This is an article, aimed at explain what is the MegaLocker virus and how you can remove it effectively from your computer.

MegaLocker is allegedly the name of a CryptoVirus and it’s main purpose is to render your files to no longer be able to be accessed, at least until you pay a hefty ransom fee to the ones behind the virus. To do this, MegaLocker may perform a lot of silent malicious activities on your computer, the outcome of which may be to lock your screen or your filer (or both) and then scare you off into paying ransom, which should be avoided at all costs. If your computer was infected by MegaLocker, we recommend you to read this article thoroughly.

The MegaLocker Virus virus has been spotted using the its own file extension. The MegaLocker Virus virus also communicates via TOR through which it sends a decrypter after the ransom has been paid. In case you are a victim of the new MegaLocker Virus virus we advise you to read this article and learn how to remove the virus files and try to decode encrypted objects.

MegaLocker Virus Virus – What Does It Do

Being a variant of the ransomware family, which exists in a lot of virus families, the MegaLocker Virus ransomware has been reported to drop one or more executable files in the %AppData% Windows directory.

After doing so, the MegaLocker Virus virus may modify the Windows registry entries, more specifically the Shell sub-key with the following location:

• HKLM/Software/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/Winlogon/Shell

Then, the MegaLocker Virus virus may also modify the Run registry key to run the executable file(s) in the %AppData% directory. The key is with the following path:

• HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run/

This may result in the virus file booting alongside the Windows start-up process.

MegaLocker Virus also drops a ransom note file with a ransom message and places it somewhere easy to locate. Then, the MegaLocker Virus virus may attack files with the following file types to encrypt them:

• Videos.
• Images.
• Documents.
• Audio files.
• Archives.

After MegaLocker Virus encrypts the files, the virus leaves the files no longer able to be opened and likely appends a custom file extenson to them.

MegaLocker Virus Ransomware – How Did I Get Infected

The infection process of MegaLocker Virus is conducted primarily via spammed e-mails that have deceptive messages embedded within them. Such messages may pretend to be sent from services such as PayPal, UPS, FedEx and others. They may contain attachments that pretend to be invoices and other fake type of files. Other social engineering techniques include:

• Fake buttons and pictures as if the e-mails are sent from a social media site, like LinkedIn.
• Fraudulent PayPal links.
• Links to GoogleDrive and fake e-mails that look the same as if they are sent from Google.

Other infection tools may also include the usage of torrent websites and other third-party sites to upload fake updates, fake installers as well as other fraudulent executables.

Which Files May Get Affected by MegaLocker Virus Ransomware?

MegaLocker Virus Ransomware serves as a typical file-encoding Trojan. As soon as it gets access to your machine, this cryptomalware will perform a quick scan to find the paths to all of your personal files. The targeted data includes all MS Office documents, your precious photos and videos, your databases, the program files, etc. Only a few files such as the ones related to the core Windows processes may be spared. Once the operation ends, you will notice a threatening lockdown message on your desktop and the default file extension will become ‘.dll’. The cyber criminals give the victims only several days pay the ransom of Bitcoins, or else they threaten to delete forever the decryption key. The purpose of this frightening message is to shock the person and make him act irrationally. The victims often feel as the only solution to the issue is to pay the money. In reality, all specialists unanimously recommend not to follow the instructions of the hackers for several different reasons.

How to Protect Yourself from MegaLocker Virus Ransomware?

This ransomware may cause huge and often irreversible damage to the affected machines. Fortunately, you can prevent the infection as long as you are vigilant during your online sessions. This Trojan isn’t known to use some unique methods to infiltrate the defences of your computer. The most probable cause for MegaLocker Virus Ransomware to enter is via spam emails. You may receive a message with a shocking content, encouraging you to either click on a malicious link or download a compromised file. The hackers have a whole arsenal of tools to manipulate you into doing so. For example, they may claim to represent an international bank or some popular shipping company. If they address you without mentioning your name, the email is probably a scam and you should ignore it. Unfortunately, if you simply click or download the infected file, your action will most likely be enough to activate the harmful codes of MegaLocker Virus Ransomware. In this case, only a credible security solution may be able to prevent the forthcoming damage.

How to Delete MegaLocker Virus Ransomware and Decrypt Your Files for Free?

The main reasons not to pay the ransom are two. First, you may not receive the promised unlocking key even after doing exactly as the hackers demand. They often scam the victims because the Bitcoin platform doesn’t allow refunds and the people have no way to get their money back. The second reason not to finance cyber criminals is that your money will only motivate them to create more aggressive ransomware like MegaLocker Virus. On the other hand, if their attacks are in vain, they may stop spamming the web with such malicious Trojans. These parasites require quite some efforts to be created professionally and spread efficiently.

