Pabluk Locker Ransomware

Pabluk Locker Ransomware is a new Polish ransomware infection that may scare you enough to pay the ransom fee to unblock your computer. This ransomware, as its name suggests, only locks your screen but does not actually encrypt your personal files or any files for that matter. This is definitely good news; however, if this ransom program has managed to infiltrate your system, there is a good chance that more dangerous ones will also find a way sooner or later. The authors of this malware infection will ask for a certain amount of ransom fee in a reply message once you contact them via e-mail. As a matter of fact, transferring any amount of money to cyber criminals means supporting cyber crime. Fortunately, we are here to help you with this threat and we can show you how you can remove Pabluk Locker Ransomware from your system. Please read our full report to learn more about this annoying ransomware infection.

When it comes to ransomware programs there are mainly two widely used channels of distribution. First and foremost, the malicious executable file can be delivered to your computer in a spam e-mail. This mail can be very convincing and misleading. You may think, for example, that it has come from a branch of the government, your own bank, a reputable company, or even the police. How could you know it is not true and why would you doubt it at all? Well, we suggest that whenever you find a questionable mail in your inbox or even in your spam folder, make sure with the sender that this content was really meant for you without opening the attachment, of course.

The subject of such a spam can also strengthen the fake idea that you are dealing with an urgent message. Nevertheless, opening this mail will not get you too far since the body will most likely simply point you towards downloading the attachment, which can be an image, a video, or a text file with macro. If this was a proper ransomware that encrypts you files, running the attachment would mean the loss of all your files and even if you deleted the ransomware, you could not recover your files without the decryption key or a tool. However, in this case you are in the luck since it is not even too complicated to delete Pabluk Locker Ransomware from your PC and without harming your precious files, too. But that still does not solve the issue of the possible vulnerability of your computer.

Another method criminals like to use and a pretty stealthy one as well is called Exploit Kits (e.g., Angler). This method is mostly dangerous for those users who do not update their browsers and drivers (Flash and Java) regularly. Criminals create malicious pages with corrupt Java or Flash content that can be triggered the moment you land on such a page. This can happen after, for example, you click on unreliable third-party content, such as a modified search result link and an advertisement. Since this way you can download dangerous ransomware threats in no time and without even realizing it, you should avoid clicking on questionable content and it is essential that you keep all your programs and drivers up-to-date.

Once you initiate this attack by opening the downloaded malicious file, it blocks your screen with a ransom note that covers your whole screen. The note is in Polish language so we can assume that these criminals mainly aim at the Polish users. Apart from blocking and locking your screen, this malware infection also blocks your system files from running. This means that you cannot close this window and run your Task Manager, your File Explorer, or any other program either. Clearly, this would suggest you that your computer has been locked and there is no other way for you to stop this attack than pay up to these criminals. If you click on the “Pokaz e-mail” button, you will be given two e-mail addresses to contact these crooks by: pab.luk200@wp.pl and pab.luk500@gmail.com. Then, you are supposed to get a response in which you should have instructions for payment.

If you transfer the money, you would supposedly get a 9-digit code that you could enter at the bottom of this ransom note window to unlock your computer. However, our experience shows that it is always risky to pay up since there is no warranty that cyber crooks keep their promise. Since this screen locker does not even encrypt your files, there is really no need for panic. We have the solution for you and you can remove Pabluk Locker Ransomware in a few minutes. Let us tell you how.

Since this ransomware infection blocks your system files, you need to restart your computer in Safe Mode first so that you can stop this vicious process, i.e., the lock. Only then can you delete the downloaded malicious file that initiated this attack. Please follow our instructions below if you need help with these steps. Also, it could be time for you to consider making regular backups on a removable drive since this is usually the only way for you to recover your files if a more dangerous ransomware ever hits you. Apart from doing backups, we also recommend that you protect your computer with a reliable anti-malware application, such as SpyHunter.

Restart your computer in Safe Mode

Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7

1. Restart your PC and keep tapping the F8 key to launch the boot menu.
2. Choose Safe Mode and press the Enter key.

Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10

1. Change to the Metro UI screen and click the Power icon.
2. Press and hold the Shift key while clicking on the Restart option.
3. Pick Advanced options from the Troubleshooting menu.
4. Choose Startup Settings and click Restart.
5. Press the F4 key to restart in Safe Mode.

Remove Pabluk Locker Ransomware from Windows

1. Press Win+E.
2. Locate the downloaded file and delete it.
3. Empty your Recycle Bin.
4. Restart your computer in Normal Mode.