What is PassLock Ransomware
PassLock ransomware is a new cryptovirus that became active in early February 2020. It penetrates the user’s computer and encrypts personal files, including audio, video, archives, multimedia, MS Office documents and much more. Of course, many users are not ready to lose their data and are ready for almost anything to get their files back. It is also worth noting that PassLock ransomware uses the AES algorithm, which makes the files categorically useless and inoperative.
Among other things, PassLock ransomware changes the extension of the affected files, adding the end of .encrypted. After that, nothing can restore them, including simply renaming them. Cryptovirus is aimed at English-speaking users but managed to spread to many countries of the world. PassLock ransomware creates a lock screen, which is a note from intruders.
All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail clifieb@tutanota.com
Write this ID in the title of your message 007D851E
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
A feature of the cryptovirus is that cybercriminals do not require a ransom, but only report that the user can safely delete their data. Do not even try to pay them anything, it is useless. Apparently, their goal is to practice at the first stages of their criminal career. Be that as it may, below you will find our recommendations that will help you remove PassLock ransomware from your system.
Well, there are 2 options for solving this problem. The first is to use an automatic removal utility that will remove the threat and all instances related to it. Moreover, it will save you time. Or you can use the Manual Removal Guide, but you should know that it might be very difficult to remove PassLock ransomware manually without a specialist’s help.
PassLock Removal Guide
Remember that you need to remove PassLock Ransomware first and foremost to prevent further encryption of your files before the state of your data becomes totally useless. And only after that, you can start recovering your files. Removal must be performed according to the following steps:
- Download PassLock Removal Tool.
- Remove PassLock from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
- Restore .PassLock files
- How to protect PC from future infections.
How to remove PassLock ransomware automatically:
Thor Home may help you to get rid of this virus and clean up your system. In case you need a proper and reliable antivirus, we recommend you to try it.
Alternative solution – Malwarebytes
This program will find malicious files, hijackers, adware, potentially unwanted programs and will neutralize it. Also, Norton will help you clean your system properly.
If you’re Mac user – use this.
Manual PassLock Removal Guide
Here are step-by-step instructions to remove PassLock from Windows and Mac computers. Follow these steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to PassLock. First of all, you need to run the system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.
Uninstall PassLock from Windows or Mac
Here you may find the list of confirmed related to the ransomware files and registry keys. You should delete them in order to remove virus, however it would be easier to do it with our automatic removal tool. The list:
PassLock.dll
_readme.txt
readme.txt
Windows 7/Vista:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to PassLock by using Removal Tool;
- Delete found files;
Windows 8/8.1:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to PassLock by using Removal Tool;
- Delete found files;
Windows 10:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to PassLock by using Removal Tool;
- Delete found files;
Windows XP:
- Restart the computer;
- Press Settings button;
- Choose Safe Mode;
- Find programs or files potentially related to PassLock by using Removal Tool;
- Delete found files;
Mac OS:
- Restart the computer;
- Press and Hold Shift button, before system will be loaded;
- Release Shift button, when Apple logo appears;
- Find programs or files potentially related to PassLock by using Removal Tool;
- Delete found files;
How to restore encrypted files
You can try to restore your files with special tools. You may find more detailed info on data recovery software in this article – recovery software. These programs may help you to restore files that were infected and encrypted by ransomware.
Restore data with Stellar Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery is able to find and restore different types of encrypted files, including removed emails.
- Download and install Stellar Data Recovery
- Choose drives and folders with your data, then press Scan.
- Select all the files in a folder, then click on Restore button.
- Manage export location. That’s it!
Restore encrypted files using Recuva
There is an alternative program, that may help you to recover files – Recuva.
- Run the Recuva;
- Follow instructions and wait until scan process ends;
- Find needed files, mark them and Press Recover button;
How to prevent ransomware infection?
It is always rewarding to prevent ransomware infection because of the consequences it may bring. There are a lot of difficulties in resolving issues with encoders viruses, that’s why it is very vital to keep a proper and reliable anti-ransomware software on your computer. In case you don’t have any, here you may find some of the best offers in order to protect your PC from disastrous viruses.
Malwarebytes
SpyHunter is a reliable antimalware removal tool application, that is able to protect your PC and prevent the infection from the start. The program is designed to be user-friendly and multi-functional.