TFlower Ransomware – Effective Removal in few steps

Understanding TFlower ransomware

A new ransomware has been discovered by the cyber security experts. Known as TFlower ransomware, it is high-risk malware. The malicious virus showed its unethical presence in August for the first time. There after it makes its way onto corporate networks. The malicious .TFlower file virus attacks the targeted system via exposed Remote Desktop Services (RDS). Alike other ransomware-like software, TFlower Ransomware attack the stored files and corrupts them with unique extension. As a result, the files become unreadable and can only be access after decoding it.

However, it is just the beginning of menace caused by TFlower virus! Upon successful encryption, a ransom demanding message is created in each folder. This file states the process to obtain TFlower decryption tool along with specifying the amount of ransom to be paid. Keep in mind that you have to make the payment in bitcoins. Additionally, the destructive TFlower extension attempts to delete the shadow volume copies of windows.

Threat Summary

Name	TFlower
Type	Ransomware
Category	Malware
Targeted OS	Windows
Symptoms	Once the malicious .TFlower file virus enters your system, it encrypts the stored files. The locked files are hold hostage until victim successfully pays the demanded ransom amount.
Damage	In case of unsuccessful payment, you might lose the corrupted data permanently. In addition to it, it might increase the malicious payload in your system.
Removal	Download Removal Tool

Distribution Technique

The cyber criminals use various strategies for TFlower ransomware distribution which include –

1. Software Bundling: Software bundling is the process in which a malicious program is distributed with other free software, to get an unnoticed entry into your computer system. When a user installs a free application, the malicious programs gains a front door entry with the free application, the user has downloaded. Thus, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the installation screens while installing these free applications.
2. Infected Storage Devices: Your system can also get infected by using removable media such as USB hard drives and jump drives without scanning them with an anti-virus.
3. Spam Emails – Spamming is the most economic and common method used for the distribution of such malware. The targeted users get genuine looking emails which contain .doc, .txt, and other similar attachments. These attachments can be named as anything which can grab the user’s attention and triggers him/her to open the attachment. As soon as the user opens this attachment, the malware infects the user’s computer system.
4. Malicious Websites or Malevolent Advertisements: The malicious websites are the ones which are created just for promoting the malware infections. Such websites include but are not limited to porn sites, torrent sites and other free downloading platforms. By visiting such websites, the adware infects the user’s computer without permission. Fake advertisements and updates like Flash player and windows updates which ask the user to update to the latest version are a few examples. When the users click on such links, their computer system gets infected. That is why, it is highly recommended to resist clicking on such links. Also avoid clicking on advertisements offering free stuff such as Win an iPhones, cars or free overseas trips etc.

Threat Behavior

TFlower is the new crypto virus which has been impacting systems in large number. The dangerous software hack exposed Remote Desktop Services to gain access of your system. Once in your system, it initiates the mal intentions by encrypting the files. The encryption is ensured by appending a unique TFlower extension with the filenames. As a consequence, the corrupted files become inaccessible and unusable. Decrypting the .TFlower extension files manually is a challenging task! And hence, it is of utmost importance to download TFlower decrypter tool in your system.

The malicious ransomware targets almost every file stored on victims system. It may include your images, audio-video files, documents or even backup files! For example, a file with the name ‘presentation.ppt’ will be renamed as ‘presentation.ppt.tflower’ after encryption. However, it is not the end!

Besides encrypting the stored files, the malicious virus drops a ransom demanding message in each folder. It will appear with the name – ‘!_Notice_!.txt’. This text file notifies about the ransomware attack and the amount of ransomware demanded.

In case of TFlower ransomware, the developers demand handsome amount of 15 Bitcoins, which is equivalent to $149,155.20. Keep in mind the payment for TFlower decrypter is accepted only in bitcoins. If you are unaware about the transactions in bitcoins, you can contact the given email addresses – [email protected]. Cyber crooks behind these emails will assist you with the simple and easy payment instructions.

Download Vipre Malware Remover

Are you attacked by the malicious ransomware & looking for the ways to remove TFlower virus from your system? Here are a few possible TFlower virus removal guidelines:

Removal guidelines for TFlower ransomware

STEP A: Reboot your system to Safe Mode

Windows 7/ Vista/ XP

1. Click on Windows icon present in the lower left corner of the computer screen.
2. Select and click  Restart.
3. When the screen goes blank, Keep tapping  F8  Key until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
4. With the help of arrow keys on keyboard, Select Safe Mode with Networking  option from the list and press the Enter Key. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Networking.

