How to Remove A1Lock Ransomware

How to Remove A1Lock Ransomware?

Readers recently started to report the following message being displayed when they boot their computer:

Your files are Encrypted!
For data recovery needs decryptor.
If you want to buy a decryptor, click the link:
[Decryptor Here|hyperlink to satoshibox(.)com/ID-string]
(if you not have bitcoin – Click [Here|hyperlink to blockchain(.)info])
And finally, if you can not buy decryptor, follow these two steps:
1. Install the TOP Browser from this link:
torproject(.)org
Then open this link in the TOP browser: [support|hyperlink]
Your personal ID:
[512 RANDOM CHARCTERS]

A1Lock is a brand new variant of the Globe Ransomware. This parasite locks your files and demands a ransom in exchange for a decryption key. It goes without saying this is a cheap trickery that allows hackers to scam you. A1Lock Ransomware is solely trying to blackmail you. That means freeing your locked data is not even part of the picture. Stealing your money, on the other hand, is. Ransomware programs in general are a complete and utter pest. These programs are actually considered to be the most harmful type of infection you could come across online. To say the least, you’ve been rather unlucky to download ransomware. However, there is a way to make matter worse – by agreeing to pay the ransom. It is extremely important that you ignore the parasite’s attempts to blackmail you. Keep your Bitcoins and make sure you remove this infection before it’s too late. Ransomware serves as a back door to more viruses and could cause you further harm. The A1Lock Ransomware is no exception. This parasite uses a strong encrypting cipher. It successfully locks a huge percentage of your personal files. Yes, that includes the most commonly used file formats. Your photos, music files, videos, MS Office documents all get encrypted. They receive the malicious .707 extension which indicates the encryption process has ended. For instance, Music.mp3 gets renamed to Music.mp3.707. This appendix also makes it clear your files are now inaccessible. All your personal information gets locked and turned into unreadable gibberish. Many PC users store some precious, irreplaceable files on their machines. Unfortunately, that makes you a target for ransomware infections like A1Lock. In the future, always keep backups of your data so you know no file-encrypting pest could harm you. Unless you think in advance and take care of your data, you may end up in the same situation as your current one. Is that a risk you’re willing to take? A1Lock Ransomware locks all the information on you PC thus inevitably making a mess. As you could imagine, seeing your files get encrypted out of the blue is nerve-wracking. This is why many people end up paying the ransom. Hackers rely on the fact you’d want to have your files back. However, paying isn’t the way to do that.

How did I get infected with?

Ransomware isn’t a program you’d agree to download. That means the A1Lock infection didn’t seek your permission. It took advantage of your distraction and curiosity instead. How does that method work? You probably know that spam messages and emails are one old but gold infiltration tactic. They allow infections like ransomware and Trojan horses to travel the Web in silence. Unless you watch out for potential intruders, you could easily compromise your safety. Delete the email-attachments that you find unreliable instead of clicking them open. You might save yourself quite the hassle by doing so. Keep an eye out for malware before some sneaky virus manages to land on your machine. Having to remove a parasite would take much more effort and time than preventing infiltration in the first place. Other popular techniques involve fake torrents, exploit kits and bogus software updates. Stay away from illegitimate websites as well. Those may turn out to be harmful and very problematic. In addition, take your time when installing bundled programs. Check the bundle thoroughly and watch out for bonus infections. Last but not least, ransomware often uses some help from Trojans. Make sure there are no additional parasites on your PC system.

Why is A1Lock dangerous?

Once A1Lock Ransomware locks your personal data, it adds ransom messages. You will find the RECOVER_FILES.html files in all folders that contain encrypted information. Those are many folders indeed. Hackers force their ransom notes on you because the more often you see the instructions, the more likely it is that you pay. You’re supposed to give away 0.06 Bitcoins which is approximately 196 USD at the moment. Keep in mind that paying guarantees you nothing. It only allows hackers to steal your Bitcoins and cause you damage. Crooks aren’t famous for being honorable people so don’t trust them to provide the decryptor promised. Ignore the parasite’s ransom messages as well as their empty promises. Get rid of this file-encrypting nuisance instead of falling right into the trap. To delete the virus manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

A1Lock Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover A1Lock 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 A1Lock 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 A1Lock 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.