FLKR Ransomware - How to remove

Hackers do not plan to cut Internet users some slack anytime soon. An intimidating crypto-ransomware virus has caught our eye and this article is going to focus on giving an appropriate characterization for this sample. Firstly, it is called FLRK virus and is prepared to encrypt its victims’ files almost like any other infection that belongs to ransomware category. Nevertheless, we have already grown accustomed to fighting encryption which is done with RSA or AES algorithms. Ciphers that are most commonly selected are no news to security analysts and they are not surprised to witness them in action. FLKR virus differs in this area by selecting an unusual method of encoding. An alternative cipher, called Blowfish, have been assigned the vicious task of turning files into inaccessible executables. It is a symmetric block algorithm which now has been exploited by hackers. We know that reading about a ransomware virus on a Friday might be difficult, but you are going to be rewarded with safety and peace of mind.

Features of FLKR Ransomware

After a payload of FLKR virus lands on your system and places a flag to demonstrate dominance, your system is set to undergo some modifications. Primarily, for an automatic launch to be achieved, the payload has to make influential changes to your Windows Registry Keys, specifically the ones that launch software applications after the computer is restarted. It won’t be easy to detect an infection with a ransomware as these processes hide behind ordinary names. Even if you do check your Task Manager, the running procedures may not instantly trigger suspicion. Okay, FLKR virus has managed to be launched automatically, what else is going to be done?

Well, the ransomware is going to turn to another important objective: encryption of files. However, before that, the malicious executable has to run thorough scans to find appropriate data that would be the most precious to the victim. After that, Blowfish cipher is going to be applied to the selected files and they will end their career of usefulness. As we have already indicated in the introductory paragraph, this is a rather unusual cipher to be chosen by ransomware creators. Speaking of the encoded files, each and every one of the corrupted executables is going to be appended with [email protected] _ extension. This signals which data was selected to be influenced by a ransomware virus. Security researchers have noted that INSTUCT.txt file is placed in users’ system so they would become aware of the situation. The following quotation is going to show the text that the executable contains:

Information is encrypted with a strong password.
To decrypt it [email protected] for instructions.
Reserver communication channel – this jabber: [email protected]
Use jabber only when this conversation via e-mail is not possible.

What are the possible methods to get infected with FLKR Ransomware? How to avoid it?

IT specialists always emphasize the possibility of getting infected with a ransomware virus via malicious spam campaigns. This is the leading source of such viruses. In fact, the amount of harmful spam letters is increasing, with new and older variants releasing fresh campaigns. If you receive an intriguing email letter, always be certain that the sender is legitimate. The following titles can be the examples of infectious emails: “There is a problem with your flight ticket”, “Your Facebook account has been deleted”, “Tax return: URGENT”. If you notice anything even remotely similar, you should be cautious. Always remember that messages should be sent from the original email addresses of notorious authorities. If there are any inconsistencies, contact the official address and find out the truth. NEVER, and we repeat, NEVER download attachments from the messages you receive in your inboxes.

Is it possible to decrypt files that are ruined by FLKR Ransomware?

For now, we cannot identify a tool that would decrypt your files without any complications. FLKR ransomware is a fresh infection and researchers need to pay special attention to it first. Only then, the decryption question can receive a joyful answer. For now, sit tight. Do not contact the hackers via indicated contacts: this would not provide you with trustworthy solutions. For the future, remember to store your files in back-up storages so ransomware viruses would have no chance to win against you.

FLKR ransomware can be removed with Spyhunter or Malwarebytes. Before that, make copies of encrypted files to make sure that the infection would not delete them before getting eliminating. A manual removal of ransomware infections is risky as you can make harmful changes to your system. We only advise that you do it if you have experience in removal of malware.

How to recover FLKR 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 FLKR Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of FLKR 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 FLKR Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore FLKR 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 FLKR Ransomware 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 FLKR 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.