5 Once the system restarts, click on the username and enter the password (if any) to log in.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

1. Press and hold the Shift Key and simultaneously click on the windows icon present in the lower left corner of your computer screen.
2. While the Shift key is still pressed click on the Power button and then click on Restart.
3. Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings.
4. When the Startup Settings screen appears which is the first screen to appear after restart, select and click on Enable Safe Mode with Networking. The system will then restart to Safe Mode with Networking.
5. Once the system restarts in Safe Mode, click on the username and enter the password, if any to log in.

STEP B: Delete the malicious file in system Configuration setting

1. Type “Msconfig” in search box / Run Box, select it and press Enter.
2. Click on “Services” Tab and click on “Hide all Microsoft services”.
3. Select TFlower ransomware from the list of remaining services and disable it by removing the tick mark from the checkbox and click on Apply button.

Windows 7

1. Click on the next tab – “Startup”.
2. Find any blank or suspicious entry or the entry with TFlower ransomware mentioned and remove the check mark.
3. Click on Apply button and then click on OK.

Windows 10

1. Click on the next tab – “Startup”.
2. Take the mouse cursor to ‘Open task Manager‘ link and click on it.  This opens the Task Manager window.
3. Find any blank or suspicious entry or the entry with TFlower ransomware mentioned and click on it.
4. Then click on Disable button.

STEP C: Remove the suspicious file using Command Prompt

Deleting service from safe mode with command prompt

Once the system starts, ensure to use an account with administrative privilege to access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

After the user enters admin credentials, Command prompt window is displayed wherein you are entitled to enter the below commands:

1. Type the command “sc delete TFlower ransomware” in the command prompt and press Enter.
2. Type “exit” to exit the command prompt and restart the system in safe mode with command prompt.

STEP D: Restore system Files & Folders

From Control Panel

For Windows 7

1. Click on the ‘Start’ button on the taskbar. This will open the Start menu.
2. Click on the ‘Control Panel’ button in the Start menu. This will open the control panel window.
3. In the Control Panel window, click on the ‘View by:’ button on the top right. Select the Large Icon option
4. In the control Panel window click on the ‘Recovery Icon’. This will open a window that will ask ‘Restore the computer to an earlier point in time’.
5. Click on the ‘Open system restore’ button. This will open the ‘system restore ’window where you need to click on the Next Button.
6.  Select the restore point that is prior the infiltration of TFlower ransomware. After doing that, click Next.
7. This will open the ‘Confirm your restore point’ dialog box. Click on Finish button. This will restore your system to a previous restore point before your system was infected by TFlower ransomware.

OR

From Command Prompt

1. Type cmd in the search box and click on the command prompt to open the Command Prompt window. box and clicking on it.
2. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.(Ensure that you in the system32 directory of Windows folder in C Drive)
3. Now type rstrui and press Enter again.
4. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of TFlower ransomware. After doing that, click Next.
5. This will open the ‘Confirm your restore point’ dialog box. Click on Finish button. This will restore your system to a previous restore point before your system was infected by TFlower ransomware.

OR

Method 3 : Directly type ‘rstrui’ in the search box

1. Type ‘Rstrui’ in the search box present on the task bar. This will open the System restore dialog box.

Continue to follow steps 4 & 5 of Method 2 to restore the System Files and settings.

Tips to prevent your system from TFlower ransomware

1. Keeping the Operating System Updated- In order to remain protected and avoid such infections, it is recommended to keep your Operating System updated by enabling the automatic update on your system. The systems with outdated or older versions of Operating System become an easy target for the attackers.
2. Resist clicking on spam emails – One of the major techniques used for malware distribution is forwarding spam emails to the user. The system gets infected as soon as the user clicks on the attachment. These mails appear to be genuine, so be aware and resist falling for these tricks.
3. Keep an eye on third party installations- It is quite important that you take due care while installing any third party applications for they are major source of such infections. Such malware programs come bundled with the free applications thereby requiring the user to remain cautious.
4. Regular periodical backup- In order to keep your data and files safe, it is recommended to take regular back up of all your data and files either on an external drive or cloud.
5. Use Anti-Virus Protection- We strongly recommend the use of antivirus protection/internet security in your PC like Kasperky and Bull Guard so that it remains safe.
6. Enable the Ad Blocker/Popup Blocker in your browser- Enabling the popup blocker/ ad blocker in your chosen browser will help you to stay protected from annoying adware.