Lokd Ransomware

What is Lokd Ransomware?

Lokd Ransomware is one of those file-encrypting threats that are used for money extortion. As you see, the malicious program enciphers victims’ private files as they could be irreplaceable and then shows a note that asks to pay in exchange for decryption tools. Such tools could be your only way to restore your files, but we do not advise purchasing them if you fear getting scammed and losing your money for nothing. If you want to know more about the malware, we encourage you to read the rest of this article. Also, we can offer our removal instructions that show how to erase Lokd Ransomware manually. You can find our instructions at the end of this page, where you should also find our comments section that you could use if you have any questions about the discussed malicious application.

Where does Lokd Ransomware come from?

Lokd Ransomware might enter a system with malicious data obtained from file-sharing websites, spam emails, fake notifications, and so on. Files that could carry this threat might seem harmless, for example, they could look like software installers, text documents, updates, game cracks, or archives. Therefore, no matter what a file appear to be, we recommend against opening it if it comes from an untrustworthy source. That is if you do not want to infect your device accidentally by opening a malicious file in disguise. It would be safest not to interact with any types of data if you are not entirely sure that your encountered files can be trusted. If you still want to open data even though it seems suspicious, you should at least scan it with a legitimate antimalware tool first.

How does Lokd Ransomware work?

The malware may create folders with copies of its launcher in the %LOCALAPPDATA% and %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data directories as well as scheduled tasks that would ensure that the malware gets relaunched, for example, every day at 5pm. Next, Lokd Ransomware should locate its targeted files and encrypt them with a robust encryption algorithm. Our researchers at Anti-spyware-101.com say that the malware should be after photographs, different types of documents, and files alike that do not belong to the infected computer’s operating system. In other words, the infection might encrypt all files except Windows and program data. You can learn if a file is enciphered or not by checking if it has the .lokd extension at the end, for example, document.docx.lokd.

Finally, Lokd Ransomware should create a text file called _readme.txt in the C: disk. This file ought to carry a short message asking to email the malicious application’s developers. A longer message ought to be displayed on the infected computers’ screens. According to it, users should not only get in touch with the hackers who created the threat but also send a chosen file for free decryption so that cybercriminals could prove that they have the needed decryption tools. Of course, the ransom note ought to explain that such tools can only be received if a victim pays a ransom and that the price depends on how fast they contact hackers. What we wish to stress is that cybercriminals can promise anything to convince you to pay and that we do not recommend doing so if you do not want to risk getting scammed.

How to remove Lokd Ransomware?

It is advisable to eliminate Lokd Ransomware as fast as possible because it could encrypt new data if it gets relaunched. One way to delete it is to get rid of its launcher and the files that it may create upon entering a system. The instructions available below show how to complete this task. If the process looks too challenging, we advise getting a legitimate antimalware tool that could delete Lokd Ransomware for you.

Erase Lokd Ransomware

1. Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Open Task Manager and click on Processes.
3. Find a process belonging to the malware.
4. Select it and click End Task.
5. Close Task Manager.
6. Press Windows key+E.
7. Search these directories:
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %TEMP%
8. Look for the malware’s installer, right-click the malicious file, and press Delete.
9. Go to:
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
10. Find folders with long titles that should be made from random characters, for example, 6f9ea466-56f4-496d-0f16-9a20ac6t9oe0.
11. Right-click such folders and press Delete.
12. Right-click the text document called _readme.txt (located in the C: disk) and select Delete.
13. Navigate to: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
14. Find a task belonging to the malware, for example, Time Trigger Task.
15. Right-click the malicious task and press Delete.
16. Exit File Explorer.
17. Press Window key+R.
18. Type Regedit and press Enter.
19. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
20. Right-click a value name belonging to the threat, for example, SysHelper and choose Delete to erase it.
21. Exit Registry Editor.
22. Empty Recycle Bin.
23. Restart the computer. Download Removal Tool100% FREE spyware scan and
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