TeslaCrypt ransomware virus - removal and decryption options

What kind of malware is TeslaCrypt?

TeslaCrypt is a malicious program that encrypts users' files using AES encryption. Malware of this type is called ransomware. Once the files are encrypted, payment for a private key (used to decrypt files) is demanded.

More about TeslaCrypt ransomware

TeslaCrypt differs from typical file encrypting ransomware (which targets videos, documents, application databases, images, etc.) in that it also encrypts video game-related files. There are over 40 different video games targeted by TeslaCrypt including, for example, MineCraft, World of Warcraft, StarCraft, World of Tanks, Dragon Age, RPG Maker, and Steam.

Another significant difference is that this ransomware accepts ransom payments via PayPal My Cash cards and BitCoin. PayPal My Cash cards can be purchased at popular US chain stores and pre-loaded with money for later transfer to a PayPal account using the card's PIN code.

Paying with BitCoins costs $US500, which is half the cost of using PayPal cards. The reason for this is most likely to be the high risk of any illegal gains being confiscated by PayPal.

Ransom note overview

Furthermore, TeslaCrypt will change your desktop background and create a file called HELP_TO_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES.txt (or _how_recover_.HTML, _how_recover_.TXT, Howto_Restore_FILES.BMP, Howto_Restore_FILES.TXT, and how_recover + mln.html) on the desktop.

A lock screen stating that you must make payment within three days will then appear. The lock screen contains buttons, which allow users to check their payment status, enter decryption keys, and provide a link to a TOR payment website where a free file decryption test can be performed.

Update 18 May 2016 - The developers of TeslaCrypt ransomware have decided to end their rogue business and released a master may which can be used to decrypt the files compromised by this ransomware for free. Here’s a screenshot of a TeslaCrypt payment site that now contains a master key used to decrypt the files encrypted by this ransomware:

Thanks to BloodDolly the master key released by Cyber criminals are now implemented into the TeslaDecoder tool that can be used to decrypt victim’s files for free. You can download it HERE. Victims of TeslaCrypt ransomware should follow these instructions to decrypt their files for free:

Step 1. Download and launch the TeslaDecoder tool.

Step 2. Click “Set Key” button and select the extension of your encrypted files (for example .ecc, .ezz etc.)

Step 3. The last step is to click “Decrypt all” button and wait for this tool to decrypt all your compromised files.

Victims of TeslaCrypt can also try using a decrypter created by ESET. More information on how to use this tool HERE.

Examples of spam email messages containing infected attachments spreading TeslaCrypt ransomware:

Screenshots of Howto_Restore_FILES.TXT and Howto_Restore_FILES.BMP files:

Update 15 July, 2015 - New variant of TeslaCrypt (version 2.0.0) now opens an HTML page (rather than its own window) that is fully copied from another ransomware program called CryptoWall 3.0:

TeslaCrypt demanding ransom payment to decrypt files:

NOT YOUR LANGUAGE? USE Google Translate

What happened to your files?
All of your files were protected by a strong encryption with RSA-4096
More information about the encryption RSA-4096 can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(cryptosystem)

What does this mean?
This means that the structure and data within your files have been irrevocably changed, you will not be able to work with them, read them or see them, it is the same thing as losing them forever, but with our help, you can restore them.

How did this happen?
Especially for your, on our server was generated the secret key pair RSA-4096 - public and private. All your files were encrypted with the public key, which has been transferred to your computer via the Internet. Decrypting of YOUR FILES is only possible with the help of the private hey and decrypt program, which is on our Secret Server!!!

What do I do?
Alas, if you do not take the necessary measures for the specified time then the conditions of obtaining the private key will be changed. If you really need your data, them we suggest you do not waste valuable time searching for other solutions because they do not exist.

At the time of research, the TeslaCrypt virus distribution method was unknown, however, following successful infiltration on computer systems, the software scans all drives and encrypts certain file types using AES encryption. Encrypted files will have the .ECC, .VVV, .ZZZ, .TTT , .MICRO or .XXX extensions applied to the file names.

File types encrypted by the TeslaCrypt ransomware:

.unity3d, .blob, .wma, .avi, .rar, .DayZProfile, .doc, .odb, .asset, ,forge, .cas, .map, .mcgame, .rgss3a, .big, .wotreplay, .xxx, .m3u, .png, .jpeg, .txt, .crt, .x3f, .ai, .eps, .pdf, .lvl, .sis, .gdb, .7z, .apk, .asset, .avi, .bak, .bik, .bsa, .csv, .d3dbsp, .das, .forge, .iwi, .lbf, .litemod, .litesql, .ltx, .m4a, .mp4, .rar, .re4, .sav, .slm, .sql, .tiff, .upk, .wma, .wmv, and .wallet.

Ransom payment information presented in TeslaCrypt:

How to pay us in bitcoins:
Useful site: howtobuybitcoins.info (find exchanges in your country)
1. Visit one of the sites below to buy bitcoins (or find one yourself using the site given above)
(2. Login or create an account if necessary.)
3. Buy the amount of bitcoins you need to pay and send them to the address given in this window.
(4. You can go to blockchain.info and search for your address to see whether the bitcoins are received.)
5. If the bitcoins are on the address, click ‘check payment and receive keys’.
6. Your keys are now received, press ‘decrypt using keys’.
7. Your files will be restored and the program will delete itself.

Note that at time of writing, there were no known tools capable of decrypting files encrypted by TeslaCrypt without paying the ransom (try restoring your files from Shadow copies).

By following this removal guide, you will be able to remove this ransomware from your computer, however, the affected files will remain encrypted. We will update this article as soon as there is more information available regarding decryption of compromised files.

Update 28 April 2015 - Cisco Talos Group has released a TeslaDecrypt tool - try using this application to regain control of your encrypted files. More information on how to use this tool here.

Update 27 October 2015 - A new variant of TeslaCrypt ransomware now adds a .ecc, .ezz, .exx, .xyz, .zzz, .aaa, .abc, .ccc, .vvv file extension to the encrypted files.

Update 30 December 2015 - Cyber criminals responsible for creating TeslaCrypt ransomware have slightly changed the ransom demanding text:

What happened to your files?
All of your files were protected by a strong encryption with RSA-4096. More information about the encryption keys using RSA-4096 can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(cryptosystem)
How did this happen?
Specially for your PC was generated personal RSA-4096 KEY, both public and private. ALL YOUR FILES were encrypted with the public key, which has been transferred to your computer via the Internet. Decrypting of your files is only possible with the help of the private key and decrypt program, which is on our secret server.
What do I do?
so, there are two ways you can choose: wait for a miracle and get your price doubled, or start obtaining BTC NOW, and restore your data easy way. If you have really valuable data, you better not waste your time, because there is no other way to get your files, except make a payment.

Update 21 January 2016 - Due to a discovered flaw in TeslaCrypt ransomware security researchers were able develop a decryption tool to regain control of the compromised data. Download it HERE.

This decryption tool works with older versions of TeslaCrypt ransomware (the ones that add .AAA, .ABC, .CCC, .VVV, .ECC, .EZZ, .EXX, .XYZ, .ZZZ file extensions to the encrypted files). Unfortunately victims of the newer version of this ransomware (encrypted files utilize .TTT, .XXX, and .MICRO file extensions) won’t be able to decrypt their files for free using this decrypter.

Update 13 February 2016 - A new variant of TeslaCrypt now adds .mp3 extension to the encrypted files.

The files with the ransom message has also changed their names - now the ransom messages are presented in _H_e_l_p_RECOVER_INSTRUCTIONS.png, _H_e_l_p_RECOVER_INSTRUCTIONS.txt, _H_e_l_p_RECOVER_INSTRUCTIONS.HTML files.

Notice that at the time of writing this message there were no tools available to decrypt the compromised files without paying the ransom.

Update 7 March 2016 - An updated variant of TeslaCrypt generates _ReCoVeRy_.TXT, _ReCoVeRy_.HTML, and _ReCoVeRy_.PNG files in every folder containing encrypted data.

Update 15 March 2016 - Cyber criminals have updated TeslaCrypt ransomware (security researchers call it TeslaCrypt 4 - now it adds .jpg extension to the encrypted files (notice that other variants doesn't change or add any new file extension - the original is left in place).

The ransom payment instructions are now stored in RECOVER[5 ransom letters].png, RECOVER[5 random letters].txt, and RECOVER[5 random letters].html files that are located in each directory containing compromised data.

Here's a screenshot of an updated ransom demanding message:

Text presented in the updated ransom demanding message:

What’s the matter with you files?

Your data was secured using a strong encryption with RSA4096. Use the link down below to find additional information on the encryption keys using RSA4096

What exactly that means?

It means that in a structural level your files have been transformed. You won’t be able to use, read, see or work with them anymore. In other words they are useless, however, there is a possibility to restore them with our help.

What exactly happened to your files?

*** Two personal RSA4096 keys were generated for you PC/Laptop; one key is public, another key is private.
*** All your data and files were encrypted by the means of the public key, which you received over the web.
*** In order to decrypt your data and gain access to your computer you need a private key and a decryption software, which can be found on one of our secret servers.

What should you do next?

There are several options for you to consider:
1. You can wait for a while until the price of a private key will raise, so you will have to pay twice as much to access your files or
2. You can start getting BitCoins right now and get access to your data quite fast.
In case you have valuable files, we advise you to act fast as there is no other option rather than paying in order to get back your data.

Update 29 March 2016 - Some variants of Teslacrypt ransomware started dropping the ransom demanding messages in {RecOveR}, +REcovER+.txt and !RecOveR!.txt files and changed the ransom demanding message. It’s now copied from another ransomware called Locky. Here’s a screenshot of the updated ransom demanding message:

Ransom demanding text presented in +REcovER+.txt files:

!!! IMPORTANT INFORMATION !!!

All of your files are encrypted with RSA-4096.
More information about the RSA algorithm can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(cryptosystem)

Decrypting of your files is only possible with the private keyu and decrypt program which is on our secret server. To receive your private key follow one of the links:
1. http://88fga.ketteaero.com/
2. http://2bdfb.spinakrosa.at/
3. http://uj5nj.onanwhit.com/

If all of the addresses are not available, follow these steps:
1. Download and install Tor Browser
2. After a successful installation, run the browser and wait for initialization.
3. Type in the address bar: k7tlx3ghr3m4n2tu.onion
4. Follow the instructions on the site.

Update 28 April 2016 - Cyber criminals have updated TeslaCrypt ransomware with a new ransom demanding message. Some security experts call it TeslaCrypt version 4.2.

The messages are still presented in !RecoveR!-[random]++.HTML, !RecoveR!-[random]++.TXT and !RecoveR!-[random]++.PNG files however the ransom demanding message is stripped down and now contains very little text compared to the previous variants.

Screenshot of a ransom demanding message in TeslaCrypt 4.2:

Text presented in !RecoveR!-[random]++.HTML:

Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted!
To decrypt your files follow the instructions:
http://u24er.ovaarmor.com
http://1123d.feustude.at
http://k234s.ascotsprue.com

********************OR********************

1. Download and install the from https://www.torproject.org/
2. Run it
3. In the open website:
yyhn7fpvq44cqcu3.onion/-
4. Follow the instructions at this website.

TeslaCrypt ransomware removal:

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

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Removal and file recovery procedure

If your files are encrypted with a new extension and a ransom note has appeared, you've been hit by ransomware. Don't pay. The procedure below works in order: contain the infection, identify the variant, remove the ransomware itself (so anything you restore doesn't get re-encrypted), and try to recover files using free decryption tools, Windows Volume Shadow Copies, or backups. Run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner to remove the infection - then move on to file recovery.

