How to remove HOUSELOCKER Ransomware and decrypt your files

What is HOUSELOCKER Ransomware

HOUSELOCKER is a recent ransomware infection that started its aggressive circulation around the web. Alike other malware of this type, it encrypts important system-stored data and then demands victims to pay the so-called ransom for its return. HOUSELOCKER also breaks the default operation of Master Boot Record (MBR) – this is done to prevent victims from booting up to their desktop. As a result, it is not even possible to view what files have been encrypted. To help users restore access to their data, HOUSELOCKER displays a pink-text message on a black screen.

The ransom note says victims should purchase a decryption key. The cost is 130,000 Rosecoins to be sent using the attached crypto address. After this, cybercriminals promise to send the necessary key that activates file decryption. Developers behind HOUSELOCKER Ransomware do not provide any contact information to maintain communication with them. This is already suspicious and raises a lot of questions about how they are going to send you the key. Thus, we have reasonable grounds to assume that HOUSELOCKER is likely to scam its victims and not recover the data as promised. This is why we would advise you to deal with the infection and try to recover the files yourself. You can do it using backup copies or third-party utilities helping to dig shadow copies out of your drive or decipher encrypted files directly. The success of using third-party instruments depends on how strong the encryption is. Therefore, it should be expected that third-party tools may not deliver successful recovery or decryption. To remove the virus and explore all the possible recovery options, follow our guidelines below.

How HOUSELOCKER Ransomware infected your computer

The majority of ransomware developers stick to a general list of vectors helping to spread their malware. Among this list are trojans, e-mail spam letters, fake software updates/installers, vulnerability exploits, phishing pages, and other channels as well. E-mail spam letters are letters designed to spread malicious attachments or links while being disguised as something important or legal. Cybercriminals tend to mask such letters under legitimate firms like DHL, DPD, FedEx, or third-party newsletters. This way they attempt to fool users into executing malicious attachments (e.g. Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, Archives, JavaScript files, etc.) or links that install different malware. Users should also beware of downloading software from unofficial or ad-affiliated pages. Such program installers (free, pirated, or cracked) may be bundled with malicious software that installs itself without the consent of users.

1. Download HOUSELOCKER Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for your 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 HOUSELOCKER Ransomware

HOUSELOCKER Ransomware files:


WARNING.txt
systemd-timed
polaris
{randomfilename}.exe


HOUSELOCKER Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore your files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, which can decrypt your 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 your files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing 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 HOUSELOCKER Ransomware and removed 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 your 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 HOUSELOCKER 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 storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. HOUSELOCKER 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 a 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 are 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