Scorpionlocker Ransomware

Scorpionlocker Ransomware appears to be a harmful file-enciphering program. Our researchers say it was designed to lock user’s private data and then display a ransom note asking to pay a ransom in exchange for decryption. Thus, if you come across it, you might lose all data located on the infected computer. No matter how much you may want to get the enciphered files back, we would not recommend putting up with any demands as there are no guarantees everything will go accordingly to plan, even if the malware’s developers promise so. The hackers cannot be trusted, and there is not knowing what they might do. Meaning if they do not hold on to their end of the deal, you may lose your money in addition to your data. Our recommended course of action is erasing the malicious program with the instructions provided a bit below or a reliable antimalware tool of your choice. Once the system is clean, it should be safe to create new files or upload copies from backup storage. For more details, about Scorpionlocker Ransomware we invite you to read the rest of this text.

First of all, we think it is important to know where such threats might come from. Our researchers say there are three main ways to encounter a ransomware application. The first one is to open an infected email attachment. Usually, it is delivered by an unknown sender and may come as Spam. Unfortunately, if you feel too curious and cannot stop from opening the suspicious attachment the computer might get infected right away. The second way to receive Scorpionlocker Ransomware is through unprotected RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) connections, so users should make sure they are using strong passwords and that the software on the device is up to date (software updates help to eliminate its known vulnerabilities). The last malicious program’s distribution channel is malicious file-sharing web pages. In other words, the malware could be bundled with pirated or harmful software, and the user could install it unknowingly. Naturally, we recommend staying away from such sites as it would be safer to download programs from their official web pages. However, keep it in mind even some threats have official websites, which means you should first make sure the chosen software is developed by a reputable company.

One way or the other, if Scorpionlocker Ransomware is able to enter the system, it should quickly identify targeted data and start encrypting it. According to our researchers, the malware is after user’s private files, for example, pictures, photos, text or other documents, etc. Enciphered files should still have their original names, although the malicious program could add a second extension at the end of the title to mark locked data. Afterward, the threat should get rid of shadow copies so the user would be unable to recover data with the system’s help. A bit later, the infection may create a copy of itself, a few Registry entries, and a couple of ransom notes in various directories (the full list of created files and their directories is available in the removal instructions located below the text). The ransom notes should explain how to contact Scorpionlocker Ransomware’s creators or how to pay the ransom and get your files decrypted. In most cases, the suggestion is the user pays a ransom, and the malicious application’s developers deliver a decryption tool.

The bad news is there are no guarantees the hackers will keep up to their promises. As we said earlier, they could cam you, and as a result, you might lose the money you agree to pay in vain. For this not to happen we would recommend not to take any chances and remove Scorpionlocker Ransomware. The malware can be deleted manually if you carefully follow the instructions located a bit below this text. The other way to erase it once and for all is to download a reliable antimalware tool and let it take care of Scorpionlocker Ransomware for you. If you still have any questions about the threat you can also leave us a message at the end of this page.

Enable Show Hidden Files and Folders

Windows 8 & 10

1. Press Win+E.
2. Select the View tab (top-left corner).
3. Click on Options (top-right corner).
4. Select change folder and search options.
5. Click on the View tab and select Show hidden files, folders and drives.
6. Click OK.

Windows 7 & Vista

1. Go to Start and launch Control Panel.
2. Choose Appearance and Personalization.
3. Open Folder Options and select the View tab.
4. Click Show hidden files, folders and drives.
5. Select OK.

Windows XP

1. Navigate to Start and open Control Panel.
2. Select Appearance and Themes.
3. Choose Folder options and select the View tab.
4. Find and mark Show hidden files and folders.
5. Click OK.

Erase Scorpionlocker Ransomware

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Go to the Task Manager.
3. Find the malware’s process.
4. Mark this process and click End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Tap Win+E.
7. Navigate to:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
8. See if you can find the malicious file you opened before the threat appeared.
9. Right-click the suspicious file and press Delete.
10. Go to these directories:
    %HOMEDRIVE%
    %LOCALAPPDATA%
11. Locate suspicious executable files, for example, Setup.exe, right-click them and select Delete.
12. Navigate to %LOCALAPPDATA% again.
13. Find a folder titled H34rtBl33d or similarly, right-click it and choose Delete.
14. Look for ransom notes, for example, H34rtBl33d.txt, right-click them and press Delete.
15. Exit File Explorer.
16. Tap Win+R.
17. Insert Regedit and press Enter.
18. Find this location: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
19. Search for a suspicious value name with a random title, right-click it and select Delete.
20. Then find these locations:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing
21. Find the following keys, right-click them and choose Delete:
    H34rtBl33d_RASMANCS
    H34rtBl33d_RASAPI32
22. Exit Registry Editor.
23. Empty Recycle bin.
24. Reboot the PC.