FacebookTwitterLinkedIn

Department of Justice Virus

Also Known As: Department of Justice Ransomware
Damage level: Severe

What is Department of Justice?

The United States Department of Justice message - "Your computer has been blocked" is a scam - a ransomware infection that should not be trusted. The Department of Justice do not send messages such as this - they are created by Cyber criminals in order to trick unsuspecting PC users into paying a bogus 100 Euro fine for supposedly committing law violations.

This deceptive message blocks computer users' screens, stating the screen lock was applied due to users allegedly watching pornography (involving children under 18 years), downloading copyrighted content, etc. To further scare PC users into paying this bogus fine, cyber criminals employ graphics from legitimate authorities and imitate video recordings.

Moreover, the latest versions of ransomware infections (including the Department of Justice virus) use sound recordings within the deceptive message - another intimidation tactic used by cyber criminals. If you see this type of message blocking your computer screen, you are dealing with a ransomware infection. Do not pay the 100 Euro (or $300) fine.

If you do pay this fine, you will lose your money and your PC will remain blocked. The Department of Justice virus originates from a family of ransomware called Reveton. Previous versions exploited the names and graphics of the FBI, Australian Federal Police, Cyber Investigation Departament, and many others.

No international authorities use screen lockers to collect fines for law violations. If you see a message of this type blocking your computer screen (supposedly delivered from your local authority), your computer is infected with ransomware.

The United States Department of Justice Virus Department of Justice - The work with computer has been suspended

Department of Justice ransomware targets PC users predominantly from the USA, however, this type of infection is often localised - cyber criminals translate their deceptive messages into various languages and exploit the names and graphics of local authorities.

Do not pay any fines demanded by messages that lock your computer screen. The correct way to treat screen lockers such as this is to eliminate them from your system.

Ransomware infections are often distributed using drive-by downloads and Trojans. Protect your computer from these infections by using legitimate antivirus and antispyware programs. If your computer is already infected with the Department of Justice virus, use this removal guide and eliminate it from your PC.

A deceptive message presented by the Department of Justice virus:

YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED.
THE UNITED STATES.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The work of your computer has been suspended on the grounds of the violation of the law of the United States of America.
Possible violations are described below:

Article - 184. Pornography involving children (under 18 years)
Imprisonment for the term of up to 10 -15 years
(The use or distribution of pornographic files)
Article - 171. Copyright
Imprisonment for the term of up to 2-5 years
(The use or sharing of copyrighted files)
Article - 113. The use of unlicensed software
Imprisonment for the term of up to 2 years
(the use of unlicensed software)
All illegal activities conducted throughout your computer have been recorded in the police database, including photos and videos from your computer camera for further identification. You have been registered by viewing pornography involving minors.
In connection with the decision of the Government as of October 11, 2012, all of the violations described above could be considered as criminal. If the fine has not been paid, you will become the subject of criminal prosecution. The fine is applicable in the case of a primary violation. In the case of second violation you will appear before the Supreme Court of the USA.
Amount of the fine is $300. Payment must be made within 48 hours after the computer blocking. If the fine has not been paid, you will become the subject of criminal prosecution without the right to pay the fine.
An attempt to unlock the computer by yourself will lead to the full formatting of the operating system. All the files, videos, photos, documents on your computer will be deleted.
The first violation may not entail the criminal liability if the payment of the fine in connection with the law of loyalty to the people, on 5 December 2012. In repeated violations of criminal responsibility is inevitable.
To unlock your computer and avoid other legal consequences, you are obliged to pay a release fee of $300.
How to unlock computer using MoneyPak?
1. Find a retail location near you.
2. Look for a MoneyPak in the prepaid section. Take it to the cashier and load it with cash. A service fee of up to $4.95 will apply.
3. To pay fine, you should enter the digits MoneyPak resulting code in the payment form and press Pay MoneyPak.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

Department of Justice virus removal:

Step 1

Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer starting process press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

alt

Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

Step 2

Log in to the account infected with the Department of Justice virus. Start your Internet browser and download a legitimate anti-spyware program. Update the anti-spyware software and start a full system scan. Remove all entries detected.