Common ransomware behaviors

VisibleEncrypts your files and renames them

The ransomware reads each file, encrypts the contents with the attacker's public key, and writes the encrypted bytes back to disk. Most variants also rename the file by appending a new extension - .net, .locked, .crypt, .lockbit, .djvu, etc. Without the matching private key, the encrypted files cannot be opened normally. Recovery depends on a free decryption tool, a recoverable Volume Shadow Copy, or a clean backup.

VisibleDrops a ransom note in every encrypted folder

A text or HTML file (usually named HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt, README.txt, _readme.txt, or similar) is placed in every folder that contains encrypted files. The note explains the situation, lists a payment amount in cryptocurrency, gives a deadline, and provides a contact email or .onion site. Save the note - don't delete it. Its exact wording, the email address, and the bitcoin wallet are how you identify the variant in the next phase.

VisibleReplaces the desktop wallpaper

Many ransomware variants change the Windows wallpaper to a black or red image with the ransom message and instructions. The wallpaper is just a visual scare tactic - it doesn't add any actual capability and reverts to normal once the ransomware is removed. Photograph it before removal in case the contact details are useful for variant identification or for reporting to authorities.

HiddenDeletes Volume Shadow Copies

One of the first things modern ransomware does after launching is run vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet to wipe Windows' built-in Volume Shadow Copies - the snapshots that Previous Versions and System Restore rely on. Some ransomware doesn't fully succeed (especially on systems where the user lacks full admin rights), leaving partial shadow copies recoverable. Phase 4 step 11 covers how to check what survived.

HiddenDisables Windows Defender and other security tools

Before encrypting, the ransomware tries to silence anything that could alert you or block it - Windows Defender real-time protection, third-party antivirus services, backup agents (Veeam, Acronis), and sometimes the Windows Event Log service. It often modifies Group Policy or registry keys to keep these off after reboot. Phase 3 step 9 explicitly turns Tamper Protection back on so the next ransomware attempt can't repeat the trick.

HiddenSpreads laterally to other PCs on the network

Network-aware ransomware (LockBit, Conti, BlackCat, Akira families) doesn't stop at the first machine. It scans for SMB shares, mapped drives, and other PCs on the same network, then encrypts whatever it can reach. On Windows domains, a single compromised user with admin rights can lead to all-domain encryption. This is why Phase 1 step 2 disconnects the network as the very first action - it stops the spread immediately.

HiddenSteals data before encrypting (double extortion)

Modern ransomware (LockBit, BlackCat / ALPHV, Akira, Cl0p, Royal) almost always exfiltrates data before encrypting. The attacker then runs a "double extortion" play: pay the ransom for decryption, plus pay again to prevent the stolen data from being leaked on the group's leak site. Paying the first ransom does not get the leaked data back - assume that anything the ransomware could read was uploaded. This is one more reason not to pay: the data is already out.

Tools you'll need

Combo Cleaner Antivirus 7-days free trial

Recommended primary scanner. VB100 certified. Removes the ransomware infection so file recovery doesn't get re-encrypted.

Microsoft Defender Offline Free · built-in

Built into Windows. Scans before Windows fully loads to catch persistence the running scanners miss.

Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT) Free

Microsoft's free on-demand scanner. Always-current signatures - the binary expires every 10 days.

ID Ransomware Free · web

Upload a ransom note and a sample encrypted file - identifies the variant family and tells you whether a free decryptor exists.

No More Ransom Project Free · web

Joint project of Europol, Dutch Police, and security vendors. Free decryption tools indexed by ransomware family.

Shadow Explorer Free

Browse Windows Volume Shadow Copies as a normal file tree - useful when ransomware partially failed to delete them.

Recuva Free

Deleted-file recovery. Long-shot for ransomware - only helps if the variant deleted unencrypted originals before encrypting copies.

