Uninstall KillerLocker virus (Oct 2016 updated) - Uninstall Guide
KillerLocker virus Removal Guide
Description of KillerLocker ransomware virus
Be aware of hazardous KillerLocker ransomware virus
Creating ransomware might be a trend nowadays because recently virus researchers discovered another malware – KillerLocker virus. Probably, it’s the worst computer infection that is lurking in the darkest corners of the Internet. Malware might be delivered straight to your inbox, and if you open an infected attachment or link, it will enter the system and start encrypting all your personal files. Once Killer Locker adds .rip file extension, you won’t be able to access any of your pictures, documents, movies or favourite songs. Hackers will deliver a scary offer to purchase a file decryption tool, but they do not reveal the price and keep the mystery. Usually, crooks ask to pay at least 1 Bitcoin that equals a little bit more than 500 GBP. No matter how important your files are, do not look for your credit card! It’s not a wise decision to have business with cyber criminals. Employ a strong malware removal program (e.g. FortectIntego) and concentrate on KillerLocker removal. Later you can look for free ways to restore corrupted files. Maybe you have backups? In this case, your data is safe!
KillerLocker ransomware uses a traditional encoding strategy. It employs AES-256 algorithm and uses both, public and private, keys. The public key is used for encrypting files, and the private key is necessary for decrypting them. Unfortunately, virus researchers haven’t managed to crack the code and create a free decryptor. The private key is still hidden in the secret hackers’ server. KillerLocker virus informs victims about the attack by delivering a creepy image of a clown. The lock screen includes a ransom message in Portuguese. Therefore, ransomware probably targets Portuguese-speaking countries, such as Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, etc. In the ransom note hackers inform that victims have 48 hours to pay the ransom; later all files will be deleted. Cyber criminals can play with victims’ emotions and threaten them to pay. However, do not panic and remove KillerLocker from your PC. Virus elimination does not delete or unlock your files, but your computer will be clean and safe to use. Ransomware might let other malware enter your computer’s system and cause more serious issues.
Invasion of the ransomware
Various ransomware viruses are hiding everywhere and waiting for a perfect chance to infiltrate your computer. There are many ways how file-encrypting viruses spread, but it seems that hackers prefer launching malicious email campaigns. Indeed, computer users often open suspicious attachments and links provided in the spam emails. Cyber security specialists have been talking about the necessity to double check the information before opening any strange links of files for many years. However, the number of successful ransomware attacks are still increasing. It seems people do not want to learn from others’ mistakes. If you want to avoid KillerLocker malware, you have to be careful with emails.
Ransomware might also spread via exploit kits or hide under malware-laden ads. However, KillerLocker is still a new virus, so researchers haven’t found out if it uses these distribution techniques as well. But it is still important to stay away from high-risk websites, clicking on suspicious advertisements, installing questionable software or updates, because there are many active file-decrypting viruses out there.
KillerLocker removal and data recovery
Encountering ransomware is an unpleasant and frightening experience, but you have to concentrate and remove KillerLocker from the system. Virus elimination requires employing a reputable anti-malware program and scanning computer’s system. We recommend choosing one of these programs: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. Of course, you can choose any other preferred security tool. To access, update or install anti-malware tools you might have to reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Networking.
As you already know, KillerLocker removal does not recover corrupted files, and there’s still no free decryption tool created yet. However, at the end of the article, you will find few alternative ways that might help to restore locked data.
Getting rid of KillerLocker virus. Follow these steps
In-depth guide for the KillerLocker elimination
Important! →
The elimination guide can appear too difficult if you are not tech-savvy. It requires some knowledge of computer processes since it includes system changes that need to be performed correctly. You need to take steps carefully and follow the guide avoiding any issues created due to improper setting changes. Automatic methods might suit you better if you find the guide too difficult.
Step 1. Launch Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode environment offers better results of manual virus removal
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Go to Start.
- Choose Shutdown, then Restart, and OK.
- When your computer boots, start pressing the F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) a few times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click the Start button and choose Settings.
- Scroll down to find Update & Security.
- On the left, pick Recovery.
- Scroll to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Choose Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Choose 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. End questionable processes
You can rely on Windows Task Manager that finds all the random processes in the background. When the intruder is triggering any processes, you can shut them down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes.
