What is Evil Locker ransomware? And how does it execute its attack?

Evil Locker ransomware is a crypto-virus designed to encrypt files in a computer and blackmail victims into paying the ransom. This crypto-virus was first spotted on July 9, 2018. It uses the extension “.[[email protected]].EVIL” in marking the files it encrypts.
The instant its malicious payload is dropped in the system, Evil Locker ransomware initiates a series of system modifications. It first starts by connecting to its remote Command and Control server. It then uses an information gathering module to obtain information about the infected computer and its user. The collected data is sent to the remote server where the crypto-virus downloads its malicious components and places them on Windows directories. The data obtained, along with the malicious components are then used for stealth protection which prevents any programs from detecting Evil Locker ransomware. It then starts the encryption of several files that are mostly user-generated like images, documents, videos, audio files, database, archives and many more. After the encryption, it creates a file named “_HOW_RECOVERY_FILES.txt” that contains the following content:
“>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> EVIL LOCKER <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
HELLO, DEAR FRIEND!

1. [ ALL YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED! ]

Your files are NOT damaged! Your files are modified only. This modification is reversible.
The only 1 way to decrypt your files is to receive the decryption program.

2. [ HOW TO RECOVERY FILES? ]

To receive the decryption program write on our e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
And in subject write your ID: ID-[redacted 6 hex char]
We send you full instruction how to decrypt all your files.

3. [ FREE DECRYPTION! ]

Free decryption as a guarantee.
We guarantee the receipt of the decryption program after payment.
To believe, you can give us up to 3 files that we decrypt for free.
Files should not be important to you! (databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> EVIL LOCKER <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<”
How is the malicious payload of Evil Locker ransomware distributed online?
The malicious payload of Evil Locker ransomware may reach your computer via a compromised website which contains malicious scripts used to download the malicious payload in the system. Aside from that, crooks might also use spam emails to spread this threat so you need to be more careful in downloading attachments from your emails.
Make sure to follow each one of the removal instructions laid out below to successfully wipe out Evil Locker ransomware from your computer. After its elimination, data recovery instructions are also provided below.
Step 1: Tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
Step 2: Go to Processes and look for the malicious process of Evil Locker ransomware then right click on it and select End Process or End Task.

Step 3: Close the Task Manager and open Control Panel by pressing the Windows key + R, then type in appwiz.cpl and then click OK or press Enter.
Step 4: Look for dubious programs that might be related to Evil Locker ransomware and then Uninstall it/them.

Step 5: Tap Win + E to launch File Explorer.
Step 6: From there, navigate to the following directories listed below and look for the malicious components of Evil Locker ransomware like its ransom note named _HOW_RECOVERY_FILES.txt as well as other suspicious files and remove them all.

• %TEMP%
• %APPDATA%
• %DESKTOP%
• %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
• C:\ProgramData\local\

Step 7: Close the File Explorer.
Before you proceed to the next steps below, make sure that you are tech savvy enough to the point where you know exactly how to use and navigate your computer’s Registry. Keep in mind that any changes you make will highly impact your computer. To save you the trouble and time, you can just use [product-name], this system tool is proven to be safe and excellent enough that hackers won’t be able to hack into it. But if you can manage Windows Registry well, then, by all means, go on to the next steps.
Step 8: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.

Step 9: Navigate to the listed paths below and look for the registry keys and sub-keys created by Evil Locker ransomware.

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\
• HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

Step 10: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by Evil Locker ransomware.
Step 11: Close the Registry Editor.
Step 12: Empty your Recycle Bin.
Try to recover your encrypted files using the Shadow Volume copies
Restoring your encrypted files using Windows’ Previous Versions feature will only be effective if Evil Locker ransomware hasn’t deleted the shadow copies of your files. But still, this is one of the best and free methods there is, so it’s definitely worth a shot.
To restore the encrypted file, right-click on it and select Properties, a new window will pop-up, then proceed to Previous Versions. It will load the file’s previous version before it was modified. After it loads, select any of the previous versions displayed on the list like the one in the illustration below. And then click the Restore button.

Complete the removal process of Evil Locker ransomware by using a trusted and reliable program like [product-name]. Refer to the following guidelines on how to use it.
Perform a full system scan using [product-code]. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
2. After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

3. To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
4. Windows will now load the SafeMode with Networking.
5. Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

6. If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
7. Type in the URL address, [product-url] in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
8. After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
9. Once the installation process is completed, run [product-code] to perform a full system scan.

10. After the scan is completed click the “Fix, Clean & Optimize Now”button.