How to remove LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) Ransomware and decrypt .LIZARD or .LANDSLIDE files

What is LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) Ransomware

There can be a confusion with .LIZARD ransomware as there is other type of ransomware (Phobos), that also uses .LIZARD extension but with different ransom note and e-mail (id[random-8-digit-sequence-3351].[r3wuq@tuta.io].LIZARD).

LIZARD and LANDSLIDE are two very similar ransomware infections developed by the same group of extortionists. They both encrypt personal data and create identical text files (#ReadThis.HTA and #ReadThis.TXT) explaining how users can restore access to the restricted data. The two ransomware variants are also identical in how they rename encrypted files with slight differences. Depending on which of the two ransomware affected your system, targetted files will be altered according to [DeathSpicy@yandex.ru][id=victim's_ID]original_filename.LIZARD or [nataliaburduniuc96@gmail.com][id=victim's_ID]original_filename.LANDSLIDE different only in e-mail of cybercriminals and final extension (.LIZARD or .LANDSLIDE) used at the end. After encryption is done, the virus creates text files we mentioned above with identical content.

Victims are informed that, in order to decrypt the files, they have to contact swindlers through one of the given e-mail addresses. Cybercriminals say they will set an exact price for decryption to be paid by victims in Bitcoin (BTC). After this, they promise to send the decryption tool that will help affected users unlock the restricted data. In addition to this, cybercriminals offer to send a 100-200 KB size file along with the e-mail message. It will be decrypted for free and returned to victims as proof that ransomware developers are capable of decryption. Although cybercriminals are usually the only figures able to decrypt files completely, many security experts advise against paying the ransom. This is because there is a solid risk of getting eventually fooled and not receive any decryption tools. Plus, it also depends on the amount of required money as it can sometimes be unbearably high, which will be painful to risk and lose. Unfortunately, there is no definite tool that could decrypt LIZARD or LANDSLIDE for free. If you want to avoid paying the ransom, you can try each tool including recovery tools to return your files for free. The problem of ransomware infections is that they often use military-grade algorithms to encrypt data and create online keys making it hard to approach decryption without the cybercriminals. This is why a better and faster solution is to recover files via backup copies. If you have the same files stored on other devices, you can easily delete the virus and copy them back to your system. Note that deleting the virus is important and it will only relieve your system from malicious activity, but not return your files as someone may think. Follow our guide below to get instructions on both removal and plausible data recovery methods.

How LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware developers use vectors of various kinds to spread their malware. As a rule, it is phishing techniques being exploited the most. E-mail spam messages are often used to distribute malicious attachments (Word, Excel, PDF, EXE, JS, RAR, ZIP, etc.) or links. Being disguised as something “legitimate” and “important”, such letters are designed to trick inexperienced or uncareful users into clicking or downloading malicious content. As a rule, MS Office documents like Word can install malware only if users enter the “Editing” mode. Since Word and other similar files are macros-based, such actions may unleash commands to install malware contained within. Apart from this, various malware including ransomware can infect users through fake software/update installers, illegal license-activation tools, unprotected RDP configuration, NAS (Network Attached Storage) vulnerabilities, trojans, and other channels as well. If you want to stay more protected while surfing the web, it is important to beware suspicious and unofficial content. Do not trust messages claiming your software is outdated or needs third-party assistance – this is most likely a trap designed to trick you. Read our guide below to get more information on how one can protect him or herself against threats like LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) Ransomware in the future.

1. Download LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .LIZARD or .LANDSLIDE 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 LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) Ransomware

LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) Ransomware files:


#ReadThis.HTA
#ReadThis.TXT
{randomname}.exe


LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .LIZARD or .LANDSLIDE files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .LIZARD or .LANDSLIDE 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 .LIZARD or .LANDSLIDE 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 LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) 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 .LIZARD or .LANDSLIDE 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 LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) 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. LIZARD (LANDSLIDE) 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