Toec Ransomware

Toec Ransomware could sneak onto your computer when you least expect it. Moreover, our researchers say that even when it does appear on a computer, its user may not realize what is going on because the malware shows a fake updates window and pretends to be installing new updates. Unfortunately, instead of providing upgrades, the malware encrypts victims’ data with a robust encryption algorithm. As a result, targeted files become unreadable and can only be decrypted with special decryption tools. What is even worse is that a decryptor is not something you can easily download from the Internet. Usually, only the hackers behind such attacks have such tools. In some cases, cybersecurity experts succeed in creating them, in which case they are shared online, but it does not happen often. If you want to know what we recommend doing after receiving Toec Ransomware or wish to learn more about how this threat works, we encourage you to read the rest of this article.

First, we should talk about how such a threat could be distributed. According to our researchers, the malware could be received via email, messaging applications, malicious websites, pop-ups or other advertisements, and so on. In short, Toec Ransomware could enter a system with some file downloaded or received from unreliable sources. One of the best things you can do to protect your device from similar threats is to be cautious with files you encounter while surfing the Internet or receive from unknown senders. Naturally, you cannot always know or suspect that a file could be dangerous, as malicious files can be disguised. This is why we recommend scanning files coming from questionable sources, or data that you are not one hundred percent sure to be safe, with a capable security tool that could detect malicious material and warn you about it.

What happens first after you receive Toec Ransomware? At first, the malware should open a fake system window that should say: “Installing important updates Windows.” The quoted sentence and the rest of the message sound different from what you would typically read on a legit Windows pop-up window. However, if you do not pay attention to the text, you might not notice anything suspicious as the appearance of the window is similar to legit Windows pop-ups. While the malware claims to be installing updates, it should block Task Manager (to make sure the threat’s process will not be killed) and start encrypting targeted files. As usual for such threats, it should encrypt pictures, various documents, videos, and other files that might be considered valuable and personal. Therefore, the malware may encrypt all files except data belonging to Windows or other software. All of the affected files should be marked with the .toec extension, e.g., picture.jpg.toec.

After the malicious application is done with encrypting files, it should create a text file called _readme.txt. If a victim opens it, he should see a message written by the malware’s developers. According to this message, Toec Ransomware’s encrypted files can only be decrypted with special decryption tools. Of course, hackers behind the malicious application claim to have them and offer them for a particular price. To be more precise, they wish to receive 490 US dollars in 72 hours. If these conditions are not met, they demand 980 US dollars instead. It is essential to understand that there are no guarantees the hackers will hold on to their end of the bargain, which is why we do not advise paying anything if you do not want to risk getting scammed.

Instead of putting up with the hackers behind Toec Ransomware demands, users who have backup copies could use such copies to replace encrypted files. Also, there is a possibility that cybersecurity specialists could still create a free decryption tool for this malware. Thus, it might be a good idea to check cybersecurity news related to releases of free decryption tools from time to time. As for the malicious application, we recommend erasing it as there is no point in keeping it on your system. Leaving it could only endanger your future data. To delete the malware manually, you could follow the instructions located below this article. Another way to remove Toec Ransomware is to scan your computer with a reputable antimalware tool and click its provided deletion button once the scanning is over.

Restart the computer in Safe Mode

Windows 8/Windows 10

1. Tap Win+I for Windows 8 or open Start menu for Windows 10.
2. Press the Power button.
3. Click and hold Shift then click Restart.
4. Pick Troubleshoot and choose Advanced Options.
5. Go to Startup Settings and click Restart.
6. Press F5 and restart the PC.

Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7

1. Navigate to Start, select Shutdown options, and pick Restart.
2. Press and hold F8 when the PC starts restarting.
3. Mark Safe Mode with Networking.
4. Select Enter and log on.

Remove Toec Ransomware

1. Click Win+E.
2. Find these locations:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
3. Look for the threat’s installer, e.g., updatewin.exe; then right-click it and press Delete.
4. Then find these paths:
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
5. Search for malicious .exe files with random names, right-click them, and press Delete.
6. Recheck these paths:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
7. Look for malicious folders with long random titles, e.g., Afefd188-12fe-81Ae-cFb1-do6a241B4671, right-click them, and choose Delete.
8. Then check these paths one last time:
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
   %LOCALAPPDATA%
9. Locate files called script.ps1 or similarly, right-click them and press Delete.
10. Find this path: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
11. Look for a file called Time Trigger Task or similarly, right-click it and choose Delete.
12. Exit File Explorer.
13. Press Win+R.
14. Type Regedit and press Enter.
15. Go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
16. Locate a value name called SysHelper, right-click it and press Delete.
17. Exit Registry Editor.
18. Empty Recycle bin.
19. Restart the system.