LOCKEDS Virus – Details
The LOCKEDS mean a ransomware-type infection. The infection comes from the DCRTR-WDM ransomware family. LOCKEDS was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. LOCKEDS adds the “.LOCKEDS” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, once encrypted by LOCKEDS, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.LOCKEDS“. As quickly as the encryption is finished, LOCKEDS places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.The message given by LOCKEDS text file asking for the ransom is absolutely the same as the statements given by other ransomware representatives coming from the DCRTR-WDM type. It literally discusses that the information is encrypted and that the only way to bring back it is to use a a distinct decryption key. Unfortunately, this is definitely true. The sort of cryptography mechanism used by LOCKEDS is still not correctly examined. Still, it is absolutely specific that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is absolutely distinct. It is impossible to restore the files without the key available.
Another technique of LOCKEDS is that the victims cannot access to the key. The key is saved on a specific server run by the frauds associated with LOCKEDS ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people have to pay the ransom.
LOCKEDS encrypted your documents, but that might not be the only damage done to you. The ransomware might still be hidingon your computer. To identify whether this holds true, we suggest downloading GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
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Nevertheless, irrespective of the requested amount, people need to stay away from paying the ransom virus. Cyber frauds are unfair, so they tend to totally disregard what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not provide any positive outcome and people just waste their money for absolutely nothing.
We strongly encourage 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 LOCKEDS ransomware and to recover the information data totally free. Thus, the only best decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.
Virus Summary
| Name | LOCKEDS Ransomware |
| File Extension | .LOCKEDS |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Family | DCRTR-WDM |
| 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 LOCKEDS extension to all the files modified by it. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Removal Tool | GridinSoft Anti-Malware |
Keep in mind that the web is now overwhelmed with threats that look comparable to LOCKEDS ransomware. Harmful programs of such kind are generally elaborated to encrypt important information and to state the need before the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to create the distinct decryption key for files decryption.
Therefore, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, by hand recovering the information is merely not feasible. The only way to avoid the loss of your essential data is to regularly 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 Memory Stick 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 definitely not a good storage location.
How did ransomware infect my computer?
There are several methods used by online frauds to distribute LOCKEDS ransom virus. Despite the fact that it doubts how precisely LOCKEDS injects your computer, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:
- integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
- spam e-mails from unknown senders;
- sites rendering free hosting services;
- pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.
Frequently LOCKEDS virus might exist as some genuine software application, for instance, in the pop-ups advising users to implement some important software application updates. This is the common trick used by online frauds to persuade people into downloading and installing LOCKEDS infection manually, by methods of their direct participation in the installation process.
Additionally, the criminals might describe numerous e-mail spam strategies to inject malicious codes into systems. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notices promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some video, documents, tax reports or invoices.
Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly damage the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update alerts may result in LOCKEDS ransom injection. When it comes to the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may likewise consist of malicious codes resulting in LOCKEDS secret installation. Lastly, injection of LOCKEDS may happen by methods of Trojans that privately get injected into the system and set up harmful utilities without the user’s permission.
Is there any way to prevent the injection of LOCKEDS ransomware?
Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your PC from getting infected, there are some pieces of advice we wish to show with you. Firstly, be really careful when you surf the web and specifically while downloading free apps. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.
Remember that some freeware installers may contain other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be destructive. Make certain that your current antivirus software and your entire OS is always appropriately updated.
Of course, downloading pirated software is illegal and may lead to essential damage to be produced your PC. Hence, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are likewise strongly recommended to reconsider your existing security software and potentially change to another security solution that can render better services of defending your PC.
Below please find the quotation from the LOCKEDS text file:
All your files have been encrypted! All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail: popca@qq.com Write this ID in the title of your message You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files. Free decryption as guarantee Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.) How to obtain Bitcoins The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price. https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here: http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/ Attention! Do not rename encrypted files. Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss. Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
Screenshot of files with “.LOCKEDS” extension added by the ransomware:
Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove LOCKEDS ransomware from your computer
1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
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.
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