TorrentLocker virus: what it is and how to remove it
TorrentLocker ransomware virus has been spotted on the September 2014 and has been updated several times since then. The virus code has been cracked on 2015 and victims could decrypt their files.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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TorrentLocker virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html; the text of the note is not in our records |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 8 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | TorrentLocker virus |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | A ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 7 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 27 February 2017 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- Note file:
DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on TorrentLocker virus
- Recently, the new version of the malware has emerged.
How TorrentLocker virus behaves
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
Latest information about TorrentLocker virus
TorrentLocker ransomware virus has been spotted on the September 2014 and has been updated several times since then.
The virus code has been cracked on 2015 and victims could decrypt their files. However, the virus has been updated on 2016 again, and the recent version is still undecryptable. According to the malware researchers, the virus is a clone of infamous CryptoLocker .
The threat insidiously sneaks into a device, locates personal files and encodes them using a mathematically complex algorithm, RSA-2048 . What is more, it has been revealed that the virus has been employing a new technique to broaden its infection scale. TorrentLocker virus has been mostly aimed at Australian computer users.
However, later it shifted its attention towards Swedish users. For the distribution and infiltration, the cyber criminals use the name of a trusted telecommunication company, Telia, which has a wide range of customers in Europe and Asia, to convince users into entering specific web page .
The ransomware gets compressed into the explorer.exe file. Thus, locating the file on the system might become a tricky task. If you have become one of the victims, get acquainted with TorrentLocker removal possibilities. For that purpose, is a useful tool.
The malware encrypts victim's files (photos, videos, audio files) and, then, displays a message requiring people to pay a ransom for retrieving them. The virus leaves DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html file which contains the message instructing to proceed with the payment.
It alarms users into paying the ransom within the specified amount of time. Such technique of using psychological terror is common among hackers. Otherwise, the data will be lost. In the note, the victim is demanded to enter a certain Australian Bitcoin website and purchase bitcoins from it.
The ransom equals to 550 USD and should be sent to the indicated address. We discourage you from making the transaction because it does not guarantee the retrieval of the locked data. Therefore, it's better to remove TorrentLocker from the computer than pay the ransom to the cyber criminals.
Regarding the TorrentLocker decrypt probabilities, IT experts have managed to come up with several decoding techniques. They have been trying to catch up with hackers by working out possible decoding strategies. In 2015, TorrentLocker decryption tool was created. Nonetheless, cyber criminals seem to be one step ahead.
Torrent Locker employs Tor network as an additional backup channel for Command & Control server . Due to the fact, that this virus is continually improved, there is no decryption key for the current version of the ransomware yet. Recently, the version of the malware has emerged.
It appends 6-alphabetic character file extension to the encoded files. All the demands are presented in How_to_Restore_Files.html and How_to_Restore_Files.txt. Specialists named it Crypt0l0cker ransomware. Luckily, there might be hope.
TorrentLocker cannot start encrypting files if it does not connect to its command server. Thus, it may create a chance for IT professionals to come up with the solution faster. If you are already infected, you should remove TorrentLocker instantly. Rely on a reputable antivirus software.
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
Update March 2017: Increased activity of an improved TorrentLocker version spreads panic in Denmark
Update March 2017: Increased activity of an improved TorrentLocker version spreads panic in Denmark TorrentLocker is growing ever more dangerous as it now seems to be targeting specific countries .
In the five last days of February 2017, Denmark has been under siege by a malicious spam campaign that distributes TorrentLocker around. Apart from picking a target country the virus creators have also added some new adjustments to the program itself. One of these additions includes ransomware's ability to spread from one computer to another via shared files.
This is obviously an attempt to increase the volume of the infected computers and, naturally, ensure a greater profit. The hackers have also equipped the malicious program with phishing functionalities, enabling it to steal passwords and usernames that it manages to extract from the infected computer. So, it is possible that ransomware attack may end up in identity theft and other privacy infringements, let alone encrypted files.
If you live in Denmark, you should be especially careful when opening emails you receive in your inbox. Nevertheless, the users in other parts of the world should not let down they guard either. You can never know who's next on the ransomware's target list.
If you open an email that asks you to "Enable Editing" or "Enable Macros" don't do it. TorrentLocker needs you to enable macro settings to activate the malicious code and start the encryption of your files.
