What Is TerrorWare Virus
TerrorWare ransomware is the type of threat that has been classified as a cryptovirus. The main purpose of this infection is to enter your computer and encrypt the important files in it. This is done so that this ransomware can extort you for your files. TerrorWare attacks all types of usable files that may be important, like documents, images, videos, audio files, archives and others.
When TerrorWare ransomware has finished encrypting your files, the virus may begin to perform multiple different types of activities on your computer. One of them is to set the .terror file extension, the removal of which does not fix the files. The virus also leaves behind a ransom note file, that contains the READ_ME.txt ransom note file, that asks victims to contact the criminal in the program Discord. There, the crooks may want you to pay ransom in the form of BitCoin to be able to use your files once again.
TerrorWare Virus Summary
| Name | TerrorWare, also known as Trojan.Ransom.Filecoder, Win32:RansomX-gen [Ransom], Trojan.Ransom.REntS.Gen.1, Trojan.Generic.gsjvy , TScope.Trojan.MSIL – VirusTotal https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/70eead32bb5b2f146b8a928a6949c28683052e0d7b1be34dd79460b73b0e6356/detection |
| File Extension | .terror |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files on your computer system and demands a ransom to be paid to allegedly recover them. |
| Symptoms | The TerrorWare ransomware will encrypt your files by appending the .terror extension to them. |
| Ransom Demanding Note | READ_ME.txt |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss TerrorWare Virus. |
TerrorWare Virus – What We Know About It
TerrorWare ransomware has the capability of infecting computers even with a good level of defense. The virus may enter your computer by being sent to you as an e-mail attachment that may only appear, like it is an important document. Examples of such fake documents include:
- Invoices for a purchase.
- Ticket for a flight.
- Document from a bank.
- Something work-related.
Another possible scenario of infection by the TerrorWare ransomware does include using different types of fake programs or app installers uploaded online. Usually, most victims end up downloading an .exe or a .msi file that may end up being the virus instead of what they were looking for. Examples of such files include:
- Patches.
- Crackfixes for software or games.
- Key generators (keygens).
- Fake portable programs.
TerrorWare virus may infect your computer silently and may use obfuscation software to hide itself from traditional antivirus programs. When on your PC, the TerrorWare virus may set registry entries to be added in the following sub-keys in Windows Registry Editor:
- Run
- RunOnce
Once these objects are added, this virus may automatically run each time you start Windows. When TerrorWare ransomware is activated, the malware may begin to scan for files to encrypt. The files that are encrypted on your computer may be often used ones, but the virus skips the important Windows system files, so you can still pay ransom.
The following files may be in danger if your computer has been infected by TerrorWare virus:
- Documents.
- Videos.
- Images.
- Audio.
- Archives.
- Virtual drive files.
- Other often used ones.
When the ransomware encrypts your data, it may drop the READ_ME.txt ransom note. It contains the following ransom note:
.terror Files
When this virus encrypts your files, it adds the .terror file suffix after the original extension of each file. This makes the files appear like the following:
But it is not just the extension that is added. This virus may also replace the structure of the files using a sophisticated encryption algorithm. This makes the files no longer openable and the only solution that seems to be possible is to use a corresponding decryption key that will reverse the process.
Paying the ransom is not advisable since you cannot trust these cyber-criminals with your files. Instead, we recommend that you keep reading this article to understand how to remove this nasty infection and try getting you files back.
Remove Terror Virus and Try to Restore Files
In order to remove this virus from your computer, we strongly recommend that you follow the removal guide that is posted underneath this article. It has been created with the main idea to help delete the files of the virus without damaging the .terror files. For best results, our recommendations are to combine the steps below with an anti-malware software. Running a scan of your machine with such an app will effectively make sure all the malware Is gone from your computer.
To try and get the files back now, we suggest that you see the “restore files” step below. The methods there are not a direct solution, but they could help you restore some or most of your files, if you are lucky.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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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.
- Guide 1: How to Remove TerrorWare Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of TerrorWare Virus from Mac OS X.
How to Remove TerrorWare Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove TerrorWare Virus
Step 2: Uninstall TerrorWare Virus 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 TerrorWare Virus 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 TerrorWare Virus 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 TerrorWare Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by TerrorWare Virus.
Ransomware infections and TerrorWare Virus 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 TerrorWare Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall TerrorWare Virus 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 TerrorWare Virus 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 TerrorWare Virus.
Ransomware infections and TerrorWare Virus 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.
TerrorWare Virus FAQ
What is TerrorWare Virus ransomware and how does it work?
TerrorWare Virus 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 TerrorWare Virus ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.TerrorWare Virus 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 TerrorWare Virus 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 .TerrorWare Virus files?
You can't. At this point the .TerrorWare Virus 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 .TerrorWare Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by TerrorWare Virus 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 ".TerrorWare Virus" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .TerrorWare Virus 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 TerrorWare Virus 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 TerrorWare Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .TerrorWare Virus files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like TerrorWare Virus 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.
