TeslaWare Ransomware Removal Guide

Do you know what TeslaWare Ransomware is?

The TeslaWare ransomware is a computer infection that encrypts files on the computer and drops a .txt file with instructions how to regain access to the lost data. This dangerous Trojan horse should be removed from the computer once its pop-up window containing information about the corruption of the system is spotted. Importantly, this TeslaWare threat is not related to the famous electric automobile manufacturer Tesla, but the cyber crooks behind this amateurish threats have probably had an intention to mislead unsuspecting computer users into thinking that the company is responsible for the issue. TeslaWare is not the only threat whose name refers to the manufacturer. There is another infection dubbed TeslaCrypt, known to cyber criminals since 2015.

The TeslaWare ransomware is powered to encrypt multiple files in different locations. Our research has revealed that the infection scans a computer for files in directories such as the desktop, Downloads, Pictures, Videos, Templates, and some others. More important, the ransomware is programmed to identify different disk partitions. The number and names of the these volumes purely depend on the user. As for the names, these separate parts of the disk are usually given a single letter, so the infection scans for partitions named A, B, C, D, E, etc.

Not all ransomware infection are equally capable of encrypting all possible file extensions, but the Teslaware malware is one of those threats that can corrupt over 100 file types, including the most commonly used such as .png, .mp4, .doc, and .ppt. Without a doubt, your valuable information (pictures, documents, video and music files) is at risk if you keep your operating system without a sufficient security software. Unlike some highly offensive ransomware threats, the TeslaWare ransomawe does not lock the screen, and it is possible to see how it alters the filenames. The infection appends the additional extension .Yugo, which is how you can recognize the affected files.

Additionally, the TeslaWare ransomware is programmed to kill the Task Manager and Process Explorer. The first one is a system monitoring program enabling a user to get information about running processes and to see the general status of the computer. The latter program allows a user to handle DLL-version issues and get information about running Windows applications.TeslaWare Ransomware Removal GuideTeslaWare Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions

When it comes to decryption, cyber attackers are not likely to bother replying to victims’ ransom submissions by providing them with a decryption tool or decryption key. Paying the ransom demanded is giving your money to those criminals.

The TeslaWare ransomware has its decryption key, which has turned to be invalid.

Decryption key: Z85tp2sWTW1LQGvT2CTOUgaKHDWNWY===

Ideally, it should work on the pop-up window containing the sum demanded and the digital account address. The fact that the decryption code does not work suggests that the infection is not complete, or simply in its test stage. Nevertheless, it does encrypt files and should be averted with a reputable security program.

Another feature implying that the crooks are not being serious about their actions is that the content of the .txt file differs from the content of the pop-up window, which appears on the screen every time you log on to your system. According to the .txt file, the ransom is 0.4250 bitcoins, whereas the pop-up window shows that the ransom is €300. As to the currency, Bitcoin is a common cryptocurrency demanded by cyber criminals since bitcoin transactions cannot be tracked and are made anonymously. The .txt file and the pop-up ransom text provide two different bitcoin wallet addresses. This is so surprising since a single ransomware attack may have several digital wallets. Although the schemers behind the infection guarantee that they will decrypt the corrupted files, our advice is keep away from such criminals since the chances are that they are not capable of providing you with any decryption tool.

It is highly advisable to remove the TeslaWare ransomware since it may function as a backdoor for other programs. The removal of this strain of ransomware can be performed by a reputable security program, which should also fight off many other threats attempting to access the system. In case you are willing to try your skills in manual malware removal, our instructions below will guide you through the process. Please note that in this way you remove the TeslaWare ransomware at your own risk.

How to remove TeslaWare Ransomware

  1. Open Registry Editor. To do so, press Win+R and type in regedit. Click OK.
  2. Follow the path HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|MicrosoftAudioDriver and delete the registry value MicrosoftAudioDriver.
  3. Close Registry Editor.
  4. Press Win+R and type in %TEMP%.
  5. Delete questionable recently downloaded files.
  6. Check the desktop and the Downloads folder for malicious files.
  7. Delete the READ_ME.txt file from the desktop.

In non-techie terms:

TeslaWare is a nasty ransomware infection whose goal is to take your files hostage and hold them to ransom. Since there are no guarantee that the schemers are capable and willing to decrypt the data after paying up, it is highly advisable to restore your files using a back-up copy and shield the operating system against cyber threats.