Remove ForceLocker Ransomware

How to Remove ForceLocker Ransomware?

ForceLocker Ransomware locks your files. It then attempts to blackmail you by promising to free the encrypted data. Unfortunately, you should know that ransomware has no intentions to help you out even if you pay. The only reason why these programs even get developed is to steal your money. ForceLocker Ransomware strictly follows the classic ransomware pattern. You shouldn’t expect any new, unpredictable tricks out of this infection. However, you should expect it to be just as misleading, dangerous and problematic as all other file-encrypting viruses. As soon as the ransomware gets installed, trouble begins. Your machine gets thoroughly scanned so this nuisance could find your files. As you could imagine, it succeeds. All your private files get located which means encryption is about to start. The parasite uses a complicated algorithm and turns all your files into useless gibberish. You may have already noticed that a new file extension has been added to your files. They have changed format so your computer is now unable to open any of them. Eventually, you’re unable to get access to your very own information. And if that sounds terrible, wait till you hear the rest if it. ForceLocker Ransomware encrypts a huge variety of file formats. It locks photos, videos, documents, presentations, music. Consider all files stored on your machine encrypted. As mentioned, ForceLocker Ransomware utilizes a strong encrypting cipher. The parasite modifies your files’ original format and makes them unrecognizable. In addition to that, this program drops detailed payment instructions. Do you see where this is going? You’re supposed to pay for the privilege to use the files stored on your computer. In exchange for a hefty sum of money, hackers should provide a decryption key. The only problem is that negotiating with criminals can’t possibly be considered a good idea. Ransomware is nothing but a clever attempt for an online scam. It is aiming straight at your bank account. In order not to fall straight into hackers’ trap and lose money, take measures now. The ransomware must be immediately uninstalled and you have to keep in mind that paying isn’t an option. If anything, it would disclose some private data which could result in irreversible damage. Take care of your device. Get rid of the infection as soon as possible.

How did I get infected with?

Ransomware is very sneaky and travels the Web in silence. Can you tell the exact moment when ForceLocker Ransomware got installed? Probably not. Such deceptive infections rely on your distraction and haste online. The parasite has a rich variety of distribution methods. For instance, it may have been presented as a perfectly harmless email. Hackers often disguise their parasites as emails from shipping companies or as job applications. However, one simple click on the wrong email-attachment could bring along serious harm. Yes, the virus only needs a minute of your negligence. Therefore, you have to be cautious and attentive when browsing the Internet. You may come across various infections that are trying to get installed. Delete all suspicious emails/messages that you come across and pay attention. It is up to you to prevent malware infiltration so be careful. Ransomware also relies on bogus torrents, fake software updates and third-party pop-ups to get spread online. Stay away from illegitimate websites and/or unreliable program bundles. ForceLocker Ransomware might have also sneaked itself onto your PC with some help from a Trojan. Make sure you don’t have to deal with Trojans as well as ransomware. Check out your device and, in the future, always be careful while surfing the Web.

Why is ForceLocker dangerous?

The virus is trying to involve you into a nasty fraud. As mentioned already, this program encrypts all your personal data. It is going after all important, private files you’ve stored on board. If you do allow hackers to play mind games with you, things will get messy. That is why we’d recommend you ignore the parasite’s ransom notes. These messages are stubborn and rather nerve-racking. According to the instructions, you have to make a payment so you could receive a decryptor. This is how crooks gain effortless profit so you shouldn’t even for a moment believe these lies. You have no guarantee hackers would keep their end up of the bargain. Don’t let them steal your Bitcoins and remember – this is a scam. Keep your money and uninstall the ransomware ASAP. You will find our manual removal guide down below.

ForceLocker Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover ForceLocker 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 ForceLocker 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 ForceLocker 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.