Once you decide not to pay the ransom, there are several other ways that may help you decrypt your personal files. You should begin the attempts by removing all traces of the malware. If you fail to delete MegaLocker Virus Ransomware properly, it may decrypt your files once again in the future or spread to other connected devices. The manual removal is not the recommended solution since it requires expert-level knowledge in computers. The most reliable tactic is to use dedicated security software that has added FMegaLocker Virus Ransomware to its database. Once the scan finishes, you should try some of the programs for restoration of files or the integrated System Restore feature. If you are lucky enough to have a spare copy of your files on some external device, you can import them back to your computer safely.

Removal Instructions for MegaLocker Virus

If you want to remove MegaLocker Virus, we strongly recommend that you first backup your data, just in case something goes wrong. Then, you can follow the manual or automatic removal instructions below, depending on which type of steps suits you more. If you lack the experience and the confidence that you will remove MegaLocker Virus manually, then you should do what most experts would and save yourself some time by downloading and running a scan with an advanced anti-malware software. Such programs are created to quickly identify and remove threats and programs with intrusive behaviour, like MegaLocker Virus, plus they also aim to ensure that your system is protected against future intrusions as well.

Manual Removal of MegaLocker Virus

Booting in Safe Mode

For Windows:
1) Hold Windows Key and R
2) A run Window will appear, in it type “msconfig” and hit Enter
3) After the Window appears go to the Boot tab and select Safe Boot

Cut out MegaLocker Virus in Task Manager

1) Press CTRL+ESC+SHIFT at the same time.
2) Locate the “Processes” tab.
3) Locate the malicious process of MegaLocker Virus, and end it’s task by right-clicking on it and clicking on “End Process”

Eliminate MegaLocker Virus‘s Malicious Registries

For most Windows variants:
1) Hold Windows Button and R.
2) In the “Run” box type “Regedit” and hit “Enter”.
3) Hold CTRL+F keys and type MegaLocker Virus or the file name of the malicious executable of the virus which is usually located in %AppData%, %Temp%, %Local%, %Roaming% or %SystemDrive%.
4) After having located malicious registry objects, some of which are usually in the Run and RunOnce subkeys delete them ermanently and restart your computer. Here is how to find and delete keys for different versions.
For Windows 7: Open the Start Menu and in the search type and type regedit –> Open it. –> Hold CTRL + F buttons –> Type MegaLocker Virus Virus in the search field.
Win 8/10 users: Start Button –> Choose Run –> type regedit –> Hit Enter -> Press CTRL + F buttons. Type MegaLocker Virus in the search field.

Automatic Removal of MegaLocker Virus

If you are in Safe Mode, boot back into normal mode and follow the steps below
Step 1:Click on the button to download SpyHunter’s installer.

DOWNLOAD REMOVAL TOOL FOR MegaLocker VirusThe free version of SpyHunter will only scan your computer to detect any possible threats. To remove them permanently from your computer, purchase its full version. Spy Hunter malware removal tool additional information/SpyHunter Uninstall Instructions

It is advisable to run a scan before committing to purchase the full version. You should make sure that the malware is detected by SpyHunter first.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.

Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for the program to update.

Step4: If the program does not start to scan automatically, click on the “Scan Computer Now” button.

Step5: After SpyHunter has completed with your system`s scan, click on the “Next” button to clear it.

Step6: Once your computer is clean, it is advisable to restart it.

Recover files encrypted by the MegaLocker Virus Ransomware.

Method 1: Using Shadow Explorer. In case you have enabled File history on your Windows Machine one thing you can do is to use Shadow Explorer to get your files back. Unfortunately some ransomware viruses may delete those shadow volume copies with an administrative command to prevent you from doing just that.

Method 2: If you try to decrypt your files using third-party decryption tools. There are many antivirus providers who have decrypted multiple ransomware viruses the last couple of years and posted decryptors for them. Chances are if your ransomware virus uses the same encryption code used by a decryptable virus, you may get the files back. However, this is also not a guarantee, so you might want to try this method with copies of the original encrypted files, because if a third-party program tampers with their encrypted structure, they may be damaged permanently. Here are the vendors to look for:

• Kaspersky.
• Emsisoft.
• TrendMicro.

Method 3: Using Data Recovery tools. This method is suggested by multiple experts in the field. It can be used to scan your hard drive’s sectors and hence scramble the encrypted files anew as if they were deleted. Most ransomware viruses usually delete a file and create an encrypted copy to prevent such programs for restoring the files, but not all are this sophisticated. So you may have a chance of restoring some of your files with this method. Here are several data recovery programs which you can try and restore at least some of your files: