STOP/DJVU ransomware variants like TUIS virus use cryptography to lock files on the target system. While cryptography itself is a legitimate procedure that is applied in various technologies today for information security, cybercriminals make a bad use of it. They keep the decryption key as hostage and demand the computer user to pay a ransom for it. In this case, the decryption key is the tool that is required to “unlock” your files, or in other words, decrypt them.

What do the cybercriminals want

The cybercriminals leave a message for the confused computer user in text files dropped in each data folder. These text files are named as _readme.txt, and each of them carries an identical message for the victim. It states that all of user’s photos, videos, music files, documents and archives were locked with the strongest encryption type and unique key. Since there is no way to reverse the damage except paying a ransom, the criminals insist that the victim should contact them via provided email addresses: support@fishmail.top or datarestorehelp@airmail.cc. The note also introduces pricing of TUIS data decryption tool, or, in other words, the ransom amount. It explains that the victim is obliged to pay $980 if one wants to restore all data, however, if the victim writes to the criminals via provided email addresses within 72 hours (3 days), then the crooks promise a 50% price slash, setting the ransom amount to $490. However, no matter the discount applied, you should never pay up. FBI, NCSC and other ransomware help resources clearly suggest that paying the ransom is a bad choice as it never guarantees data recovery, but encourages the cybercriminals and allows them to increase their capacity even more. With money collected from ransomware victims, they can live luxurious lifestyle, plus employ even more people to work in their illegal operations. It seems that ransom isn’t the only thing that cybercriminals seek to receive from the computer user. This malicious ransomware is known to arrive in tandem with information-stealing Trojans, such as VIDAR or AZORULT. These threats are designed to be controlled remotely to steal sensitive data from compromised computer, including browser-saved passwords, browsing history, cookies, banking details and so on. In order to remove malevolent software from your computer and keep it protected from now on, we recommend that you download and set up a robust antivirus solution like INTEGO Antivirus. Please follow the instructions provided below the article to understand how to boot the PC in Safe Mode with Networking first.

Ransomware Summary

Ransomware distribution and ways to avoid getting infected

Ransomware-type threats are mostly distributed via techniques that are meant to deceive the potential victim and trick one into downloading the malware manually, for example, via malicious email attachments, rogue downloads or fake online ads. There are other, more sophisticated ways to infect computers or networks, but since STOP/DJVU is targeted at home computer users, we won’t discuss these methods in this article. Award-winning antivirus solution for your PC. Robust security software that provides robust 24/7 real-time protection, Web Shield that stops online threats/malicious downloads, and Prevention engine that wards off Zero-Day threats. Keep your PC safe and protected against ransomware, Trojans, viruses, spyware and other forms of dangerous programs. STOP/DJVU ransomware mainly awaits for potential victims in deceptive websites claiming to provide software cracks, key generators and other illegal tools used to activate pirated software versions. This is why it is important to stay away from not genuine software versions and visit official websites to get your downloads only. Malicious email spam also remains a very prevalent way to distribute ransomware. Cybercriminals often pretend to be writing on behalf of a well-known company or governmental organization, besides, they name the malicious attachments as invoices, order summaries or other documents used in regular daily business communications. We advise users to lookout for these warning signs in the email: unfamiliar greeting line, such as “Dear customer,” grammar mistakes, spoofed sender’s email address, and urgent tone. Finally, those who wish to avoid getting infected with ransomware should create regular backups and avoid visiting bogus online websites filled with aggressive ads. Moreover, you should never allow downloads from websites you do not trust. Finally, securing your computer with an antivirus that offers real-time protection is simply a must.

Remove TUIS ransomware virus and get your computer protected

The top-priority task for anyone infected with this severe threat is to remove TUIS ransomware virus with no further hesitation. For this task, we recommend booting the system into Safe Mode with Networking and using an antivirus solution of your choice to delete malicious components belonging to malware. We recommend INTEGO Antivirus as we find it to be tone of the best AV solutions available on the market today. Once TUIS virus removal is finalized, do not forget to change all of your passwords used on the infected computer (in browsers and individual apps). OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system: GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs. Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer. Read full review here. RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically. RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them. Read full review here.

