Topi ransomware (Improved Guide) - Recovery Instructions Included

What is Topi ransomware?

Topi ransomware – a computer threat that restricts access to pictures, videos, documents, and other files until ransom is paid

Topi ransomware is a file locking virus that belongs to Djvu/Stop virus family

Topi ransomware is a file locking virus that focuses on money extortion – it is usually propagated via infectious crack executables^[1] or pirated software installers. Once installed, the ransomware disables Windows defenses and begins to scan the system and networked drives, looking for files to encrypt. After that, all personal pictures, videos, documents, databases get appended with .topi file extension, preventing victims from accessing them. During this process, the Topi virus shows a fake Windows update prompt in order to not arouse any suspicions.

A ransom note _readme.txt is also put into most of the folders where the Topi ransomware encrypted data is located – it explains to users that they need to pay $490 in Bitcoin for Topi ransomware decryptor, as cybercriminals would not hand in the required unique key which is needed to recover data. In case the demands are not met within 72 hours, the file redemption price increases to 980$. Malicious actors also leave contact information for negotiation purposes – helpmanager@firemail.cc, or helpmanager@iran.ir.

Topi ransomware is a type of malware that is considered to be one of the most destructive ones – it can result in a permanent loss of files located on the infected computer. Discovered in late January 2019, the malware is yet another member of the STOP/Djvu ransomware family, which currently has almost 200 variants in the wild. While older versions could have been decrypted with security researcher-released tools like STOPDecrypter, Topi virus uses a far more sophisticated data encryption method with the help of secure RSA cipher.

A decryption tool was released by Emsisoft that worked for all variants released before August 2019, as they employed AES cipher, and experts managed to find a few bugs inside of it.^[2] Unfortunately, Topi ransomware virus belongs to the new surge of viruses that are not decryptable.

Nevertheless, in case you were lucky, and files on your computer got encrypted with an offline ID, you might be able to recover your files with another decryption tool from Emsisoft. Nevertheless, you need to first backup this encrypted data and remove Topi ransomware from your system. For that, we recommend using security software like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes, and then scanning the system with FortectIntego to fix virus damage done by this ransomware.

Topi ransomware is detected by multiple security vendors

Topi ransomware modifies hosts file to prevents users from entering security-focused sites

Topi virus exclusively targets all versions of Windows operating systems. Its ultimate goal – data encryption and monetary gain from victims who are desperate to recover access to their data. However, the ransomware also performs a variety of system changes before locking the data.

Once the infection routine is triggered, Topi ransomware places an executable file into %AppData% or %Temp% folders, which can be named as anything, i.e., c652.tmp.exe. This allows the malware to launch various malicious processes on the system, disable Windows startup repair, delete Shadow Volume Copies, change Windows registry values, etc.

Besides, it may also modify the hosts file located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\ folder in order to prevent users from getting help with Topi ransomware removal. To regain access to all websites, the affected users should go to the mentioned location and delete the hosts file – it will be recreated by Windows automatically without restrictions.

With the preparations and system modifications complete, Topi ransomware begins the encryption process – it scans the machine for files that have certain file extensions (while some other variants of Djvu did not touch executable and system files, Topi virus is known to encrypt some .exe, .dll, and similar files belonging to various applications). During the locking process, users are shown a fake Windows update window, which is designed not to make users suspicious.

Note that Topi ransomware may also insert a data-stealing module or also be related to other malware that fulfills such a role. Previously several versions of Djvu were found incorporating AZORult malware in order to steal banking information from victims. This is another reason to remove Topi ransomware as soon as possible.

Topi ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts all data with the help of RSA encryption algorithm and then demands $490 or $980 ransom for decryption software

After file encryption is complete, Topi ransomware will attempt to connect to its C2^[3] server and generate an ID that can be done offline or online. Unfortunately, there is not much hope for recovering data if the latter is the case.

Topi ransomware will show the following ransom note named _readme.txt to its victims:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-Oc0xgfzC7q
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
helpmanager@firemail.cc

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
helpmanager@iran.ir

Your personal ID:

Without a doubt, you should think twice before contacting cybercriminals, as they might not send you the Topi ransomware decryptor even after paying. We suggest you instead copy all the encrypted files over to an external drive and a cloud-based service and then remove the malware from the system. You can then attempt to recover .topi files with the help of our instructions found below in the recovery section.

Software cracks are often malicious and serve as one of the main ransomware distribution methods

While other ransomware developers often resort to a variety of methods when it comes to malware distribution, Djvu variants are almost exclusively spread with the help of pirated software installers and software cracks. These can usually be acquired from less-than-secure torrents and similar sires designed to distribute illegal software. This method is relatively primitive and easy to execute from hackers' point of view, but it is extremely effective, as hundreds of people get infected daily.^[4]

As evident, the best way to avoid ransomware is not to download software cracks or attempt to bypass the payment process with pirated program installers. Fundamentally, cracks/loaders/keygens are tools that are designed to alter software's code, when it is considered a malicious behavior on itself. Therefore, almost each of the anti-malware would flag it as malicious, regardless if it has actually been altered to include malware inside of it. Due to this, there is no way for a regular user to determine whether such executables are safe or not.

Besides avoiding obvious online dangers, security experts also recommend following these guidelines that would allow avoiding most of the malware coming your way:

• Install reputable anti-malware software and enable Firewall;
• Do not postpone security updates on your device – software vulnerabilities can result in automatic malware infections;
• Be aware that phishing emails often carry attachments with embedded malicious macros which, once executed, download and install malware from a remote server;
• Disable Remote desktop connection as soon as it is no longer needed, and protect it with a strong password; also, avoid using the default TCP port 3389;
• Use strong passwords for all your accounts and never reuse them;
• Protect your browser: disable Flash, install an ad-blocker, clear browsing data from time to time, enable safe browsing option, etc.

In case Topi ransomware used an offline ID to lock your files, you might be able to recover them with the help of Emsisoft's decryption tool

Topi ransomware removal instructions

If you got caught off guard by the Topi virus, it might be extremely overwhelming, especially if you were previously unaware of such a threat before. And while it is not good news, there is still hope that your files might be recovered, so there is no need to panic straight away.

As stated before, you should not immediately perform Topi ransomware removal, however, as such an action might permanently corrupt encrypted files, and even malicious actors would not be able to help you. Therefore, first, make a copy of your encrypted files on the system – you can use USB Flash or another external device or a remote server for that. With the data copied, you can then remove Topi ransomware with the help of anti-malware software.

Note that in some cases, you might need to access Safe Mode with Networking, as malware may not allow security software to work correctly. If you do not know how to do that, please check for the directions below – follow each step carefully. Finally, once you get rid of the Topi file virus, you can then attempt data recovery – you can also find the detailed instructions on how to do that below.