Article created to help you remove the Arestocrat lockscreen Department of Justice ransomware infection and unlock your infected computer.

A ransomware virus, detected as Ransom.Arestocrat detected first In 2013 has still proven to be active and lock the screens on the computers infected by it. The infection downloads malicious files and modifies settings on the infected computer so that it is possible to cause the screen to freeze. The Arestocrat virus then displays a false message that It is the Department of Justice and accuses the user of illegal activity. However, fact is that all departments of the government do not operate this way and if you have seen the locked screen from Arestocrat, we strongly suggest to read the following material thoroughly.

Threat Summary

Name
Type	Ransomware (Lockscreen)
Short Description	Locks the computer, displaying a fake government message from DOJ.
Symptoms	A message from the Department of Justice is displayed with ransom demands.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join our forum to Discuss Flimrans Ransomware.

Arestocrat Virus – How Does It Infect

To spread online, the hackers behind this lockscreen type of virus may take advantage of multiple different tools and kits. The most often used of those are:

• Exploit kits.
• File joiners that combine malicious code with legitimate executables.
• Spamming bots or services.
• A pre-created list of fake e-mail addresses with good quality.
• A list with e-mail addresses to spam.
• Hacked online accounts.
• Shady domains and servers for command and control.

The usage of these tools may result in the spamming of malicious files as well as web links that contain the Arestocrat infection. These may be accompanied by an e-mail message with a very convincing statement, whose only aim is to get the user to either click on the malicious web link or open the attachment. Example images of such spam e-mails can be seen below:

Besides using new methods to infect users, the cyber-criminals also use new deceitful tricks, such as use the name of the user of the e-mail account in the e-mail’s text, for further trust and convincing.

In addition to spammed e-mails, the above-mentioned tools may also be used to spread the Arestocrat virus in multiple other ways, such as:

• Via fake updates of Adobe or Windows posted on shady sites or downloaded via unwanted software.
• Through fake program licensing patches or key generators uploaded from hacked online accounts on torrent websites.
• Via game cracks, patches or Self-Extracting archives. (SFX)

Arestocrat Virus – Further Information

As soon as the user opens the infection file or web link, a malicious code may be executed. This code connects to a distribution host and via an unsecured web port downloads the payload of Arestocrat lockscreen. After the payload has been downloaded on the infected computer, it may be situated on the following locations:

• %AppData%
• %Local%
• %LocalLow%
• %Roaming%

As soon as this malware has been situated, it may begin to heavily modify the Windows Registry Editor. The following Windows Registry sub-keys may be targeted for modification:

→ HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Local AppData
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Templates
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\AppData
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Cache
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Cookies
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\History
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\AppData
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\CommonAppData
HKLM\System\CurrentcontrolSet\Hardware Profiles\0001\Software\Microst\windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ProxyEnable
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Connections\SavedLegacySettings
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Run\qcgce2mrvjq91kk1e7pnbb19m52fx
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\AutoRun
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell
HKCR\CLSID\{random alpha numerical key}\InProcServer32\ThreadingModel
HKCR\CLSID\{random alpha numerical key}\InProcServer32\TheadingModel\(Default)
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\UNCAsIntranet
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\AutoDetect

After this modification has been performed the lockscreen virus may cause a force reset on the computer of the user after which the Arestocrat Lockscreen may appear:

From there, the user may be demanded to pay a “fee” to get access back to his computer. Such type of police ransomware viruses are nothing new and fortunately they do not encrypt files, meaning they can be removed.

Remove Arestocrat Lockscreen Ransom Completely

For the removal process of this ransomware, we strongly suggest you to follow the removal instructions below. They are carefully designed to help you bypass the lockscreen by booting your computer into safe mode, after which perform the removal either manually or automatically. For maximum effectiveness, we recommend to remove malicious objects automatically by following the removal instructions below and downloading an advanced anti-malware program. Such will remove the files from your computer and revert all the settings back to normal by removing the malicious objects controlling them and in the meantime protect your computer against future ransomware infections.

Manually delete from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the threat: Manual removal of requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.

4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

2.Find malicious files created by on your PC

Find malicious files created by

1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows 7,XP and Vista.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

Step 1:

On your keyboard press  + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Step 2:

Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Step 3:

Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:

Step 1:

Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Step 2:

After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Step 3:

After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

Automatically remove by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

Remove with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove .2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove .

Step 1:Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is highly recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to automatically update.

Step1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Scan Computer Now’ button.

Step2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files, click on the ‘Fix Threats’ button to remove them automatically and permanently.

Step3: Once the intrusions on your PC have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart it.

2. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by in the future

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data automatically with cloud backup and insure it against any type of data loss on your device, even the most severe. We recommend reading more about and downloading SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

To back up your files via Windows and prevent any future intrusions, follow these instructions:

1. For Windows 7 and earlier 1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 1. Enabling the Windows Defense Feature (Previous Versions)

1-Click on Windows Start Menu

2-Type Backup And Restore
3-Open it and click on Set Up Backup

4-A window will appear asking you where to set up backup. You should have a flash drive or an external hard drive. Mark it by clicking on it with your mouse then click on Next.

5-On the next window, the system will ask you what do you want to backup. Choose the ‘Let Me Choose’ option and then click on Next.

6-Click on ‘Save settings and run backup’ on the next window in order to protect your files from possible attacks by .

1-Press Windows button + R

2-In the window type ‘filehistory’ and press Enter

3-A File History window will appear. Click on ‘Configure file history settings’

4-The configuration menu for File History will appear. Click on ‘Turn On’. After its on, click on Select Drive in order to select the backup drive. It is recommended to choose an external HDD, SSD or a USB stick whose memory capacity is corresponding to the size of the files you want to backup.

5-Select the drive then click on ‘Ok’ in order to set up file backup and protect yourself from .

1- Press Windows button + R keys.

2- A run windows should appear. In it type ‘sysdm.cpl’ and then click on Run.

3- A System Properties windows should appear. In it choose System Protection.

5- Click on Turn on system protection and select the size on the hard disk you want to utilize for system protection.
6- Click on Ok and you should see an indication in Protection settings that the protection from is on.

Restoring a file via Windows Defense feature:
1-Right-click on the encrypted file, then choose Properties.

2-Click on the Previous Versions tab and then mark the last version of the file.

3-Click on Apply and Ok and the file encrypted by should be restored.

Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools

Remove Using Other Alternative Tools

STOPZilla Anti Malware

1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove .
Step 1: Download STOPZilla by clicking here.
Step 2: A pop-up window will appear. Click on the ‘Save File’ button. If it does not, click on the Download button and save it afterwards.

Step 3: After you have downloaded the setup, simply open it.
Step 4: The installer should appear. Click on the ‘Next’ button.

Step 5: Check the ‘I accept the agreement’ check circle if not checked if you accept it and click the ‘Next’ button once again.

Step 6: Review and click on the ‘Install’ button.

Step 7: After the installation process has completed click on the ‘Finish’ button.

2. Scan your PC with STOPZilla Anti Malware to remove all associated files completely.
Step 1: Launch STOPZilla if you haven’t launched it after install.
Step 2: Wait for the software to automatically scan and then click on the ‘Repair Now’ button. If it does not scan automatically, click on the ‘Scan Now’ button.

Step 3: After the removal of all threats and associated objects, you should Restart your PC.

Vencislav Krustev

Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

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