Do you know what Toec Ransomware is?
Toec Ransomware is similar to Darus Ransomware and other threats from the STOP Ransomware family. The malicious application pretends to be installing updates but encrypts your files with a secure encryption algorithm instead. As a result, all your photos, documents, and other personal data could be lost if you do not have backup copies. The malware’s creators promise to provide decryption tools to those who pay a ransom, but we would not advise trusting them so quickly. They could demand more money after you pay or may not bother sending you the promised decryption tools. Of course, the choice is yours make. The only thing we advise is reading more about this malicious application before deciding what to do. Also, we recommend not to wait too long and eliminate Toec Ransomware. Allowing it to stay could endanger new files that you might create, download, or receive in the future. If you slide below the main text, you should find our provided removal guide.
It is possible that Toec Ransomware’s installers could be spread as system updates; for example, they could be called updatewin.exe or similarly. Such data might be offered on untrustworthy file-sharing web pages, or it could be sent to targeted victims via email. One way or the other, it looks like the malicious application could be received by interacting with files from unreliable sources. Needless to say, it is something you should never do if you want to keep your system malware-free. If Windows needs any updates, it would be best to let it download and install them itself. Also, when downloading installers or even harmless-looking files like pictures and documents, you should always make sure that they come from reputable sources. If you are not convinced, we recommend scanning data in question with a reliable antimalware tool as it is the quickest and safest way to determine if a file is harmful or not. Another thing we strongly advise is to back up your data regularly so that you would not lose it if it ever gets encrypted or destroyed by some threat.
Toec Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Once the malicious application’s installer is executed, it should show a message saying that Windows is installing updates. At the same time, Toec Ransomware should also disable your Task Manager. As you see, the Task Manager could allow a victim to kill the threat's process and interfere with the encryption process. Unfortunately, inexperienced users often do not suspect anything and so may wait until the fake installation process is finished. During it, the malware should encrypt various private files and append a second extension called .toec. Consequently, a file named roses.jpg would become roses.jpg.toec. It is vital to explain that data with this extension should become unusable as it ought to be encrypted with a secure encryption system. Next, the malware should drop and open a note called _readme.txt. It is supposed to contain instructions on how to contact the Toec Ransomware’s developers and pay a ransom. It may also claim that hackers guarantee that users who pay will receive decryption tools.
As said earlier, hackers should not be trusted, and you should consider it carefully whether you are willing to risk your money to get their offered decryption tools. If you decide not to, we advise closing the malware’s ransom note. Also, we recommend removing Toec Ransomware to ensure that with time, your new data will not get encrypted too. The removal guide available below shows how to erase the malicious application manually, but even with the instructions, the process could be still too complicated. Thus, it might be easier and safer to employ a reputable antimalware tool that could delete Toec Ransomware for you.
Erase Toec Ransomware
- Restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking.
- Click Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to the suggested paths:
%TEMP%
%USERPROFILE%Desktop
%USERPROFILE%Downloads - Find a file opened when the device got infected, right-click the malicious file and select Delete.
- Find these paths:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
%LOCALAPPDATA% - Find the listed data in both mentioned folders:
{random name}.exe
script.ps1 - Right-click these files and choose Delete.
- Navigate to the same locations again:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
%LOCALAPPDATA% - Look for folders with long random names, for example, dfebd084-11fb-41be-bfb2-da7e291a4873; right-click them and choose Delete.
- Locate this particular path: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
- Search for a folder or a file called Time Trigger Task, right-click it and choose Delete.
- Exit File Explorer.
- Press Windows Key+R, type Regedit and choose OK.
- Navigate to this path: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- Look for a value name that could be related to the malicious application, for example, SysHelper.
- Right-click this value name and press Delete.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Empty Recycle bin.
- Restart the computer.
In non-techie terms:
Toec Ransomware is a dangerous file-encrypting threat that can turn your photos and other personal files into unreadable records. The purpose of doing this is to force you to pay a ransom in exchange for a decryption tool that the malware’s developers claim to have in their possession. You would be smart not to trust them blindly as you cannot be guaranteed that they have such tools or if they mean to provide them. After all, you would be dealing with cybercriminals who possibly make their living from ruining users’ files on a daily basis. If you do not want to deal with such people and risk your savings, we advise not to contact them. Victims who have backup copies should use them to replace encrypted files instead. However, we recommend doing so only after the threat is erased. To delete it manually, you could follow the removal guide available above this paragraph. If you employ a reputable antimalware tool, you could eliminate Toec Ransomware with its help instead.