Phase 1~ 5 min

Don't pay & contain

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1

Don't pay the ransom

1 min · read⚠ Do not skip

Paying the ransom does not guarantee you'll get your files back. Major ransomware response studies consistently show that a meaningful percentage of paying victims either receive a non-working decryptor, only partial decryption, or no decryptor at all. Beyond that:

• Paying confirms you as a willing target - re-attack rates within 12 months are high
• Several ransomware groups have been sanctioned (US OFAC, UK OFSI). Paying these groups may be illegal under sanctions law in your country
• The ransom funds the next attack - on you or someone else
• Modern ransomware almost always exfiltrates data first, so paying doesn't get the leaked data back. Assume anything the malware could read was uploaded
• Decryptors, even when they work, often leave files corrupted because the encryption itself was buggy or rushed

The path below tries every legal, free recovery option first. Pay only as an absolute last resort, after consulting a lawyer and your country's cyber crime authority.

2

Disconnect from the network and log out of cloud storage

2 minNo tool needed

Pull the Ethernet cable and turn off Wi-Fi on the affected PC. If multiple computers share the network, do the same on every machine you suspect could be affected, including any servers and NAS units.

Then sign out of cloud storage clients (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud) from their app settings. If you can, pause the sync. Some ransomware uses the running sync client to push encrypted versions over your clean cloud copies.

Why this matters

Modern ransomware spreads laterally across SMB shares, mapped drives, RDP, and reachable network neighbors. Disconnecting stops the spread the moment you do it. Logging out of cloud sync clients prevents the ransomware from encrypting the cloud copies of your files via the sync API.

3

Unplug external drives and USB storage

1 minNo tool needed

Safely eject any external drives, USB sticks, SD cards, and network-attached storage shares - then unplug them. If a drive was connected when the ransomware ran, the files on it may already be encrypted, but unplugging stops further damage.

Critically: don't reconnect any drive (including your most recent backup) to this PC until the ransomware is removed in Phase 3. Reconnecting an external backup to an actively-infected PC is the most common way that backup gets encrypted too.

Phase 2~ 5 min

Identify the variant

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4

Save the ransom note and a sample encrypted file

2 min

Copy the ransom note and one small encrypted file (under 1 MB) to a USB stick, or photograph the note with your phone. You'll need both for the variant identification step.

The ransom note is usually one of:

• A .txt file in every encrypted folder (typically HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt, README.txt, or _readme.txt)
• An .html file with the same purpose
• A changed desktop wallpaper - photograph it
• A lock-screen interrupt that runs at startup - rarer

Important

Don't delete the note. Variant identification depends on its exact wording, the contact email, and the bitcoin wallet address. The note is also evidence if you report to authorities.

5

Identify the variant with ID Ransomware

Tool: ID Ransomware3 min

From a clean device (your phone is fine, or another PC that wasn't on the affected network), visit id-ransomware.malwarehunterteam.com. Upload the ransom note and the sample encrypted file. The site identifies the variant family and tells you whether a free decryptor exists.

Pro tip

ID Ransomware is run by the Malware Hunter Team. Files you upload are kept private - they're used for analysis, not published. If you're concerned about uploading data anyway, you can paste the contact email and bitcoin wallet from the note - those are often enough for identification.

Phase 3~ 30-45 min

Remove the ransomware

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The ransomware itself must be removed before any file recovery. If it's still active, anything you restore in Phase 4 gets re-encrypted within minutes.

6

Boot to Safe Mode with Networking and download the scanners

5 min

Safe Mode loads only the minimal Windows drivers, which prevents most ransomware from auto-running while you set up the scanners.

Windows 11: open Settings → System → Recovery, click Restart now next to Advanced startup. After the restart, click Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart, then press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: click the Windows logo, hold Shift, click the Power icon and choose Restart. From the Choose-an-option screen, click Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart, then press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in step 8) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in step 9). Save both installers to your Desktop, then disconnect Wi-Fi again before scanning.

7

Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Tool: Built into Windows15 min

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads.

Why this comes first

Some ransomware variants drop bootkit components or kernel hooks that hide from any scanner running on the same Windows session that's already infected. A pre-boot offline scan sees the disk before the malware can load itself.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8

Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Tool: Combo Cleaner20-40 min

Run the installer you downloaded in step 6 and start a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete, review what it detected, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner quarantines the ransomware executable and the registry / scheduled-task entries that re-launch it on reboot.

