Remove .LOCK extension

Is this a severe threat

The ransomware known as .LOCK extension is categorized as a severe threat, due to the amount of damage it may cause. Ransomware is not something everyone has ran into before, and if it’s your first time encountering it, you’ll learn quickly how damaging it might be. Strong encryption algorithms might be used for data encoding, preventing you from accessing files. Ransomware is considered to be such a dangerous contamination because file decryption is not possible in every case. You’ll be given the option to recover files if you pay the ransom, but that isn’t a suggested option for a few reasons.

There are numerous cases where files weren’t restored even after victims gave into the demands. Why would people responsible for your file encryption help you restore them when they can just take the money you give them. Moreover, by paying you’d be supporting the future projects (more file encoding malware and malicious software) of these criminals. Do you really want to support the kind of criminal activity. The more people pay, the more profitable it becomes, thus drawing more crooks who are lured by easy money. Investing the money that is demanded of you into reliable backup would be a much better decision because if you ever run into this type of situation again, you could just unlock .LOCK extension files from backup and their loss would not be a possibility. If backup was made before you caught the threat, you can just uninstall .LOCK extension virus and proceed to file recovery. We will provide information on file encoding malicious program spread methods and how to avoid it in the below paragraph.

Ransomware distribution ways

A file encrypting malware can infect pretty easily, commonly using such methods as attaching contaminated files to emails, using exploit kits and hosting contaminated files on questionable download platforms. A rather big number of ransomware depend on user carelessness when opening email attachments and more sophisticated ways aren’t necessary. However, there are data encoding malware that use more elaborate methods. All cyber criminals need to do is attach a malicious file to an email, write some kind of text, and falsely claim to be from a credible company/organization. Those emails commonly talk about money because due to the sensitivity of the topic, users are more inclined to open them. If hackers used the name of a company such as Amazon, users may open the attachment without thinking if cyber crooks simply say there has been questionable activity in the account or a purchase was made and the receipt is attached. You have to look out for certain signs when opening emails if you want to secure your system. If the sender is not someone who you’re familiar with, before you open any of the attachments they have sent you, investigate them. Even if you know the sender, you should not rush, first investigate the email address to make sure it is real. Obvious grammar errors are also a sign. The greeting used might also be a clue, as real companies whose email is important enough to open would include your name, instead of universal greetings like Dear Customer/Member. Weak spots on your computer Out-of-date programs may also be used as a pathway to you device. Those vulnerabilities are usually discovered by security researchers, and when vendors find out about them, they release updates so that malware developers cannot take advantage of them to corrupt computers with malware. Nevertheless, as world wide ransomware attacks have proven, not everyone installs those updates. It is highly important that you regularly patch your software because if a vulnerability is serious, malware may use it to get in. Updates could install automatically, if you find those notifications annoying.

How does it act

A file encoding malicious program does not target all files, only certain types, and when they’re identified, they’re encrypted almost at once. Initially, it might not be obvious as to what’s going on, but when you are unable to open your files, it ought to become clear. All encoded files will have a file extension attached to them, which could help recognize the ransomware. Unfortunately, it may impossible to restore data if a strong encryption algorithm was implemented. In case you are still unsure about what’s going on, the ransom note will describe everything. What cyber criminals will encourage you do is buy their paid decryptor, and warn that other ways might lead to damage to your data. If the ransom amount isn’t specified, you would have to use the given email address to contact the crooks to see the amount, which may depend on how important your data is. Paying for the decryptor is not the suggested option for the already discussed reasons. Try every other likely option, before even considering buying what they offer. Try to recall whether you have ever made backup, maybe some of your files are actually stored somewhere. Or, if you are lucky, a free decryption utility might have been released. Malware researchers may be able to decrypt the ransomware, therefore a free decryptors may be developed. Take that into consideration before paying the demanded money even crosses your mind. You wouldn’t face possible file loss if you ever end up in this situation again if you invested part of that money into some kind of backup option. If your most essential files are stored somewhere, you just uninstall .LOCK extension virus and then recover files. In the future, make sure you avoid ransomware as much as possible by familiarizing yourself its spread methods. Stick to legitimate download sources, be cautious of email attachments you open, and keep your software updated.

.LOCK extension removal

If the data encrypting malicious software stays on your computer, you will need to download an anti-malware program to terminate it. When attempting to manually fix .LOCK extension virus you may cause further damage if you’re not the most computer-savvy person. Instead, using a malware removal program would not harm your device further. This tool is beneficial to have on the device because it will not only make sure to fix .LOCK extension but also put a stop to similar ones who attempt to get in. So pick a program, install it, perform a scan of the computer and allow the utility to eliminate the ransomware, if it’s still present. Do not expect the malware removal software to help you in data recovery, because it won’t be able to do that. Once your computer has been cleaned, normal computer usage should be restored.

Offers

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More information about SpyWarrior and Uninstall Instructions. Please review SpyWarrior EULA and Privacy Policy. SpyWarrior scanner is free. If it detects a malware, purchase its full version to remove it.

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Quick Menu

Step 1. Delete .LOCK extension using Safe Mode with Networking.

• Windows 8/8.1/10
• Windows XP/7/Vista

Step 2. Restore Your Files using System Restore

• Windows 8/8.1/10
• Windows XP/7/Vista