TeslaCrypt is a ransomware Trojan that once installed encrypts all the files on the infected machine and demands ransom in order to decrypt them. For the encryption process, TeslaCrypt uses the AES algorithm and creates a ‘HELP_ TO_DECRYPT_YOUR_FILES.txt.” file on the desktop of the compromised PC. The infection is typically spread via attachments to spam email messages or through corrupted websites.
TeslaCrypt – Infiltration Method
As a typical ransomware infection, TeslaCrypt is usually distributed through attachments to spam email messages. The threat can end up in your computer when you visit corrupted web pages or through drive-by downloads. Experts warn that malicious emails often claim to be sent from legitimate institutions, like banks, insurance companies, etc. Do not download attachments on emails you are not expecting and always keep your AV tools updated.
How Is TeslaCrypt Different Than Other Ransomware?
What makes TeslaCrypt different than other ransomware infections like CryptoWall 3.0 or CTB-Locker where the victims are asked to pay the fee in Bitcoins is the fact that TeslaCrypt also accepts payment in PayPal My Cash Cards which can be purchased in big store chains in the US. The required sum is $500 in Bitcoins or $1000 in PayPal My Cash Cards. Experts believe that the higher PayPal fee is due to the risk of illegal gains confiscation by PayPal.
How Does TeslaCrypt Affect Your PC?
Upon infiltration, TeslaCrypt ransomware scans the affected machine for files with the following extension: rar, .m4a, wb2, xf, .dwg, docm, .docx, rtf, .wpd, .dxg, .7z, .doc, .odb and others. TeslaCrypt also affects files related to popular computer games like Call of Duty, StarCraft, Dragon Age and many others. The threat encrypts the files and displays a ransom message on your desktop, demanding Bitcoin or PayPal payment in exchange for the private key needed for the decryption process. The victim is asked to pay the fee in three days. As a guarantee, the user gets to decrypt one file for free. This technique has been used by the creators of the infamous CryproWall 3.0 ransomware infection.
Here is what the TeslaCrypt ransom note looks like:
Experts recommend against paying the fee because you can never be sure that you will have your data unlock once you pay the ransom. The way to prepare for a situation like this one is to perform regular backups of your important files and update your anti-malware program on a regular basis.
Remove TeslaCrypt and Restore the Encrypted Files
Stage One: Remove TeslaCrypt
1. First and most important – download and install a legitimate and trustworthy anti-malware scanner, which will help you run a full system scan and eliminate all threats. 
Spy Hunter FREE scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the malware tool. Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
2. Run a second scan to make sure that there are no malicious software programs running on your PC. For that purpose, it’s recommended to download ESET Online Scanner.
Your PC should be clean now.
Stage Two: Restore the Encrypted Files
Option 1: Best case scenario – You have backed up your data on a regular basis, and now you can use the most recent backup to restore your files.
Option 2: Try to decrypt your files with the help of Kaspersky’s RectorDecryptor.exe and RakhniDecryptor.exe. They might help you in the process but keep in mind that they were not specially designed to encrypt information that was decrypted by this particular ransomware.
Option 3: Shadow Volume Copies
1. Install the Shadow Explorer, which is available with Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows XP Service Pack 2.
2. From Shadow Explorer’s drop down menu choose a drive and the latest date you would like to restore information from.
3. Right-click on a random encrypted file or folder then select “Export”. Select a location to restore the content of the selected file or folder.
Remove TeslaCrypt Automatically with Spy Hunter Malware – Removal Tool.
Spy Hunter scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the anti-malware tool.Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool / How to Uninstall SpyHunter
Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
How to Remove TeslaCrypt from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove TeslaCrypt
Step 2: Uninstall TeslaCrypt and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by TeslaCrypt on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by TeslaCrypt there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Scan for TeslaCrypt with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by TeslaCrypt.
Ransomware infections and TeslaCrypt aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of TeslaCrypt from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall TeslaCrypt and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove TeslaCrypt via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by TeslaCrypt.
Ransomware infections and TeslaCrypt aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
TeslaCrypt FAQ
What is TeslaCrypt ransomware and how does it work?
TeslaCrypt is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithm how to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
How does TeslaCrypt ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.TeslaCrypt Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, containing virus attachment.
This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of TeslaCrypt is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to open .TeslaCrypt files?
You can't. At this point the .TeslaCrypt files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .TeslaCrypt files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by TeslaCrypt ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".TeslaCrypt" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .TeslaCrypt files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of TeslaCrypt ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate TeslaCrypt ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .TeslaCrypt files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like TeslaCrypt ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer. Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
- Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
- United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
- United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
- Italy - Polizia Di Stato
- Spain - Policía Nacional
- Netherlands - Politie
- Poland - Policja
- Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
- Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
- India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
- Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