9

Run Microsoft Safety Scanner and re-enable Defender

Tool: MSERT15 min

Run Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe) as a second-opinion full scan. The binary expires every 10 days so the copy you downloaded has the latest signatures.

Once it finishes, open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Many ransomware variants disable Defender during the attack - this is where you switch it back on so the next attempt can't repeat the trick.

Why a second scan

Different scanning engines catch different threats. Running an additional Microsoft scan after Combo Cleaner is the most underused verification step in malware removal - and free.

Phase 4~ 30-60 min · results vary

Try to recover files

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Try the steps in order. The first decryptor that works ends the recovery process - no need to do all four.

10

Check the No More Ransom Project for a free decryptor

Tool: nomoreransom.org★ Cleanest path if listed5 min

Visit nomoreransom.org and search the Decryption Tools list for the variant name returned by ID Ransomware. The project is run by Europol, the Dutch Police, and security vendors - everything listed is legitimate and free.

If a decryptor exists, download it onto a clean PC, copy it across, and follow its instructions exactly. Decryptors usually want you to point them at a sample encrypted file plus its known unencrypted version (sometimes any image you previously had a backup of works).

Free decryptors exist for parts of the STOP/Djvu, GandCrab, REvil, Avaddon, Conti and Hive families, among others. Most modern variants don't have public decryptors - if yours isn't listed, that's expected; move to the next step.

11

Try Windows Volume Shadow Copies

Tool: Shadow Explorer / vssadmin15 min

Windows automatically creates Volume Shadow Copies of files when System Restore points are made or scheduled backups run. Most ransomware tries to wipe these (vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet), but the deletion sometimes fails partially - especially if the running user doesn't have full admin rights. When it does fail, snapshots survive that contain pre-encryption versions of your files.

First, check what's there. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

vssadmin list shadows

If you see entries listed, shadow copies survived. To restore from them:

• Built-in: right-click any folder → Properties → Previous Versions tab. Pick a snapshot dated before the infection and restore.
• Better tool for browsing: install Shadow Explorer (free). It shows all snapshots as a normal file tree and lets you copy out only the files you want.

Why check this even when there's a decryptor

Shadow Copies recover the original files exactly, with no risk of decryption errors. If they survived, this is faster and cleaner than running a decryptor on the encrypted set.

12

Restore from cloud or external backup

Tool: your backup software30 min

If you have a backup that pre-dates the infection, this is the cleanest recovery available. Important precautions:

• Don't reconnect a backup drive until Phase 3 is complete. If the ransomware is still active, plugging in the backup encrypts it too.
• For cloud backups (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud), use the Version History feature to roll individual files back to pre-encryption versions.
• OneDrive specifically has a "Restore your OneDrive" feature: if it detected mass file changes, you can roll back the entire account up to 30 days. Sign in at OneDrive on the web, click the Settings gear, and choose Restore your OneDrive. Microsoft 365 subscribers also get ransomware detection alerts; non-subscribers get one free recovery.
• Verify the restored files open correctly before you delete the encrypted set. Test a few documents, photos, and any database / project files.

13

Try Recuva as a last-resort recovery

Tool: Recuva30 min

Recuva is a long shot, not a primary recovery tool. Most modern ransomware encrypts files in place - it reads the original, encrypts the data, and writes the encrypted bytes back to the same disk location. In that case, the original isn't deleted, just rewritten - and Recuva has nothing to find.

But for older or simpler variants that deleted originals before creating encrypted copies (rather than encrypting in place), Recuva can sometimes pull the originals from unallocated disk space. Worth trying as a last resort, especially before you use the disk much further.

If you try it:

• Stop using the disk as much as possible - every disk write reduces recovery odds
• Run Recuva from a USB stick, not from the affected disk
• Use Deep Scan mode (slower but the only mode worth running for this scenario)

Don't skip the steps above expecting Recuva to bail you out. It works in maybe 5-20% of cases, depending on the variant and how soon you try.

