Do you know what Cobra Locker Ransomware is?
Cobra Locker Ransomware is a malicious application that encrypts files and locks a victim’s screen by placing a window in full-screen mode. The malware’s window should show an image of a character from the horror movie called It. It should also show a message from the malicious application’s creators that ought to ask users to contact them via email. Plus, the note should claim that users can unlock their screens if they enter a special key. Therefore, we believe that this threat's victims will likely be asked to pay a ransom in exchange for the key. We would recommend against making such deals as there are no guarantees that hackers will deliver the promised special key or that the key will decrypt your files. If you want to learn more about the malware before deciding what to do, we invite you to read our full report.
How could you receive Cobra Locker Ransomware? The answer to this question helps not only to avoid this particular threat but also to stay away from malicious applications alike in the future. The most popular channels used to spread such malware are spam emails, unreliable file-sharing websites, questionable and questionable pop-ups, and ads. Of course, launching a malicious file might not necessarily be enough for a threat to enter your system if it is well protected. However, if it has any vulnerabilities like weak passwords, outdated software, unpatched tools, or unsecured RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) connections, your system could be in trouble. Thus, to avoid ransomware and malicious applications alike, we advise not to open files coming from unreliable sources or under suspicious circumstances and ensure that your system does not have any vulnerabilities. Plus, it would be wise to get extra protection by employing a reputable antimalware tool.
Cobra Locker Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
The first thing that the malicious application should do after entering a system is to encrypt various personal files with a robust encryption algorithm so that users cannot open them anymore. Also, since Cobra Locker Ransomware comes from the fans of the horror movie called It, the malware was programmed to add a second extension called .IT to each enciphered file. For example, a photo called my_birthday_cake.jpg would become my_birthday_cake.jpg.IT. The second extension is placed to make it easier to recognize encrypted files. Meaning, even if you manage to remove it, your files would still be encrypted. The next thing that Cobra Locker Ransomware should do is lock your screen by placing a borderless window on top of it. The window should contain a scary picture from the earlier mentioned movie and a short ransom note. The note should ask to contact hackers via a given email to get a special key that would unlock the screen.
Keep in mind that if you contact Cobra Locker Ransomware’s creators, they might demand that you pay a ransom in exchange for the special key. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that you will get this key, which is why we advise not to pay the ransom if you do not want to risk your money. In which case, we also recommend using our removal guide that shows how to unlock the screen and delete Cobra Locker Ransomware manually. If you do not want to erase it manually, you could employ a reputable antimalware tool after unlocking the screen. We also recommend scanning your system with an antimalware tool after removing Cobra Locker Ransomware manually to ensure that it is completely gone.
Erase Cobra Locker Ransomware
- Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete simultaneously.
- Choose Task Manager.
- Locate a randomly named process belonging to the malware.
- Right-click the infection’s process and choose Open File Location.
- Leave the opened window be and select the threat’s process in the Task Manager again; choose End Task to kill it.
- Go to the File Explorer’s window that you opened before, right-click the malicious application’s launcher, and choose delete.
- Close the File Explorer.
- Empty your Recycle bin.
- Restart the computer.
- Scan your system with a reputable antimalware tool.
In non-techie terms:
Cobra Locker Ransomware can encrypt various types of documents, images, and other files considered personal. After it encrypts all targeted data, the malware should lock your screen by placing a borderless window on top of it. The malware’s creators must have decided that denying access to a user’s files and his computer might convince him better to put up with their demands. Based on our experience with such threats, we believe that the malicious application’s developers may ask to pay ransom to unlock the screen and decrypt files. The problem with the offer is that it comes from cybercriminals, and they cannot be trusted. They might promise various things, but they might not bother doing them once they receive what they ask. Thus, we advise against dealing with hackers if you do not want to risk getting tricked. To learn how to unlock your screen and erase Cobra Locker Ransomware manually, you could check the instructions available above.