Lokd Ransomware

If you open spam email attachments or download files set up by cybercriminals, you could invite Lokd Ransomware into your operating system without even meaning to. This malicious threat is very stealthy, and you are not supposed to recognize it during installation. So, if you think that you can definitely identify malicious threats, think again. If the threat is executed successfully, it instantly encrypts personal files. It does not wait because there is a risk that the victim could recognize and delete the launcher file. It encrypts personal files only because these are the files that people care about. If system files are encrypted, they can be replaced. Furthermore, if they get encrypted, the system could crash, and that would lead to an unsuccessful attack. So, which files were encrypted on your Windows operating system? Whether the threat encrypted one or thousands of them, you want to remove Lokd Ransomware ASAP. Continue reading, and you will learn more about your options.

STOP Ransomware is an infection that we must mention when discussing Lokd Ransomware. This is the predecessor of the threat discussed in this report, and according to our researchers, hundreds of other infections have been built using its original code. A few of them include Rezm Ransomware, Topi Ransomware, MOOL Ransomware, and BBOO Ransomware. These infections are very quick to encrypt files, and they always add unique extensions to their names so that victims could spot them right away. Lokd Ransomware adds the “.lokd” extension, which is why it has that name. Everywhere where files are encrypted, you might find a file named “_readme.txt.” Originally, it is dropped to the %HOMEDRIVE% directory along with the SystemID folder that has a file named “PersonalID.txt” inside. These are malware components that you need to delete, but if you do, do not expect that your files will be restored. At this point, your only hope of recovering files lies within the STOP Decryptor that was created by malware researchers. It is free, but it does not guarantee complete decryption of all files.

The “_readme.txt” file dropped Lokd Ransomware is meant to convince you that the attackers themselves can provide you with a legitimate decryptor. That is not the truth. The message inside the text file informs that victims of the infection need special software if they want to restore files, and the price for this software is $980 – or $490 if paid within three days. If the ransom note convinces you that you can pay for a decryptor, you are supposed to send a message to helpdatarestore@firemail.cc or helpmanager@mail.ch with a unique ID included in it. Allegedly, once you contact the attackers, they will explain how to pay the ransom, and once that is paid, you will get a tool that will decrypt all files. This is a false promise, and if you give your money to cybercriminals, they will give you nothing in return. Needless to say, you will not be able to get your money back either. This is the main scam, and your personal files are just collateral damage. The attackers encrypt them without even meaning to restore them in the future. Therefore, we strongly advise that you focus on deleting Lokd Ransomware instead of following the attackers’ commands.

If you cannot use the free STOP Decryptor to recover the files corrupted by Lokd Ransomware, you might be able to replace them with your own copies stored on the computer, online, or on external drives. Note that when it comes to storing copies of files, it is never safe to rely on internal backups because they can be corrupted or destroyed by malware too. Whether you stick to a free decryptor or use your own backups, delete Lokd Ransomware first. The instructions below guide the way, but the components have random names, and the launcher also has a random location. If you cannot find and delete all components yourself, the next best thing is to install anti-malware software. In fact, this is the software we recommend installing in every case because besides automatically removing active threats, it also can reinforce Windows security. Needless to say, if you ignore the current state of your Windows security, you are bound to face new threats.

Lokd Ransomware Removal

1. Delete recently downloaded files.
2. Tap Win+E to access File Explorer.
3. Enter %LOCALAPPDATA% into the field at the top.
4. Delete a folder with a name consisting of a strong of random characters.
5. Enter %HOMEDRIVE% into the field at the top.
6. Delete the file named _readme.txt and also a folder named SystemID.
7. Empty Recycle Bin.
8. Perform a full system scan to check for malicious leftovers that might still require attention.