How to remove Minotaur Ransomware and decrypt .Lock files

What is Minotaur Ransomware

Minotaur Ransomware is new type of ransomware, that encrypts user files and demands 0.125 Bitcoins for decryption. All files encrypted by Minotaur receive .Lock extension. According to security specialists, Minotaur Ransomware firstly attacks data on flash drives, and only then switches to local drives. When virus finishes encryption, it creates text file How To Decrypt Files.txt (some sources indicate How_To_Decrypt_Files.txt) with following message:

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(KEY) : *********************************************************
(EMAIL) : minotaur0428blaze.it
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ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED BY (MINOTAUR) RANSOMWARE!
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FOR DECRYPT YOUR FILES NEED TO PAY US A (0.125 BTC)!
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FILES ARE ENCRYPTED BY (MINOTAUR) RANSOMWARE!
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This message contains unique key, that is used for determining decryption key. From ransom note we also find out, that hackers want 0.125 (or more than $800 at the time of writing this article). Malefactors also provide e-mail address to contact them. Currently, there is no way to return captured files. If you have backups, you need to remove Minotaur Ransomware from your computer, make sure it is not active and restore from backups. Otherwise, you can make attempt to recover files using instructions below (restore points, previous versions of files, data recovery software). Please, remember, that by paying to racketeers, you put your credentials at risk. Often, after some time antivirus companies or individual enthusiasts break encryption algorithms and release decryption tools. If you won’t succeed in restoring your files today, preserve important data for possible recovery in future. Perform instructions below to remove Minotaur Ransomware and decrypt .Lock files in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7.

How Minotaur Ransomware infected your PC

Minotaur Ransomware virus is propagated via spam attack with malicious e-mail attachments in form of DHL invoices. Can be also distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged and infected installers. Virus assigns certain ID with the victims, that is used to name those files and supposedly to send decryption key. In order to prevent infection with this type of threats in future we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 or Norton Antivirus.

Download Minotaur Ransomware Removal Tool

To remove Minotaur Ransomware completely we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of Minotaur Ransomware.

How to remove Minotaur Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Minotaur Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Minotaur Ransomware files:


Minotaur.exe
How To Decrypt Files.txt
Minotaur.pdb


Minotaur Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .Lock files

Use automated decryptors

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .Lock files. Download it here:

There is no purpose to pay the ransom, because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

If you are infected with Minotaur Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro to restore .Lock files

1. Download Stellar Phoenix Data Recovery Pro.
2. Select location to scan for lost files and click Scan button.
3. Wait until Quick and Deep scans finish.
4. Preview found files and restore them.

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses like Minotaur Ransomware in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

2. Back up your files

Regardless of success of protection against ransomware threats, you can save your files using simple online backup. Cloud services are quite fast and cheap nowadays. There is more sense using online backup, than creating physical drives, that can get infected and encrypted when connected to PC or get damaged from dropping or hitting. Windows 10 and 8/8.1 users can find pre-installed OneDrive backup solution from Microsoft. It is actually one of the best backup services on the market, and has reasonable pricing plans. Users of earlier versions can get acquainted with it here. Make sure to backup and sync most important files and folders in OneDrive.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications, and provides very high level of anti-spam protection.