Guide to remove LockerGoga Ransomware

According to researches, the notorious LockerGoga ransomware exhibits certain different behavior. When compared with the other ransomware families, there a few special functions that LockerGoga virus possesses.

One of the major differences recorded is the ability of LockerGoga to generate variety of processes to speed up the file encryption.

Threat Summary

Understanding LockerGoga ransomware

This is the malicious program which is categorized as Ransomware. The ultimate aim of the nasty LockerGoga ransomware is to encrypt the files and blackmail the victims. Once the ransomware successfully locked the files it is impossible to decrypt them manually.

Once the files are successfully encrypted, it displays a ransom – demanding message every time you try to open that file. Furthermore, they warn about the data lose if you try to decrypt it manually.

Ransom – Demanding Message:

This malicious ransomware uses a strong cryptography algorithm to encrypt the data. Unfortunately, these cryptographies create a unique key on the server side. In exchange of the decryption key, the developers demand large ransom amount.

Hence, the easiest way out is by paying the ransom amount. However, this method does not guarantee decryption of your data. So, instead of funding the cyber crooks, focus on its removal.

Distribution Technique

The techniques used by the developers to proliferate LockerGoga ransomware is still a mystery! However, spam e-mails, Trojans, bundling, software cracking tools, untrustworthy software download channels are a few expected gateways.

Spam campaigns are used by sending out an e-mail containing malicious attachment. The files attached could be MS Office Document, executable file (.exe), PDF document and so on. These are malicious attachments which infiltrates the computer when opened. By opening these attachments, users expose their system to risk of certain malwares. Freeware download websites, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and other untrustworthy software sources present them to be legitimate. Cyber criminals, trick the users into installing the notorious malware.

The next expected gateway is Trojan, it takes the back door entry into the system and installs other malicious software. If the Trojan enters in your system, it puts your system at risk.

The software cracking tools act in similar way as Trojans. They are designed to bypass activation of software. However, the hackers are using it to infect the system.

Bundling, it is the deceptive method used to attack the system. Malicious application/software is hidden in the installation process of regular software. The users generally rush through the steps and end up getting their system infected.

Hence, avoid the reckless behavior and safeguard your system.

Threat Behavior

Most computer threats of the ransomware type have 2 things in common – they encrypt the data and attempt to blackmail people. The cyber crooks blackmail the innocent users by asking them large amount of ransom for their locked files. In addition, this cryptolocker virus uses a powerful encryption algorithm to corrupt the files. RSA-4096 and AES-256 cryptography algorithms are generally used.

Unfortunately, these cryptographies generate a unique key for every locked file. Hence, it is impossible to decrypt them manually. Here, the blackmailing by hackers begins. They demand large ransom amount in exchange of the decryption key. The ransom demanded is in the form of Bitcoins.

With the fear of losing the important data, the victim is willing to pay the asked amount. However, keep in mind that there is no guarantee of decryption even after paying the ransom.

Hence, instead of financially supporting these cyber crooks, aims to remove LockerGoga ransomware. Scroll down to get the simple & easy removal steps of LockerGoga ransomware.

Removal guidelines for LockerGoga ransomware

STEP A: Reboot system to safe mode

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 Click on the username and enter the password (if any).

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. Click on the username and enter the password.

If the most basic step failed to remove the ransomware from your system, you can try the next step.

STEP B: Delete suspicious file in system 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 LockerGoga 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 LockerGoga 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 LockerGoga ransomware mentioned and click on it.
4. Then click on Disable button.

If the configuration did not work, try deleting the suspicious file using Command Prompt.

STEP C: Delete the suspicious file using 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 LockerGoga 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.

If the malicious file still remains in your system, you have to try the ultimate step.

STEP D: Restore system Files and Folders

Method 1 using Control Panel

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 LockerGoga 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 LockerGoga ransomware.

OR

Method 2 using 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 LockerGoga 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 LockerGoga 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 LockerGoga 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 like Vipre and Hitman 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.