What is Tornado Ransomware?
Ransomware is a lucrative type of malware, and the Tornado ransomware is yet another infection released for monetary gain. The infection encrypts files and drops many ransom notes demanding a ransom fee in return to the encrypted data. The requirements provided by the Tornado ransomware should be disregarded, because the attackers' promise to decrypt file is just a hoax. The possibility of having the files restored is close to zero, so, instead of spending a considerable sum of money for nothing, you should take action to remove the Tornado ransomware. Without a doubt, it is also necessary to ensure that such threats do not manage to find access to the system again in the future.
How does the Tornado ransomware work?
Once launched, the Tornado ransomware encrypts files with various extensions, bypassing these three directories: Windows, Program Files, and Program Files (x86). Moreover, the infection deletes Windows shadow volume copies so that the files backed up using the Volume Shadow copy service are not restored in any way.
Additionally, every file encrypted is modified by adding a new file extension next to the original one. The threat appends the extension .[dongeswas@tutanota.com].Tornado, but it has been observed that the email address in the extension, as well as in the ransom warnings created by the infection, may vary.
In every affected folder, the Tornado ransomware also creates a .txt file named "key", in which the victim is provided with information about the present situation. According to the ransom note, the files have been encrypted because of some security issue, which is quite true, because your computer is not secured properly, so the attackers have managed to take over your device and damage your data. The text continues with a requirement to contact someone at dongeswas@tutanota.com for more information. In case of the schemers' failure to reply within 48 hours, they should be contacted at dongeswas@cock.li.
Research on the Tornado ransomware has shown that the aforementioned emails are not the only ones created for communication with victims. Other emails, such as dongeswas@tutanota.com and dongeswas@cock.li, are possible too. Nevertheless, no matter the email address, the Tornado ransomware should be removed once the changes on the computer are noticed.
As for the so-called release fee, a typical ransom warning requires a specific sum of money, which is not the case with the Tornado ransomware. The release fee is said to depend on how quickly the user contacts the attackers, but that should not encourage you to start a dialog with the schemers. Nobody can guarantee you that you will receive a decryption tool after paying up, and law enforcement institutions fighting cyber crime recommends ignoring ransomware developers' requests in order to prevent financial loss.
How does the Tornado ransomware spread?
Ransomware is spread in several ways, depending on the choice of its creators. The most popular ways of ransomware distribution include spam emails, which contain either obfuscated email attachments or links; drive-by downloads, which are exploit kits that are downloaded without your knowledge; and RDP brute-force attacks, which are launched not only to install ransomware, but also keyloggers, stealing your passwords and other valuable information. Avoiding suspicious-looking emails, bypassing questionable websites, and using strong RDP are extremely important. For example, instead of clicking on a link in an email inviting you to check your some account, access the website directly and login to your user account to see if everything is as usual. Changing your RDP account user name to something more complex than "Administrator" is also important, because this is how you can inhibit a RDP brute-force attack. Moreover, you should always keep the operating system and software updated, because various vulnerabilities in the OS and software could be exploited to inject ransomware or any other piece of malware. Without a doubt, it is also necessary to have a reputable security program running on the PC, so that different online threats are kept at bay.
How to remove the Tornado ransomware
Removing the Tornado ransomware is not as difficult as it may seem to be, because the threat does not spread its multiple components, except for its notepad files containing ransom notes. All that you have to do to remove the infection is find the malicious executable you have recently downloaded. However, by deleting the ill-purposed file, you do not solve the issue. The system remains unprotected and vulnerable to many other attacks. Hence, our team at anti-spyware-101.com recommends implementing the anti-malware available below to have Tornado removed and the system shielded from various threats.
Remove Tornado Ransomware
- Check the desktop for recently downloaded files. Delete questionable files.
- Access the Downloads folder and look for questionable recently downloaded files.
- Check the Temp folder for malicious files.
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