Article created to help wipe out the DarkLocker ransomware virus, also known as Monument ransomware and assist in restoring files without paying ransom.

Ransomware infection believed to be an evolved modification of the JigSaw ransomware variant, has been detected. Besides showing a lockscreen message, the DarkLocker ransomware also encrypts the files on the computers infected by it. After the files are encrypted, the DarkLocker ransomware demands the payoff of approximately 0,15-0.20 BTC for the restoring of the encrypted files. In case you have become a victim of this cyber-threat, reccomendations are to focus on reading this article thoroughly.

Threat Summary

Name	DarkLocker
Type	Ransomware
Short Description	The malware encrypts users files using a strong encryption algorithm, making direct decryption possible only via a unique decryption key available to the cyber-criminals.
Symptoms	The user may witness ransom note and “instructions” linking to a web page and a decryptor..
Distribution Method	Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by DarkLocker Download Malware Removal Tool \\\\\\\\\\\
User Experience	Join our forum to Discuss DarkLocker.
Data Recovery Tool	Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive.

DarkLocker Ransomware – How Does It Spread

For this ransomware infection to actually reach computers of unsuspecting users, the creators of the virus have also engineered a plan to spread it. One scenario of spreading the ransomware is by conducting a massive spam campaign of e-mail messages sent to many users on a global scale. To do this, the cyber-criminals may have a pre-configured e-mail list of legitimate e-mail addresses. To obtain such lists, they may purchase it on the black market by someone who collects personal information by stealing it or breaking privacy policy of shady websites.

Then, these e-mails may be embedded in a spam bot which in it’s turn sends spam messages with malicious e-mail attachments, like the example below:

Once the attachment is opened, infection by DarkLocker is inevitable.

But this may not be the only way of infecting with this virus. The DarkLocker malware may spread via fake updates, programs, patches and other “software” uploaded online as well.

DarkLocker Ransomware – Activity

Once the user becomes infected, the virus may situate it’s malicious files on the following Windows folders of great importance:

• %AppData%
• %Roaming%
• %Local%
• %LocalRow%
• %SystemDrive%
• %Startup%
• %Windows%

Among the malicious files may be different types of exectuables as well as support modules, but the main two identified are named as the following:

• can.exe
• Winlk.exe

After this infection drops it’s files, it may initiate modifications by adding value strings with data in the Windows Registry Editor. The predominantly targeted Windows Registry keys are the following:

→ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

In addition to this, the DarkLocker ransomware may also delete backups, system restore points and shadow volume copies of Windows. It may also shut down critical system security processes to ensure uninterrupted file encryption

DarkLocker Ransomware – Encryption Process

For the file encryption of this virus, one or more than one encryption modes can be used to render the files no longer openable. This is achievable by combining the encryption mode with the cipher. The DarkLocker virus may be pre-configured to encrypt only a portion of the files, hence the larger the file, the more size will be encrypted. This is done to ensure a faster encryption process. For the infection, DarkLocker may target certain files of bigger importance than the average file types. Such files may be:

• Documents.
• Images.
• Audio files.
• Videos.
• Database files.
• Other files associated with often used software.

In addition to performing this, the DarkLocker virus may also be careful to avoid encrypting files in different system folders, that may cause Windows to misbehave and even crash.

After the encryption process is compete. The ransomware has been reported by researcher Amigo A to display the following ransom note type of file, extorting victims to pay ransom:

Remove DarkLocker Ransomware and Restore Files Encrypted by It

Before beginning to remove this virus, recommendations are to focus on saving the files encrypted by it on another drive, preferably external.

Then, we advise you to follow the following removal instructions to help you remove DarkLocker by isolating it first. In case you feel unsure that you will remove all objects created by this virus manually, recommendations are to focus on performing the removal process automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program. It will detect and remove DarkLocker files automatically and protect the system against any future intrusions too.

After having removed DarkLocker virus, reccomendations are to focus on restoring your files using some alternative methods. We have mentioned several of those in step “2. Restore files encrypted by DarkLocker” below. They are designed to enable you to restore at least some of the files, until a decryptor is released for free download. In the meantime you can check this article, as we will update it if there is any development with this virus.

Manually delete DarkLocker from your computer

Note! Substantial notification about the DarkLocker threat: Manual removal of DarkLocker 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 DarkLocker files and objects

Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode

1. For Windows 7,XP and Vista. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by DarkLocker on your PC.

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.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries of your computer to change different settings. This is why manual clean up of your Windows Registry Database is strongly recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit lenghty, we recommend following our instructive article about fixing registry entries.

2.Find malicious files created by DarkLocker on your PC

Find malicious files created by DarkLocker

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 DarkLocker by downloading an advanced anti-malware program

1. Remove DarkLocker with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

Remove DarkLocker with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for and remove DarkLocker.2. Scan with SpyHunter to Detect and Remove DarkLocker. Back up your data to secure it against infections and file encryption by DarkLocker in the future.

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 DarkLocker 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.

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

2. Restore files encrypted by DarkLocker

Restore Files Encrypted by DarkLocker

Ransomware infections like DarkLocker aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to directly decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that they may not be 100% effective but they may help you little or a lot in some situations.

Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method of restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:

• Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Technicians License(Pro version with more features)
• Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
• Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery

Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors.
If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:

• Kaspersky Decryptors
• Emsisoft Decryptors

Urgent! It is strongly advisable to first remove the DarkLocker threat before attempting any decryption, since it may interfere with system files and registries. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using an advanced malware removal tool.

Method 3: Using Shadow Explorer

To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for shadow copies in Windows using this software if ransomware has not deleted them:

• Shadow Explorer

Method 4: Finding DarkLocker decryption key while it communicates it via a network sniffing software.

Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:

Instructions on How to Find Decryption Key for Files Encrypted By Ransowmare

Optional: Using Alternative Anti-Malware Tools

Remove DarkLocker Using Other Alternative Tools

STOPZilla Anti Malware

1. Download and Install STOPZilla Anti-malware to Scan for And Remove DarkLocker.
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 DarkLocker 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

A network administrator and malware researcher at SensorsTechForum with passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cyber security. Strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.

More Posts - Website