Do you know what Unlock_files_instructions Ransomware is?
Unlock_files_instructions.txt is a text file that is dropped on your desktop by a ransomware infection. The infection itself is called GNL Locker Ransomware, and it behaves just like any other program of the same category out there. It is abrasive and intrusive, and it wants you to give away your money. Ransomware programs are especially alarming because they inflict actual harm on the target computer that is hard to undo. Hence, even if you remove Unlock_files_instructions Ransomware from your system, you have to be ready to face the infection consequences, and they may not be pretty.
By that, we mean that this program encrypts most of your files with a very complicated encryption algorithm. Our researchers have found that this program uses the RSA-2048 key along with the AES-CBC 256-bit encryption algorithm to encrypt your files. This double encryption system means that your files are encrypted using one algorithm, and then the key that was used to encrypt your files gets encrypted ITSELF using yet another algorithm. As a result, the only way to decrypt your files is to get the private decryption key that the cyber criminals have. They would expect you to pay the ransom for that, but you should know better than that.
You must have gotten infected with Unlock_files_instructions Ransomware when you opened a spam email attachment that looked like a decent document file. It is very often that these programs manage to fool users into thinking they are about to open an invoice or some other important document while in fact they launch the Trojan installer that unleashes the malicious payload. You might have also encountered this infection in the form of flash exploits when you clicked some pop-up on an unfamiliar website, and you were redirected to the actual site that distributes this infection.
Upon the installation, the program will encrypt almost all files that are commonly found on most PCs nowadays. The program targets files that have such extensions as .cas, .svg, .map, .wmo, .itm, .sb, .fos, .mov, .vdf, .ztmp, .sis, .sid, .ncf, .menu, .layout, .dmp, .blob, .esm, .vcf, .vtf, .dazip, .iwd, .arch00, .lvl, .snx, .cfr, .ff, .vpp_pc, .lrf, .m2, .mcmeta, .vfs0, .mpqge, .kdb, .db0, .dba, .rofl, .hkx, .bar, .upk, .das, .iwi, .litemod, .asset, .forge, .ltx, .bsa, .apk, .re4, .sav, .lbf, .slm, .bik, .epk, .rgss3a, .pak, .big, wallet, and many others. It basically means that when this program is done with you, you will no longer be able to access any of your files. It will also be easy to see which files are encrypted because the affected files have the .locked extension. What’s more, the ransomware will create the instruction file in each folder that has the encrypted files, as well as your desktop.
If you click the instructions file, you will see the following information given:
Your files are locked / encrypted. You can unlock you files by paying requested amount! (~$/€250)
<…>
In order to unlock your files you will have to purchase the private password for this computer.
The infection also goes on to say that you a payment deadline, and if you fail to pay until the given date, the ransom amount will be tripled. However, if you do not intend to pay the ransom, that should not bother you in the slightest. Albeit the decryptor has not been created yet, you can still restore your files from the backup.
A backup is a particular storage where you keep copies of your files. For instance, you may have an external hard drive with most of your precious documents. Perhaps you save the latest files on cloud drive storage or in your inbox. Whichever it might be, if you can get most of your files back through the backup, you should not even consider paying the ransom fee. After all, no one can guarantee that Unlock_files_instructions Ransomware would send you over the decryption password. Ransomware programs often have shaky connections with their command and control servers, so you will do yourself a favor if you ignore these demands point blank and just remove the infection from your system.
To terminate this application, please follow the steps in the instructions you will find just below this description. Also, after manual removal, you should run a full system scan with the SpyHunter free scanner. Only when you are completely sure your PC is safe and clean, you can finally start transferring the files back.
How to Delete Unlock_files_instructions Ransomware
- Press the Win+R keys enter %AppData% into the Open box.
- Click OK and go to the Roaming folder.
- Locate a random-named .bat file and remove it.
- Go to your Desktop and delete the UNLOCK_FILES_INSTRUCTIONS.txt file.
- Empty your Recycle Bin.
In non-techie terms:
When you see a ransom note on your screen, you can be sure that your computer has been infected with something nasty. This malicious program will not allow you to open your files unless you pay the fee. Rather than giving these criminals what they want, you should remove the infection along with the Unlock_files_instructions notification, and then invest in a powerful antispyware tool that would help you protect your PC against similar intruders. Real-time protection is your best bet when you need to fight malware!