What is DMA-Locker?
DMA-Locker is a ransomware which stealthily infiltrates the system and encrypts the stored data afterwards. Following successful encryption, DMA-Locker displays a message stating that the victim must pay a ransom in exchange for a private key, which is required to decrypt the files.
The displayed lockscreen contains all information regarding the encryption and payment (e.g., ‘What is DMA-Locker’, ‘What is Bitcoin?’, etc.). It is stated that the victim must pay a 15 Bitcoins (BTC) (at the time of research this was equivalent to $6491.25) worth of ransom, otherwise the encrypted data will be lost. Aside from that, user is provided with step-by-step payment instructions. Noteworthy that the price of ransom demanded by other ransomware-type viruses usually fluctuates between 0.5 and 1.5 BTC. Therefore, the price of DMA-Locker’s ransom is considerably high. Unfortunately, currently there are no tools capable of decrypting the files. Therefore, the best solution for this problem is to restore the system from a backup.
Screenshot of a message encouraging users to contact the developers of DMA-Locker ransomware to decrypt their compromised data:
There are tens of ransomware-type viruses that share similarities with DMA-Locker, for example, CryptoWall, CryptoJoker, XRTN, TeslaCrypt. These ransomware viruses behave exactly the same – they infiltrate the system, encrypt the files and demand for a ransom. The problem is that there are no guarantee that your files will be decrypted even if you pay the ransom. Moreover, by doing so you simply support the malicious business of cyber criminals. For this reason, you should never pay the ransom or attempt to contact the developers of ransomware. DMA-Locker and other similar viruses are most likely to be spread via malicious email attachments, P2P networks or either fake software updates. Therefore, you should be very careful when opening suspicious emails and downloading data from untrusted sources. Aside from that, always keep the installed software up-to-date and make sure to use a legitimate anti-spyware or anti-virus suite.
DMA-Locker demanding ransom payment to decrypt files:
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DMA-Locker
All of your files are encrypted by DMA-Locker!
Your important files (including those on the network disks, USB, etc): photos, videos, documents, etc. were encrypted with our DMA-Locker virus. The only way to get your files back is to pay is for unique decryption key. Otherwise, your files will be lost.
1. What is DMA-Locker and how it works?
2. What is Bitcoins?
3. How to pay us? You have to send 15 BTC to Bitcoin address: – You can buy btw and easily pay us, using one of these servers:-
4. How to get decryption key? After payment, contact us and we will send you unique key in 10 hours. In mail title write: DMALOCK Our e-mail: [email protected]
5. How should I use decryption key?
After payment we will sent you the unique key, just copy and paste it to “DECRYPTION KEY” field and click “UNLOCK FILES” button.
6. Files decrypt operation can take a few/several hours, DON’T TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER. After fully decryption you will see a message.
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DMA-Locker ransomware removal:
Quick menu:
Quick solution to remove DMA-Locker virus
Step 1
Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, and then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in “Safe Mode with Networking”:
Windows 8 users: Start Windows 8 is Safe Mode with Networking – Go to Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click Advanced startup options, in the opened “General PC Settings” window, select Advanced startup. Click the “Restart now” button. Your computer will now restart into the “Advanced Startup options menu”. Click the “Troubleshoot” button, and then click the “Advanced options” button. In the advanced option screen, click “Startup settings”. Click the “Restart” button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press F5 to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in “Safe Mode with Networking”:
Step 2
Log in to the account infected with the DMA-Locker virus. Start your Internet browser and download a legitimate anti-spyware program. Update the anti-spyware software and start a full system scan. Remove all entries detected.
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If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking, try performing a System Restore.
Video showing how to remove ransomware virus using “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and “System Restore”:
1. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then select Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list and press ENTER.
2. When Command Prompt mode loads, enter the following line: cd restore and press ENTER.
3. Next, type this line: rstrui.exe and press ENTER.
4. In the opened window, click “Next”.
5. Select one of the available Restore Points and click “Next” (this will restore your computer system to an earlier time and date, prior to the DMA-Locker ransomware virus infiltrating your PC).
6. In the opened window, click “Yes”.
7. After restoring your computer to a previous date, download and scan your PC with recommended malware removal software to eliminate any remaining DMA-Locker ransomware files.
To restore individual files encrypted by this ransomware, try using Windows Previous Versions feature. This method is only effective if the System Restore function was enabled on an infected operating system. Note that some variants of DMA-Locker are known to remove Shadow Volume Copies of the files, so this method may not work on all computers.
To restore a file, right-click on it, go into Properties, and select the Previous Versions tab. If the relevant file has a Restore Point, select it and click the “Restore” button.
If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking (or with Command Prompt), boot your computer using a rescue disk. Some variants of ransomware disable Safe Mode making its removal complicated. For this step, you require access to another computer.
To regain control of the files encrypted by DMA-Locker, you can also try using a program called Shadow Explorer. More information on how to use this program is available here.
To protect your computer from file encrypting ransomware such as this, use reputable antivirus and anti-spyware programs. As an extra protection method, you can use programs called HitmanPro.Alert and EasySync CryptoMonitor, which artificially implant group policy objects into the registry to block rogue programs such as DMA-Locker ransomware.)
HitmanPro.Alert CryptoGuard – detects encryption of files and neutralises these attempts without need for user intervention:
EasySync CryptoMonitor – kills an encryption infection and blacklists it from running again:
Other tools known to remove DMA-Locker ransomware:
More on: Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions
