Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Note! Your computer might be affected by .tornado virus and other threats.
Threats such as .tornado virus may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
In this article, you will find out how to remove .tornado file virus and restore data with the help of an available decryption tool.
The .tornado file virus is a severe threat that demands a ransom once it encodes sensitive data stored on a compromised host. Corrupted files can be recognized by the extension .tornado appended at the end of their names. In a file named key.txt you can find a ransom message that primarily aims to trick you into paying the ransom to hackers. The amount needs to be transferred to a Bitcoin address.
Threat Summary
Name
.tornado virus
Type
Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description
The ransomware virus encrypts files on your PC and drops a ransom note that demands payment for the decryption of .tornado files.
Symptoms
This ransomware encrypts your files and then appends the extension .tornado on every encrypted file.
Distribution Method
Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable Files
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by .tornado virus
Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive.
.tornado File Virus – Distribution
How the .tornado file virus may invade your system is via email spam messages, links to compromised web pages, freeware installers, fake software update notifications and other shady techniques of distribution.
Hackers mostly prefer the spam emails as senders’ names and subject lines are easily spoofed. The emails that deliver ransomware infections usually pose as reliable websites, services, or institutions.
Common traits of emails carriers of malware are:
Spoofed email address and sender
Text messages that attempt to provoke sense of urgency
File attachment you need to download and see as soon as possible
In-text link you should follow in order to obtain important information
By opening a compromised file attachment, you automatically grant access to .tornado ransomware to your system. The same happens in case that you decide to click on the presented link and visit the web page.
.tornado File Virus – Infection Flow
Once .tornado file virus is running on your system it initiates a sequence of malicious actions. In the beginning, it may connect its command and control server in order to arm itself with all the needed files taht will help it to fulfill the attack. There are several essential Windows system folders where the malicious files may be dropped:
%AppData%
%Temp%
%Roaming%
%Common%
%System32%
Afterard, the crypto virus drops a ransom message and displays it on the screen. The ransom note file is called key.txt and could be located on the desktop. It primarily aims to urge you contact hackers at [email protected] or [email protected] and transfer an unspecified ransom to their Bitcoin address.
Below you can read the whole ransom message:
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail: [email protected] have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment, we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.In case of no answer in 48 hours write us to these e-mails: [email protected]
[redacted 512 hex]
If you don’t want to lose your money and get tricked again, it is better to try to overcome the problem with the help of reliable and secure solutions.
The threat has been proved to be a new iteration of the InsaneCrypt ransomware. Happily, the security researcher Michael Gillespie released an effective decryptor for the .tornado files. We have included it in the instructions below so you can utilize it after the removal process.
.tornado File Virus – Data Encryption
Being a data locker ransomware .tornado primarily aims to scan the system for predefined types of files in order to encrypt them. Security researchers who have been analyzing the threat’s samples stated that .tornado is supposed to utilize the RSA cipher to encode target data.
After encryption, all corrupted files can be recognized by the two specific file extensions appended at the end of their names. The string follows the pattern:
→.[email].Tornado
Files that store important information like documents, text files, databases, projects, audio records, images and photos may be encrypted in case .tornado file virus infection.
Unfortunately, the ransomware leaves all encrypted files completely out of order. Your access to all .tornado files is restricted until you pay the ransom or utilize alternative data recovery approach. Some of these approaches are listed in our guide below.
Тo reduce the data recovery options with one, the crypto virus currently known as Tornado, opens the Command Prompt panel to write the following command there:
→vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
Thereby, the ransomware deletes all Shadow Volume copies stored by the Windows system.
.tornado File Virus – Remove It and Restore Files
The step-by-step removal guide below provides both manual and automatic approaches. Тhe removal of .tornado crypto virus is not an easy task as it is a severe threat that plagues the whole system. Security researchers recommend the help of advanced anti-malware tool for maximum efficiency.
Once the removal of all malicious files and objects is complete, you can continue with the data recovery process. The guide provides information and a download link of the InsaneCrypt Decrypter that is able to restore .tornado files. Be advised to back up all encrypted files to an external drive before you proceed with the recovery.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by .tornado virus and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as .tornado virus. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove .tornado virus follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .tornado virus files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by .tornado virus on your PC
Find files created by .tornado virus
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 2:
Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
Step 3:
Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 2:
After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
Step 3:
After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove .tornado virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .tornado virus and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove .tornado virus. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
4. Try to Restore files encrypted by .tornado virus
Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .tornado virus
Ransomware infections and .tornado virus aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software.
Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors.
If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
Gergana has completed a bachelor degree in Marketing from the University of National and World Economy. She has been with the STF team for three years, researching malware and reporting on the latest infections. She believes that in times of constantly evolving dependency of network connected technologies, people should spread the word not the war.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for .tornado virus and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
