LOCKXX Ransomware (.LOCKXX File) Removal

The Lockxx virus falls within the ransomware type of malicious agent. Ransomware of this type encrypts all the data on your PC (images, documents, excel sheets, music, videos, etc) and appends its own extension to every file, creating the lockxx.recovery_data.hta text files in every directory containing encrypted files.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

When we talk about the intrusion of unfamiliar programs into your computer’s work, the proverb “Forewarned is forearmed” describes the situation as accurately as possible. Gridinsoft Anti-Malware is exactly the tool that is always useful to have in your armory: fast, efficient, up-to-date. It is appropriate to use it as an emergency help at the slightest suspicion of infection.

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What is known about the Lockxx virus?

Lockxx will add its specific .lockxx extension to every file’s name. For example, a file named “photo.jpg” will be changed to “photo.jpg.lockxx”. Just like the Excel sheet with the name “table.xlsx” will be renamed to “table.xlsx.lockxx”, and so on.

In each directory that contains the encoded files, a lockxx.recovery_data.hta text file will be created. It is a ransom money note. It contains information about the ways of contacting the racketeers and some other remarks. The ransom note usually contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the Lockxx developers. You can get this decoding tool after contacting chinahelp2023@nigge.rs via email. That is basically the scheme of the felony.

Lockxx Overview:

The lockxx.recovery_data.hta file accompanying the Lockxx malware provides the following dispiriting information:

The price depends on the speed at which you write to us . After payment , we will send you a decryption tool and assist you in decrypting all files


Mail address !
chinahelp2023@nigge.rs
datahelp2023@cyberfear.com
Free decryption test as guarantee !
Integrity is our principle
Before making the payment , you can send us a test file to prove that we are capable of recovering your data
Attention !
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software , it may cause permanent data loss
Please do not (edit, delete, rename) any files , otherwise it cannot be restored

In the screenshot below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Lockxx looks like. Each filename has the “.lockxx” extension added to it.

An example of encrypted .lockxx files.

How did my computer get infected with Lockxx ransomware?

There is a huge number of possible ways of ransomware injection.

There are currently three most exploited methods for evil-doers to have the Lockxx virus acting in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan infiltration and peer file transfer.

• If you open your inbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, Internet providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is unknown to you, be wary of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a harmful file attached to them. Therefore, it is even more dangerous to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
• Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan horse model. A Trojan is an object that infiltrates into your computer pretending to be something legal. Imagine, you download an installer of some program you want or an update for some software. However, what is unboxed turns out to be a harmful agent that corrupts your data. Since the installation package can have any title and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the source of the things you’re downloading. The best way is to trust the software companies’ official websites.
• As for the peer-to-peer file transfer protocols like torrents or eMule, the threat is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never guess what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy resources. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded files with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is done.

How do I get rid of ransomware?

It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your data, the Lockxx virus will probably deploy Vidar Stealer on your PC to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That program can derive your credentials from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.

Remove Lockxx with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware

We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked the most common Ransomware as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove Lockxx as well as other malware hiding on your computer.

To use Gridinsoft for remove malicious threats, follow the steps below:

1. Begin by downloading Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, accessible via the blue button below or directly from the official website gridinsoft.com.

2.Once the Gridinsoft setup file (setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe) is downloaded, execute it by clicking on the file.

3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.

4. Access the "Scan Tab" on the application's start screen and launch a comprehensive "Full Scan" to examine your entire computer. This inclusive scan encompasses the memory, startup items, the registry, services, drivers, and all files, ensuring that it detects malware hidden in all possible locations.

Be patient, as the scan duration depends on the number of files and your computer's hardware capabilities. Use this time to relax or attend to other tasks.

5. Upon completion, Anti-Malware will present a detailed report containing all the detected malicious items and threats on your PC.

6. Select all the identified items from the report and confidently click the "Clean Now" button. This action will safely remove the malicious files from your computer, transferring them to the secure quarantine zone of the anti-malware program to prevent any further harmful actions.

8. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. This step is crucial to ensure thorough removal of any remaining threats. After the restart, Gridinsoft Anti-Malware will open and display a message confirming the completion of the scan.

Remember Gridinsoft offers a 6-day free trial. This means you can take advantage of the trial period at no cost to experience the full benefits of the software and prevent any future malware infections on your system. Embrace this opportunity to fortify your computer's security without any financial commitment.

Trojan Killer for “Lockxx” removal on locked PC

In situations where it becomes impossible to download antivirus applications directly onto the infected computer due to malware blocking access to websites, an alternative solution is to utilize the Trojan Killer application.

There is a really little number of security tools that are able to be set up on the USB drives, and antiviruses that can do so in most cases require to obtain quite an expensive license. For this instance, I can recommend you to use another solution of GridinSoft - Trojan Killer Portable. It has a 14-days cost-free trial mode that offers the entire features of the paid version. This term will definitely be 100% enough to wipe malware out.

Trojan Killer is a valuable tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, helping you to effectively remove malware from infected computers. Now, we will walk you through the process of using Trojan Killer from a USB flash drive to scan and remove malware on an infected PC. Remember, always obtain permission to scan and remove malware from a computer that you do not own.

