How to remove TOR Ransomware and recover files

Complete tips to delete TOR Ransomware and decrypt files

TOR Ransomware is a ransomware type infection and a part of Dharma ransomware group. The malware encrypts stored files and then demand ransom payment for the decryption. In other word, the ransomware renders all stored files inaccessible and then ask victims to pay –to restore access to them.

During the encryption process, the files are appended with this pattern:  original filename, unique ID assigned to the victim, cyber criminals’ email address, and “.TOR” extension. For example, a file initially named as 1.jpg would become “1.jpg.id-C279F237.[[email protected]].TOR” – after encryption.

Once the files encryption process is complete, a ransom is displayed under a pop-up window. Additionally, a short ransom demanding message in a text titled “FILES ENCRYPTED.txt” is dropped onto the desktop.

The text within the .txt file states that the victims’ data have been locked and to unlock them- they need to write to the listed emails. The pop-up window provides slightly more information about the ransomware attack. It clarifies about the files encryption.

The message repeats that the victims have to contact to the crooks via the provided email address – to initiate the files recovery process. If they do not get any response in 12 hours, the secondary email address should be used for the communication purpose.

The note concludes with a warning to the users that if they rename the encrypted files and/or attempt to decrypt them using third party software – this will render them permanently inaccessible. Here is the full text presented in the pop-up window displayed by TOR Ransomware:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED

Don’t worry,you can return all your files!

If you want to restore them, follow this link:email [email protected] YOUR ID –

If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:[email protected]

Attention!

Do not rename encrypted files.

Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Text presented in TOR’s text file (“FILES ENCRYPTED.txt”):

all your data has been locked us

You want to return?

write email [email protected] or [email protected]

In most cases with ransomware infection, the decryption is impossible without the involvement of the crooks behind it. It might be when the ransomware is at its initial stage or has certain bugs/ flaws in them.

Regardless, it is highly not recommended you to contact the crooks and pay them the demanded sum. Despite meeting the ransom demands, victims often do not receive the decryption tool. Therefore, they experience financial loss and their files remain encrypted.

To prevent TOR Ransomware from further files encryption, it must be removed from system. Unfortunately, the removal will not restore the already encrypted files. Existing backups are the best option in such a case for the files recovery.

But the problem is that, not all users have such backups available. However, still there are at least two data recovery alternative available in this case, namely Shadow Copies and data recovery tools. Check our below data recovery section for more about the data recovery options and the stepwise user-guide.

How did TOR Ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed via wide range of techniques. The malicious malware are commonly distributed through dubious downloading channels such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p networks and other third party downloaders.

Illegal activation tools and fake updaters are prime examples of that. Cracking tools infect systems by supposedly bypassing activation keys of paid software. Illegal activation tools cause system infection by abusing bugs/ flaws of outdated software or by directly downloading malware instead of promised updates.

Malware can also be distributed through spam campaigns- mass scale operation where thousands of spam emails are delivered. These letters have infectious files or links for such files in them. These files are usually presented as official, urgent, important and similar.

These emails have infectious files in them or the emails contain download links for such files. The virulent files could be in any formats, including PDF and Microsoft Office documents, archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), JavaScript, and so forth, if clicked – malware download/installation is triggered.

How to prevent ransomware intrusion?

It is recommended to download only from official and verified sources. Additionally, all programs should have to be activated and updated using tools/ functions from legit developers. To avoid the system infection from spam emails, it is advised against opening any suspicious and irrelevant emails – especially any attachments or website links in them.

It is crucial to have a dependable antivirus tool installed and updated. Also, this software has to be used for regular system scan and to remove any detected threats. If the system is already infected with TOR Ransomware, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool to remove it from system automatically.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove TOR Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete TOR Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove TOR Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete TOR Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with TOR Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to TOR Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove TOR Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of TOR Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by TOR Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like TOR Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by TOR Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with TOR Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove TOR Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.