Conti ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Conti ransomware – a threat that encodes files and claims to publish stolen data, so the victim is encouraged to pay the ransom in Bitcoin cryptocurrency. This is why the threat can also be called a publisher since developers created a site to publish stolen details from the infected machines.
Facts checked October 6, 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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Conti ransomware: summary
| Distribution | The threat spreads around with other malware like trojans, worms, malicious applications, and hacked sites. It can also rely on malicious macros placed on spam email attachments |
|---|---|
| Name | Conti ransomware |
| Type | Ranssomware-as-a-Service[2] or human-opearated ransomware |
| Versions | .CONTI, .COSWH, .UAKXC, .RHMLM, .TJODT, .XNMMP |
| Issues | The threat actors claim to publish data stolen from the device on the leak site to encourage victims to pay up and contact criminals as soon as possible. Stolen data can be used for more direct extortion purposes |
| File marker | The initial malware sample used .conti as the marker for encoded files. Later samples came with different randomly formed appendixes |
| 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 14 more facts
| Ransom notes | CONTI_README.txt and R3ADM3.txt |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | mantiticvi1976@protonmail.com, fahydremu1981@protonmail.com, wellproxadsit1980@protonmail.com |
| Encrypted file extension | .conti |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .conti |
| Ransom note | CONTI_README.txt |
| Attacker contacts | mantiticvi1976@protonmail.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 22 October 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.conti - Note file:
CONTI_README.txt - Contact:
mantiticvi1976@protonmail.com
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Conti ransomware
- To remove Conti ransomware properly, you should get an anti-malware tool that can detect the infection
- Rely on tools that can help with file damage and corrupted programs or alterations made in the system like
- mantiticvi1976@protonmail.com fahydremu1981@protonmail.com, frosculandra1975@protonmail.com, trafyralhi1988@protonmail.com, sanctornopul1986@protonmail.com
- ringpawslanin1984@protonmail.com, liebupneoplan19@protonmail.com, stivobemun1979@protonmail.com, guifullcharti1970@protonmail.com, phrasitliter1981@protonmail.com, elsleepamlen1988@protonmail.com,
- southbvilolor1973@protonmail.com, glocadboysun1978@protonmail.com, carbedispgret1983@protonmail.com, listun@protonmail.com, mirtum@protonmail.com
- Your system is locked down.
- Do not try to decrypt, otherwise you will damage fails.
- For decryption tool write on the email: wellproxadsit1980@protonmail.com mabuhyli1982@protonmail.com If you do not pay, we will publish all private data on hxxp://conti.news/
The Conti ransomware note
Your system is LOCKED. Write us on the emails:
mantiticvi1976@protonmail.com
fahydremu1981@protonmail.com
DO NOT TRY to decrypt files using other software.
How to remove Conti ransomware
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 Conti ransomware 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
Conti ransomware encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
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 confirm the family
Copy
CONTI_README.txtand one or two files ending in.contito a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
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
For Conti ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Conti ransomware still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or 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
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
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
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
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 Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Conti ransomware is the cryptovirus that uses AES and RSA encryption algorithms to lock files before asking ransom for the alleged recovery of them
Conti ransomware – a threat that encodes files and claims to publish stolen data, so the victim is encouraged to pay the ransom in Bitcoin cryptocurrency.
This is why the threat can also be called a publisher since developers created a site to publish stolen details from the infected machines. It is possibly related to Ryuk ransomware that, at one moment, was one of the most notorious crypto-extortion-based threats. Developers associated with TrickBot malware are the ones that deploy this ransomware.
Conti ransomware virus name is from the indication on the data leaking site and some of the variants in this family. .Conti is also a file extension that was the first to appear when the threat started to spread worldwide.
The initial ransom note also appears in the text file named CONTI_README.txt, but there are various versions of this threat already. It is believable that this family can become more dangerous with each version.