Step 1: Download & Install Trojan Killer on a Clean Computer:

1. Go to the official GridinSoft website (gridinsoft.com) and download Trojan Killer to a computer that is not infected.

2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.

3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.

4. Once the installation is complete, launch Trojan Killer.

Step 2: Update Signature Databases:

5. After launching Trojan Killer, ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet.

6. Click "Update" icon to download the latest signature databases, which will ensure the tool can detect the most recent threats.

Step 3: Scan the Infected PC:

7. Safely eject the USB flash drive from the clean computer.

8. Boot the infected computer to the Safe Mode.

9. Insert the USB flash drive.

10. Run tk.exe

11. Once the program is open, click on "Full Scan" to begin the malware scanning process.

Step 4: Remove Found Threats:

12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.

13. Click on "Cure PC!" to remove the identified malware from the infected PC.

14. Follow any additional on-screen prompts to complete the removal process.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer:

15. Once the threats are removed, click on "Restart PC" to reboot your computer.

16. Remove the USB flash drive from the infected computer.

Congratulations on effectively removing Lockxx and the concealed threats from your computer! You can now have peace of mind, knowing that they won't resurface again. Thanks to Gridinsoft's capabilities and commitment to cybersecurity, your system is now protected.

Often tamperers would decode some of your files to prove that they indeed have the decryption program. As Lockxx virus is a relatively new ransomware, safety measures engineers have not yet found a method to undo its work. However, the anti-ransomware tools are frequently updated, so the solution may soon arrive.

Sure thing, if the evildoers succeed in encoding victim’s critical data, the hopeless person will probably fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying to criminals does not necessarily mean that you’re getting your blocked information back. It is still dangerous. After getting the money, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption key to the injured party. There were reports about malefactors simply disappearing after getting the ransom without even writing back.

The best safety measure against ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud disk or at least on an external disk. Obviously, that might be insufficient. The most important thing could be that one you were working upon when it all started. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also wise to scan your drives with the anti-malware utility after the system restoration.

There are other ransomware products, besides Lockxx, that work similarly. Examples of those are Dedsec, Rdptest, Frivinho, and some others. The two basic differences between them and the Lockxx are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is almost identical: documents become encoded, their extensions changed, ransom notes are created in each directory containing encrypted files.

Some lucky victims were able to decode the blocked files with the help of the free software provided by anti-ransomware developers. Sometimes the hackers accidentally send the decryption code to the victims in the ransom note. Such an extraordinary fail allows the victim to restore the files. But of course, one should never rely on such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a tamperers’ instrument to lay their hands on the money of their victims.

How сan I avoid ransomware infection?

Lockxx ransomware doesn’t have a superpower, so as any similar malware.

You can protect your system from ransomware attack taking three easy steps:

• Ignore any emails from unknown mailers with strange addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (can you win in a lottery without participating in it?). In case the email subject is likely something you are waiting for, check all elements of the dubious letter with caution. A fake letter will always have a mistake.
• Do not use cracked or untrusted software. Trojan viruses are often shared as a part of cracked products, possibly as a “patch” preventing the license check. Understandably, dubious programs are difficult to distinguish from reliable ones, because trojans sometimes have the functionality you need. You can try searching for information about this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal solution is not to use such software.
• And finally, to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, use GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a perfect armor for your personal computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

🤔 How can I open “.lockxx” files?Can I somehow access “.lockxx” files?

Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode the “.lockxx” files you will not be able to access them.

🤔 I really need to decrypt those “.lockxx” files ASAP. How can I do that?

Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. In case you haven’t, there is still a chance that you do have a Restore Point from some time ago to roll back the whole system to the moment when it had no virus yet, but already had your files. All other solutions require time.

🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Lockxx virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?

Absolutely not! Unlike the ransomware program itself, the encrypted files do not jeopardize your system.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will remove active viruses from your computer. The ransomware that has infected your computer is most likely still active and it scans your system every so often to arrest any new files you might create on your computer after the infection. As it has been mentioned above, the Lockxx malware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide malefactors with easy access to your system after some time.

🤔 What actions should I take if the Lockxx ransomware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation key.

In such a case, you need to prepare a memory stick with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to execute the procedure. The point is that the ransomware runs automatically as the system boots and encrypts any new files created or imported into your PC. To stop this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential programs to run upon system start. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.

🤔 And what should I do now?

Some of the encrypted data can be located elsewhere.

• If you sent or received your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mailbox.
• You might have shared photographs or videos with your friends or family members. Just ask them to send those images back to you.
• If you have initially got any of your files from the Internet, you can try downloading them again.
• Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud drives might have all those files as well.
• It might be that you still have the needed files on your old PC, a laptop, mobile, flash memory, etc.

HINT: You can employ data recovery utilities¹ to get your lost data back since ransomware blocks the copies of your files, removing the authentic ones. In the video below, you can learn how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you remove the virus with an anti-malware program.

1. Here are Best Data Recovery Software Of 2023.