ShellLocker Ransomware Data Recovery

From this ShellLocker Ransomware information page, you will learn:

What is ShellLocker? How does this ransomware work and how to prevent it? How to remove it and what ShellLocker ransomware recovery options exist.

ShellLocker is a type of malware that encrypts your files and demands a ransom for the decryption key. ShellLocker is a file-encrypting virus that uses strong encryption algorithms to make users’ files completely inaccessible. This malware drops a ransom note named “HELP_DECRYPT.txt” which asks the victim to contact the criminals responsible for this attack to get further instructions on how to pay the ransom and recover their data.

History

ShellLocker first appeared in the wild in early 2016. Security researcher Michael Gillespie discovered it. This ransomware was being distributed through fake Adobe Flash Player update websites. ShellLocker used the same codebase as CryptXXX 3.0, which was very popular ransomware at that time.

How did ShellLocker get on my computer?

ShellLocker usually arrives on a user’s computer via malicious email attachments or exploit kits. The email will typically try to trick the user into opening the attachment by posing as a legitimate message from a well-known company or organization. Once the attachment is opened, the ShellLocker ransomware will be executed and will begin to encrypt the user’s files.

How do I know if it has infected me?

There are several ways that you can tell if it infected your computer. One way is to look for a ransom note named “HELP_DECRYPT.txt” which is typically dropped in the same location as the encrypted files. Another way to tell if it infected you is by looking for unusual file extensions appended to your files (e.g., “.locked”, “. ShellLocker”, etc.). Finally, you may also experience performance issues and strange behavior from your computer.

How much is the ransom?

ShellLocker typically demands a ransom of 1 Bitcoin, which is currently equivalent to approximately $9,000. The ransom may be increased if the victim does not pay within a certain time frame.

Also, the ransom may vary depending on the country where the victim is located in. ShellLocker has been known to target victims in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

There are several things you can do to protect yourself from ransomware:

•  Keep your operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches.
•  Use a reputable antivirus program and keep it up to date.
•  Do not open email attachments from unknown senders.
•  Do not click on links in email messages from unknown senders.
•  Back up your important files regularly. This way, if you do become infected with ransomware, you will have a backup of your important files that you can use to restore them.

If you have already been infected with ShellLocker, the first thing you should do is disconnect your computer from the internet to prevent the malware from encrypting any more of your files. Then, you will need to remove the ransomware from your computer and, after that, attempt to decrypt your files.

ShellLocker Ransomware Removal can be a difficult task, as this malware uses sophisticated techniques to avoid detection and removal by security programs. We recommend that you use a reputable anti-malware program to remove it from your computer.

Once the ransomware has been removed from your computer, you can attempt to decrypt your files using one of the following methods:

• Use file recovery software: Several programs can be used to recover files that ransomware has encrypted. We do not guarantee this method to work, but it is worth a try.

We recommend using SalvageData data recovery software.

• Use a backup: If you have a backup of your important files, you can restore them from the backup. This is the most reliable way to recover your files.

Paying the ransom

We do not recommend doing it, as there is no guarantee that the attackers will decrypt your files after you pay the ransom. In addition, by paying the ransom, you are encouraging these criminals to continue their attacks.

Public decryption tool

At that moment, there was no ShellLocker ransomware decryptor available for free.

Try SalvageData Recovery Services for ShellLocker Ransomware Decryption.

If you are unable to remove ShellLocker ransomware or decrypt your files, you may need to contact a professional data recovery company for assistance. SalvageData is a leader in data recovery, with over 15 years of experience in recovering data from encrypted drives. We offer a free evaluation to assess the feasibility of recovering your data. 

Contact us today to get started. You can do it via our website or give us a call at +1 (800) 972-3282. Also, if you prefer, you can go to the nearest SalvageData lab location. 

Our team of experts will be more than happy to help you. We have successfully recovered data from ShellLocker Ransomware encrypted drives and can do the same for you.