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What is LODEINFO Malware

LODEINFO Malware will encrypt your files and demand that you make a payment in exchange for a decryption key. Ransomware is classified as highly harmful malicious software because of the consequences the threat might have. As soon as the ransomware is launched, it searches for specific files to encrypt. Your most valued files, such as photos and documents, will be targeted. The key you need to unlock your files is in the hands of cyber criminals responsible for this malware. Do keep in mind, however that malware researchers sometimes release free decryptors, if they’re able to crack the ransomware. Seeing as you don’t have a lot of alternatives, this may be the best one you have.

You’ll see that a ransom note has been placed either on the desktop or in folders that have encrypted files. The note will clarify that your files have been encrypted and how you could restore them. Paying for a decryption tool is not suggested due to a couple of factors. It is not that hard to imagine hackers simply taking your money and not providing anything in return. Furthermore, your money will go towards future criminal activity, which could target you again. You also have to buy backup, so that you do not end up in this situation again. Simply uninstall LODEINFO Malware if you had made backup.

If you carry on reading, we’ll explain how the ransomware managed to get into your device, but to summarize, it was likely distributed via spam emails and fake updates. Spam emails and fake updates are one of the most widely used methods, which is why we’re sure you obtained the malicious software via them.

Download Removal Toolto remove LODEINFO Malware

LODEINFO Malware spread methods

It’s very likely that you installed a false update or opened a spam email attachment, and that’s how the ransomware managed to get in. We recommend you be more careful in the future if email was how you got the infection. Always check the email attentively before opening the attached file. It’s also pretty common to see hackers pretending to be from notable companies, as a familiar name would make users less careful. As an example, they might use Amazon’s name, pretending to be emailing you because of an alleged suspicious transaction made by your account. You may check whether the sender is actually who they say they are rather easily. Just locate the actual email addresses the company uses and see if your sender’s email address is in the list. It would also be suggested to scan the added file with a malicious software scanner to ensure it is secure.

It is also not impossible that bogus program updates were how malware managed to get into. Fake alerts for updates pop up on various pages all the time, continually pestering you into installing updates. False updates promoted through adverts or banners are also pretty frequent. Although people who are familiar with how updates work will never fall for it as they are quite obviously false. Your system will never be infection-free if you routinely download things from sources such as ads. When an application of yours needs to be updated, either the application in question will notify you, or it’ll automatically update.

What does ransomware do

If you are wondering what happened to your files, they were locked. File encrypting may have happened without you knowing, right after you opened a contaminated file. Files that have been affected will have a file extension added to them, which will help you quickly see which files have been encrypted. Trying to open those files will be of no use since they have been encrypted with a strong encryption algorithm. You should then find a ransom note, and it’ll tell what to do about restoring files. Text files that act as the ransom note generally tend to threaten users with file deletion and encourage victims to pay the ransom. Paying the ransom isn’t the recommended option, even if that is the only way to recover files. You that you would be relying on the people who locked your files in the first place to restore them. Cyber criminals might keep in mind that you paid and target you again, believing you will pay again.

Instead of giving into the demands, check your storage devices and online accounts to see whether your files are being kept somewhere but you have simply forgotten. Because malware researchers can sometimes develop free decryptors, if one isn’t available now, back up your encrypted files for when/if it is. Whatever it is you wish to do, remove LODEINFO Malware as soon as possible.

We hope this will serve as a lesson on why you have to begin frequently backing up your files. As the risk of losing your files is always there, take our advice. Plenty of backup options are available, and they are well worth the purchase if you do not want to lose your files.

How to terminate LODEINFO Malware

Truth be told, if you didn’t realize that what you’re dealing with is ransomware, you shouldn’t be attempting manual removal. You ought to use anti-malware program for this purpose. If you are having trouble launching the software, boot your system in Safe Mode and try again. You should not come across problems when your run the software, so you can successfully eliminate LODEINFO Malware. It’s unfortunate but malware removal program will not help with file recovery, it’s only there to delete the malware.

Download Removal Toolto remove LODEINFO Malware

Learn how to remove LODEINFO Malware from your computer

Step 1. Remove LODEINFO Malware 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 remove LODEINFO Malware
  2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
  3. Choose Safe Mode with Networking win-xp-safe-mode How to remove LODEINFO Malware
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 remove LODEINFO Malware
  2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. win-10-options How to remove LODEINFO Malware
  3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking. win-10-boot-menu How to remove LODEINFO Malware

b) Step 2. Remove LODEINFO Malware.

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 LODEINFO Malware 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 remove LODEINFO Malware
  2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt. win-xp-safe-mode How to remove LODEINFO Malware
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 remove LODEINFO Malware
  2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. win-10-options How to remove LODEINFO Malware
  3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt. win-10-boot-menu How to remove LODEINFO Malware

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 remove LODEINFO Malware
  3. A window will pop-up and you should press Next. Choose a restore point and press Next again. windows-restore-point How to remove LODEINFO Malware
  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 remove LODEINFO Malware
  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 remove LODEINFO Malware
  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 remove LODEINFO Malware
  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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