LegionLocker Ransomware - How to remove

LegionLocker (or Legion Locker) is ransomware. It encrypts files and marks their names with the word “Legion”. LegionLocker offers to fix the encrypted data for those who pay a ransom of $50. However, you should look into alternative solutions for getting your data back. LegionLocker’s creators can’t be trusted.

About LegionLocker ransomware:

Threat type	Ransomware.
LegionLocker infection symptoms	Files do not open, file names end with “Legion” or “LGNLCKD”.
Can you restore your files?	Recover files from backup, use file recovery programs, inquire about a free decryption solution.
How to delete LegionLocker	Use antivirus tools (Spyhunter, others) to delete LegionLocker.

What LegionLocker ransomware looks like

How LegionLocker breaks files

When the LegionLocker malware infects a computer, it makes some changes:

• It encrypts files, making them unreadable. Corrupting them, essentially.
• It also changes the names of the corrupted files, appending the word “Legion” or “LGNLCKD”.
• It deletes file backups so that there’s no way to restore the broken files to previous versions.
• It creates ransom notes where it asks victims to pay $50 if they want to get their files back.

Here’s some of what the ransom note says:

Ooops! All your important files are encrypted!

What happend to my computer?

All your important files are encrypted. No one can help you to restore files without our special decryptor
Backups were either encrypted or deleted. Shadow copies also removed.
If you want to restore some of your files for free write to email (contact is below)
and attach 2-3 encrypted files.
You will receive decrypted samples.
Please don’t forget to attach ID.txt file in the e-mail.
To decrypt other files you have to pay $50.

LegionLocker’s malware ties

LegionLocker ransomware is flagged by antivirus programs as Trojan and Malicious: Virustotal.com.

According to ransomware analysts, LegionLocker ransomware is a version of CobraLocker. CobraLocker is a pretty widespread file locker, while LegionLocker is new and still a little obscure.

Multiple versions of LegionLocker have been seen, named by the extortionists behind LegionLocker as LegionLocker, LegionLocker 2.0, and LegionLocker 3.0.

In general, LegionLocker works the same as other ransomware, such as Maoloa or Cryakl. That is to say, it seems to be basic ransomware. Probably not be targeted and not the sort that would steal files and threaten to publish them. So, you probably don’t need to worry about leaked data.

However, malware infections often spread in groups. In case any spyware viruses infected your device, you might want to reset your passwords after you’ve deleted all malware.

Can you get your data back?

Those victims of LegionLocker who didn’t have backups might be curious if there are ways for them to get their files back.

The LegionLocker ransomware is new and unpopular, so it’s not yet clear what the situation with decryption is. I saw a hint that the files may be decryptable. You should ask in support forums about your specific case.

Ransomware viruses try to be fast so as to avoid victims-to-be from interrupting the malware before it’s done. As a result, LegionLocker might miss some files, such as those of unpopular file types. Go through your folders and see if there are unencrypted files anywhere (files not marked with the second extension “Legion”).

You can also use a file recovery program, like EaseUS, to try and recover deleted files. This might help you get some useful data back.

The best defense against ransomware is file backups. If you have backups that kept your files safe during a ransomware attack, then you only need to remove the malware before you can restore your files.

How to remove LegionLocker ransomware

You can delete LegionLocker with your antivirus program, such as Spyhunter. Make sure to also delete the file that infected your computer with LegionLocker in the first place.

You can also reformat your drive to remove malware, but if you keep any of your recent files, it’s good to scan them to make sure that you deleted all the infected items.

Automatic Malware removal tools

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

 

Step 2. Complete removal of CobraLocker

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 LegionLocker Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore LegionLocker 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 CobraLocker 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 LegionLocker 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.