What is Screen Locker?
Although you may think otherwise, Screen Locker is not a ransomware application that would keep your computer hostage demanding payment. It is true that this malicious Trojan locks down your desktop, but whatever the infection does to your system, it is not irreversible. If you want to get your computer back immediately, we recommend scrolling down to the guidelines we have put up to help you get rid of the infection. Do not forget that the most efficient way to terminate all the potential computer security threats is investing in a licensed antispyware tool that would delete all the infections automatically.
Where does Screen Locker come from?
There are many ways how a Trojan can be distributed. It is quite often that Trojans like Screen Locker spread around the web via spam email attachments. Spam emails are sent out huge amounts on a daily basis, and usually our inboxes filter those messages, redirecting them to the Junk folder. However, it is not too rate to see a spam email message land into your main inbox, offering various drug deals, or pretending to be a notification from a financial institution. If a user opens this type of a message and launches the attachment, Screen Locker or any other malicious infection enters the target computer.
Also, it would be a good idea to avoid unfamiliar websites, especially the ones that have multiple commercial banners and other pop-ups. It would not be surprising if these pop-ups were embedded with a malicious exploit that redirects users to malware-related pages. Either way, the bottom line is that it would be possible to avoid the likes of Screen Locker if you practiced safe web browsing habits.
What’s more, do not forget that with Screen Locker on your computer, there is a good chance that you have more potential threats on board, too. In order to determine what unwanted and dangerous programs are running on your system.
What does Screen Locker do?
Unlike most of the Trojan infections that are rather stealthy about their presence, this one will let you know immediately that it has occupied your computer. Upon the infection, Screen Locker will block you from accessing the Windows Explorer and the Command Prompt by changing a few entries in the registry. On top of that, the Trojan will also lock your screen by opening an Internet Explorer window, covering your Taskbar, Start menu, and other controls.
The Internet Explorer window will open the neterrors.info/security-breach.htm website that will display a message about a supposedly missing plug-in. To fix the system error, the infection asks you to pay a toll-free number at 188-315-3446. It also gives you detailed information on the error, although all of us know that the information is false, and the error is non-existent.
You may want to try and close the page, but then you would receive another pop-up that is even more straightforward about the supposed “threats” your computer faces. Checkout an extract from the message:
SYSTEM ALERT
Your Computer is infected with a BACKDOOR TROJAN or OPEN PORT MALWARE causing you to see this popup. DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIAL TO PROTECT YOUR NETWORK.
The message goes on and on, listing various potential reasons as to why you are seeing this “notification,” but the bottom’s line is the same: you need to call the “Microsoft Network Support at 1-888-315-3446.” Needless to say, this number does not belong to Microsoft, and the Trojan’s creators are making use of that to extract money out of you. Following the Trojan’s orders will lead you nowhere, so you need to terminate this infection, and you have to do it now.
How do I remove Screen Locker?
If you are not an experienced computer user, you may find deleting Trojan infections manually quite challenging. However, it is not something too complicated. If you find it hard to follow our instructions, you can always leave us a comment, and we will guide you through the process.
Nevertheless, it would be in your best interest to acquire a powerful antispyware tool because you can never know when you could get infected with similar malicious programs. If your PC is protected against other intruders 24/7, you might save yourself the trouble of dealing with dire malware infection consequences. Also, do not forget that you should be responsible while surfing the web because a computer security program of choice is just one line of defense.
Manual Screen Locker Removal
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to launch the Task Manager.
- Click File on the menu bar and open New Rask (Run…).
- Type regedit.exe and press Enter.
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
- Right-click the Shell value name.
- Choose Modify and change the value data to explorer.exe.
- Go to these registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SafeBoot
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\SafeBoot - In each, right-click the AlternateShell value name.
- Change the value data to cmd.exe.
- Navigate to the following keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer - Delete the NoViewContextMenu value name.
tested removal of Screen Locker*
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