Ragnar Locker Ransomware

Ragnar Locker Ransomware is a malicious application that encrypts files. As a consequence, the affected files become not damaged, but unreadable, which is why the computer can no longer run them. Usually, encrypted data can be restored with special decryption tools, but, as in many cases, the hackers behind this malware demand a payment in exchange for providing them. No matter what they say, the truth is that cybercriminals cannot be trusted, and there is always a risk that they could scam their victims. Thus, victims of such threats should think carefully about whether they want to place their money at risk. To learn more about this malicious application, we invite you to read our full article. If you want to see how it might be possible to erase Ragnar Locker Ransomware manually, you should check the instructions placed below as well.

Ragnar Locker Ransomware could likely enter a system by exploiting its vulnerabilities, such as unsecured Remote Desktop Protocol connections, outdated software, or weak passwords. The malicious application may get the chance to exploit such weaknesses if their targeted victim interacts with malicious pop-ups or notifications. Also, a lot of such threats travel via email. Usually, targeted victims receive messages saying that it is vital to open data attached to them immediately. In some cases, such malicious messages might not carry any files, but they could urge you to click on links leading to websites that could contain fake updates, documents, etc. Naturally, to avoid getting into such situations, we recommend against interacting with any data if you are not one hundred percent certain that it is harmless. If there is even the smallest doubt, it is best to scan files in question with a reliable antimalware tool that could check if they have any malicious components.

Our researchers say that Ragnar Locker Ransomware should not create any files after its launch. It means the malicious application should run from where its launcher was downloaded and opened. Since it could be any recently downloaded file, it is likely that it could be in your Downloads, Desktop, or Temporary Files folder. Also, we noticed that the malicious application was programmed to avoid encrypting files in folders that have particular words (e.g., Windows, Internet Explorer, Google, Opera, Program data, etc.) in their names. Plus, it seems like the malware was programmed not to encrypt files with the following extensions: .db, .sys, .dll, .lnk, .msi, .drv, and .exe. As for the rest of the data that do not have the listed extensions or are not in specific directories, Ragnar Locker Ransomware should encrypt it with a secure encryption algorithm and mark it with the .ragnar_{random eight numbers or letters} extension.

After encrypting all targeted files, Ragnar Locker Ransomware should create files called RGNR_{random eight characters}.txt on every directory that contains encrypted files. Inside of this file, victims should find a log message from the malware’s developers. It explains what happened to records that have the earlier mentioned threat’s extension, why the ransomware’s creators are the only ones who can restore them, and why users should put up with their demands. What the cybercriminals demand is to pay a ransom. According to the ransom note, hackers will decide how much victims will have to pay based on: “the network size, number of employees, annual revenue.” This suggests that the threat is most likely targeted at organizations and not regular home users.

Furthermore, besides the hacker’s demands and instructions, victims should also receive threats. To be more precise, the cybercriminals may threaten to make a victim’s private or sensitive information public if he does not pay a ransom. It is likely that hackers might be saying this to scare their victims into paying the ransom. Given that there are no guarantees that Locker Ransomware’s developers will provide the decryption tools that they promise, putting up with their demands is risky and might end up hazardously.

If you decide not to pay and want to erase Ragnar Locker Ransomware, you could try the instructions located below. Since we cannot guarantee that they will work as the malware could have more versions, it would be safer to remove Ragnar Locker Ransomware with a reliable antimalware tool.

Erase Ragnar Locker Ransomware

1. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Choose Task Manager and select Processes.
3. Find a process belonging to the threat.
4. Mark it and click 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 became infected).
9. Right-click it and select Delete.
10. Find the malware’s ransom notes (e.g., RGNR_DA2C891E.txt), right-click them, and select Delete.
11. Exit File Explorer.
12. Empty Recycle Bin.
13. Restart the computer.