Methods of distribution
Just like the majority of ransomware, the Torrent Locker virus is distributed through spam emails. As we already mentioned, the victims receive perfectly localized emails which seem like to be sent from Telia. The subject of the email is entitled as "Invoice from Telia" including the name of the recipient.
Thus, it contains a single link which redirects to the website which looks like an official website of the mentioned Tele company. Thus, when users get to the website, it asks him or her to type the provided Captcha code to identify whether the user is not a robot.
Without suspecting anything wrong, you enter the code, and TorrentLocker malware is downloaded to the computer. Note that the ransomware gets downloaded, after indicating that the victim is from Sweden. After that, the victim is connected to manybigtoys.com server which registers the infected PC. Thus, it is likely that the data might be used for future infiltrations.
In order to protect your PC, avoid opening emails, even if they are seemingly sent from tax or telecommunication companies. Concerning the spam email of Telia, the official website will not require you to enter any code upon entering the website. Though the first versions targeted mainly Swedish users, the malware impersonates such companies as British Gas (Uk), Endesa (Spain), New Zealand Post (NZ, etc. .
Moreover, you should always look for typos or grammar mistakes, check the sender's mail and compare it to the company's email. If it looks suspicious, you should always contact the company directly. Lastly, some versions might be dispersed with the help of exploit kits, so improve your security by updating anti-spyware and anti-virus programs.
The TorrentLocker virus ransom note
The note is called DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html.
We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.
How to remove TorrentLocker virus
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove TorrentLocker virus and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so TorrentLocker virus cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and identify the family
The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.
Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
Our last check found that for TorrentLocker virus, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing TorrentLocker virus does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.
If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them.
vssadmin list shadowsin an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.
Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that TorrentLocker virus deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
How to remove TorrentLocker ransomware from the system entirely?
If TorrentLocker virus has infected a computer, start a system scan using the anti-spyware program ( or ).
Keep in mind that you need to have the newest version in order for the software to root out the virus completely. You should know that the security application does not decrypt the locked files. Thus, you need to look for other programs which will help you recover the files. The easiest and most secure way to do that is to restore the data from the back-up.
[GI=method-1]Malware can prevent you from installing antivirus or anti-malware software. In this case, you have to reboot your PC to the Safe Mode in order to perform automatic TorrentLocker removal
[GI=method-2]If Safe Mode did not work, please try System Restore method by following these steps:
The software is also capable of restoring encrypted files. We cannot assure that all files will be rescued; however, you should give it a try:
The benefits of ShadowExplorer when restoring files encrypted by TorrentLocker ransomware
The main advantage of this program is that it retrieves volume shadow copies on Windows OS. These copies are created by the system automatically. In case of a system trash or ransomware assault, the program helps recreate the files by using the patterns of these copies.
TorrentLocker ransomware decryption software hasn't been released yet
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows ransom notes called DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html in every folder; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on Windows.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about TorrentLocker virus
Is there a free TorrentLocker virus decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for TorrentLocker virus no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "TorrentLocker virus decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
Did TorrentLocker virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by TorrentLocker virus, but the only confirmed sign is ransom notes called DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html in every folder, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
How did TorrentLocker virus get on my computer?
The way TorrentLocker virus spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened.
On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password. Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before ransom notes called DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html in every folder, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is TorrentLocker virus the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I delete DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html?
Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.
Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.
Can I get my files back without paying after DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html appeared?
Sometimes. Free decryptors exist for a number of families, especially older ones or those with flaws in their encryption. Other routes are copies the ransomware missed:
- OneDrive version history
- File History
- a backup drive that was disconnected
- email attachments
- phone photos
Shadow copies are often deleted, but it is worth checking. Identify the family from DECRYPT_INSTRUCTIONS.html first, because that tells you which of these routes is realistic. Keep encrypted files even if nothing works now; decryptors are sometimes released months later.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by TorrentLocker?
You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that TorrentLocker adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.
No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.
Will Fortect remove TorrentLocker virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For TorrentLocker virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Department of Mathematics, University of Washington: The RSA Algorithm (read October 7, 2026)
- HeimdalSecurity: Security alert: new TorrentLocker variant targets Denmark in ransomware attacks (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)