Understanding Lilocked Ransomware

Thousands of servers have been hit by the latest threat of digital world! Developers call it Lilocked Ransomware. The destructive lilu virus has targeted thousands of Linux servers around the World till date. It is in mid-July when the cyber experts first report the attack of Lilocked virus! However, in last two weeks, lilu ransomware has shown its true destruction. Additionally, this malicious crypto virus was first uncovered when a victim user uploaded its ransom note on ‘ID Ransomware’. It is basically an open platform for all to upload their ransomware notes and details about the ransomware attack. This practice is done to identify the name of ransomware. Also, numerous people discuss and present their ideas on how to remove the nasty computer threats.

Once the Lilocked file virus sneaks into your system, it aims at gaining its root access. Furthermore, the mechanism used to infiltrate the system is still a mystery! However, alike other ransomware, Lilocked ransomware also appends a unique extension – ‘.lilocked’ to encrypt data. Hence, it becomes next to impossible task to recover .Lilocked files manually.

Nevertheless, it is just begin of Lilocked destruction! Upon successful encryption, Lilocked virus generates a text file – ‘#README.txt’. It is a general file that describes about the ransomware attack. It states that the stored files have been encrypted by malicious lilu virus and you have to pay the demanded ransom to get Lilocked decrypter.

According to French security researches, Lilocked has infected about 6,700 servers. However, the number of targeted users is suspected to be much higher. This article will give you insights about the menace caused by Lilocked ransomware to Linux server.

Threat Summary

Name	Lilocked (Lilu) Virus
Type	Ransomware
Category	Malware
Targeted OS	Windows
Symptoms	It makes the files unreadable by appending a unique extension. Additionally, you will be asked to pay ransom for decryption of .Lilocked files.
Damage	You may permanently lose the encrypted data, if you fail to make the payment within the prescribed time.
Removal	Download Removal Tool

Distribution Techniques

The infiltration of Lilocked ransomware is primarily conducted via the spam campaigns. During spam campaign, hackers sent unwanted e-mails with malicious attachments to the targeted system. Though the e-mails look legitimate, but the danger lies within the content or the attachment. Most of the time, such e-mails are sent with the name of some well-known shipping companies or financial organisations. PayPal, FedEx, eBay or DHL are a few notable mentions. These e-mails are sent to inform you about an undelivered package or invoice of a shipment that you made. Either way, when you open/download the attachment, your system is exposed to the risk of destructive crypto virus – Lilocked. The content of attachment is basically the hidden malicious macros. Once opened, it triggers the script of Lilocked extension and might launch the malware payload on your system.

Even though the sender of such e-mails looks trustworthy or real, you should avoid opening such suspicious e-mails or files. Also, immediately delete such questionable e-mails from your inbox.

Spam attacks are not the only way to spread this infection. There are many more! Let us have a quick look at some of them!

After spam campaigns, bundling is the second most used method to spread the malicious ransomware. It is basically a third party software download source! Developers at times, hide their malicious files within the installation process of regular software. As a result, the malicious file is automatically downloaded with the other software. Hence, it is advisable to download any software from legitimate sources.

To conclude, we can say that the main reason for such infiltration is lack of proper knowledge and reckless behavior. Hence, be careful during your online sessions.

Threat Behavior 

As discussed earlier, the mode used by Lilocked ransomware to breach the server is still unknown. However, once this crypto virus infects your system, it is not a challenging task to detect its presence. As soon as it is located, do not delay to download Lilocked decrypter tool. Furthermore, the lilu virus ensures the encryption of files by appending a unique extension to it. And, once the files are successfully locked, it demands hefty amount of ransom in order to decrypt .Lilocked files. This ransom is demanded via a ransom-demanding message, which is sent in the form of text file – ‘#README.txt’.

This text file performs the following two tasks:

• Firstly, the embedded link will redirect Lilocked victims to the dark web, where they have to enter the given key.
• Secondly, it displays the ransom-demanding message, which allows the victims for .Lilocked file decryption. Furthermore, cyber crooks ask the users to pay 0.03 bitcoins in the Electrum Wallet. This is roughly equivalent to $325.

Fortunately, the ransomware does not encrypt system files! And hence, Linux systems run normally. However, a small set of file extensions are encrypted by the malicious lilu ransomware. HTML, SHTML, JS, CSS, PHP, INI and multiple image formats are its major targets.

And hence, it is of utmost importance to remove Lilocked Ransomware.

