RansomwareRemoval Guide

LooCipher Virus Removal Guide (+Decode .lcphr files) – Imps Ransomware

LooCipher Virus – Details

The LooCipher stands for a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the Imps ransomware family. LooCipher was elaborated specifically to encrypt all major file types. Once the file is encrypted people are unable to use them. LooCipher adds the “.lcphr” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, once encrypted by LooCipher, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.lcphr“. As soon as the encryption is finished, LooCipher places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.

The message given by LooCipher text file requesting the ransom is definitely the same as the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives coming from the Imps clan. It actually discusses that the information is encrypted and that the only way to bring back it is to use a an unique decryption key. Sadly, this is absolutely true. The type of cryptography mechanism applied by LooCipher is still not appropriately examined. Still, it is definitely certain that each victim may be given the specific decryption key, which is absolutely unique. It is difficult to restore the files without the key available.

Another trick of LooCipher is that the victims cannot gain access to the key. The key is stored on a specific server run by the frauds related to LooCipher ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people have to pay the ransom.

However, regardless of the asked for quantity, people must keep away from paying the ransom virus. Cyber frauds are not fair, so they tend to completely disregard what their victims feel about the issue, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not give any positive outcome and people simply waste their money for nothing.

We strongly advise that you do not contact these crooks and certainly do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack LooCipher ransomware and to recover the data data free of charge. Thus, the just best decision is to recover the lost data from the available backup.

Virus Summary

NameLooCipher Ransomware
File Extension.lcphr
TypeRansomware
FamilyImps
Short DescriptionThe 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.
SymptomsFile 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 lcphr extension to all the files modified by it.
Distribution MethodSpam Emails, Email Attachments
Removal Tool  GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Keep in mind that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to LooCipher ransomware. Malicious programs of such kind are generally elaborated to encrypt important data and to set forth the need prior to the user to pay the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a comparable algorithm to generate the unique 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 prevent the loss of your crucial information is to regularly create backups of your important information.

Keep in mind 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 Memory Stick or external disk drive for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you keep your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted along with other files, so it’s definitely not a good storage place.

How did ransomware infect my PC?

There are several ways used by online scams to distribute LooCipher ransomware. Despite the fact that it doubts how exactly LooCipher injects your PC, there are some leaks through which it may infiltrate the system:

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

Typically LooCipher virus may be presented as some legitimate software, for example, in the pop-ups advising users to implement some crucial software updates. This is the typical trick used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing LooCipher infection manually, by means of their direct participation in the installation process.

In addition, the criminals might describe numerous e-mail spam techniques to inject malicious codes into PC. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam emails with tricky notifications promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some receipts, documents, tax reports or invoices.

Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may seriously harm the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player update informs may result in LooCipher virus injection. When it comes to the cracked applications, these illegally downloaded programs may also contain harmful codes causing LooCipher secret installation. Lastly, injection of LooCipher may occur by ways of Trojans that covertly get injected into the system and install malicious utilities without the user’s authorization.

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

Even though there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your PC from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we wish to show with you. To start with, be really careful when you surf the web and particularly while downloading free programs. 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 package, so they may be malicious. Make sure that your current antivirus and your entire operating system is always duly updated.

Naturally, downloading pirated software is illegal and may result in necessary damage to be produced your system. Thus, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also strongly recommended to reconsider your existing security software and perhaps switch to another security solution that can render much better services of protecting your Windows.

Below please find the quotation from the LooCipher @ Please_Read_Me.txt file:

Q:  What happened to my files?
A:  All your important files (including those on the network disks, USBs, etc.) have been encrypted using a strong algorithm with a private and unique key generated for you.


Q:  Where is my key?
A:  Your key is stored in our TOR servers in order to preserve the anonymity.


Q:  What do I do?
A:  You need to make a Bitcoin payment for the decryption.
    Please send €300 (~$330) worth of Bitcoin to this address: 1D8TsTKpxR9VWWBwkCYCMUfr9LWV8fyo2F


Q:  Can I recover my files by other means?
A:  No. There is not such a computing power nowadays to find this key within the time of a human could live. Even if you use Tianhe-2 (MilkyWay-2), currently the fastest supercomputer in the world, it will take millions of years.


Q:  How much time do I have?
A:  You have 5 days since your files were encrypted. Specifically until 2019/06/23 16:19. After this period your key will be automatically destroyed (except for the case of having made the transaction within the period but because of the transaction remains pending of being confirmed by the blockchain this time period is excedeed. In this case the key will remain safe throughout all this "pending of being confirmed" status of your transaction and additionally it will remain 7 days more after your transaction is confirmed in order that you have enough time to recover your files)


Q:  How can I trust?
A:  We strongly guarantee you can recover your files. Besides, if we didn't do it nobody trust us and we wouldn't get any payment. In fact, we built the decryptor in the own encryptor software as well in order to make the decryption process as simple as possible for you, thus avoiding having to download an external decryptor. Just make the payment, click  and if your payment is approved the  button will become enable to click.

Screenshot of files with “.lcphr” extension added by the ransomware:LooCipher Ransomware - encrypt files with .lcphr extension

Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove LooCipher 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.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware
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.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Setup

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

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Install

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

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Start

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.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan

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.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan Result

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Daniel Zimmermann

Daniel Zimmermann has been writing on security and malware subjects for many years and has been working in the security industry for over 10 years. Daniel was educated at the Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany and currently lives in New York.

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