authors have to do is attach an infected file to an email and send it to unsuspecting people. As soon as you open the email attachment, the ransomware downloads onto the device. If you are someone who opens all emails and attachments you get, you might be putting your device at risk. You must learn the signs of a malicious email, otherwise you will end up with a dangerous one sooner or later. Be especially vigilant if the sender is rather persistent that you open the attachment. In general, be vary because any email attachment that lands in your inbox can be malicious program. By downloading from non-legitimate sites, you might also be opening your computer for file-encrypting malicious software. If you want secure, ransomware-free software, only download from official websites.

The minute the malevolent program infects your device, it will start encoding your files. The file-encoding malicious software will target your most crucial files, such as images, videos and documents, so that you are more willing to pay. The ransom note, which will be left after encoding, will explain what has happened and how you ought to continue, according to the hackers. In exchange for file unlock, you are asked to pay. Users, however, appear to forget who they are doing business with and do not realize that putting trust in criminals to stick to their word is somewhat unsafe. This is why paying is tricky. Take into consideration that even if you pay, the decoding utility could not be necessarily sent to you. Don’t believe that just taking your money and not providing you with anything in exchange is beneath them. If backing up files was something you did routinely, you could just delete L0cked ransomware and proceed to restore the data. Instead of paying, purchase credible backup and terminate L0cked ransomware.

How to remove L0cked ransomware

Anti-malware  is required if you wish to entirely delete L0cked ransomware. If you are an inexperienced user, by hand L0cked ransomware termination might be too complicated for you. Unfortunately, even if you eliminate L0cked ransomware, that doesn’t mean your data will be restored

Download Removal Toolto remove L0cked ransomware

Learn how to remove L0cked ransomware from your computer

Step 1. Remove L0cked ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP
  1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK. win-xp-restart How to delete L0cked ransomware
  2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
  3. Choose Safe Mode with Networking win-xp-safe-mode How to delete L0cked ransomware
For Windows 8/10 users
  1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart. win-10-restart How to delete L0cked ransomware
  2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. win-10-options How to delete L0cked ransomware
  3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking. win-10-boot-menu How to delete L0cked ransomware

b) Step 2. Remove L0cked ransomware.

You will now need to open your browser and download some kind of anti-malware software. Choose a trustworthy one, install it and have it scan your computer for malicious threats. When the ransomware is found, remove it. If, for some reason, you can't access Safe Mode with Networking, go with another option.

Step 2. Remove L0cked ransomware using System Restore

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP
  1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK. win-xp-restart How to delete L0cked ransomware
  2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt. win-xp-safe-mode How to delete L0cked ransomware
For Windows 8/10 users
  1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart. win-10-restart How to delete L0cked ransomware
  2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. win-10-options How to delete L0cked ransomware
  3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. win-10-boot-menu How to delete L0cked ransomware

b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

  1. You will need to type in cd restore in the window that appears. Press Enter.
  2. Type in rstrui.exe and again, press Enter. command-promt-restore How to delete L0cked ransomware
  3. A window will pop-up and you should press Next. Choose a restore point and press Next again. windows-restore-point How to delete L0cked ransomware
  4. Press Yes.
While this should have taken care of the ransomware, you might want to download anti-malware just to be sure no other threats are lurking.  

Step 3. Recover your data

While backup is essential, there is still quite a few users who do not have it. If you are one of them, you can try the below provided methods and you just might be able to recover files.

a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.

  1. Download Data Recovery Pro, preferably from a trustworthy website.
  2. Scan your device for recoverable files. data-recovery-pro How to delete L0cked ransomware
  3. Recover them.

b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions

If you had System Restore enabled, you can recover files through Windows Previous Versions.
  1. Find a file you want to recover.
  2. Right-click on it.
  3. Select Properties and then Previous versions. windows-previous-version How to delete L0cked ransomware
  4. Pick the version of the file you want to recover and press Restore.

c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

If you are lucky, the ransomware did not delete your shadow copies. They are made by your system automatically for when system crashes.
  1. Go to the official website (shadowexplorer.com) and acquire the Shadow Explorer application.
  2. Set up and open it.
  3. Press on the drop down menu and pick the disk you want. shadow-explorer How to delete L0cked ransomware
  4. If folders are recoverable, they will appear there. Press on the folder and then Export.

* SpyHunter scanner, published on this site, is intended to be used only as a detection tool. More info on SpyHunter. To use the removal functionality, you will need to purchase the full version of SpyHunter. If you wish to uninstall SpyHunter, click here.

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