CryptoLocker displays an alarming message when the infected computer starts up. This message demands payment of 100 USD or Euro in order to decrypt the infected files. CryptoLocker also claims that attempting to remove CryptoLocker may result in the victim's files being locked forever. The CryptoLocker ransom message reads as follows:
'Your personal files are encrypted!
Your important files encryption produced on this computer: photos, videos, document, etc. Here is a complete list of encrypted files, and you can personally verify this…
To obtain the private key for this computer, which will automatically decrypt files, you need to pay 100 USD / 100EUR / similar amount in another currency.'
To scare inexperienced computer users so that they will not take action to remove CryptoLocker, the ransom message continues by stating the following:
'Any attempt to remove or damage this software will lead to immediate destruction of the private key server.'
Why Paying CryptoLocker's Ransom is not Going to Help Your PC
There are several reasons why you should not pay CryptoLocker's ransom. You can see below some of them:
- There is no guarantee that paying CryptoLocker's ransom will decrypt your files.
- Paying this 'fee' will support malware developers, allowing them to create additional malicious content and target other computer users.
- Taking steps to remove CryptoLocker with a legitimate security program will not actually endanger your files or prevent you from decrypting them.
In several situations, it may be needed to use an additional decryption utility to restore your files to normal, usually from an external memory device. However, the best way to restore your files is to have a back-up at hand, a good security practice for all computer users.