LockBit 3.0 Ransomware Removal Guide

  Category:  RANSOMWARE | 30th May 2025 | Author:  TEAM CSI

? What Is LockBit 3.0 Ransomware?

LockBit 3.0, Also Known As "LockBit Black", Is The Third Major Variant Of The Infamous LockBit Ransomware Family. Released In mid-2022 And Still Active In 2025, It Is A Highly Sophisticated, Modular Ransomware Used By Affiliates Under A Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) Model.

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? Key Characteristics:

• File Encryption: Uses Robust Encryption Algorithms (likely AES+RSA Combo) To Lock Victim Files.

• Ransom Note: Leaves A File Like Restore-My-Files.txt Or .README.txt Demanding Payment In Cryptocurrency.

• Customization: Affiliates Can Personalize The Ransom Note And Encryption Behavior.

• Triple Extortion:

  1. Encrypts Files,

  2. Steals Sensitive Data,

  3. Threatens To Publish Data Unless Ransom Is Paid.

• Stealthy Spread: Often Spreads Through Phishing Emails, RDP Brute-force Attacks, Or Exploits In Public-facing Services.

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?? How To Remove LockBit 3.0 Ransomware?

?? Important: Do Not Pay The Ransom. There’s No Guarantee You’ll Regain Access To Your Files, And It Fuels Cybercrime.

Step-by-Step Removal:

1. Isolate The Infected System

• Disconnect The Infected Machine From The Network Immediately.

• Disable Shared Drives And Wi-Fi To Prevent Lateral Spread.

2. Boot In Safe Mode

• Restart Your PC In Safe Mode With Networking To Prevent Ransomware From Running At Startup.

3. Use Antivirus Or Anti-Ransomware Tools

• Run A Full System Scan Using Reliable Tools Such As:

  • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

  • Kaspersky Rescue Disk

  • Bitdefender Rescue Environment

• These Tools Can Remove The Ransomware Code, But won’t Decrypt Your Files.

4. Remove Suspicious Programs And Processes

• Check Task Manager, Startup Apps, And Installed Software.

• Delete Or Disable Suspicious Entries.

5. Restore From Backups (if Available)

• If You Have Offline Or Cloud Backups, Restore Your System After Confirming The Ransomware Is Removed.

6. Check For Decryption Tools

• Unfortunately, As Of 2025, no Universal LockBit 3.0 Decryptor Exists Publicly.

• Keep Checking Resources Like:

  • NoMoreRansom.org

  • Emsisoft Decryptors

? LockBit 3.0 Prevention Tips

? System & Network Protection

• ? Keep Systems And Software Updated (OS, Browsers, Apps, Plugins).

• ? Use A Firewall And Enable Endpoint Protection.

• ? Disable RDP If Not In Use; Otherwise, Use It Behind A VPN And Enforce Strong Credentials.

? Security Hygiene

• ? Avoid Suspicious Email Attachments And Links—phishing Is A Major Entry Point.

• ? Use Strong, Unique Passwords With Multi-factor Authentication (MFA).

• ? Back Up Data Regularly (offline And In The Cloud). Use Versioning If Possible.

? Security Tools

• ?? Use Trusted Antivirus Software With Ransomware Protection (Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Sophos, Etc.).

• ? Block Known Malicious Domains/IPs Using DNS Filtering (e.g., Via NordVPN Threat Protection Or Cisco Umbrella).

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? Summary

If You Want, I Can Help You Draft An Incident Response Checklist Or A Recovery Policy Template Tailored For Ransomware Threats Like LockBit.

NordVPN—or Any VPN In General—cannot Directly Prevent Ransomware Infections, But It Can Play An indirect And Supportive Role In Protecting Your System Against Such Threats. Here’s A Breakdown Of What NordVPN Can And Cannot Do In The Context Of Ransomware Protection:

? How NordVPN Can Help Prevent Ransomware (Indirectly)

1. Secure Encrypted Connection
   NordVPN Encrypts Your Internet Traffic Using AES-256-bit Encryption. This Prevents hackers On Unsecured Networks (like Public Wi-Fi) From Intercepting Your Data Or Injecting Malicious Code, Which Could Lead To Ransomware Attacks.

2. Masking IP Address
   By Hiding Your Real IP Address And Routing Your Traffic Through A VPN Server, NordVPN Makes It Harder For Cybercriminals To target Your Device Directly—especially In Ransomware Campaigns That Scan For Vulnerable IPs.

3. Threat Protection (Advanced Feature)
   NordVPN Offers A "Threat Protection" Feature (enabled Separately), Which:

   • Blocks Access To Known Malicious Websites That May Host Ransomware.

   • Scans Downloaded Files For Malware (on Supported Platforms).

   • Blocks Intrusive Ads That Can Serve Malicious Payloads.

   This Layer Of Protection Can stop Ransomware Before It Downloads Or Gets Executed.

4. Preventing Phishing Sites
   Many Ransomware Infections Start With Phishing. NordVPN’s Threat Protection Can Block Phishing Domains That Try To Trick You Into Downloading Ransomware Payloads.

? What NordVPN Cannot Do

1. Cannot Remove Or Stop Ransomware Once Infected
   If Ransomware Is Already On Your System, NordVPN cannot Detect, Isolate, Or Remove It. You’ll Need Dedicated Antivirus Or Anti-malware Software For That (like Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, Or Windows Defender).

2. Cannot Protect Against Infected Email Attachments Or USB Drives
   Ransomware Often Enters Via Email Attachments Or Physical Media. NordVPN doesn't Monitor Local File Activity Or Offline Threats.

3. Not A Replacement For Antivirus Or Backups
   A VPN Adds Privacy And Some Web-based Protection, But It’s not A Full Endpoint Security Solution. You Still Need Antivirus Software, System Updates, And Regular Backups.

? Best Practice Recommendation

Use NordVPN In Combination With:

• A Reliable antivirus/anti-ransomware Tool.

• Regular System Backups (offline Or Cloud-based).

• Caution With Email Attachments And Unfamiliar Links.

• Updated Operating System And Software Patches.

? Summary

NordVPN Can Reduce Your Risk Of Getting Ransomware By Blocking Dangerous Sites And Hiding Your Identity, But It cannot Completely Prevent Or Remove Ransomware On Its Own. Think Of It As A Layer Of Defense In A Multi-layered Cybersecurity Strategy.