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 malware
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Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss .tornado virus. |
| Data Recovery Tool | 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 helpcrypt@airmail.cc or supphelp@cock.li 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: helpcrypt@airmail.cc.You 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: supphelp@cock.li
[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.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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.
About the .tornado virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .tornado virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the .tornado virus ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1. How to Recognize Spam Emails with Ransomware
2. How Does Ransomware Encryption Work?
3. How to Decrypt Ransomware Files
4. Ransomware Getting Greedier and Bigger, Attacks Increase by 40%
5. 1 in 5 Americans Victim of Ransomware
- Guide 1: How to Remove .tornado virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of .tornado virus from Mac OS X.
How to Remove .tornado virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .tornado virus
1. Hold Windows Key + R.
2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.
3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".
4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.
5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
Step 2: Uninstall .tornado 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:
1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.
2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.
3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .tornado 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 .tornado virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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 .tornado virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
4. 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.
Video Guide for Automatic and Fast Removal
Step 5 (Optional): 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 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.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Step 6: How to Restore Files Encrypted by Ransomware (Video Guide)
Get rid of .tornado virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall .tornado 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to .tornado virus:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to .tornado virus. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash
”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to .tornado virus. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- 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 .tornado 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:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as .tornado virus. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 .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 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.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
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.
.tornado virus FAQ
What is .tornado virus ransomware and how does it work?
.tornado 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 .tornado virus ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways..tornado 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 .tornado 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 ..tornado virus files?
You can't. At this point the ..tornado 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 ..tornado virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by .tornado 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 "..tornado 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 ..tornado 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 .tornado 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 .tornado virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..tornado virus files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like .tornado 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.