- Look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the Process tab, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check the program in Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard again.
- Go to the Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious app and pick Disable.
Step 4. Find and eliminate virus files
Data related to the infection can be hidden in various places. Follow the steps and you can find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in) you want to clean.
- Scroll through the Files to delete and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Eliminate KillerLocker using System Restore
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Step 1: Restart your computer in Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Go to Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- As soon as your computer starts, start pressing F8 key repeatedly before the Windows logo shows up.
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Choose Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Click on the Power button at the Windows login screen, and then press and hold Shift key on your keyboard. Then click Restart.
- Then select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
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Once your computer starts, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of options in Startup Settings.
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Step 2: Perform a system restore to recover files and settings
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When the Command Prompt window appears, type in cd restore and press Enter.
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Then type rstrui.exe and hit Enter..
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In a new window that shows up, click the Next button and choose a restore point that was created before the infiltration of KillerLocker and then click on the Next button again.
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To start system restore, click Yes.
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When the Command Prompt window appears, type in cd restore and press Enter.
Bonus: Restore your files
Using the tutorial provided above you should be able to eliminate KillerLocker from the infected device. novirus.uk team has also prepared an in-depth data recovery guide which you will also find above.The creators of KillerLocker try their best to convince users that paying the ransom is the only option they have to recover corrupted files. At the moment, virus researchers are analysing this ransomware and developing a decryption tool. However, you should not consider paying the criminals, because you can restore at least the most important files.
There are a couple of methods you can apply to recover data encrypted by KillerLocker:
Restoring data with Data Recovery Pro
This tool is not created for decrypting files encrypted by KillerLocker specifically. However, this tool might help to recover at least few important files.
- Download Data Recovery Pro;
- Install Data Recovery on your computer following the steps indicated in the software’s Setup;
- Run the program to scan your device for the data encrypted by KillerLocker ransomware;
- Recover the data.
Taking advantage of Windows Previous Versions function
If you have enabled System Recovery function earlier, you can advantage of it. This function allows travelling back in time and copy some necessary files. Bear in mind that this method does not recover all your files.
- Right-click on the encrypted document you want to recover;
- Click “Properties” and navigate to “Previous versions” tab;
- In the “Folder versions” section look for the available file copies. Choose the desired version and press “Restore”.
Using Shadow Explorer for data recovery
Ransomware viruses usually delete Volume Shadow Copies as soon as it enters the computer system. However, if KillerLocker virus hasn’t done it, you can try to retrieve files from them. Follow these steps:
- Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
- Install Shadow Explorer on your computer following the instructions in the software’s Setup Wizard;
- Run the program. Navigate to the menu on the top-left corner and select a disk containing your encrypted files. Look through the available folders;
- When you find the folder you want to recover, right-click it and select “Export”. Also, choose where the recovered data will be stored.
It is strongly recommended to take precautions and secure your computer from malware attacks. To protect your PC from KillerLocker and other dangerous viruses, you should install and keep a powerful malware removal tool, for instance, FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Securely connect to your website wherever you are
Sometimes you may need to log in to a content management system or server more often, especially if you are actively working on a blog, website, or different project that needs constant maintenance or that requires frequent content updates or other changes. Avoiding this problem can be easy if you choose a dedicated/fixed IP address. It's a static IP address that only belongs to a specific device and does not change when you are in different locations.
VPN service providers such as Private Internet Access can help you with these settings. This tool can help you control your online reputation and successfully manage your projects wherever you are. It is important to prevent different IP addresses from connecting to your website. With a dedicated/fixed IP address, VPN service, and secure access to a content management system, your project will remain secure.
Recover files damaged by a dangerous malware attack
Despite the fact that there are various circumstances that can cause data to be lost on a system, including accidental deletion, the most common reason people lose photos, documents, videos, and other important data is the infection of malware.
Some malicious programs can delete files and prevent the software from running smoothly. However, there is a greater threat from the dangerous viruses that can encrypt documents, system files, and images. Ransomware-type viruses focus on encrypting data and restricting users’ access to files, so you can permanently lose personal data when you download such a virus to your computer.
The ability to unlock encrypted files is very limited, but some programs have a data recovery feature. In some cases, the Data Recovery Pro program can help recover at least some of the data that has been locked by a virus or other cyber infection.
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