How to remove CoronaLock Ransomware and decrypt .pandemic, .corona-lock or .biglock files

What is CoronaLock Ransomware

Discovered in 2020, CoronaLock restricts access to user’s data by encrypting it with ChaCha, AES and RSA algorithms. Files compromised by this ransomware, experience a change in extension to either .pandemic, .corona-lock or .biglock. For example, if 1.mp4 gets modified by the virus, it will migrate to 1.mp4.pandemic, 1.mp4.corona-lock or 1.mp4.biglock. After this, extortionists display ransom information in the note (PROTECT_INFO.TXT, !!!READ_ME!!!.TXT or README_LOCK.TXT) that is dropped on the desktop.

Interestingly enough, people who get attacked with ".biglock" extension, do not have any contact information in the ransom note to connect with cybercriminals. It seems like its developers forgot to include it before the release. In the meantime, ".corona-lock" versions do not have that drawback and contain e-mail in the text file. If you want to take a test-decryption, you are free to send them one file. Despite the fact that data remains encrypted even after virus deletion, you have to get rid of it to prevent further encryptions. Our free guide below will help you to do so.

How CoronaLock Ransomware infected your computer

Very often, users get malware from e-mail spam messages, fake software cracking tools, botnets, keyloggers, trojans, and other suspicious downloads. Unfortunately, spam messages tend to contain malicious attachments (MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, JavaScript files, etc.) that lead to numerous infections caused by the help of executable scripts. Trojans are known to be a buffer for different malware. Once it gets active, chain-infections will be initiated to deliver other malware. Be careful and do not trust click-bait banners and ads, and never download unknown software from the web.

1. Download CoronaLock Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .pandemic, .corona-lock or .biglock files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like CoronaLock Ransomware

CoronaLock Ransomware files:


!!!READ_ME!!!.TXT
README_LOCK.TXT
KEY.FILE
setup_theme_895670451.exe
{randomfilename}.exe


CoronaLock Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .pandemic, .corona-lock or .biglock files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .pandemic, .corona-lock or .biglock files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .pandemic, .corona-lock or .biglock files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don't have to pay.

If you are infected with CoronaLock Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .pandemic, .corona-lock or .biglock files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like CoronaLock Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. CoronaLock Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro