Toec Ransomware - How to remove

A family of viruses rename user files by adding a new four-letter extension after the real extension (for example, note.txt turns into note.txt.toec). These four-letter file extensions, like Meka, Nakw, Derp, and now Toec, are signs of a very serious issue – a ransomware infection. Ransomware viruses use sophisticated cryptographic algorithms to corrupt user files and hold the decryption keys for ransom of up to $980. Toec’s developers must be making a killing because they keep releasing new and improved viruses constantly, profiting from desperate victims who don’t want to lose their files.

Can Toec files be recovered

Toec uses cryptography

The Toec virus is named so after the extension that it gives the affected files. It does more than this, though. If you were to rename those encrypted files by remove “.toec” from the end, you would find the files still broken. Most of them could not even be opened. Some video and audio files might work but be missing chunks from the beginning, middle, and end of the files. The same for other big files – some of the data might be intact, but essential data be encrypted. This way, Toec kills to birds with one stone: it corrupts enough data to completely break most files and that amount is small enough that the virus can affect hundreds of Gigabytes of data in 15 minutes.

Toec, like most ransomware, uses cryptography to obscure meaningful data by turning it into random noise. This process can be reversed with the right algorithm and the correct decryption key, which is what the extortionist is selling at the cost of hundreds of dollars for each victim. And, since the keys are unique, even if one person gives in and buys the decrypter, it’s only half the puzzle. the other half, the decryption keys, are too difficult to guess with modern computers, and the only ones who have these keys are the criminals.

Toec’s symptoms and solution in short:

Infection symptoms	File names have “.toec” as a suffix and can’t be opened _readme.txt files in multiple folders
How Toec spreads	Pirated files and software Free programs and files on unofficial sites and other distribution mediums
Remove the infection	Fix the hosts file Scan the computer (Spyhunter) and delete malware Change your passwords in case the spyware trojan got them
Restore Toec files	Restore your files from a backup Use the free decrypter on your files

Decrypter and other methods

There are some decrypters for Toec’s family of viruses (Djvu). Actually, one previous free decrypter (shared by ransomware experts) was just the decrypter by the extortionist. Apparently, it was extremely difficult to use, with a confusing interface and no feedback.

A decrypter for Djvu was released by Emsisoft, but it doesn’t work for all files and, at the moment I’m writing this, does not support Toec at all, but it might in the future. Not to mention that, before you attempt to use it, it’s important to remove Toec and the other infections so that they can’t interfere with the process.

Although the aforementioned decrypter works well on the old version of Djvu, the ransomware was improved since then and Toec is more resilient. If the decrypter is updated to support Toec, only files encrypted by it during periods when the virus could not get internet connection will be unlockable. It’s amazing that the researchers created the decrypter that helps people recover their files, but your mileage may vary.

Some people might be tempted to contact the extortionist and try to get their files decrypted that way. Some people might feel like they have no choice but to do this, but remember to be careful. There are a few reasons to avoid this and a few things to be careful of:

• Ransomware ransoms are paid in cryptocurrency, so the money can’t be returned and there’s no guarantee that Toec’s developer will send the decrypter.
• Statistically, a significant fraction of people still lose data even if they pay the ransom.
• Toec might install Azorult, a trojan that steals passwords (among other things), so using the infected computer for banking operations would be dangerous.
• Talking to criminals is risky in general, they might manipulate or trick you.
• Paying money to Toec’s creator rewards them for this crime and encourages them to continue.

How Toec infects computers

It’s no mystery that Toec infects computers through free downloads and installs of commercial software and files. Files like executables and ebooks downloaded from unofficial websites for free, as well as cracking tools and key generators might be infected.

If you want to download commercial programs for free – to pirate them – take care, since pirating is a very risky endeavor:

• Use legal avenues as much as possible.
• Scan downloads with antivirus software first. The ransomware infection should be detected, for example, here’s Toec’s VirusTotal report.
• Stick to reputable websites that have moderators and hold members accountable. But don’t trust anyone, you never know who might be spreading Toec.
• Have a backup of your files and keep it separate from your computer when it’s not needed. Many people get their backup infected because they keep it connected to their computer unnecessarily.

As for getting rid of Toec, Azorult, and possibly any other malware, an anti-malware scanner like SpyHunter might help. Then, when the ransomware is gone, you can try running the decrypter on your files. Also, if Azorult was found on your system, make sure that your passwords are secure.

Important -- edit the hosts file to unblock security websites

TL DR : The hosts file is edited to block security sites Before the virus can be removed, it's necessary to fix the hosts file (the file which controls which addresses connect to which IPs). That is the reason the majority of security websites is inaccessible when infected with this particular parasite. This infection edits this file to stop certain websites, including anti-malware download sites, from being accessed from the infected computer, making browsers return the "This site can't be reached" error. Luckily, it's trivial to fix the file and remove the edits that were made to it.

Find and edit the hosts file

The hosts file can be found on C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/etc/hosts. If you don't see it, change the settings to see hidden files.

1. In the Start Menu, search for Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, find Appearance and Personalization.
3. Select Folder Options.
4. Open the View tab.
5. Open Advanced settings.
6. Select "Show hidden files...".
7. Select OK.

Open this file with administrator privileges.

1. Open the Start Menu and enter "notepad".
2. When Notepad shows up in the result, right-click on it.
3. In the menu, choose "Run as administrator"
4. File->Open and browse for the hosts file.

The hosts file should look like this: Delete additional lines that they connect various domain names to the wrong IP address. Save the file.

Download and run the antivirus program

After that, download antivirus programs and use them to remove the ransomware, the trojan, and other malware. Spyhunter (https://www.2-viruses.com/reviews/spyhunter/dwnld/).

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Toec Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Toec Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Toec Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Toec Ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Toec Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Toec Ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Toec Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.