Li Ransomware

Li Ransomware was created for money extortion as it encrypts users’ files and shows a message in which its developers suggest purchasing decryption tools that would restore enciphered data. As usual, the price is not mentioned, and users interested in the suggestion are asked to contact the malware’s developers via email. What you should know if you are thinking about considering this option is that there are no guarantees cybercriminals will give you the promised decryption tools. Thus, paying the ransom is not something we recommend if you do not want to risk your money. If you do not know what to do, we advise reading our full article so you could learn more about this malicious application. As for learning how to remove Li Ransomware, you could check the instructions available below this article. Of course, if you do not think you are experienced enough to deal with the malware yourself, you could employ a reliable antimalware tool instead.

The first thing we wish to talk about is how Li Ransomware could be distributed. According to our researchers, the malware might be spread via unreliable file-sharing web pages and Spam emails. Users who care about their computer’s safety should avoid interacting with content from the mentioned sources. If you need a particular program, you should download it from its official website. We also recommend being careful with freeware applications. Always check if there is any information about who developed your chosen tool. Ideally, it should be a reputable company that is well-known for developing legit software. If you are still unsure if your downloaded installer is safe to launch, you should scan it with a reliable antimalware tool. You can do just the same with any other suspicious files obtained from the Internet, especially attachments received via Spam.

The threat might create a copy of itself in the %APPDATA% directory, but besides it, Li Ransomware does not need to drop any other data on an infected device. It means the malware runs right from the directory where its launcher (some suspicious file from the Internet) was downloaded or from the location where its copy was placed. We could say it is good news because it does not look like the threat can restart with the operating system. Therefore, if the user does not open its launcher again, the malware should not be relaunched after an infected device gets restarted. The first malicious application’s task is to encipher all files that could be valuable. For example, Li Ransomware could encrypt your pictures, photos, various documents, archives, and so on. The malware should append an extension called .Li to each encrypted file to separate enciphered data from the rest. The last thing, the malicious application ought to do is drop a file called DECRYPT YOUR FILES.txt, which should contain a ransom note.

The malware’s ransom note should explain what has happened to the user’s files and why they cannot be restored without special decryption tools. The ransom note does not say directly that a user would have to pay for decryption tools. However, it does say a user can send a few files for free decryption, which suggests such services are not free of charge. Since Li Ransomware’s creators mention a couple of email addresses to contact them, the price will likely be revealed only to those who do contact them. You should know that paying a ransom does not guarantee you will receive the promised tools, even if hackers claim otherwise.

If you do not trust the malware’s developers and believe they could scam you, we advise removing Li Ransomware and restoring files from backup copies that you might have. To delete the threat manually, you could follow the instructions provided at the end of this paragraph. As for inexperienced users who do not think they can handle the task, we advise getting a reliable antimalware tool that could eliminate Li Ransomware for them.

Remove Li Ransomware

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Pick Task Manager and select Processes.
3. Find a process belonging to this ransomware.
4. Mark it and press End Task.
5. Exit Task Manager.
6. Click Win+E.
7. Find these paths:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
8. Find the malicious application’s launcher (suspicious file downloaded before your computer got infected).
9. Right-click it and select Delete.
10. Navigate to %APPDATA%
11. Look for a randomly named file that could belong to the threat.
12. Right-click the malicious application’s copy and select Delete.
13. Locate and erase all files called DECRYPT YOUR FILES.txt.
14. Exit File Explorer.
15. Empty Recycle Bin.
16. Restart the computer.