How to remove Tcbu Ransomware and decrypt .tcbu files

What is Tcbu Ransomware

If your files became unavailable, unreadable, and got .tcbu extensions it means your computer is infected with Tcbu Ransomware (variation of STOP Ransomware or as it is, sometimes, called DjVu Ransomware). It is a malicious program that belongs to the group of ransomware viruses. This virus can infect almost all modern versions of the operating systems of the Windows family, including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and the latest Windows 11. The malware uses a hybrid encryption mode and a long RSA key, which virtually eliminates the possibility of selecting a key for self-decrypting files. Like other similar viruses, the goal of Tcbu Ransomware is to force users to buy the program and key needed to decrypt files that have been encrypted. The version, that is under research today, is almost identical to the previous ones, except for new e-mails used for contacting malefactors and new extensions added. Here is an example of the ransom note (_readme.txt), that the virus leaves:

As you can see, you have to pay hundreds of dollars with no guarantee of receiving the solution from hackers. Is it possible to decrypt .tcbu files without paying the ransom? Here is how encryption of Tcbu Ransomware works: to determine which key to use for encryption, the malware tries to establish a network connection with its command server. The virus transmits information about the infected computer to the server and receives the encryption key from it. In addition, the command server can transmit additional commands and modules to the virus that will be executed on the victim’s computer. If the data exchange with the command server was successful, then the virus uses the received encryption key (online key). In this case, unfortunately, decryption is impossible. This key is unique for each infected computer. If Tcbu Ransomware could not establish a connection with its server, then a fixed key (offline key) will be used to encrypt the files. This key is the same for all infected computers. Moreover, this key can be determined, which gives hope to the victims, in some cases, to decrypt the files infected with the virus. Stellar Data Recovery Professional is one of the best file-recovery tools and, if used properly, may recover copies and duplicates of encrypted files, that were removed prior to infection. The only option for a successful 100% recovery is existing backups. Try to implement solutions given on this page to remove Tcbu Ransomware and decrypt .tcbu files, and if you won’t succeed preserve encrypted files for a possible solution in the future.

How Tcbu Ransomware infected your computer

1. Download Tcbu Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .tcbu 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. Restore media files with Media Repair
7. How to protect from threats like Tcbu Ransomware

Virus modifies “hosts” file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. Tcbu Ransomware comes along with AZORult trojan, which was initially created to steal logins and passwords. The process of infection also looks like installing Windows updates, the malware shows a fake window, that mimics the update process.

It uses rdpclip.exe to replace a legal Windows file and to launch an attack on a computer network. After encrypting the files, the encrypter is deleted using the delself.bat command file. Tcbu Ransomware virus is propagated via spam attack with malicious e-mail attachments and using manual PC hacking. Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged, and infected installers. The virus assigns a certain ID to the victims, which is used to name those files and supposedly to send a decryption key. Great tools to protect against Tcbu Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

How to remove Tcbu Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Tcbu Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Tcbu Ransomware files:

_readme.txt
rdpclip.exe
delself.bat
{randomname}.exe

Tcbu Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .tcbu files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.tcbu variations)

IMPORTANT: Read this detailed guide on using STOP Djvu Decryptor to avoid file corruption and time wasting.

STOP Djvu Decryptor is able to decrypt .tcbu files, encrypted by Tcbu Ransomware. This tool was developed by EmsiSoft. It works in automatic mode, but in most cases works only for files encrypted with offline keys. Download it here:

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 .tcbu files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analysis of 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 Tcbu Ransomware and removed it from your computer, you can try decrypting 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 .tcbu 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.

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.

Use Media Repair to decrypt media files encrypted with .tcbu

1. Download Media Repair tool.
2. Right-click on the downloaded archive, and select Extract to Media_Repair\.
3. Then double-click on the extracted .exe file to launch the utility.
4. At first, you have to choose which file type you want to decrypt. You can do it from the drop-down menu in the utility.
5. Next, browser the folder with encrypted or reference files. Choose any of them and click on the Test icon located in the top right corner.
6. Media Repair will display a pop-up message with information on whether it can repair the selected file or not.
7. After checking if it is possible or not, select your reference file and click on the icon right under the Test button we used in step #5.
8. If the file pair is properly matched, you can move on and hit the Play button to start repairing. You can also stop the process anytime by clicking on the Stop button.

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

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

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.

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. Tcbu 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.