Phase 5~ 20 min + ongoing

Report & prevent re-infection

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14

Report the attack to authorities

10-20 min

Even if your files aren't recovered, your report helps authorities track variants, attribute groups, and warn future victims. In some jurisdictions (especially the US and UK) early reporting can sometimes help recall a wired ransom payment via banking partners.

United States: ic3.gov (FBI) + stopransomware.gov (CISA)

United Kingdom: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud) + NCSC

Canada: antifraudcentre.ca

Australia: ReportCyber

Spain: Policía Nacional (Oficina Virtual de Denuncias)

France: cybermalveillance.gouv.fr

Germany: BKA

Italy: Polizia Postale

Netherlands: Politie

Poland: CERT Polska

Portugal: CNCS

EU (other): your national CERT

Save the report number - banks, insurers, and credit bureaus will ask for it. If you operate a business, you may also have legal disclosure obligations (GDPR in the EU, state breach laws in the US) that run on a 72-hour clock.

15

Plan 3-2-1 backups going forward

30 min initial

The single best defense against ransomware is a tested backup. Use the 3-2-1 rule:

• 3 copies of your data
• 2 different storage media (e.g., internal drive + external drive)
• 1 offline / air-gapped copy (an external drive that isn't always connected)

Recommended cadence:

• Daily: cloud sync (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive) - convenient, but vulnerable if the ransomware reaches the sync folder. The Version History feature is what saves you
• Weekly: external drive that you connect briefly, then disconnect - the air-gap is what protects against ransomware
• Monthly: a second external drive stored off-site (different physical location) - protects against fire, theft, flood

Important

Test the backup at least once. Open a few files from it, check sizes match, restore one to a different folder. An untested backup isn't a backup - it's a hope.

16

Patch the entry point and monitor for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most reinfections happen via the same vector that worked the first time. Until you've patched the entry point, watch for:

• Unusual disk activity, unexpected file modifications, or unfamiliar processes in Task Manager
• Unexpected reboots or new accounts you didn't create
• Defender or your antivirus turning itself off again

Common entry vectors and what to do about each:

• Phishing email with a malicious attachment - review email filters and train yourself / staff to recognise the patterns - see pcrisk's Phishing/Scam reference
• Exposed RDP with weak passwords - disable Remote Desktop from Settings → System → Remote Desktop if you don't need it. If you do, put it behind a VPN and require a long password plus MFA
• Unpatched VPN appliances or public-facing apps - check the vendor's advisories page and apply the latest firmware
• Cracked / pirated software - was the most common vector for STOP/Djvu in particular. Don't run software from torrent sites

Run a Combo Cleaner scan weekly for the first month. Update Windows, browsers, and applications aggressively.

Important: Removing a ransomware infection requires a full system scan, not a manual file delete. If you're not confident with the manual procedure, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there - that combination removes the vast majority of consumer ransomware variants. Then move to Phase 4 for file recovery, or to Phase 5 if your files are unrecoverable and you need to start fresh from a clean Windows install.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How was my computer hacked and how did hackers encrypt my files?

It is known that TeslaCrypt is distributed via email (malicious email attachments). It is also common for ransomware to be distributed via Trojans, websites hosting pirated software, P2P networks, free file hosting pages, third-party downloaders, etc. Cybercriminals succeed when users download and execute ransomware by themselves.

How to open encrypted files?

Encrypted files cannot be opened. They have to be decrypted first.

Where should I look for free decryption tools for TeslaCrypt ransomware?

Files encrypted by this ransomware can be decrypted using tools downloaded from these sites: first site, second site, third site, and fourth site.

I can pay you a lot of money, can you decrypt files for me?

We do not provide a decryption service. Free decryption tools that can decrypt files encrypted by TeslaCrypt ransomware are available online. Third parties offering paid decryption will either act as a man-in-the-middle or try to scam you.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove TeslaCrypt ransomware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system for threats and eliminate ransomware. However, it will not decrypt files (antivirus software cannot decrypt encrypted files). It is important to remove ransomware because doing so prevents more data loss.