How to remove TUGA Ransomware and decrypt .TUGA files

What is TUGA Ransomware

TUGA Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a computer and demands a ransom to decrypt them. It is often spread through phishing emails that contain malicious attachments or through drive-by downloading, which occurs when a user unknowingly visits an infected website and then malware is downloaded and installed without the user’s knowledge. Once infected, TUGA Ransomware encrypts all user’s data on the computer, including images, documents, excel tables, audio files, videos, etc., and appends its own extension to every file (.TUGA), leaving the README.txt files in each folder with the encrypted files. The ransom note left by TUGA is created to inform victims that their systems have been compromised. The note includes a link to the Telegram channel t.me/hell2cat to communicate with the hackers. They demand a payment of $1000 in exchange for providing the decryption key to regain access to the encrypted files.

It is not recommended to follow the instruction of TUGA Ransomware and pay the ransom, as there is no guarantee that the decryption key will work. Instead, you should get rid of TUGA Ransomware first, then look for legitimate decryption tools to save your files. As for decrypting infected files, security software designers have not yet found a method to reverse TUGA Ransomware’s work. However, decryption tools are frequently updated, so a solution may soon be available. You can check websites such as No More Ransom Project, EmsiSoft, or Avast for free ransomware decryption tools.

How TUGA Ransomware infected your computer

The best way to deal with TUGA Ransomware is to prevent it from infecting your computer in the first place. Here are some tips to help you prevent ransomware infections:

• Keep your operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches.
• Use anti-virus and anti-malware software and keep it updated.
• Be cautious when opening email attachments or clicking on links in emails or on websites.
• Use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts.
• Backup your important files regularly and keep them in a safe place.

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of a ransomware infection and protect your files from being encrypted by TUGA Ransomware or any other type of ransomware.

1. Download TUGA Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .TUGA files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like TUGA Ransomware

TUGA Ransomware files:


README.txt
{randomname}.exe


TUGA Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .TUGA files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .TUGA files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .TUGA files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with TUGA Ransomware and removed from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .TUGA files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like TUGA Ransomware , in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. TUGA Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro