LotR Ransomware - How to remove

LotR is a file-encrypting virus, ransomware, that restricts the victim’s access to their files by encrypting them — scrambling their contents and making the files unusable. Then LotR demands money in exchange for the decryption key, which only the developers of LotR have. The LotR is probably part of the big GlobeImposter family. LotR is similar to KBK and IGAMI, versions of GlobeImposter 2.0.

How ransomware is distributed and how to avoid it

LotR and other ransomware spread in deceptive spam emails, by adding a link or attachment that would download an infected file. Ransomware also spreads through filesharing by disguising the LotR virus as some wanted file, and by bundling it with freeware.

Those methods are more-or-less automated, but if the developers of LotR wanted to infect a specific target, they can try to hack the Remote Desktop connection by either guessing the login information, or stealing the needed username and password using phishing. Phishing may not seem very technically impressive, but it’s a very effective strategy that almost anyone could fall for. Getting remote access to a computer allows cybercriminals to do whatever they want to it, which includes installing LotR.

To avoid infections like LotR we should make sure that our passwords are secure and complex. Some people reuse the same password or username, so if it’s leaked by one company, it might be used to hack other accounts. It’s also important to secure web browsing so that phishing sites and malicious files are less likely to be displayed. Being aware of what deceptive spam emails look like can also help avoid infection.

Most importantly, we must have backups. No important files should be stored on only one device — that makes them vulnerable not only to LotR, but also to the disk failing and the computer being stolen.

LotR virus details

The files that LotR encrypts have “.[[email protected]].LotR” appended to their names as a marker.

picture.jpg.[[email protected]].LotR

LotR creates a file called #NEW_WAVE.html with a message from LotR’s developers. In the note, the email addresses [email protected], [email protected] are given and the victim is told to mail the extortionists some test files to make sure that LotR files can be decrypted.

WARNING!!! Your files was encrypted!

Save the ID before doing anything on the computer!!!
Be sure to save this ID, without it decryption is impossible!!!

Your personal ID:
…

Send 3 test image or text file [email protected] or [email protected].
In the letter include your personal ID (look at the beginning of this document).

We will give you the decrypted file and assign the price for decryption all filesAfter we send you instruction how to pay for decrypt and after payment you will receive a decryptor and instructions We can decrypt one file in quality the evidence that we have the decoder.
To recover data you need decryptor.

Instructions for obtaining a decryptor:
Send your ID to the mailbox below and wait for the answer: [email protected] or [email protected].
In the response letter there will be instructions for decoding.

Attention!!!

• Only [email protected] or [email protected] can decrypt your files
• Do not trust anyone [email protected] or [email protected]
• Do not attempt to remove the program or run the anti-virus tools
• Decoders other users are not compatible with your data, because each user’s unique encryption key
• Attempts to self-decrypting files will result in the loss of your data

LotR’s ransom note is correct about some things. It’s true that the decryption key is going to be unique to each victim and that attempting to decrypt with the wrong key could further scramble the already-encrypted files. It’s also probably true that the only people who know the decryption keys are LotR’s developers. LotR does not have any free decryption available (and the only paid decryption will come from the criminals behind LotR), but it is worth keeping an eye out for it.

But there are also some things that should be known to the victims before they start trusting LotR’s developers. Spreading ransomware and extorting money from people is not normal. Paying the ransom would be paying criminals. Unsurprisingly, cybercriminals are untrustworthy and sometimes take the money and don’t help with the files even when they could. Sometimes extortionists do send the decryption key, but other times they demand more money after the ransom was paid, or just start ignoring the victim. If LotR is part of a ransomware-as-a-service scheme, then different distributors are distributing different versions, which means that there is no way to know what to expect from the people behind LotR.

How to remove LotR and fix the files

LotR is a virus, so it should be removed using a strong and reputable antivirus program, for example, Spyhunter.

If you have copies of your important files from before LotR’s encryption, you can simply copy them to your computer. But if you don’t have a backup, there are still a few ways that some of the encrypted files could be recovered — they’re listed in the guide below.

How to recover LotR Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before LotR Virus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of LotR Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to LotR Virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore LotR Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually LotR Virus tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover LotR Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.