What is Dharma-TOR Ransomware

Being part of the Dharma Ransomware family, Dharma-TOR is another malicious program that runs encryption over personal data. By committing this act, developers force victims into paying the so-called ransom. The first sign of Dharma-Tor infecting your system reflects in new file extensions. Cybercriminals assign the victim’s personal ID, contact address, and .TOR extension to the end of each file. For instance, 1.pdf or any other files stored on your system will get a new look of 1.pdf.id-C279F237.[todecrypt@disroot.org].TOR, or something similar. Soon after all data becomes successfully changed, Dharma-TOR features a pop-up window along with a text file called FILES ENCRYPTED.txt, which is dropped onto the desktop.

Dharma-TOR RansomwareFILES ENCRYPTED.txt
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED
Don't worry,you can return all your files!
If you want to restore them, follow this link:email todecrypt@disroot.org YOUR ID -
If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:todecrypt@disroot.org
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

all your data has been locked us
You want to return?
write email todecrypt@disroot.org

Both pop-up window and text note are meant to instruct victims through the recovery process. It is said that users should contact developers by e-mail stated in the extension with their personal ID. In case of no response, victims are guided to choose another e-mail address attached in the note. After establishing successful contact with cybercriminals, users are likely to get payment instructions to purchase decryption of data. Unfortunately, it is not always safe having a deal with fraudulent figures. They can fool you and do not give any decryption tools even after receiving the payment. The magnitude of blocked data may be intimidating for some users who do not possess any backup copies. Those having such stored on external devices will have no trouble recovering data after removing the virus. The problem lies in the high protection of ciphers applied by TOR Ransomware. No third-party software is able to guarantee the decryption of files hijacked by the virus. It is rarely possible to match the necessary keys for unlocking your data without cybercriminals themselves. If you are doomed to have no other options remaining, you can still give it a try using third-party programs regardless. Note that you should delete Dharma-TOR Ransomware before attempting to recover your data. This is important to do no matter the case. Both removal and file-recovery instructions can be found below.

dharma-tor ransomware

How Dharma-TOR Ransomware infected your computer

It is common to see ransomware infecting users through e-mail spam, trojans, unprotected RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, fake software “crackers”, forged updates, downloads, and other suspicious channels. Cybercriminals can bundle malware like Dharma-TOR into any distribution method they want. However, it was spotted that e-mail spam has been abused the most by rogue factions in recent days. The method is sneaky, but not too complicated on paper. Extortionists send a pack of identical letters from addresses looking legal. They pretend to be part of legitimate delivery firms (FedEx, DHL, DPD, etc.) and ask users into opening files or downloading some parcel-tracking software via a link. Sometimes such letters end up disguised as Tax or Bank-related information as well. Whatever the case, it is important to stay away from suspicious and potentially dangerous content. If you did not expect the message to come into your inbox, better delete it for security reasons. All channels we stated above tend to capitalize on inexperienced and gullible users the most. Besides removal and decryption instructions, our guide will also share a number of tips to combat various threats in the future.

  1. Download Dharma-TOR Ransomware Removal Tool
  2. Get decryption tool for .TOR 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 Dharma-TOR Ransomware

Download Removal Tool

Download Removal Tool

To remove Dharma-TOR Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Dharma-TOR Ransomware. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.

Alternative Removal Tool

Download Norton Antivirus

To remove Dharma-TOR Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Dharma-TOR Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.

Dharma-TOR Ransomware files:


FILES ENCRYPTED.txt
{randomfilename}.exe

Dharma-TOR Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .TOR files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

kaspersky dharma ransomware decryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .TOR 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 .TOR 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 Dharma-TOR 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 .TOR files

stellar data recovery professional

  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 Dharma-TOR 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

idrive backup

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. Dharma-TOR 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

mailwasher pro

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
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