Method 1. Enter Safe Mode with Networking

Before you try to remove TUIS Ransomware Virus virus, you must start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Below, we provide the easiest ways to boot PC in the said mode, but you can find additional ones in this in-depth tutorial on our website – How to Start Windows in Safe Mode. Also, if you prefer a video version of the tutorial, check our guide How to Start Windows in Safe Mode on Youtube. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users Now, you can search for and remove TUIS Ransomware Virus files. It is very hard to identify files and registry keys that belong to the ransomware virus, Besides, malware creators tend to rename and change them repeatedly. Therefore, the easiest way to uninstall such type of a computer virus is to use a reliable security program such as INTEGO Antivirus. For virus damage repair, consider using RESTORO.

Method 2. Use System Restore

In order to use System Restore, you must have a system restore point, created either manually or automatically. Instructions for Windows XP/Vista/7 users Instructions for Windows 8/8.1/10/11 users After restoring the system, we recommend scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware software. In most cases, there won’t be any malware remains, but it never hurts to double-check. In addition, we highly recommend checking ransomware prevention guidelines provided by our experts in order to protect your PC against similar viruses in the future.

Alternative software recommendations

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.

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Decrypt TUIS files

Fix and open large TUIS files easily:

It is reported that STOP/DJVU ransomware versions encrypt only the beginning 150 KB of each file to ensure that the virus manages to affect all files on the system. In some cases, the malicious program might skip some files at all. That said, we recommend testing this method on several big (>1GB) files first.

STOP/DJVU decryption tool usage guide

STOP/DJVU ransomware versions are grouped into old and new variants. TUIS Ransomware Virus is considered the new STOP/DJVU variant, just like BPTO, ISWR, ISZA, BPSM, ZOUU, MBTF, ZNSM (find full list here). This means full data decryption is now possible only if you have been affected by offline encryption key. To decrypt your files, you will have to download Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP DJVU, a tool created and maintained by a genius security researcher Michael Gillespie. Note! Please do not spam the security researcher with questions whether he can recover your files encrypted with online key - it is not possible. In order to test the tool and see if it can decrypt TUIS files, follow the given tutorial.

Meanings of decryptor’s messages

The TUIS decryption tool might display several different messages after failed attempt to restore your files. You might receive one of the following messages: Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [example ID] This message typically means that there is no corresponding decryption key in the decryptor’s database. No key for New Variant online ID: [example ID]Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible This message informs that your files were encrypted with online key, meaning no one else has the same encryption/decryption key pair, therefore data recovery without paying the criminals is impossible. Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future. If you were informed that an offline key was used, but files could not be restored, it means that the offline decryption key isn’t available yet. However, receiving this message is extremely good news, meaning that it might be possible to restore your TUIS extension files in the future. It can take a few months until the decryption key gets found and uploaded to the decryptor. We recommend you to follow updates regarding the decryptable DJVU versions here. We strongly recommend backing up your encrypted data and waiting.

Victims of TUIS Ransomware Virus should report the Internet crime incident to the official government fraud and scam website according to their country:

In the United States, go to the On Guard Online website.In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website.In Germany, go to the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik website.In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website.In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs Scams website.In the United Kingdom, go to the Action Fraud website.In Canada, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.In India, go to Indian National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.In France, go to the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information.

If you can’t find an authority corresponding to your location on this list, we recommend using any search engine to look up “[your country name] report cyber crime”. This should lead you to the right authority website. We also recommend staying away from third-party crime report services that are often paid. It costs nothing to report Internet crime to official authorities. Another recommendation is to contact your country’s or region’s federal police or communications authority.