I wrote this article to help you remove TrumpLocker Ransomware. This TrumpLocker Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
The name of the new American president has been all over the new lately. Probably, there isn’t a person who hasn’t heard of it. Unfortunately, it caught cybercriminals` attention as well. More accurately, it caught ransomware developers` attention. We all know that these hackers are developing newer and newer ransomware strains every day. And one of their newest one carries the Trump name.
TrumpLocker Ransomware is one of the latest threats to appear on the ransomware stage. As a member of this dreaded family, don’t expect any less trouble from this one. Ransomware pieces and Trojan horses are considered the most dangerous cyber infection you can get stuck with. And you have been unlucky enough to host the TrumpLocker on board. This file-encrypting virus follows the exact same pattern and its relatives. In fact, it is identical to another ransomware – VenusLocker. All ransomware threats have the same goal – to rip you off. Crooks dream is to make effortless money and ransomware has proven itself quite successful in that department.
So, how did you get stuck with TrumpLocker? You didn’t download it on purpose, that’s for sure. And yet, here it is denying you access to your own files. Ransomware infections rely on tricks and deception to enter your system. They are very sneaky too. They go by you and leave you oblivious. For example, one of the very popular methods is spam email messages and malicious attachments. All the crooks do is send you the virus in a legitimate looking email and you do the rest by opening everything you receive without thinking twice about it.
Delete messages that are from unknown senders as more often than not they deliver infections. Other entering techniques involve malicious torrents, fake updates, freeware, unverified download sources, etc. A ransomware could even use the help of a Trojan to get in. Be more cautious. What all infections need the most are your haste and distraction. Without them, they cannot succeed.
Once it sneaks into your machine, the pest doesn’t waste any time. It locates all of your private data and encrypts it with a strong encryption algorithm. TrumpLocker is known to use a 1024-byte encryption as well as a full one. So, all your pictures, music, videos, files, documents, MS Office files, etc. get locked and turned into unusable empty icons. You cannot access them as the ransomware keep the hostage. Even more, to solidify its hold over your data, the pest changes their names with a random combination of characters and symbols and adds to them one of the two following extensions – “.TheTrumpLockerp” or “.TheTrumpLockerf”. None of your files is accessible anymore. You cannot open/read/listen to/edit anything thanks to the pest`s RSA-2048 cryptography.
You probably had some very important data stored on your PC. Most people do. And now, you are denied access to it. This is exactly what the hackers are aiming for. If they manage to get a hold of your valuable information, you will be more likely to comply with their demands. And their demands involve money, of course. After the encryption process is over and all your data is locked, TrumpLocker makes its next move.
For starters, you find your previous wallpaper replaces with a picture of Donald Trump smiling at you, stating that you are hacked. Then, in every single folder that contains encrypted data, you find the parasite`s ransom note, named “What happen to files.txt”. Needless to say, those are a lot of folders. According to these notes, if you want to regain access to your files you have to purchase a special decryption. The hackers want $150 in exchange for the decryptor, which they promise to send you. However, dealing with crooks is anything but a sure deal.
There are no guarantees that they will deliver. Most of the times they either don’t or they send you a tool which doesn’t work. Even if they do send you the right one and you free your data, the ransomware itself remains on your machine ready to strike again. How many times are you willing to pay these cybercriminals? You do know that all the money you give them will be used for nothing but more malware creation, right? Not only are you helping them but you are also jeopardizing your privacy in the matter. Forget about paying! Instead, use our removal guide below and get rid of the TrumpLocker for good.
TrumpLocker Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, TrumpLocker Ransomware deletes all shadow copies, stored in your computer. Luckily, the ransomware is not always able to delete the shadow copies. So your first try should be restoring the original files from shadow copies.
- Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
- Install ShadowExplorer
- Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
- Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
- Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
- Right-click on the encrypted file
- Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file
Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore
- Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
- Click “Next“
- Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
- Click “Next“
- Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
- Click “Next“. Wait for a few minutes and the restore should be done.
Method 3: Restore your files using File Recovery Software
If none of the above method works, you should try to recover encrypted files by using File Recovery Software. Since TrumpLocker Ransomware first makes a copy of the original file, then encrypts it and deletes the original one, you can successfully restore the original, using a File Recovery Software. Here are a few free File Recovery Software programs:
