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Ransom:Win32/Reveton!lnk
Aliases: CXmal/RnsmLnk-A (Sophos) Trojan.LNK.Reveton (Ikarus)
Summary
Microsoft Defender Antivirus detects and removes this threat.
The threat is a detection for shortcut files (LNK) created by variants of the Ransom:Win32/Reveton family of ransomware, which lock your computer and demand you pay a fine.
It's likely your PC has also been infected with other malware from the Ransom:Win32/Reveton family.
Our ransomware FAQ page has more information on this type of threat.
The trend towards increasingly sophisticated malware behavior, highlighted by the use of exploits and other attack vectors, makes older platforms so much more susceptible to ransomware attacks. From June to November 2017, Windows 7 devices were 3.4 times more likely to encounter ransomware compared to Windows 10 devices.
Read our latest report: A worthy upgrade: Next-gen security on Windows 10 proves resilient against ransomware outbreaks in 2017.
Microsoft doesn’t recommend you pay the fine. There is no guarantee that paying the ransom will give you access to your files.
If you've already paid, see our ransomware page for help on what to do now.
Run antivirus or antimalware software
Use the following free Microsoft software to detect and remove this threat:
- Windows Defender for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, or Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows 7 and Windows Vista
- Microsoft Safety Scanner
You should also run a full scan. A full scan might find hidden malware.
Advanced troubleshooting
To restore your PC, you might need to download and run Windows Defender Offline. See our advanced troubleshooting page for more help.
Get more help
You can also visit our advanced troubleshooting page or search the Microsoft virus and malware community for more help.
If you’re using Windows XP, see our Windows XP end of support page.
