REloadit Virus
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is REloadit?
This message locks computer users' screens demanding payment of a fine using the REloadit prepaid card service. This is a scam and should not be trusted.
Commonly, these messages exploit the names of various international authorities (such as the FBI, Europol, United Kingdom Police, etc.) and order payment of a fine for alleged law violations including copyright and child pornography. Messages such as these are called ransomware and created by cyber criminals to scare unsuspecting PC users into paying bogus fines.
In fact, paying the fine is equivalent to sending your money to cyber criminals, and with no guarantee that your computer will be unlocked.
There are several families of ransomware infections targeting computer users from various countries. For example, computer users from the USA see this deceptive message (ransomware infection) as if sent by the FBI, and computer users from Australia, as if sent by the AFP.
Commonly, cyber criminals use the MoneyPak and Ukash prepaid card services, however, a recently-discovered ransomware family uses the REloadit prepaid card service to collect the bogus fines. PC users should be aware that no legitimate authorities or organizations collect fines using such methods (locking computer screens).
If you observe a message blocking your computer screen, demanding payment of a fine using the REloadit prepaid card, your PC is infected with ransomware.
The REloadit scam and other ransomware are commonly proliferated using Trojans and drive-by downloads. Cyber criminals develop various exploit kits capable of detecting security vulnerabilities within the operating system or installed software, and thus, are capable of installing malicious software on users' systems.
To avoid infiltration by rogue screen lockers or other malware, users should keep their operating system and installed programs up-to-date. Also, use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware software. If your computer is already infected with REloadit ransomware, use the removal guide provided to eliminate this scam from your PC.
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Quick menu:
- What is REloadit?
- STEP 1. "REloadit" virus removal using safe mode with networking.
- STEP 2. "REloadit" ransomware removal using System Restore.
REloadit 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.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 8 users:
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Step 2
Log in to the account infected with the REloadit (Computer Locked) 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.
If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking, try performing a System Restore.
Video showing how to remove 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.
2. When Command Prompt Mode loads, enter the following line: cd restore and press ENTER.
3. Next, type this line: rstrui.exe and press ENTER.
4. In the opened window click "Next".
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).
6. In the opened window click "Yes".
7. After restoring your computer to a previous date, download and scan your PC with recommended malware removal software to eliminate any remnants of the REloadit (Computer Locked) 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 require access to another computer.
After removing the REloadit (Computer Locked) 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 REloadit (Computer Locked) virus:
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