What is _Locky_recover_instructions.txt? Should you get rid of it?

The dangers of _Locky_recover_instructions.txt file

If you find the _Locky_recover_instructions.txt file on your computer, this might suggest some devastating news regarding the safety of your personal files. This file is associated with one of the today’s most pronounced ‘masterpiece’ of cyber crime, the Locky virus. This ransom-based malware spreads through junk mail and once it infiltrates the system, encrypts the files on the device using a military RSA-2048 and AES-128 algorithm. Locky is able of encrypting the majority of file types, including audio, video files, archives, etc. After this virus gets hold of your files, it asks you to purchase a personalised decryption key, which, according to the Locky developers, is one and the only way to get your files back.

How exactly this _Locky_recover_instructions.txt file relates to this malicious cyber threat, you ask? Well, we are here to inform you, that this file contains the Locky virus ransom note itself. If Locky infects a PC, this file can be found in every folder, containing encrypted documents. In this file, you should be able to find all the information about what happened to your computer as well as file retrieval instructions. Also, the same information will be set as your desktop wallpaper so that you truly take notice of the proposed conditions. PadCrypt or DMA-Locker are programs use identical methods to notify the hijacked computer. It is not advisable to visit any of the websites this note might suggest and, most importantly, to purchase any decryption tools from these sources. There is never a guarantee that you will receive the product after paying the price. Do not forget that you are dealing with cyber criminals and not an ice-cream vendor, after all. Therefore, _Locky_recover_instructions.txt removal along with the ransomware it came with may also not be your regular virus uninstall. You might have to use some powerful antivirus tools like SpyHunter to help you get rid of this computer threat.

How can you avoid this file from entering your PC?

_Locky_recover_instructions.txt file itself is nothing much to worry about, really. The more important thing is to take care of your computer’s protection against malicious viruses like Locky. The key technique which may help you to protect your files is creating backups. Make sure you keep your system’s backup on some external storage, either USB, DVD/CD or external hard drive. However, if you are thinking about storing your files on some online ‘clouds’, we may have to let you down because this virus can easily access these platforms as well. Also, as we have already mentioned, Locky travels through infected email attachments, so you must also be more cautious when opening new emails and downloading their attached content.

_Locky_recover_instructions.txt removal suggestions:

Removing _Locky_recover_instructions.txt file itself should not cause you any trouble. However, dealing with Locky virus may be a much more challenging pursuit. Therefore, we recommend using a powerful malware removal tool (for instance, FortectIntego) to eliminate this virus completely. Sadly, no matter whether you delete the virus or not, you will not be able to access your files, since they will remain encrypted with the previously mentioned algorithms. Expert teams around the world are working on the decryptor, yet, unfortunately with no luck.