Geek's Advice

TOEC ransomware infects computers to encrypt all files on them

TOEC ransomware is a file-encrypting virus designed to attack Windows computer systems. It belongs to the STOP/DJVU ransomware group. Once installed, it scans all computer for personal files and encrypts them using the RSA algorithm. To mark encrypted data, it adds a .toec extension to file names (for instance, document.doc becomes document.doc.toec). These files cannot be opened in any way. Finally, the ransomware creates text file called _readme.txt, which is a ransom-demanding note from the cybercriminals, and saves it in each folder with encrypted data.

TOEC file virus can encrypt files stored on the computer or network, and also encrypt files on external devices connected to the computers at the time of the cyber attack. To ensure that no security programs will interfere with the malicious processes, the virus disables present firewalls.

It also deletes Volume Shadow Copies to prevent easy data restoration. It is important to note that the virus doesn’t show any signs and operates silently, and the victim can notice that something is wrong only after noticing .toec extensions on files and suspicious _readme.txt files in all computer folders. 

These notes contain a message from the cybercriminals, which says that files were locked with cryptography algorithms and the only way to restore them is to pay a ransom. In other words, the hackers want to extort the victims by taking away important data and suggesting decryption tools for a ransom. To be precise, they demand paying $490 in 72 hours, otherwise the price goes up to $980.

In addition, the attackers suggest contacting them via salesrestoresoftware@firemail.cc or a reserve email – salesrestoresoftware@gmail.com. They also suggest sending one encrypted file and suggest a decrypted .toec file in return. This way, they are trying to prove that a decryption tool actually exists.

Victims of this STOP DJVU ransomware variant should beware of the additional danger it does besides encrypting data. TOEC virus has a tendency to install the notorious Azorult Trojan on the system. This trojan is well-known for password-stealing abilities, so our primary suggestion is to remove TOEC virus along with Azorult using a strong antivirus software first. Then change all your passwords as soon as you can, especially those you saved in your browser.

Threat Summary

Name	TOEC ransomware virus.
Type	Ransomware – file-encrypting virus.
Family	New variant of STOP ransomware (also known as DJVU virus).
Distribution	Software cracks, keygens, other illegal software activation tools.
Encryption	RSA.
Ransom note	_readme.txt.
Ransom price	$490 if paid in 72 hours, later – $980.
Contact emails	salesrestoresoftware@firemail.cc; salesrestoresoftware@gmail.com
Decryptable	Not decryptable at the moment. Check decryption guide here for updates.
Removal method	Remove using antivirus while in Safe Mode.

Understand virus’ operation and data recovery options

As described previously, the ransomware developers aim to corrupt victim’s files without leaving any possibility to recover them for free. The TOEC virus encodes files using either online or offline key, or both, depending on its success to establish a connection and communicate with a remote server.

You can determine which key was used to lock your files based on the ending of your personal ID – if it ends with t1, an offline key was used. In addition, TOEC ransomware might leave several IDs in the ransom note, which means that it used an online key for part of data and offline for the rest. 

Offline key encryption

Victims who have some files locked by the offline key can hope to recover their files in the near future. We cannot tell how much time it will take for an offline key to be extracted, but once it does, the information about decryption steps will be updated in the DJVU decryption guide here. Currently, the offline key is still unknown.

Online key case

Victims whose files were locked by the online key should know that it is impossible to recover files. The private key generated by the criminals is stored on their servers, and it is impossible to reach it. Your only hope to restore files is if the attackers get caught and their keys seized, which is very unlikely to happen. You can also restore files from a backup once you get rid of the virus. For this reason, you should remove TOEC ransomware as soon as possible.

Learn how DJVU variants reach target computers

TOEC file virus, as well as other DJVU ransomware versions such as NOLS, COOT, DERP, and others, are distributed via software cracks, keygens, and other illegal software activators. In other words, if you have recently decided to choose an unreliable and free software activation tool and downloaded it from a shady third-party source, this is exactly where the ransomware came from. It is packed in these tools as cybercriminals know how popular the illegal activation tools are.

Please never use these tools – it is illegal to try to obtain copyrighted products for free, and you also risk installing all kinds of malware on your system. It is simply not worth contaminating all your files.

In addition, to prevent further infections and data loss, let us remind you other safe browsing rules – do not open suspicious emails, especially embedded links and attachments. Finally, remember that the only thing that can save your files after a ransomware attack is a data backup on an external storage device, so consider creating these backups regularly.

Quick TOEC virus removal guidelines

TOEC removal is an easy task compared to data decryption. To eliminate the ransomware successfully, please follow the instructions down below to boot your computer in Safe mode with networking, then update your antivirus software and run a system scan. This will ensure a safe elimination of both ransomware, Azorult virus and all other malicious remains on your system.

Once you remove TOEC ransomware virus, head to the how to decrypt files locked by DJVU to learn what can you do next. 

OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND

Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system:

GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

Alternative software recommendations

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

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