Quantum Locker
If your personal documents, images, videos, archives, and other important files that you store on your computer have been secretly encrypted by a Ransomware virus called Quantum Locker, you must be desperately seeking a solution. Fortunately, our “How to remove” team might have just what you are looking for. Below, you will find an in-depth removal guide, specifically created for the elimination of Quantum Locker.
In addition to that, the instructions in the guide may also provide you with suggestions on how you may potentially recover some of your files for free. However, if we want to be realistic, each Ransomware virus is different, and, as much as we want to help you with our file-recovery suggestions, the outcomes may vary a lot in each and every case. Still, we do encourage you to take a look at the guide below, as getting rid of the Ransomware cryptovirus is very important, and needs to be done in order for you to be able to use your computer and store information on it without that information getting encrypted.
The Quantum Locker virus
Quantum Locker is a computer threat that does not operate like any other kind of malware. Instead of causing system corruption, damage or destruction, Quantum Locker uses a common and basically harmless method known as file encryption to blackmail you.
The way the malware does that is by secretly infiltrating the victim’s computer, right after which it scans it for a specific list of targeted files. These would most often be some commonly used types of files, such as images, documents, archives, databases, videos, audio files, etc. Once all the data has been accounted for, the Ransomware proceeds to create encrypted copies of each and every single one of those files. At the next stage, the original files are removed from your infected machine, and you are left with inaccessible files that the system does not recognize and cannot use or open without the application of a special decryption key.
And here the blackmail part comes into play. The hackers behind infections like Hajd, Ghas inform you that they are the only holders of the corresponding decryption key, and if you want them to send it to you, you have to pay a certain amount of money to them. You probably already know through the ransom note that appeared on your screen that the hackers prefer a payment in a cryptocurrency such as BitCoins or another similar currency. These types of payments allow them to remain anonymous and also give you no chance of getting your money back once you transfer the ransom.
The .Quantum file decryption
Unfortunately, even paying the ransom money the Quantum Locker creators are blackmailing you for doesn’t guarantee that the encrypted files will be recovered. You may fulfill all the ransom demands as per the instructions from the ransom note, and still never obtain the decryption key if the criminals behind Quantum Locker decide not to send it to you.
So, with this in mind, it’s definitely a good idea to first explore some alternative options. Our “How to remove” team has prepared one such option here, within the removal guide below. Of course, it is ideal if you have full personal file backups because you can use them as soon as you remove the Ransomware and easily recover all the encrypted information from them.
SUMMARY:
| Name | Quantum |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Danger Level | High (Ransomware is by far the worst threat you can encounter) |
| Data Recovery Tool | Not Available |
| Detection Tool |
Remove Quantum Ransomware
Some of the steps will likely require you to exit the page. Bookmark it for later reference.
Reboot in Safe Mode (use this guide if you don’t know how to do it).
WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!
Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC at the same time and go to the Processes Tab. Try to determine which processes are dangerous.
Right click on each of them and select Open File Location. Then scan the files with our free online virus scanner:
After you open their folder, end the processes that are infected, then delete their folders.
Note: If you are sure something is part of the infection – delete it, even if the scanner doesn’t flag it. No anti-virus program can detect all infections.
Hold the Start Key and R – copy + paste the following and click OK:
notepad %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/hosts
A new file will open. If you are hacked, there will be a bunch of other IPs connected to you at the bottom. Look at the image below:
If there are suspicious IPs below “Localhost” – write to us in the comments.
Type msconfig in the search field and hit enter. A window will pop-up:
Go in Startup —> Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer.
- Please note that ransomware may even include a fake Manufacturer name to its process. Make sure you check out every process here is legitimate.
Type Regedit in the windows search field and press Enter. Once inside, press CTRL and F together and type the virus’s Name.
Search for the ransomware in your registries and delete the entries. Be extremely careful – you can damage your system if you delete entries not related to the ransomware.
Type each of the following in the Windows Search Field:
- %AppData%
- %LocalAppData%
- %ProgramData%
- %WinDir%
- %Temp%
Delete everything in Temp. The rest just check out for anything recently added. Remember to leave us a comment if you run into any trouble!
How to Decrypt Quantum Locker files
We have a comprehensive (and daily updated) guide on how to decrypt your files. Check it out here.
If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!
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