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.
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.
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.
Note! Your computer might be affected by 8lock8 and other threats.
Threats such as 8lock8 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
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.
An interesting ransomware variant which is reported to have the .8lock8 extension after it encodes the files of the user asking for ransom money is detected out into the open. It copies the behavior of another ransomware known as HiddenTear Ransomware. 8lock8 Ransomware uses a Russian and English message to notify the victims that their files are encrypted. Users who have accidentally become a victim by this ransomware should read this article to learn how to delete the ransomware and decrypt the files for free.
Threat Summary
Name
8lock8
Type
Ransomware
Short Description
The ransomware encrypts files with the AES-256 cipher and asks a ransom for decryption.
Symptoms
Files are encrypted with the 8lock8 file extension and become inaccessible. A ransom note with instructions for paying the ransom shows as a “READ_IT.txt” file.
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.
8lock8 Ransomware – How Does It Infect
The 8lock8 ransomware is very specific in its methods of infecting users. It’s primary method may be distribution via malicious email URLs, like the example below:
Such infected email links may redirect to malicious URLs that may inject a script which compromises your PC and may download the payload of 8lock8 onto your computer. Besides that, 8lock8 also has the capability to spread via infected flash drives as well as malicious executables posing as crack fixes in games downloaded from torrents similar to the MM Locker Ransomware, which was spread via game cracks.
8lock8 Ransomware In Detail
8lock8 otherwise known as EightLockEight is believed to have similar coding to another notorious ransomware infection – HiddenTear which is an open source project and has been associated with many other infections, like Sanction ransomware. The one thing that may characterize all ransomware using Hidden Tear is that they may directly attack the drives of infected PCs, changing their settings and encrypting the data in them.
After its payload has been dropped on the infected computer, it may be situated in one of the following locations:
The payload may be set to delete the shadow copies and other backups of Windows, by using vssadmin scripts. This is successfully done with the usage of privilege escalation. The command for deleting Shadow Volume Copies is the following:
Besides that, the ransomware may modify the Registry Editor(Regedit) in Windows so that its encryptor runs on Windows startup. This is possible by entering custom values for its executable in the following key:
If the encryptor is executed, according to researcher Demonslay335, who has also developed a decryptor for the ransomware, it begins to scan for and encrypt the following file types
After it encrypts files each and every drive that Is active on the compromised computer with a very strong AES-256 encryption cipher, the infection adds its 8lock8 extension to the encrypted files, for example:
→ New Text Document.txt.8lock8
After encryption, the files are unable to be opened and 8lock8 ransomware creates the following ransom note, named “READ_IT.txt” so that the user can see it:
→ “Files have been encrypted!Файлы были зашифрованы It uses cryptographically strong algorithm!Используется криптостойкий алгоритм contact by e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] to identify , use lower hash!для идентификации используйте нижний хэш {Random hash identification}”Source:Demonslay335
Remove 8lock8 Ransomware and Decrypt .8lock8 Files for Free
Since the removal and the decryption of 8lock8 ransomware may be tricky, we have designed a Manual and Automatic removal tutorials to help removing it in a simple and effective manner. We strongly recommend you to follow the instructions below if you want to remove 8lock8. In addition to that, we advise you to remove it using an anti-malware tool for maximum effectiveness.
If you want to decrypt your files for free, it is advisable to carefully follow the instructions for decryption in step “Decrypt Files Encrypted by 8lock8”. You can open them by clicking on it.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by 8lock8 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 8lock8. 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 8lock8 follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove 8lock8 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 8lock8 on your PC
Find files created by 8lock8
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.
IMPORTANT! Before starting the Automatic Removal below, please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode. This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
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 8lock8 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for 8lock8 and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove 8lock8. 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 8lock8
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by 8lock8
Ransomware infections and 8lock8 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:
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.
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.
An interesting ransomware variant which is reported to have the .8lock8 extension after it encodes the files of the user asking for ransom money is detected out into the open. It copies the behavior of another ransomware known as HiddenTear Ransomware. 8lock8 Ransomware uses a Russian and English message to notify the victims that their files are encrypted. Users who have accidentally become a victim by this ransomware should read this article to learn how to delete the ransomware and decrypt the files for free.
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 8lock8 and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
