SurveyLocker Ransomware

If your operating system was attacked by SurveyLocker Ransomware, it is most likely that you have recently opened a malicious file represented via a spam email. This is how most ransomware infections are spread across the web, including such recently reported threats as Cockblocker Ransomware and Santa_helper@protonmail.com Ransomware. In most cases, malicious ransomware threats are capable of encrypting files and demanding ransom fees. In this case, the ransomware works as a screen locker, and it does not lock your personal files. That is good news, but that does not mean that you can underestimate this malicious threat. Our research team strongly advises removing SurveyLocker Ransomware from your operating system as soon as possible. You can learn how to delete this threat successfully by reading the report and following the instructions represented below.

When SurveyLocker Ransomware strikes, it locks your screen, which blocks your access to the entire operating system. Right away, a message appears indicating that your PC was locked and introducing you to instructions that explain how to unlock your operating system. Here are a few excerpts.

Locked!
Your computer has been compromised by ME, don’t worry all you have to do is complete a survey and enter the code.

Completing these surveys can take less than 2 minutes so you can decide for yourself if you are going to be a retard and fix this yourself which may take a while or just complete the damn survey.

The strange notification represented by SurveyLocker Ransomware also includes three different buttons. The first one is called “Open Survey,” and, of course, it should open a survey that you allegedly need to fill in order to get your PC unlocked. At the time of research, this feature did not work, and it is unclear if the ransomware is still being developed, and this function is yet to be set up, or if the server linked to the ransomware has been taken down. Overall, if you are introduced to a survey, you should not interact with it at any point. First of all, the questions might be intrusive, and they could be set up to record personally identifiable information, which you need to keep safe to protect your own virtual identity. Second, your participation will not delete SurveyLocker Ransomware, and this threat will lock your computer again and again. Because a PoE entry is created under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, the infection can “restart” every time you restart your operating system.

The second box displayed within the SurveyLocker Ransomware notification is called “Unlock PC,” and you might have to press this button after entering the survey key into an empty box next to it. According to our research team, the program will crash if you enter a hardcoded code “hurr durr.” When the program crashes, explorer.exe is opened. Remember that the PoE remains intact, and the PC will be locked again after you restart it. Also, it is likely that the code will be changed with the next update of SurveyLocker Ransomware, which is why you should not rely on the “hurr durr” code. The last button on the notification is called “btnBrowser” and it opens a browser window. If you click the “X” button on the top-right corner to close the notification, you will be introduced to a pop-up that reads: “Hmmm, that didn't work I wonder what will.” Obviously, cyber criminals would not infect your operating system with malware that could be disabled by closing a window. Instead, you need to remove all malicious components.

If you are determined to delete SurveyLocker Ransomware from your operating system manually, you need to reboot your PC in Safe Mode and erase the malicious components, which include the main launcher file and the PoE entry. According to our research, the malicious .exe file is unlikely to be copied to a different location, and you should be able to find it where you downloaded it yourself. If you do not know where the malicious file is located, we advise employing a reliable anti-malware tool that can find and remove the malicious components automatically. If you decide to install this tool, you can do so using the “btnBrowser” function directly from the SurveyLocker Ransomware notification. If you have any concerns about the malicious screen-locking infection or if you are having issues with the removal process, we welcome all questions in the comments section below.

SurveyLocker Ransomware Removal

Reboot Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7:

1. Restart your computer, wait for the BIOS screen to load, and start tapping the F8 key.
2. Using arrow keys on the keyboard select Safe Mode and then tap Enter.
3. Wait for the computer to boot up and then delete the ransomware components.

Reboot Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10:

1. Open the Charm bar and click Power Options button if you use Windows 8/8.1 or click the Windows logo and select Power if you use Windows 10.
2. Click Restart while pressing down the Shift key to load a menu.
3. Click Troubleshooting, then move to Advanced options, and select Startup Settings.
4. Click Restart to access a new menu and then choose F4 for Safe Mode.
5. Wait for the computer to boot up and then delete the ransomware components.

Delete malicious components:

1. Identify the malicious .exe file (you could have downloaded it yourself).
2. Right-click the file and select Delete.
3. Tap Win+R keys on the keyboard to launch RUN.
4. Type regedit.exe into the dialog box and click OK to launch Registry Editor.
5. Navigate to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
6. Right-click and Delete the value (in our case, it was called Update) that is linked to the malicious .exe file.
7. Reboot your PC back to normal mode and run a full system scan to check for leftovers.