The way to beat Cryptolocker is pretty much like all ransomware. With one exception.
Hopefully you have a great back up process and can separate all computers from the infected computer on your network.
Start with these old school free tools of the trade.
Run them all if you want to make sure you get everything.
RogueKiller.exe This will hunt down the deepest of virus.
ATF-Cleaner.exe helps clear up what’s on your computer in folders that you got locked out of in the attack. empties trash and cache and a bunch of stuff all at the same time
Spybot – weak these days but doesn’t kill you to give it a scan and let it clean a few things up too.
[Microsoft Essentials Windows 7] | [Windows Defender Windows 8]..Not a bad free Virus Scanner. Works pretty good. Works best if installed before you get the virus. Protects better than any other virus scanner. Free or otherwise.
unhide.exe will get your icons back if you lost them and your files back if they disappeared when the virus hit you.
Malwarebytes– free and good strong software
Super Anti-Spyware – Stupid name, great product. oh and it has a free version.
Emergency Kit Scanner – I use this one anytime a friend calls me for help
So… What is Cryptolocker? Cryptolocker is like all ransom-ware of the past. In fact it looks just like antivirus 2012 except. Cryptolocker comes right out and says “hey we locked down your file, pay us and we will unlock your file, if you do not pay us, we will delete the password that we have on file for you file and you pretty well screwed forever”. This is straight up extortion. no matter what they call it, it is what it’s function is. To brutally force you to pay the virus maker’s fee to get your files back.
Protip.. Install MSE (Microsoft security essentials) before you get any virus.. It doesn’t cost anything and uses very little resources. Plus MSE is made by the people who made your operating system, it knows when unauthorized activity has occurred.. and well, it should be their responsibility to secure and protect your computer.
Cryptowall 3.0 Is the same but more developed to protect it’s self. Here’s Trend Micro explaining how Encryptowall 3.0 functions and looks.
and please quit opening attachments without verifying their validity.