LOCKED Virus Removal Guide (+Decode .[LOCKED] files)

LOCKED – General Info

The LOCKED mean a ransomware-type infection. LOCKED was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are unable to use them. LOCKED adds the “.[LOCKED]” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, as soon as encrypted by LOCKED, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.[LOCKED]“. As quickly as the encryption is finished, LOCKED places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by LOCKED text file requesting for the ransom is definitely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives. It actually discusses that the information is encrypted which the only way to restore it is to use a an unique decryption key. Regretfully, this is absolutely true. The sort of cryptography mechanism applied by LOCKED is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is absolutely specific that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is totally unique. It is impossible to restore the files without the key available.

Another trick of LOCKED is that the victims cannot get to the key. The key is saved on a particular server run by the frauds associated with LOCKED ransomware. To get the key and recover the important info people have to pay the ransom.

Nevertheless, regardless of the asked for amount, people need to stay away from paying the virus. Cyber frauds are unfair, so they tend to entirely ignore what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom generally does not provide any positive outcome and people just waste their money for absolutely nothing.

We highly recommend that you do not contact these crooks and absolutely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack LOCKED ransomware and to recover the information data for free. Hence, the just best decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

Name	LOCKED Ransomware
File Extension	.[LOCKED]
Type	Ransomware
Short Description	The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files.
Symptoms	File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special [LOCKED] extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool	GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Bear in mind that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to LOCKED ransomware. Destructive programs of such kind are normally elaborated to encrypt essential information and to set forth the need before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to produce the distinct decryption key for data decryption.

Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is just not feasible. The only way to avoid the loss of your crucial data is to routinely create backups of your important information.

Remember that even if you create such backups, they must be placed into a special storage utility not connect to your main computer. You may use the USB Flash Drive or external hard disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you store your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted along with other files, so it’s certainly not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my system?

There are several methods used by online scams to distribute LOCKED ransomware. Despite the fact that it is uncertain how exactly LOCKED injects your system, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

• integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
• spam emails from unidentified senders;
• websites rendering free hosting services;
• pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.

Often LOCKED virus might exist as some legitimate software application, for example, in the pop-ups instructing users to execute some crucial software application updates. This is the typical trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing LOCKED infection manually, by ways of their direct participation in the installation process.

Furthermore, the criminals may describe various email spam techniques to inject destructive codes into systems. So, they may refer to to sending unsolicited spam e-mails with tricky notices promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some photos, documents, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the system. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade alerts may result in LOCKED ransom injection. As for the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise contain destructive codes resulting in LOCKED secret installation. Finally, injection of LOCKED may occur by methods of Trojans that secretly get injected into the system and set up malicious tools without the user’s authorization.

Is there any method to prevent the injection of LOCKED ransomware?

Even though there is no 100% guarantee to avoid your system from getting infected, there are some pieces of guidance we want to show with you. First of all, be really mindful when you browse the web and especially while downloading free apps. Stay away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.

Remember that some freeware installers may include other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be harmful. Make sure that your current antivirus software and your entire operating system is always duly updated.

Naturally, downloading pirated software is unlawful and may lead to essential damage to be produced your system. Thus, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise strongly encouraged to reconsider your existing security software and potentially switch to another security solution that can render much better services of defending your PC.

Below please find the quotation from the LOCKED text file:

Your files have been locked.
 
You can ignore this message if the unlocker program already started.
If it didn't start, something went wrong. In that case, follow these steps:
 
First, try disabling your antivirus and restarting your computer.
If that doesn't work, download and run the Tor Browser from https://www.torproject.org onto your computer.
Then, use the Tor Browser to go to the website http://owvkdek4oog5vzge3hx7pbaumj3dvf3byeihsz6y6sc3i4gffmjvswad.onion
Log into the website with the username "3aas7k6b3zdfc7c1iqbuzeze"
Once logged in, you will see more instructions.

Screenshot of files with “.[LOCKED]” extension added by the ransomware:

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove LOCKED ransomware from your computer

1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

2. Double-click on the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.

4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

5. Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.