Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Evil Lock and other threats.
Threats such as Evil Lock 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
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
This article will help you remove Evil Lock Virus totally. Follow the ransomware removal instructions given at the end of this article.
Evil Lock Virus is a new version of the Evil ransomware. Your files will get encrypted and receive the .evillock extension this time. Afterward, the Evil cryptovirus puts files with a ransom message on your PC, and some of them are placed on your Desktop. Read on to see what ways you could try out to see if you can potentially restore some of your files.
Threat Summary
Name
Evil Lock
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 .evillock extension on each of them.
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.
Evil Lock Virus – Distribution Methods
Evil Lock ransomware could be distributed through different methods. One of the ways is via a payload file which executes the malicious script for the ransomware. That script drops the payload, which in turn infects your computer machine. The ransomware also utilizes a JavaScript exploit that usually sends the OZV Trojan downloader. You can see the analysis for one of these payload files for the previous version of the ransomware on the VirusTotal service:
Evil Lock ransomware might also be distributing that payload file on social media sites and file-sharing services. Freeware applications found on the Internet can be presented as beneficial but also could be hiding the malicious script for this cryptovirus. Do not open files when you download them, especially if they come from suspicious sources, such as links and e-mails. First, you should scan the files with a security tool, and check their size and signatures for anything that seems out of place. You should read the ransomware preventing tips in the forum section.
Evil Lock Virus – Detailed Description
Evil Lock Virus is also a cryptovirus and the new variant for Evil Ransomware. The new iteration of the virus has changes in the ransom note and puts a different extension to encrypted files. All files on your computer machine while appending the .evillock extension to them when the process finishes.
Evil ransomware creates the following files on an infected system:
HOW_TO_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES.TXT
HOW_TO_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES.HTML
background.png
list.txt
The last file written above contains a list with the file that the ransomware has encrypted and is located in the following directory:
→%User%/AppData/Local/Temp/list.txt
Evil Lock ransomware could make entries in the Windows Registry aiming to achieve a high level of persistence. Such registry entries are typically designed in a way that will keep the virus automatically starting with each boot of the Windows Operating System.
The ransom note appears right after the encryption process is finished. The note provides the demands of the cyber criminals, such as the ransom price, along with all other instructions for decrypting your files. The note is contained in a file called HOW_TO_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES.html which is copied to your desktop. A .txt file containing the same text is also created and put inside your disk drives. You can preview how the ransom note looks from the picture below:
That ransom note reads the following:
Hello. Your UID: [Redacted]
As you can see some of your files have been encrypted! Encryption was made using a unique strongest AES key. If you want restore your files you need to BUY the key, it costs 0.3 BTC. Send me your ID to [email protected] Just google how to buy bitcoins in your country. You have only 3 days to deadline! After, your key will be deleted! List of encrypted files P.S. I can decrypt one encrypted file as evidence that there is decrypt
The ransomware developers of the Evil Lock virus have clearly stated their demands in the ransom note. The e-mail suggests that they want people to believe that Kazakhstan is the source of this malware. The cybercriminals claim that they will decrypt your files if you pay, but that may not be the case. Once they receive your money, they may want you to pay more or never even contact you. You should NOT in any circumstance pay them. Your files might not get restored, nd nothing can guarantee that. In addition, giving money to the criminals will most likely just motivate them to continue doing criminal acts.
Here you can see the full list with file extensions that the Evil Lock ransomware seeks to encrypt.
All of the files that become encrypted will receive the same extension appended to each one of them, which is .evillock. The encryption algorithm that is utilized is AES or at least that is what is stated inside the ransom note message.
The Evil Lock cryptovirus is likely to erase the Shadow Copies from the Windows operating system by using the following command:
→vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /Quiet
Continue to read and find out what kind of ways you can try out to potentially restore your files.
Remove Evil Lock Virus and Restore .evillock Files
If your computer got infected with the Evil Lock ransomware virus, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this ransomware as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the ransomware and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Evil Lock 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 Evil Lock. 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 Evil Lock follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Evil Lock 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 Evil Lock on your PC
Find files created by Evil Lock
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 Evil Lock with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Evil Lock and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Evil Lock. 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 Evil Lock
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Evil Lock
Ransomware infections and Evil Lock 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:
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
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 Evil Lock and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
