Lesli File Virus Removal (Recover Files)

How to Remove Lesli Ransomware?

There’s a new ransomware on the block. It’s a variation of the CryptoMix program, and users have dubbed it Lesli. That’s because it attaches a specific file extension at the end of each file upon encrypting it – lesli. So, your “sunday” video turns into “sunday.lesli.” After the extension gets added, that’s it. Your files get locked. You cannot access them in any way, and moving or renaming them does nothing. The only way to unlock them is with a decryption key. And, here’s where ransomware tools get their name from. To get the needed key, you have to pay a ransom. The infection extorts you for money. That’s what it’s programmed to do – dupe you out of your money. And, in the process, steal your private details. That’s the end game for all ransomware. They’re designed by cyber criminals with the malicious intent to get a hold of your privacy. They are extortionists, and you must NOT trust them! Disregard every assurance or pledge they make. Don’t fall for false hope and empty promises. The tool delivers nothing! Understand that when it comes to ransomware tools, you have ZERO guarantees. The Lesli program is no different from its predecessors. Accept it as the plague it is, and don’t play its games. You lose no matter what move you make. The game is rigged against you. So, cut your losses, and say goodbye to your files. It may not seem that way at first, but that’s your best option.

How did I get infected with?

The Lesli ransomware uses the old but gold methods of infiltration to sneak into your system. Like most cyber threats, it needs your permission to enter. In other words, you have to consent to its installment. Oh, yes. It asks whether you agree to allow it in, and enters only after your okay. So, blame the cyber criminals behind Lesli all you want. But, ultimately, you’re responsible for your predicament. Or, rather, your carelessness. Let’s elaborate. If you weren’t careless, odds are, you wouldn’t be in this predicament. Why? Well, every method, the infection uses relies on your distraction, naivety, and haste. Freeware, spam email attachments, fake updates, corrupted sites, etc. They cannot be successful if you’re attentive. Don’t just skip the terms and conditions. Don’t say ‘Yes’ to everything, and hope for the best. Don’t leave your PC’s fate to chance! Be thorough. Do your due diligence. Caution goes a long way. And, sometimes, even a little extra attention can save you a ton of troubles.

Why is Lesli dangerous?

After the Lesli ransomware slithers into your system, it takes over. It doesn’t waste time, and gets to work from the get-go. It uses powerful AES encryption algorithm, and encrypts every single file you have. Nothing escapes the nasty tool. It locks all the data you keep on your computer. Pictures, videos, music, documents, everything! It all falls under its influences, and gets locked. The infection attaches the ‘lesli’ extension, and that’s it. Your data is no longer accessible. For that to change, you have to succumb to the tool’s demands. Pay a ransom. Here’s what it promises. It claims that if you comply, and transfer the money, you get a decryption key. Apply it, and you free your files. But, there are so many things wrong with that. First of all, don’t think the requested ransom is some small fee. It’s not. It ranges between 0.5 to 1.5 Bitcoin. And, 1 Bitcoin amounts to about 550 US Dollars. Also, even if you decide to give that money to the extortionists, think about it. You receive a decryption key that removes the encryption. The ransomware still remains! So, what’s to say it won’t strike again? It can encrypt your files once more, and put you back to square one. But, above all else, if you pay, you lose your privacy. Let’s explain. To pay the ransom, you have to provide your personal and financial details. And, who do you imagine has access to them afterwards? That’s right. The same malicious cyber criminals, who encrypted your data and extorted you. Do you think there’s even a single scenario where that ends well for you? Don’t give access to your privacy to these strangers with agendas! When it comes down to it, pick privacy over pictures. Accept the inevitable, and make the right choice. And, just to be clear, you lose both your private life and your files, if you comply. So, don’t play the game, and cut your losses down to one. Forsake your files. They’re replaceable. Privacy is not.

Lesli Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Lesli Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with Lesli encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate Lesli encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.