Cannot boot in Safe Mode with Networking? (Department of Justice virus blocks Safe Mode with Networking)

If you have more than one user account on your operating system, please log-in to the clean account and download the recommended malware removal software, install it and run a full system scan. Remove all the security infections detected.

If, however, you have only one user account, please follow this guide (it will describe how to create a new user account using Safe Mode with Command Prompt - using this newly-created user account, you will be able to remove the Department of Justice ransomware).

If the Department of Justice virus also blocks your operating system's Safe Mode with Networking, follow these removal instructions:

1. During your computer starting process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then select Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list and press ENTER.

Boot your computer in Safe Mode with Command Prompt

2. When Command Prompt Mode loads, enter the following line: net user removevirus /add and press ENTER.

alt

3. Next, enter this line: net localgroup administrators removevirus /add and press ENTER.

creating new user using command prompt

4. Finally, enter this line: shutdown -r and press ENTER.

adding a new user in command prompt

5. Wait for your computer to restart, and then boot your PC in Normal Mode. Login to the newly-created user account ("removevirus"). This account will be unaffected by the ransomware infection and you will be able to download and install recommended malware removal software to eliminate this virus from your computer.

new user account created

6. Download and install recommended malware removal software to eliminate this ransomware infection from your computer:

If the newly-created user account is also affected by the ransomware infection, try performing a System Restore:

Video showing how to remove the ransomware virus using "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" and "System Restore":

1. During your computer starting process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then select Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list and press ENTER.

Boot your computer in Safe Mode with Command Prompt

2. When Command Prompt Mode loads, enter the following line: cd restore and press ENTER.

system restore using command prompt type cd restore

3. Next, type this line: rstrui.exe and press ENTER.

system restore using command prompt rstrui.exe

4. In the opened window, click "Next".

restore system files and settings

5. Select one of the available restore points and click "Next" (this will restore your computer system to an earlier time and date, prior to the ransomware infiltrating your PC).

select a restore point

6. In the opened window, click "Yes".

run system restore

7. After restoring your computer to a previous date, download and scan your PC with recommended malware removal software to eliminate any remnants of Department Of Justice ransomware.

Alternative Department of Justice virus removal guide:

If this ransomware blocks your screen when you start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking, try starting your PC in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

1. During your computer starting process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then select Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list and press ENTER.

win 7 safe mode with command prompt

2. In the opened Command Prompt, type explorer and press Enter. This command will open the Explorer window - do not close it and continue to the next step.

3. In the Command Prompt, type regedit and press Enter. This will open the Registry Editor window.

4. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\

registy editor winlogon

5. In the right side of the window, locate "Shell" and right click on it. Click on Modify. The default value in the Data column is Explorer.exe - if you see something else displayed in this window, remove it and type Explorer.exe (take a note of whatever else was displayed in the Data column - this is the path of the rogue execution file). Use this information to navigate to the rogue executable and remove it.

6. Restart your computer, download and install legitimate anti-spyware software and perform a full system scan to eliminate any remnants of the Department of Justice virus.

If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking (or with Command Prompt), boot your computer using a rescue disk. Some variants of ransomware disable Safe Mode, making its removal more complicated. For this step, you need access to another computer.

After removing the Department of Justice virus from your PC, restart your computer and scan it with legitimate antispyware software to remove any possible remnants of this security infection.

Other tools known to remove the Department of Justice virus:

▼ Show Discussion

About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

Our malware removal guides are free. However, if you want to support us you can send us a donation.

About PCrisk

PCrisk is a cyber security portal, informing Internet users about the latest digital threats. Our content is provided by security experts and professional malware researchers. Read more about us.

Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Department of Justice Ransomware QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Department of Justice Ransomware on your mobile device.
We Recommend:

Get rid of Windows malware infections today:

▼ REMOVE IT NOW
Download Combo Cleaner

Platform: Windows

Editors' Rating for Combo Cleaner:
Editors ratingOutstanding!

[Back to Top]

To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.