Download Vipre Malware Remover

Removal guidelines for Lilocked Ransomware

Since the gateway of Lilocked virus is still not clear, here are a few common precautionary measures. After proper analysis and research in our labs, we have concluded our research with the following measures:

STEP A: Reboot your system to Safe Mode

To restart the system to Safe Mode with Networking,  if already switched ON then follow the below steps:

Windows 7/ Vista/ XP

1. Click on Windows icon present in the lower left corner of the computer screen.
2. Select and click  Restart.
3. When the screen goes blank, Keep tapping  F8  Key until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
4. With the help of arrow keys on keyboard, Select Safe Mode with Networking  option from the list and press the Enter Key. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Networking.

5 Once the system restarts, click on the username and enter the password (if any) to log in.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Press and hold the Shift Key and simultaneously click on the windows icon present in the lower left corner of your computer screen.
2. While the Shift key is still pressed click on the Power button and then click on Restart.
3. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings.
4. When the Startup Settings screen appears which is the first screen to appear after restart, select and click on Enable Safe Mode with Networking. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Networking.
5. Once the system restarts in Safe Mode, click on the username and enter the password, if any to log in.

STEP B: Delete the suspicious file from Configuration Settings

1. Type “Msconfig” in search box / Run Box, select it and press Enter.
2. Click on “Services” Tab and click on “Hide all Microsoft services”.
3. Select Lilocked ransomware from the list of remaining services and disable it by removing the tick mark from the checkbox and click on Apply button.

Windows 7

1. Click on the next tab – “Startup”.
2. Find any blank or suspicious entry or the entry with Lilocked ransomware mentioned and remove the check mark.
3. Click on Apply button and then click on OK.

Windows 10

1. Click on the next tab – “Startup”.
2. Take the mouse cursor to ‘Open task Manager‘ link and click on it.  This opens the Task Manager window.
3. Find any blank or suspicious entry or the entry with Lilocked ransomware mentioned and click on it.
4. Then click on Disable button.

STEP C: Remove malicious file from Command Prompt

Once the system starts, ensure to use an account with administrative privilege to access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

After the user enters admin credentials, Command prompt window is displayed wherein you are entitled to enter the below commands:

1. Type the command “sc delete Lilocked Ransomware” in the command prompt and press Enter.
2. Type “exit” to exit the command prompt and restart the system in safe mode with command prompt.

STEP D: Restore the system files & folders

From Control Panel

For Windows 7

1. Click on the ‘Start’ button on the taskbar. This will open the Start menu.
2. Click on the ‘Control Panel’ button in the Start menu. This will open the control panel window.
3. In the Control Panel window, click on the ‘View by:’ button on the top right. Select the Large Icon option
4. In the control Panel window click on the ‘Recovery Icon’. This will open a window that will ask ‘Restore the computer to an earlier point in time’.
5. Click on the ‘Open system restore’ button. This will open the ‘system restore ’window where you need to click on the Next Button.
6.  Select the restore point that is prior the infiltration of Lilocked ransomware. After doing that, click Next.
7. This will open the ‘Confirm your restore point’ dialog box. Click on Finish button. This will restore your system to a previous restore point before your system was infected by Lilocked ransomware.

OR

From Command Prompt

1. Type cmd in the search box and click on the command prompt to open the Command Prompt window. box and clicking on it.
2. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.(Ensure that you in the system32 directory of Windows folder in C Drive)
3. Now type rstrui and press Enter again.
4. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Lilocked ransomware. After doing that, click Next.
5. This will open the ‘Confirm your restore point’ dialog box. Click on Finish button. This will restore your system to a previous restore point before your system was infected by Lilocked ransomware.

OR

Method 3 : Directly type ‘rstrui’ in the search box

1. Type ‘Rstrui’ in the search box present on the task bar. This will open the System restore dialog box.

Continue to follow steps 4 & 5 of Method 2 to restore the System Files and settings.

Tips to prevent your system from Lilocked Ransomware

1. Keeping the Operating System Updated- In order to remain protected and avoid such infections, it is recommended to keep your Operating System updated by enabling the automatic update on your system. The systems with outdated or older versions of Operating System become an easy target for the attackers.
2. Resist clicking on spam emails – One of the major techniques used for malware distribution is forwarding spam emails to the user. The system gets infected as soon as the user clicks on the attachment. These mails appear to be genuine, so be aware and resist falling for these tricks.
3. Keep an eye on third party installations- It is quite important that you take due care while installing any third party applications for they are major source of such infections. Such malware programs come bundled with the free applications thereby requiring the user to remain cautious.
4. Regular periodical backup- In order to keep your data and files safe, it is recommended to take regular back up of all your data and files either on an external drive or cloud.
5. Use Anti-Virus Protection- We strongly recommend the use of antivirus protection/internet security in your PC Bull Guard and Hitman Pro so that it remains safe.
6. Enable the Ad Blocker/Popup Blocker in your browser- Enabling the popup blocker/ ad blocker in your chosen browser will help you to stay protected from annoying adware.