LataRebo Locker ransomware - How to remove

Recently, a parade of ransomware viruses that are quite quickly outwitted started to march. A couple of already solved ransomware samples are: Jew Crypt, Marlboro and Survey Locker. Now, add LataRebo Locker ransomware to the list. Despite having all of the capacities and potential of being a virus, feared by all, this sample is nothing more than an inconvenience you can escape without any major complications. Also, this variant does not even attempt to encrypt files or convince victims that it has already ruined their data. LataRebo Locker simply locks users screens, which means that they won’t be able to access their system and will have to stare at a “WATER BOTTLE FLIP CHALLENGE” sign with a young man next to it. Has LataRebo Locker virus locked you screen and annoyingly announced its alleged superiority? No need to bite your nails from stress as you can very easily escape this lock screen: simply type in ‘Rebatsa’ in the required area. After that, your system should fully load without any disturbances.

LataRebo Locker challenge: can you handle it?

The exact ways that LataRebo Locker ransomware uses to infiltrate into devices is yet to be specified. For now, we can assume that it exploits the same old strategies, without introducing novel moves. As soon as the application really sticks, it launches into a lock screen which means that all of your data, the whole system in fact, is going to be on the other side of the blockage. A wall that LataRebo Locker virus builds around your system can raise some concerns at first, but we have already informed you about the key that completely shatters vicious plans that creators of LataRebo Locker had in their minds. We just wish that other people’s dreams about walls could be destroyed just as easily. Nevertheless, receiving LataRebo Locker virus can make anyone anxious: there is no doubt about that.

Since you cannot access your own system, use another device to find more information about the virus. However, you should not hackers via the Facebook page they leave behind. Hackers indicate that they should inform them about a successful payment transaction via Facebook.com/TheDarkJoJo. This is one of the unusual times when cyber criminals risk their exposure by providing a Facebook account. Anyway, you should not contact TheDarkJoJo since there is no reason to: enter “Rebatsa” in the “Insert key here” field. Weirdly, we have no idea why ransomware creators placed a picture of a water bottle flip challenge in motion as the background of the locker screen. We can guess that hackers did not expect to receive the demanded 10 euro PaySafe card pins as their ransom. This is another bizarre feature of LataRebo Locker virus: it does not demand that payment would be sent via bitcoin system.

LataRebo Locker virus might be considered as childish prank, buts its presence should be a clear indication that your system is not protected well enough. If this sample was able to enter, there is no reason why other variants could not successfully pursue this goal. Continue on reading this article to educate yourself about ransomware, its sources and possible anti-malware tools.

There is no decryption: just a lock screen

Since this is a ransomware infection, you might automatically assume that it has to encrypt files. Nevertheless, we have faced some variants that do not use algorithms to encode files (or their encryption fails). In the case of LataRebo Locker virus, it was created without this feature. On the other hand, virus does prevent system from fully loading and surprises users with a so-called lock screen. For the third time in this article, we are going to emphasize that you can remove this malicious program from your device by entering “Rebatsa”.

LataRebo Locker: from departure to successful landing

Experts are still debating which common method for distribution was selected by hackers that created LataRebo Locker virus. It can be that this malicious executable was appended to random spam letters, delivered to various email accounts. If you receive a seemingly alarming message, you should always contact the sender via a different contact address and make sure that the letter was sent with good intentions. By opening random email messages and following the links provided in them you are risking your cyber security. We are sure that you would not desire to download a malicious program, capable of spying on your activity or encrypting all of your data.

Even though there is a clear and effective treatment for LataRebo Locker virus, you should bear in my mind that many ransomware viruses are not that easy to defeat. You might get infected with a more dangerous variant. Spyhunter or Malwarebytes are going to fix you up with a sophisticated security and guarantee that your device will continue to please you with its speed and efficiency.

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

 

Step 2. Complete removal of LataRebo Locker 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 LataRebo Locker virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore LataRebo Locker 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 LataRebo Locker 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 LataRebo Locker 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.