How to remove Skylock Ransomware and decrypt .skylock files

What is Skylock Ransomware

Skylock is a new ransomware variant originating from the MedusaLocker family. Upon successful infiltration, the virus encrypts access to files (based on AES and RSA cryptography) and assigns the .skylock extension to them. For instance, a file like 1.pdf will change to 1.pdf upon successful encryption. To reverse the damage and return the blocked data, cybercriminals present decryption instructions inside the How_to_back_files.html file.

In general, victims are told they need to purchase special decryption software from cybercriminals behind the infection. To do so, they have to establish contact with the extortionists using one of the communication channels (either via the link in the TOR browser or provided e-mail addresses). It is also said victims can send 2-3 files that do not contain any important information and get them back decrypted for free. This is to prove that threat actors are actually capable of decrypting the files. Should victims refuse to get in touch with the extortionists and pay for decryption, their data will be leaked to public resources, which may incur reputational damage to the users’ company or personal identity. Unfortunately, despite the fact that decryption can be unaffordable or needless for some users, cybercriminals are usually the only figures able to decrypt access to data.

In rare occasions, it may be feasible to perform independent decryption with the help of third-party tools or Windows shadow copies, however, this is a seldom occurrence, which happens when ransomware has flaws or fails to encrypt the data correctly. At the moment of releasing this article, no free third-party tools can bypass the ciphers generated by Skylock Ransomware, and this applies to numerous other ransomware attacks as well, making recovery almost impossible without an external backup. Therefore, the only options for data recovery are either collaborating with ransomware creators or retrieving data from existing backup copies. Backups are copies of data stored on external devices such as USB drives, external hard drives, or SSDs. If none of these recovery alternatives fit you, you can also try using third-party utilities from our guide, however, it is less likely they will help due to the above-mentioned.

Paying the ransom is usually not recommended as sometimes cybercriminals fool their victims and do not give the promised tools. Thus, using backups is always a safer option. The only risk that will always remain (even in case of collaboration with swindlers) is that the collected data may be published eventually. Alas, there is almost nothing users can do to guarantee it does not happen. It is always strongly advised to create regular backups of data to be able to recover it in case of unexpected contingencies, such as a ransomware infection. If you plan to begin recovering your data without the involvement of cybercriminals, it is essential to remove the ransomware virus from the infected machine to ensure it does not impact other files or spread its roots to other systems. Even if you decide to collaborate with the attackers and pay for decryption, it is still important to get rid of the ransomware program. Follow our guide below to wipe Skylock Ransomware from your computer and decrease the risk of getting infected by such malware in the future.

How Skylock Ransomware infected your computer

Well-know infiltration techniques include penetration through phishing e-mail letters, unprotected RDP configuration, infected software installers (pirated or cracked), exploit kits, trojans, fake updates/license cracking tools, unreliable ads, backdoors, keyloggers, and other dubious channels. Inexperienced and naive users are often tricked into downloading and executing some malicious file or link. For instance, attackers may disguise malicious attachments as legitimate files with extensions .DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, or .JS and pretend to be trustworthy organizations such as delivery companies, tax authorities, banks, and others to increase the likelihood of successfully implementing the designed infection or scam scheme.

Being careful is a paramount condition for securing yourself against unwanted or malicious infections. In addition, it is advised to avoid interaction with shady and pirated download resources, torrent-sharing websites, dubious ads, potentially malicious attachments/links, and other types of content that may seem suspicious or compromised. Only download software from official, trusted, and non-pirated resources. Follow our guide below to learn how to deal with ransomware attacks and establish protection against similar threats.

1. Download Skylock Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .skylock files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like Skylock Ransomware

Skylock Ransomware files:


How_to_back_files.html
{randomname}.exe


Skylock Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .skylock files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .skylock 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.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .skylock files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with Skylock Ransomware and removed 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 Data Recovery Professional to restore .skylock files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

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 Skylock 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

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Skylock Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

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

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the 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 a very high level of anti-spam protection.