iLock Ransomware Virus (Removal Steps and Protection Updates)

This article will help you remove the iLock ransomware virus. The iLock ransomware is a new updated version of several older malware. The threat was identified a few days ago by security researchers. Read our removal guide to learn more about how it infects and how to remove it from your computers.


Name
iLock

File Extensions
.crime

Ransom
Varies

Solution #1
You can skip all steps and remove iLock with the help of an anti-malware tool.

Solution #2
iLock ransomware can be removed manually, though it can be very hard for most home users. See the detailed tutorial below.

Distribution
Spam Email Campaigns, malicious ads & etc.

iLock Ransomware Description

The iLock Ransomware is an updated version of an older malware threat that was identified back in March 2016. The virus is also known as iLock, iLockLight or Lortok.

Depending on the security software tool you use it might appear differently. Curiously, this is one of the Anonymous-themed viruses that intimidate the victim that its operators are from the famous hacker collective.

Upon infection drops an encrypter.pdb to the following folder C:\Users\admin\Documents\Visual Studio 2013\Project\iLock\encrypter\obj\Debug\encrypter.pdb..

In addition it may also modify several registry values and add the encrypter.pdb value to the startup. In many cases these types of viruses also remove all Volume Shadow Copies of the infected machine by using the vssadmin command running with elevated privileges.

The built-in encryption module targets the most commonly used file types that may contain sensitive or important information. This includes all multimedia (photos, music and videos), various Office documents (Microsoft Office and PDFs), databases, virtual machines, backup images and configuration files.

However the security research shows that the iLock ransomware is careful not to damage any system-related files. After the encryption process is complete a ransom note bearing the name WARNING OPEN-ME.txt or ВНИМАНИЕ_ОТКРОЙТЕ-МЕНЯ.txt is created and opened.

iLock Ransomware Virus Note

Hello, all your files are encrypted, please contact us to restore them. To do this. open label ‘online consultant’, which is on the desktop or double-click the left rouse button on any encrypted file.

if for some reason you can not contact us via the ‘Live chat’ contact us through the contact is offline: 1) Download the ‘Tor Browser for windows’, yod can download it here https://www.torproject.org/download/dmanload-easy.html.en 2) install and run ‘Tor Browser’ 3) click on the link ‘http: //3goSagjlesrudfml.onion/ id useritil. id, & Hashro userProfile.dashiD, ‘At’ Tor Browser ‘- (ATTENTION, the site is available only through the’ Tor Browser ‘) 4) Follow the instructions on the website
ro:, user10.10.
nashio:. usererofile.nashlo,

1) Attention, ‘overwrite / rollback’ of windows does not help to restore files but can ultimately damage chew, and even then we will not be able to restore them.

2) Antivirus nod32, drweb, kaspersky, etc. will not help you decrypt the files, even if you buy them a license for 10 years, they will still not restore files.

3) To encrypt files using ASS which was established in 1908. for 17 years, no one on tarth could not crack the encryption algorithm, even the NSA.

4) The key to other users you will not work, since each user a unique key, so do not expect that someone will pay and will lay the key to decrypt the files.

About encryption .AES256′ on ‘winrar’ exanple, each file was placed in the file ‘winrar’, to archive ‘winrar. put password of 256 characters: 1) Open the file only by typing your password 2) Delete ‘hinrar’ file is archiveo and can not open it. 3) kven if you move the file to another windows. it will still require a password to open. 4) if you ‘reinstall / revert’ win:ohs, the archive ‘wlnrar’ will archive and to open still need ‘wlnrar’ and password of 256 characters.
rou can malt until someone through 60 years will crack was256 encryption algorithm. and after 60 years to restore the files, or to pay for the key and restore files in a couple of hours, the choice Is yours! https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_ancrypcion_standard

Depending on the region the wallpaper may be changed as well.

An interesting feature of this virus is that it carries several additional modules that allow the victims to initiate a live chat via the anonymous TOR network.

iLock Ransomware Distribution

The detected malware samples appear to target mainly Russian-speaking computers by analyzing the computer’s locale settings.

The iLock ransomware spreads using various infection techniques. The hackers who operate the threat utilize different strategies to maximize the damage output.

You can get infected by one of the following ways:

  • Spam Email Campaigns – The criminals utilize various social engineering or phishing attacks to persuade the victim into downloading a malicious payload from the emails. Depending on the email types the virus may directly be attached to the message or contained in a hyperlink.
  • Direct Attacks – Hackers can use various network techniques or exploit kits to target the users directly via software exploits or other discovered weaknesses.
  • Add-ons such as Browser hijackers and malicious ads – These dangerous malware can initiate iLock ransomware downloads and installations of other threats to the compromised computers.

iLock Ransomware Removal

For a faster solution, you can run a scan with an advanced malware removal tool and delete iLock completely with a few mouse clicks.

STEP I: Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently.

    1) Hit WIN Key + R

Windows-key-plus-R-button-launch-Run-Box-in-Windows-illustrated

    2) A Run window will appear. In it, write “msconfig” and then press Enter
    3) A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named “Boot
    4) Mark “Safe Boot” option and then go to “Network” under it to tick it too
    5) Apply -> OK

Or check our video guide – “How to start PC in Safe Mode with Networking

STEP II: Show Hidden Files

    1) Open My Computer/This PC
    2) Windows 7

      – Click on “Organize” button
      – Select “Folder and search options
      – Select the “View” tab
      – Go under “Hidden files and folders” and mark “Show hidden files and folders” option

    3) Windows 8/ 10

      – Open “View” tab
      – Mark “Hidden items” option

    show-hidden-files-win8-10

    4) Click “Apply” and then “OK” button

STEP III: Enter Windows Task Manager and Stop Malicious Processes

    1) Hit the following key combination: CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
    2) Get over to “Processes
    3) When you find suspicious process right click on it and select “Open File Location
    4) Go back to Task Manager and end the malicious process. Right click on it again and choose “End Process
    5) Next you should go folder where the malicious file is located and delete it

STEP IV: Remove Completely iLock Ransomware Using SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

Manual removal of iLock requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removal of any important data can lead to permanent system damage. Prevent this troublesome effect – delete iLock ransomware with SpyHunter malware removal tool.

SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter

STEP V: Repair Windows Registry

    1) Again type simultaneously the Windows Button + R key combination
    2) In the box, write “regedit”(without the inverted commas) and hit Enter
    3) Type the CTRL+F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
    4) In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys

Further help for Windows Registry repair

STEP VI: Recover Encrypted Files

    1) Use present backups
    2) Restore your personal files using File History

      – Hit WIN Key
      – Type “restore your files” in the search box
      – Select “Restore your files with File History
      – Choose a folder or type the name of the file in the search bar

    restore-your-personal-files-using-File-History-bestecuritysearch

      – Hit the “Restore” button

    3) Using System Restore Point

      – Hit WIN Key
      – Select “Open System Restore” and follow the steps

restore-files-using-system-restore-point

STEP VII: Preventive Security Measures

    1) Enable and properly configure your Firewall.
    2) Install and maintain reliable anti-malware software.
    3) Secure your web browser.
    4) Check regularly for available software updates and apply them.
    5) Disable macros in Office documents.
    6) Use strong passwords.
    7) Don’t open attachments or click on links unless you’re certain they’re safe.
    8) Backup regularly your data.

SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter

Was this content helpful?

Author : Martin Beltov

Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.


Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *