Infected with Torchwood ransomware? Need to decrypt your files?
What is Torchwood ransomware
Torchwood is a cryptovirus that extorts money from users. The activity of this cryptovirus was noticed as early as 2013 and the hackers updated it and improved it. Like many similar viruses, Torchwood encrypts user data. Many file formats can be encrypted, including archives, PDF files, images, videos, Microsoft Office documents and more. Torchwood uses the AES cipher and changes the extensions of the encrypted files to .TRCHWD or .TORCHWOOD, thereby making it unsuitable for further use. Scammers create a special file-note ИНСТРУКЦИЯ.txt containing detailed information about the buyback. Here’s how it looks:
textual note’s content:
Чтобы узнать как получить дешифратор, напишите нам письмо на адрес torchwood0000@yandex.com или torchwood@riseup.net
Если мы Вам не ответили в течении 24 часов - проверьте не попало ли наше письмо в СПАМ и повторите пересылку письма.
В теме письма укажите номер - 62078986 или вставьте текст из файла ИНСТРУКЦИЯ.txt
Если желаете убедится в возможности восстановления, можете прикрепить к письму пару файлов, чей общий размер не превышает 10 мегабайт.
В ответном письме Вы получите все инструкции.
translation into English:
To learn how to get the decoder, write us an e-mail to torchwood0000@yandex.com or torchwood@riseup.net
If we did not answer you within 24 hours - check our letter in SPAM and resend the letter.
In the subject line write the number - 62078986 or paste the text from the file ИНСТРУКЦИЯ.txt
If you want to make sure of the possibility of recovery, you can attach to the letter a pair of files, whose total size does not exceed 10 Mb.
In the reply letter you will receive all instructions.
Judging by the text of the note, the virus is aimed at the Russian-speaking audience, however, judging by the search requests of users, Torchwood spread throughout the world. The e-mail address is indicated in the letter, according to which the user must contact the attackers for further payment of the repayment, the amount of which can reach several hundred dollars. Remember that scammers will not return your files to you, because the main one is to make you pay. We categorically do not recommend you to pay the ransom. Try to get rid of Torchwood and decrypt your files using our recommendations and instructions.
Update: Use following service to identify the version and type of ransomware you were attacked by: ID Ransomware. If you want to decrypt your files, please follow our instruction below or, if you have any difficulties, please contact us: submit@securitystronghold.com. We really can help to decrypt your files.
How Torchwood ransomware infected your PC
Torchwood can take a different look to penetrate the PC, for example, it can come as a false update of the flash player or as an attachment in the spam mailing. Be that as it may, the main cause of infection is the lack of adequate anti-virus protection, which can protect the network and the computer. In reality, users prefer to use free versions of antivirus software or not to use it at all, which is the biggest problem. Remove Torchwood using various utilities and decrypt your files using our guides.
First of all, don’t panic. Follow these easy steps below.
1. Start your computer in Safe Mode with networking. To do that, restart your computer before your system starts hit F8 several times. This will stop system from loading and will show Advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe mode with networking option from the options list using up and down arrows on your keyboard and hit Enter.
2. Log in to the system infected with the Torchwood ransomware virus. Launch your Internet browser and download a reliable anti-malware program and start a full system scan. Once the scan is complete, review scan results and remove all entries detected.
Recommended Solution:
Norton is a powerful removal tool. It can remove all instances of newest viruses, similar to Torchwood ransomware – files, folders, registry keys.
*Trial version of Norton provides detection of computer viruses for FREE. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Norton.
You may find more detailed information about antivirus products in our article – Top 5 Antivirus Software for Windows
Restore your files using shadow copies
- Download and run Stellar Data Recovery.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next.
- Select the drive and folder where your files are located and date that you want to restore them from and press Scan.
- Once the scanning process is done, click Recover to restore your files.
Step 2: Remove following files and folders of Torchwood ransomware:
Related connections or other entries:
torchwood0000@yandex.com
torchwood@66.ru
Related files:
Torchwood.exe
How to decrypt files infected by Torchwood ransomware?
You can try to use manual methods to restore and decrypt your files.
Decrypt files manually
Restore the system using System Restore
Although latest versions of Torchwood ransomware remove system restore files, this method may help you partially restore your files. Give it a try and use standard System Restore to revive your data.
- Initiate the search for ‘system restore‘
- Click on the result
- Choose the date before the infection appearance
- Follow the on-screen instructions
Roll the files back to the previous version
Previous versions can be copies of files and folders created by Windows Backup (if it is active) or copies of files and folders created by System Restore. You can use this feature to restore files and folders that you accidentally modified or deleted, or that were damaged. This feature is available in Windows 7 and later versions.
- Right-click the file and choose Properties
- Open the Previous Version tab
- Select the latest version and click Copy
- Click Restore
Protect your computer from ransomware
Most modern antiviruses can protect your PC from ransomware and crypto-trojans, but thousands of people still get infected. There are several programs that use different approach t protect from ransomware and lockers. One of the best is HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard. You may already know HitmanPro as famous cloud-based anti-malware scanner. Check out ultimate active protection software from SurfRight.
Written by Rami Douafi