How to remove Tk ransomware

Tk ransomware demands 1 BTC in exchange for the decryption key

Tk virus functions as a ransomware-type infection which uses AES algorithm^[1] to encrypt the most valuable data. It was first discovered at the beginning of January 2017 demanding to pay 1 Bitcoin for the decryption tool. The original filename of this file-encrypting virus is your files have been encrypted.exe. 

Users report receiving the following message after Tk attack:

1198 
your files have been encrypted 
send 1 BTC to 1F1tAaz5x1HUXrCNLbtMDqcw6o5GN7xX7 

Usually, criminals indicate a specific e-mail address for contact purposes. However, Tk ransomware directly provides the Bitcoin account to which people should make the transaction to recover encrypted files. Although, obeying the rules of the crooks is not the best decision.

There are numerous cases when people agreed to pay the ransom and were tricked by the empty promises of the cybercriminals. Therefore, we suggest you to remove Tk virus instead of paying the demanded money. You can always recover encoded information from the backup copies stored in the cloud.

If you do not have them, feel free to use alternative data restore techniques which are presented at the end of this article. However, do not forget that you will only be able to proceed to retrieving your data after Tk removal. You can do that with the help of FortectIntego or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner depending on your preference. 

Please, do not try to eliminate TK ransomware virus from the system on your own. These attempts might end up with the irreparable damage to the system. File-encrypting viruses can affect legitimate system processes or hide under the safe-looking names, so you might be tricked and uninstall wrong entries.

Watch out suspicious spam emails and questionable software installers to avoid ransomware

Ransomware mostly spreads via malicious spam emails. These letters are perfectly crafted using social engineering strategies. Therefore, users can be easily tricked into opening a safe-looking attachment.^[2]

Usually, these emails inform about a serious issue or ask to check the information provided in the attached Word, Excel, or another legitimate-looking website. However, once opened, malware executable is dropped on the system.

However, other malware distribution might be used to spread TK ransomware as well. For instance, criminals might use fake software downloads or updates that might be delivered in the form of pop-up or available on the questionable file-sharing websites, torrents or P2P networks.

Security specialists from virukset.fi^[3] also suggest being careful with eye-catching ads, installing software and OS updates, and secure remote desktop connections. Additionally, creating backups should be on your priority's list as well. You can never know what tricks developers of ransomware might create for you.

Delete Tk ransomware virus with anti-malware software

Tk ransomware removal requires using professional malware removal software, such as FortectIntego or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. It's important to use security programs to terminate malicious components safely. Malware may have injected malicious code into legit system processes and installed numerous files that are responsible for hazardous tasks.

To remove Tk ransomware with all its components manually is nearly impossible without damaging the system if you are not experienced IT specialists. Thus, in order to avoid further damage, you should use anti-malware tools.

Once you get rid of Tk virus, you can restore your files from backups or use alternative methods. You can find available recovery options below, as well as detailed instructions how to disable malware in case you encouter some obstacles with its removal.