LockBit ransomware removal and files decryptor

LockBit, an emerging threat in the ransomware arena, uses the .lockbit extension to blemish encrypted files and drops Restore-My-Files.txt ransom note.

1. What is the Lockbit ransomware?
2. LockBit ransomware automated removal and data recovery
3. LockBit ransomware manual removal and file recovery
4. Ransomware Prevention Tips

What is LockBit ransomware?

Early reports of the LockBit file-encrypting nasty messing around with Windows users’ files date back to mid-October 2019. Back then, the infection concatenated the primitive .abcd string to encrypted items and it became obvious that the cybercriminal gang behind it had some solid background and strong skills in this niche. In late January 2020, the malefactors switched to using the .lockbit extension while the ransom note name Restore-My-Files.txt remained unaltered. This appears to be a firmly established variant that’s rapidly proliferating globally at the time of this publication. The size of the ransom depends on the number of affected computers or servers and volume of data that underwent malicious encryption. It typically ranges from 0.5 to 3 bitcoins ($4,500-$27,000).

According to security analysts’ findings, LockBit is being promoted on the Dark Web as a Ransomware-as-a-Service. It means that crooks can “get a ride” by joining the RaaS that offers them a turnkey payload with a fair degree of customizability. Every ransom paid by a victim is split into a share of the affiliate and that of the ransomware author.

Aside from the classic warning about data corruption through cryptography, the Restore-My-Files.txt rescue note created by LockBit ransomware on the plagued machine’s desktop and inside encrypted folders provides steps to recover the files. To get started, the victim is supposed to download Tor Browser, open their personal, uniquely generated .onion link in it, and use the payment page to contact the attackers. There is a chat feature built into the page so that the infected user can negotiate the recovery terms with LockBit operators.

To reassure the person that the decryption works, the Tor page additionally includes “Trial decrypt” module. It allows the victim to upload a single encoded .lockbit extension file from the computer. There is a restriction regarding the file size, which should be up to 256 KB. The perpetrators claim they will send the victim the unencrypted copy of this item. However, even if they do, being confident that they will carry through with the promises about reinstating the rest of the data after the payment is risky business.

In contrast to the growing trend of ransomware targeting the enterprise, healthcare industry, and local municipalities, LockBit zeroes in on individual users for the most part. This tactic defines the distribution mechanisms being employed. The primary attack vector is malicious spam. The felons harness botnets to send numerous ransomware-riddled emails in bulk, hoping that some recipients will get curious and open the attached file. The latter tends to be a Microsoft Word document that allegedly contains important information such as invoice details, shipment-related instructions, a job offer, or something similarly arresting. The trick is that the file is laced with contagious macros instantly executing the infection chain when enabled. In its original form, the attachment appears to be displayed incorrectly and the user is instructed to allow macros by clicking on a prompt in the upper part of the document. Instead of being able to read the contents, though, the unsuspecting person ends up authorizing the stealth contamination.

As an extra leverage, newer editions of the LockBit ransom note include a warning about a purported instance of data theft. This is aligned with the recent quirk in the blackmail implementation where the attackers claim to have exfiltrated some files and threaten to leak them into the public domain unless the victim coughs up the ransom. In the case of LockBit, this element of pressure stems from the following phrase added to the Restore-My-Files.txt document:

“We also download huge amount of your private data, including finance information, clients’ personal info, network diagrams, passwords and so on. Don’t forget about GDPR”.

This new characteristic might be paving this strain’s way towards network attacks – notice the reference to customer-related data, something businesses should worry about in the first place. Also, European organizations take the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance seriously, otherwise they run the risk of paying big fines. Although there haven’t been incident reports about LockBit plaguing companies’ computer networks so far, this may change anytime soon. All in all, this ransomware is a rapidly evolving cyber threat to end users and potentially to businesses. If it has raided a computer via data encryption, follow the steps below to remove the dangerous program and try to recover hostage files.

LockBit ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When faced with ransomware like LockBit, one of the best shortcuts in terms of removal is to use Combo Cleaner, a lightweight and incredibly effective application with PC security and optimization features under the hood. It detects and thoroughly deletes threats while giving you insights into the overall health of your computer.

This program’s protection power spans modules that forestall all known types of malware, including ransomware and browser hijackers, and take your online security to the next level by blocking phishing sites and other suspicious web pages. Follow these simple steps to eliminate the infection for good:

1. Download Combo Cleaner installer.

Download LockBit remover

^{Combo Cleaner scans your PC with no strings attached, but you’ll have to buy its fully functional version to remove the threats it detects. The disk optimization tools that find large files and duplicates are free to use.}

2. Open the CCSetup.exe file to get started. Several subsequent screens will allow you to make initial customizations so that the program works exactly as you need from the get-go.

3. The installation will be followed by an update of malware signatures. Once this process is through, click the Start Scan button in the left-hand sidebar.

4. Combo Cleaner will then check system locations that are most often polluted by Windows malware. The first scan can take a while to finish.

5. Combo Cleaner will display a system tray notification as soon as the scan is over. Click the Resolve found threats button to view the results.

6. The scan summary shows the names and types of the detected threats as well as their statuses and locations. Click the Remove all threats button and follow further on-screen prompts to get rid of these items.

Data recovery toolkit to the rescue

Some strains of ransomware are known to delete the original files after the encryption routine has been completed. As hostile as this activity appears, it can play into your hands. There are applications designed to revive the information that was obliterated because of malfunctioning hardware or due to accidental removal. The tool called Stellar Data Recovery features this type of a capability and therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So use the app to get an idea of what data can be restored and let it do the recovery job. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

2. Open the application, select the types of recoverable files to look for, and click Next.

3. Choose the areas you want the tool to recover from and click the Scan button.

4. Having scanned the specified locations, the program will display a notification about the total amount of recoverable data. Close the dialog and click the Recover button. This will hopefully help you get some of your valuable files back.

LockBit ransomware manual removal and file recovery

Some ransomware strains terminate themselves after completing the encryption job on a computer, but some don’t. Furthermore, the LockBit virus may prevent victims from using popular antimalware tools in order to stay on board for as long as possible. Under the circumstances, it may be necessary to utilize the Safe Mode with Networking or System Restore functionality.

Be advised that even after the ransomware is removed, files will still be encrypted and inaccessible. The malicious code cleanup part, however, is important because it keeps a relapse of the infection from occurring further on and eliminates all opportunistic malware.

Ways of non-ransom recovery of .lockbit or .abcd encrypted files

Cracking the crypto used by this ransom Trojan is more of a science fiction thing rather than an attainable prospect for the masses. This is why the troubleshooting in predicaments of this sort is a matter of two approaches: one is to pay the ransom, which isn’t an option for many victims; and the other is to apply instruments that take advantage of the ransomware’s possible weaknesses. If the latter is your pick, the advice below is a must-try.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid LockBit ransomware and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:

These techniques are certainly not a cure-all, but they will add an extra layer of ransomware protection to your security setup.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup. Another benefit of using the antimalware tool is that it will keep ransomware threats from intruding on your computer further on.

Download LockBit removal tool