Tono Virus
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Tono?
Tono is a legitimate organization, which protects the financial and legal rights of Norwegian and foreign composers, authors, and publishers of music. A recently-discovered ransomware infection exploits the name of this organization in order to trick unsuspecting PC users from Norway into paying a bogus 1000 NOK fine.
The fake message blocks computer users' screens, demanding payment of the fine using PaySafeCard for supposed copyright violations (downloading pirated music files). Tono has no connection with this message - this is a ransomware infection created by cyber criminals, and paying this fine is equivalent to sending money directly to them.
This particular fake message originates from a family of ransomware called Gimemo, a family infamous for exploiting the names of various organizations related to music copyright services. Furthermore, ransomware from this family is localized and displays variants of the rogue message depending on the location of the target computer.
For example, a PC user from the Netherlands, with a ransomware-infected machine, will receive a screen blocking message appearing in Dutch and exploiting the name of the Buma Stemra organization.
Do not trust the Tono message, it is a scam. Other known ransomware infections targeting PC users from Norway exploit the names of Politiet Norge and Norsk Politi Institutt for Cybercrime. Cyber criminals responsible for creating this scam use the names of legitimate organizations and local authorities in order to make their rogue messages appear authentic.
This ensures that a greater number of PC users are coerced into paying the bogus fine. To proliferate their ransomware viruses, cyber criminals use malicious websites and Trojans. Do not believe any information displayed by this Tono message and use the removal guide provided to eliminate this scam from your PC.
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Quick menu:
- What is Tono?
- STEP 1. "Tono" virus removal using safe mode with networking.
- STEP 2. "Tono" ransomware removal using System Restore.
Tono virus removal:
Step 1
Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer starting process press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Step 2
Log in to the account infected with the Tono virus. Start your Internet browser and download a legitimate anti-spyware program. Update the anti-spyware software and start a full system scan. Remove all entries detected.
If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking, try performing a System Restore.
Video showing how to remove ransomware virus using "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" and "System Restore":
1. During your computer starting process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then select Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list and press ENTER.
2. When Command Prompt Mode loads, enter the following line: cd restore and press ENTER.
3. Next, type this line: rstrui.exe and press ENTER.
4. In the opened window click "Next".
5. Select one of the available restore points and click "Next" (this will restore your computer system to an earlier time and date, prior to the ransomware infiltrating your PC).
6. In the opened window click "Yes".
7. After restoring your computer to a previous date, download and scan your PC with recommended malware removal software to eliminate an remnants of the Tono virus.
Other tools known to remove the Tono virus:
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