Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Note! Your computer might be affected by .Locked Virus and other threats.
Threats such as .Locked Virus may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
The .locked virus is categorized as a data locker ransomware that belongs to the HiddenTear family. The threat is also dubbed Ultimo ransomware by security researchers. It is designed to utilize the strong cipher algorithm AES for encryption of valuable data stored on the infected host. The extension .locked could be seen at the end of all corrupted files which remain unusable until victims pay the ransom of 0.022 BTC to hackers.
This article reveals more details about .locked file virus (Ultimo ransomware) and provides easy-to-follow ransomware removal instructions. By following the steps, users can prevent ransom payment and recover .locked files with the help of alternative data recovery methods.
Threat Summary
Name
.Locked Virus
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
The ransomware encrypts files on your computer and displays a ransom message afterward.
Symptoms
The ransomware will encrypt your files and put the extension .locked to them after it finishes its encryption process.
Distribution Method
Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by .Locked Virus
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.
.Locked File Virus – Infection Spread
The .locked virus infection can be triggered by a single file that just needs to be started on the system. This file is usually embedded email attachment that is presented as a legitimate important document. Cyber criminals carefully craft the message to make users more prone to download and open the attachment on the PC. The .locked virus may also be distributed via corrupted web links. The web pages contain the malicious ransomware payload and are set to auto download it once you land on them. Such links can be again part of spam email campaigns or send via social media channels or displayed as online advertisements.
.Locked File Virus – Detailed Overview
The attack is triggered by Weaternunion MTCN.exe file after it is started on the PC. The .locked file virus aims to ensure its persistent presence on the system so it creates new malicious values in the Windows Registry. The threat is likely to attack Run and RunOnce registry keys that control the execution of all Windows startup processes. By creating new values in these keys the ransomware set the automatic execution of all malicious files on each Windows start. Some of registry modifications are connected with a file called READ_IT.txt. The .locked file virus (Ultimo ransomware) drops the file on the Desktop and displays it automatically by setting values in the keys mentioned above. Once the file that appears on the screen shows the following ransom message to victims:
Oooopppsss Your Files Has Been Encrypted Your Unique GUID for Decrypt: j43as8fk-29gp-61da-3671-h03c83472r74 SEND ME SOME 0.022 Bitcoin on Adress: 1CCnFhbLT1VSMUqXaSqsYUAwcGU4evkbJo After Confirming The Payment, ALL YOUR FILES CAN BE DECRYPTED. If you do not make payment within 48 Hrs, you will lose the ability to decrypt them. Make your Bitcoin Wallet on: xxxxs://www.coinbase.com/ or xxxx://blockchain.info”. How to buy /sell and send Bitcoin : xxxxs://support.coinbase.com/customer/en/portal/topics/*** xxxxs://support.coinbase.com/customer/en/portal/topics/*** xxxxs://support.coinbase.com/customer/en/portal/topics/*** After the payment, enter the wallet from which paid, and email, in which contact you. [email protected]”, After receiving the payment, we will contact you.
The message aims to blackmail victims into paying the ransom as soon as possible by setting 48 hours dead line. However, it is better not to trust cyber criminals that making the payment will potentially decrypt .locked files. There is always a chance that the ransomware code is broken and doesn’t generate working decryption keys. Furthermore, cyber criminals may not contact victims after ransom payment.
.Locked Virus – Encryption Process
As .locked file virus is a HiddenTear variant it could be programmed to encrypt files with the following file extensions:
Being based on HiddenTear open-source ransomware project, .locked file virus is utilizing the AES cipheralogorithm to modify the original code of target files. Each encrypted file will receive an extension appended to it, which is .locked.
Furthermore, the ransomware may erase all the Shadow Volume Copies from the Windows operating system with the help of the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
The command makes the encryption process more efficient as it will eliminate one of the ways for restoring .locked files.
Remove .Locked File Virus and Restore Data
The .locked file virus (Ultimo ransomware) should be removed as soon as possible from the infected computer because it endangers private files and the overall system security. Beware that it has a complex code that modifies various system settings and processes so some malicious files may remain well hidden. For the best removal results, security experts recommend the assistance of professional anti-malware tool.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by .Locked Virus and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as .Locked Virus. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove .Locked Virus follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .Locked Virus files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 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 up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by .Locked Virus on your PC
Find files created by .Locked Virus
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove .Locked Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .Locked Virus and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove .Locked Virus. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is 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. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
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 with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by .Locked Virus
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .Locked Virus
Ransomware infections and .Locked Virus aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to 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 these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for 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:
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:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
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:
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .Locked Virus and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
