Remove ProLock ransomware

What is ransomware

ProLock ransomware will try to encrypt your files, and that is why infection is something you must avoid. It is also referred to as ransomware, which is a term you must be familiar with. If you recall having opened a spam email attachment, clicking on an advertisement when visiting dubious pages or downloading from suspicious sources, that’s how the infection might have gained access to your device. By carrying on to read the article, you will find more information on avoiding such threats. A file-encrypting malware infection can result in severe consequences, therefore it’s important that you know about how it’s spread. If you don’t know what ransomware is, it might be rather surprising to find locked files. When the encoding process is complete, you will get a ransom note, which will explain that you must pay a certain amount of money to get a decryption program. In case you consider paying to be a good idea, we should remind you who you’re dealing with, and they’re not likely to help you, even if they are given the money. We are more inclined to believe that you’ll be ignored after you pay. You’d also be supporting an industry that does millions of dollars in damages yearly. Occasionally, malicious software specialists are able to crack the ransomware, and might release a decryption utility for free. Research a free decryption software before you make a choice. If you did make backup prior to the infection getting into your device, after you terminate ProLock ransomware there should be no issues with file recovery.

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How to prevent a ransomware infection

If you do not know how the threat might have slithered in your machine or what you may do to avoid such threats in the future, study this section of the report cautiously. Ransomware commonly uses pretty basic methods, but it’s not impossible that more sophisticated ones are used. And by simple, we’re talking about methods like malicious downloads/ads and spam email attachments. It’s pretty probable that you got the ransomware through spam email. Crooks add the ransomware to a somewhat authentic looking email, and send it to potential victims, whose email addresses they probably purchased from other crooks. If you do do know about these spam campaigns, the email will be quite obvious, but if you have never come across one before, the situation might not be obvious. You need to look for certain signs, such as mistakes in the text and nonsensical email addressees. It wouldn’t be unexpected if you encountered known company names like Amazon or eBay because users would lower their guard when dealing with a sender they are familiar with. Even if you think you’re familiar with the sender, always check the email address to ensure it is right just to be sure. Your name not used anywhere and particularly in the greeting may also signal that you’re dealing with malware. If you get an email from a company/organization you had business with before, they’ll always include your name, instead of Member/User/Customer. If you are a customer of Amazon, all emails they send you will have your name (or the one you have supplied them with) included in the greeting, because it is done automatically.

If you’ve just skipped the entire section, what you should take from this is that it is crucial to confirm the sender’s identity before you open the files added. And when you are on dubious pages, do not click on advertisements. Not all ads are safe, and you could be rerouted to a site that’ll launch a dangerous download. It is best to ignore those ads, no matter how appealing they may be, seeing as they’re always never trustworthy. Furthermore, do not download from unreliable sources. If Torrents are what you use, at least download only torrents that have been checked by other people. Another contamination method is through software flaws, the ransomware might use those flaws to contaminate a system. In order for those flaws to not be used, your software needs to be updated. You simply need to install the fixes, which software vendors release when the flaw becomes known.

How does file-encrypting malware act

The file encrypting malicious program will start file encryption as soon as it is launched. It will primarily target documents and media files, as you are likely to hold them important. As soon as the data is located, the ransomware will encrypt them using a powerful encryption algorithm. The encrypted files will have a weird extension added to them, so you will easily notice which ones have been affected. You will be unable to open them, and a ransom message should soon pop up, in which the hackers will try to convince you to pay them the ransom in exchange for a decryption program. Ransomware request different amounts, the decryptor might cost $100 or a even up to $1000. it’s up to you whether you wish to pay the ransom, but do think about why malware researchers do not encourage complying. You need to also explore other file recovery options. Maybe a free decryption software has been developed by malicious software specialists. You could also just not recall backing up your files, at least some of them. Your computer stores copies of your files, known as Shadow copies, and if the ransomware did not remove them, you might restore them through Shadow Explorer. If you do not wish this situation to reoccur, we really hope you have invested money into a backup option to keep your data safe. If backup is an option, you should only access it after you completely uninstall ProLock ransomware.

ProLock ransomware elimination

We do not suggest attempting to erase the threat in a manual way. If you make a mistake, your system could undergo permanent harm. It would be a much better idea to employ a malicious software removal utility because the program would do everything. These security applications are developed to keep your computer safe, and remove ProLock ransomware or similar malicious infections, therefore you ought to not come across any trouble. Because this utility is not capable of decoding your data, don’t expect to find recovered files after the infection has been eliminated. File recovery will need to be performed by you.

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Learn how to remove ProLock ransomware from your computer

• Step 1. Remove ProLock ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.
• Step 2. Remove ProLock ransomware using System Restore
• Step 3. Recover your data

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

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.
• b) Step 2. Remove ProLock ransomware.

a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Choose Safe Mode with Networking

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

b) Step 2. Remove ProLock 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 ProLock ransomware using System Restore

• a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
• b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.

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

For Windows 7/Vista/XP

1. Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
2. Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

For Windows 8/10 users

1. Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
2. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

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.
3. A window will pop-up and you should press Next. Choose a restore point and press Next again.
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

• a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.
• b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions
• c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files

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.
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.
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.
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.