Do you know what Wholocked ransomware is?
Wholocked ransomware is a peculiar computer infection that not only encrypts your files, it also locks up your PC. However, there is no need to panic as there is a way to reach your account again. Please scroll down to the bottom of this description for the manual removal instructions that will help you unlock your PC and remove Wholocked ransomware for good. Don’t forget that it might not be possible to restore all the files affected by this encryption, so your best option in this situation would be a file backup (provided you have one).
Although Wholocked ransomware is slightly different from the other ransomware programs in the way it works, it still seems to be following the same distribution patterns by employ spam emails and corrupt RDP connections to spread around. This also means that it is possible to avoid this infection if you do not interact with unfamiliar content, or you do not download files offered and delivered by unknown parties.
Please note that spam emails that deliver Wholocked ransomware will be urgent in their messaging. And if someone you don’t know urges you to open an unfamiliar file, it is very likely that there is something wrong with it. If you want to be sure you can scan the file in question with a security tool of your choice. Please don’t hesitate to do that because this way, you will know at once whether the file you are about to open is malicious or not.
However, if you happen to launch the Wholocked ransomware installer file, you can be sure that all of your personal files will get encrypted in no-time. This program works like any more ransomware infection out there and it adds the extension to the filenames (“.wholocked”) that obviously show your files have been affected.
Wholocked ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
It goes without saying that once your files are encrypted, you cannot access them anymore. There is also no public decryption tool available that could help you deal with this problem. It might seem that you have to follow the instructions in the ransom note to get through it, but that shouldn’t be the course of action you need to take. Before we discuss other options, let’s take a look at the ransom note that you see on your screen:
All your files have been encrypted!
All your documents (databases, texts, images, videos, musics etc.) were encrypted.
The encryption was done using a secret key
that is now on our servers.To decrypt your files you will need to by the secret key from us. We are the only on the world who can provide this for you.
The note goes on to say that you have to pay 0.036 BTC (around $300) for the decryption key, but of course, this is not something we would recommend. For one, you would encourage these criminals to continue creating more dangerous infections. Second, there is no guarantee that they would issue the decryption key in the first place.
So, we have to remove Wholocked ransomware from your computer, but it might seem challenging at first, because the infection locks you out. The thing that locks you out is the Trojan.ScreenLocker.B infection, which is a rather generic threat. The malicious file for this program is dropped in the %TEMP% directory. You can bypass the screen lock by rebooting your system in the Safe Mode (for that, please refer to the removal guidelines below).
You can also follow the removal guidelines if you want to remove Wholocked ransomware manually. However, if you do not feel confident about that, you can just terminate the infection automatically with a licensed antispyware tool. Again, please note that removing the infection does not get your files back. In the worst-case scenario, you might have to start building your data library anew (especially if you don’t have the file backup).
Please consider addressing a professional technician for other potential file recovery options. However, don’t forget that this ongoing war with ransomware is not just about the backup storage and the antispyware tools you use. It’s also about your web browsing habits and the way you interact with unfamiliar content. You also have to make sure you don’t get tricked by cybercriminals when you browse the web.
How to Remove Wholocked ransomware
- Turn on your computer.
- For Windows 8: open the Charm bar and select Power Options.
For Windows 10: press the Window icon and select Power. - Press the Shift key and select Restart.
- Go to the Troubleshooting menu and click Advanced options.
- Open Startup Settings and click Restart. Press F5 to launch Safe mode with Networking.
- Press Win + R and type regedit. Click OK.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
- On the right, right-click and delete the svñhîst value that points to %USERPROFILE%.
- Close Registry editor and press Win + R.
- Type %TEMP% into the Open box and click OK.
- Delete random EXE files from the directory and restart your computer in Normal Mode.
- Run a full system scan with SpyHunter to delete the remaining malware files.
In non-techie terms:
Wholocked ransomware is an annoying infection that makes it seem you have no other option but to pay the ransom for the decryption key. We do understand that some users choose to do that because of the importance of their files, but that only pushes the criminals to create more dangerous infections. Remove Wholocked ransomware with a licensed antispyware tool today, and then look for other ways to restore your files.