Do you know what WinLock2 Ransomware is?
If you cannot use the PC of the full-screen warning that seems to be sent by Czech police, you are probably dealing with the WinLock2 ransomware, the executable of which is known to be spread as the game Call of Duty: WWII. If you have recently attempted to installed this game or some other free application and now cannot use your computer as usual, you already know which file is to be blamed. The WinLock2 threat is a screen locker that infects computers based in the Czech republic and demands for a ransom in exchange for access to the computer. The infection is dubbed ransomware due to the demand to pay up, but, unlike the latest encryption-based threats, this particular one only locks down your data. Whenever you encounter a computer infection that requests your money, do not panic but take action to remove threat. In the present case, the WinLock2 ransomware should be removed without hesitation, and you should act accordingly as soon as you can.
The logos of Europol and Czech police are added to the deceptive warning to make victims believe that the notification in which they are accused of using illegally acquired content is issued by the institutions presented. In reality, neither police, nor Europol would access a computer without permission to inform its user that the computer is locked. Such scare tactics should be disregarded, and the culprit, i.e., the malware displaying the deceptive warning, should be removed for good.
Every piece of ransomware is a malicious PC intruder whose ultimate goals is to obtain victims' money. Fortunately, it is possible to regain access to your data without spending the money requested. You should not give up to the temptation to pay the ransom requested. It does not matter whether you are dealing the WinLock2 ransomware or with ransomware encrypting files: paying up does not guarantees a fix, because the attackers are not interested in restoring your data or your access to your data. The WinLock2 ransomware demands a ransom of 1000 Czech crowns, which is about 47 USD. According to the attackers' requirement, the money has to be submitted using the Paysafecard service, which works without bank accounts. In order to make a payment, a money sender has to purchase a voucher and send its 16-digit code to the seller or service provider. We strongly advise you against spending your money on the release even if you can afford it, because you can unlock your computer right now without spending money.
WinLock2 Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
To unlock you inactive computer, type in any 16-character PIN code and click the submit button. You can try different variants, including as simple as 1234567890123456.
By unlocking your machine, you do not remove the WinLock2 ransomware from the computer. It is essential to remove the WinLock2 ransomware for good and also shield the system from new potential infections.
The WinLock2 ransomware creates its auto-start value in the Windows Registry so that the deceptive warning is launched after every reboot of the system. More important, it is essential to delete the executable file of the infection so that it does not get updated in any way to cause more damage. All of this can be done manually with the help of the removal guide provided below, but if you find this manually removal too complex, we recommend using a reputable malware and spyware removal tool. Bear in mind that WinLock2 has managed to get access to your computer unnoticed, which is a sign that your PC needs professional protection against ransomware, browser hijackers, adware, and many other threats available on the Internet.
How to remove the WinLock2 ransomware
- Check the desktop and the Downloads folder for the recently downloaded malicious file and delete it.
- Press Win+R and type in regedit.
- Click OK.
- Follow the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and delete the malicious value located in the right-hand side panel.
- Empty the Recycle bin.
In non-techie terms:
WinLock2 is a computer infection that disables your access to the desktop so that you cannot access your folder and files. To scare you into spending about 50 US dollars on the unlocking of the computer, the infection displays bogus allegations that are supposedly provided by Europol and Czech police. The WinLock2 ransomware should be removed from the computer, and the computer itself should be secured against malware and ransomware.