Lokf ransomware

Lokf ransomware is the cryptovirus that spreads around on Windows devices via cracked and pirated software 

Lokf ransomware is a virus focusing on encryption because this process allows file encoding. Once the original code is altered and the file becomes useless, the ransom can be asked form the victim. .lokf appendix is the file marker that appears at the end of each altered video, an audio file, picture or document, so people can know that their data is encrypted. Also, once that is done, _readme.txt file appears on the machine in various folders with affected files, on the desktop. The ransom delivers the text that hasn’t been changed since the beginning of Djvu virus family attacks.

This is one of more than 180 versions belonging to this family, and this fact that the threat is no longer decryptable makes Lokf ransomware virus more dangerous. At the end of summer 2019, virus developers changed their coding techniques and employed sophisticated algorithms to help with the more difficult file locking.^[1] Unfortunately, this is not a good thing for virus researchers and victims. Previously known STOP decrypter cannot work for any variant released after August, and the recent tool can only work for files encrypted offline keys only.^[2]

Lokf ransomware is the cyber infection that scans the machine to find particular file types suitable for data encryption. Your photos, documents, video or audio files, music, databases, or even archives get affected and then marked using .lokf appendix. Encryption changes the original code of the data, and the only possible way to recover the same file is decryption. However, for that, you need a specific key and tool.

Even though virus developers claim to have the needed program, we don’t recommend relying on their services. Paying these criminals cannot guarantee that files affected by the Lokf ransomware virus will get restored because these crooks care for your money only.

Stay away from contacting malicious extortionists even though the message delivered in the Lokf ransomware ransom note seems convincing:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-IbdGyCKhdr
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
[email protected]

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
[email protected]

The only method that can ensure the recovery of those encrypted files is replacing data with safe copies from the external device or cloud database. If you choose to believe Lokf ransomware developers, you can pay for nothing and lose your money or files permanently. Experts^[4] note about the malicious aims of cybercriminals, especially of those that created version after version.

You should remove Lokf ransomware as a threat that this is instead of contacting the criminals. Also, note that the Djvu family launches secondary payloads, installs trojans, info-stealing malware, masks those processes in the background by delivering fake Windows update window. You need to be very cautious and get rid of it as soon as possible. 
Lokf ransomware is the version of notorious ransomware known for a while. Unfortunately, decryption tools that exist already are not capable to help with files encrypted by this variant. Lokf ransomware removal and file recovery depend on some major factors related to the coding of the script and the method of encryption. As we mentioned, decryption tools developed before cannot work for files marked with .lokf appendix unless the encryption was achieved with offline keys, so Emsisoft decryptor can be useful.

It is believed that it may take a few years at least to develop a proper decryption program for files affected by Lokf ransomware, so it is not likely that you may get those files recovered ever. You can try to store malware-related files on the external device and wait for the update from researchers, but we are not hopeful.

As for the proper Lokf ransomware virus termination, you should employ anti-malware tools that include this malware family in their database and can indicate the threat once it is on the system. Antivirus tools are not capable of recovering neither system data nor encoded files. You need separate tools to fix the damage and restore encrypted documents.

Since Lokf ransomware creates ransom executables in %AppData% or %LocalAppData% folders and alters Windows registry keys, other parts of the system, you should rely on Reimage Reimage Cleaner , software that can perform a system repair and fix the damage caused by infection. These programs might indicate files and programs requiring help and fix the damage for you.

Lokf ransomware is the cryptovirus that is difficult to remove manually, so you should rely on professional anti-malware software.  

Infected file attachments and shady programs hide malicious payloads

The more common method used to spread ransomware around involves spam email campaigns when malicious macros get placed on Microsoft Word, Excel or PDF documents and delivered as email attachments, supposedly informing the person about order information, financial data, receipts and shipping details. Malicious senders even pose as DHL, FedEx,eBay, and other legitimate companies to trick people. 

However, this particular ransomware family got popular for spreading extremely quickly due to pirated software distribution with payload dropper. Torrent sites and other free sharing networks distribute these packages with cracked programs, video game cheat codes, serial numbers of system tools, and other content that is quickly downloaded by users all over the world.

The only way to avoid the infection is either stop using these services or scan each file coming to the machine with anti-malware tools. These pirating sites sometimes have verification patched for seeders and providers, but even those “legitimate” accounts cannot guarantee what can be included in the pre-packed installer.

Lokf ransomware elimination requires professional tools capable of cleaning the computer fully

There are many dangerous features of this shady Lokf ransomware virus, and most of them are not noticeable because malicious scripts and processes run in the background while affecting important parts of the machine, including security features and file recovery possibilities. These alterations can even damage the machine further than cryptovirus itself.

However, to remove Lokf ransomware as malware and to fix the damage completely, you need proper tools with certain functionalities. Anti-malware programs can be helpful with the termination of this intruder, but encrypted data and damaged system files are not going to be recovered with antivirus tools.

Prepare for the file recovery by employing the trustworthy anti-malware tool for Lokf ransomware removal. Then get a tool like Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes and manage to repair affected parts of the system. Once the machine is virus and virus damage-free, you can rely on your data backups or third-party file recovery software to get those files that got encrypted back.

Remove Lokf using Safe Mode with Networking

Lokf ransomware elimination should give better results when you reboot the machine in the Safe Mode with Networking before running the AV tool

• Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list

  Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
  2. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
  3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking in Startup Settings window.

• Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage Reimage Cleaner or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete Lokf removal.

If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.

Remove Lokf using System Restore

System Restore feature can act as an alternate method capable of recovering the system to the point before this malware infection

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Lokf from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by Lokf, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro is the software for your encrypted files

When you cannot use file backups or a decryption tool, you can rely on Data Recovery Pro and restore affected data after Lokf ransomware removal

• Download Data Recovery Pro;
• Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
• Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Lokf ransomware;
• Restore them.

Windows Previous Versions is useful for file restoring

Once System Restore feature gets enabled, you can rely on Windows Previous Versions and recover files individually

• Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
• Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
• Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

ShadowExplorer is the feature on Windows device that allows file recovery without data backups

Shadow Volume Copies should be untouched for the ShadowExplorer to properly work and recover Lokf ransomware encoded files

• Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
• Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
• Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
• Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Decryption tool is not developed for Lokf ransomware yet

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Lokf and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes