What is SkullLocker Screenlocker?
Cyber security experts at Anti-spyware-101.com have recently come across a new ransomware-type computer infection called SkullLocker Screenlocker. Apparently, this application was designed to lock the screen of your PC and, thus, prevent you from using it. While this application has been classified as ransomware, testing has shown that this program does not demand that you send its creators money to unlock your PC’s screen. Hence, it locks your PC for the sake of locking it, and you are left to deal with it somehow on your own. Luckily, this program is very primitive, and you can bypass its lock screen and remove without too much effort. We have a guide on how to get rid of it below, but if you want to find out more about it, please read this whole article.
What does SkullLocker Screenlocker do?
SkullLocker Screenlocker is similar to Cryptodevil Screen Locker, Mrlocker Ransomware, and YouTube Ransomware, among others in that it locks a computer’s screen as opposed to most ransomware that are set to encrypt a user’s files. If this new ransomware were to infect your PC, then it will lock your computer’s screen immediately. You can see how its lock screen looks like above. The lock screen is a black background with a gray-colored skull with red-colored text that reads “"Your screen has been blocked. To exit put password in the box.” Interestingly, this ransomware also provides you with a password that is 12345. The lock screen features a line where you can enter the password. If you enter it and click Verify, then your computer’s screen will not be unlocked, but you will be presented with another screen that reads “YOUR SCREEN IS LOCKED YOU CANNOT GET OUT!" This malware is an odd one indeed, but it seems that it was made to work that way on purpose.
The good news is that you can close its lock screen by pressing Alt+F4 on your keyboard. However, you have to delete it as well, because this program creates what is called a Point of Execution (PoE) that launches this ransomware on the next system startup. The PoE is placed at HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, and its value name is Application. The value data shows the location of the executable as well as its name. Take note of the location and the name to delete it manually. Now that we know how this ransomware works, let us take a look at how its developers disseminate it.
Where does SkullLocker Screenlocker come from?
Our cyber security experts have received unconfirmed reports that this ransomware’s developers use email spam to infect the computers of unwary users. Therefore, we assume that they have set up an email server dedicated to disseminating this ransomware. The emails can be disguised as anything to trick you into opening the attached file that is SkullLocker Screenlocker. The emails can masquerade as receipts, invoices, business-related correspondence, and so on. The attached file can look like a PDF file but be an EXE file, in fact. If you open the attachment, download and open the file, then this ransomware will lock your PC.
How do I remove SkullLocker Screenlocker?
However, as mentioned, you can get rid of this program rather easily. Please see the removal guide provided below this article. However, you can also use our featured anti-malware program called SpyHunter to delete it for you. As you can see, SkullLocker Screenlocker is a rather malicious program, but you can deal with it easily, at least for now. Its current iterations may be a test version, so its full potential has not been realized. Therefore, you should have a program to protect your PC from more dangerous malware.
Delete the registry entry
- Press Alt+F4 to close the lock screen.
- Press Windows+R keys.
- Type regedit in the box and press OK.
- Navigate to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Find the value name "Application"
- Note the value data (e.g. %USERSPROFILE%\Desktop\(random name).exe)
- Right-click "Application" and click Delete.
- Close the Registry Editor.
Delete the files
- Press Windows+E keys.
- Type the file path of the executable (e.g. %USERSPROFILE%\Desktop\(random name).exe) in the File Explorer’s address box.
- Hit Enter.
- Right-click the executable and click Delete.
- Empty the Recycle Bin.
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