The latest in Android ransomware, called “Simple Locker” is essentially a lockscreen type of malware that affects all types of devices. The malware may infect users via spam e-mails offering new applications which are in fact the malicious files themselves. The ransomware also features a scareware message that “convicts” users into crimes they did not commit and asks for paying “fee” in return for the access of their device. All users, whose mobile devices were affected by this ransomware are strongly advised to plug out their SIM cards and follow the instructions after this article.
Name | Simple Locker |
Type | Ransomware, RaaS |
Short Description | SimpleLocker locks the user out of his device and demands a payment. The Ransomware may be encountered on Android devices as well as other mobile OSs. |
Symptoms | Access to apps and files is locked and a ransom message is displayed. Instructions are included. |
Distribution Method | Distribution method is not clear yet. SimpleLocker may be distributed via malicious apps, etc. |
Detection tool | Download Advanced anti-malware tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By Simple Locker |
User Experience | Join our forum to discuss Simple Locker. |
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. |
Simple Locker Ransomware Distribution
This lockscreen malware may use fake app downloads through malicious emails sent out to the user’s account. The email subjects may be connected with something the user is likely to tap on, for example:
- “New version of your game.”
- “New PayPal app.”
- “The mobile app you subscribed for.”
After downloading the app, and starting it, it locks the user’s screen displaying the ransom message.
Simple Locker Ransomware In Detail
As soon as simple locker has been activated it may immediately lock down the screen of the user. After it locks down your screen, you may enter the main menu of your phone but the app will open the ransom message seconds after your action.
The message itself is written in Russian, but directly translated, it means the following:
→ “Attention! Your phone has been blocked! The device has been blocked for the distribution of child pornography, zoophilia, and other sick things. To unlock your phone, you need to pay 900 hryvnias.
1.Find a payment fulfillment terminal, located in your proximity.
2.In it, locate Money.
3.Enter
4. Input 260 hryvnias and tap on ‘Pay’
Do not forget to take your receipt! After the payment has been conducted your device will be unencrypted in 24 hours. IN CASE, YOU HAVEN’T PAYED YOU WILL LOSE ALL THE DATA ON YOUR DEVICE FOREVER!”
This locking of the screen is particularly bad in case you have saved your contacts or important files on your phone, because the Ransomware may block it in case you connect via USB to your computer. It is a clear sign of the ever increasing spread of ransomware infections across different devices with operating systems. This is especially scary when we put into perspective “the internet of things”, while looking towards the future.
Remove Simple Locker Ransomware from Your Mobile Device
So far, we have encountered Simple Locker only on Android devices. However, this does not exclude the possibility that this ransomware may also be spread throughout Apple devices and Windows mobile ones as well.
Since removing Simple Locker may erase your data, we have suggested several methods to do it effectively and safely in case you have an Android or Apple device in the step-by-step instructions below.
Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
How to Remove Simple Locker from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Simple Locker





Step 2: Uninstall Simple Locker and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Simple Locker on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Simple Locker there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



Before starting "Step 4", 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.
Step 4: Scan for Simple Locker with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Simple Locker.
Ransomware infections and Simple Locker aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of Simple Locker from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Simple Locker and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Simple Locker via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Simple Locker.
Ransomware infections and Simple Locker aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Simple Locker FAQ
What is Simple Locker ransomware and how does it work?
Simple Locker is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithm how to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
How does Simple Locker ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Simple Locker Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, containing virus attachment.
This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of Simple Locker is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to open .Simple Locker files?
You can't. At this point the .Simple Locker files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Simple Locker files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Simple Locker ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".Simple Locker" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Simple Locker files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of Simple Locker ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Simple Locker ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Simple Locker files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Simple Locker ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.