Conti ransomware virus first came out at the end of 2019, but soon after that, new versions surfaced, and researchers found more samples of the threat. After the release of a few initial .CONTI variants, developers created a site for the information leakage.
At first, the ransom-demanding message in the text file encouraged people to stay away from decryption tools and third parties. Later variants directly claim to publish information obtained from the system.
The family has at least 6 versions of the file extensions that get formed randomly with 5 characters. R3ADM3.txt is the more recent file name used for money-demanding message distribution with the latest versions. The message is short and simple because developers explain that you either contact them and pay the ransom or experience a data leakage.
This virus tactic is borrowed from many threats like Snatch, Nemty, REvil, and others, that aim to profit from victims as much as it is possible. It only makes the process of Conti ransomware removal more difficult because people might not get the needed anti-malware or security tool in time and get their data leaked.
Even though the main targets of the virus are companies, you need to go straight to finding options helping to remove Conti ransomware. or can scan the machine and find threats that trigger the encryption or further spreading of the cryptovirus.
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
.CONTI virus: started with a bang and not stopping
The initial Conti ransomware versions aimed to directly receive money from victims, so short ransom messages contained the email for contacting criminals and encouragement to avoid third-party decryption.
For months, the threat relied on the general ransom notes and tactics aiming to get money from scared victims.
This Conti virus wave came right after when the Ryuk activities stopped, so operators could distribute Conti with a full force. With the release of Conti-2, ransomware developers managed to interfere with the system and victims' minds more. ransomware gang joined the movement of threats that deliver data publicly in August 2020.
Since Conti ransomware spreads around for a long time already and does this widely with the help of many versions, the list of contact emails gets bigger end bigger:
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Data leaking site revealed before the distribution of .TJODT virus
Conti 2 ransomware version of the particular ransomware was indicated at the end of August when developers started leaking sensitive data from users who refused to pay the demanded amount of cryptocurrency. This double-extortion technique became popular due to the usage in other cryptovirus attacks, so ransomware creators can make up to hundreds of thousands per victim.
.TJODT ransomware is one of the few versions in this family that deliver the ransom note with an additional line about file publication. Just before releasing this malware and .UAKXC or .RHMLM versions of the ransomware, site named Conti News got public. This page, at the time revealed data about at least 26 victims. These victims are companies from various industries.
Conti ransomware leak site pages contain samples of the stolen data from every system that this threat managed to get on. The ransomware operations show that creators may change accordingly to the popular tactics since ransom notes got changed with the newest variants in 2020.
The older version of the text placed in CONTI_README.txt:
The more recent ransom note that is delivered via CONTI.txt or R3adm3.txt:
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
The latest .XNMMP virus - one of the randomized file extensions
Conti file virus started the distribution in 2019 and managed to affect many systems using the same.CONTI file extension, but tactics got changed, and randomized five-character extensions started to appear at the end of encrypted data. At the same time, news sites started to appear listed in the ransom note, so people get more eager to pay sooner.
The same ransom notes redirect the threat to CONTIRecovery pages that provide the options of paying and recovering affected files. It is not recommended because criminals might use these tactics to get your trust and provide nothing after the Bitcoin transfer. Even though Conti mainly targets large businesses, companies stay away from paying since this is less risky.
Remove Conti file virus instead and try to repair the machine functions with before searching for data recovery options. There are no decryption tools for this family, and researchers only analyzing the samples that are not easy to get, so it may take time. This threat aims for bigger targets, but everyday users should also be cautious.
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Limited data recovery options and tips for .Conti ransomware termination
Conti ransomware virus is a dangerous threat that mimics other groups that adopt newer tactics and even encryption techniques.
It already uses the double algorithm encryption method, so it can become more notorious and harmful in the future as Ryuk, another possibly similar ransomware.
If you think that the Conti ransomware removal is needed and you received the ransom note, spotted mentioned appendixes, make sure to get or as soon as possible. These or similar security tools can find and eliminate the malware from the machine.
To remove Conti ransomware properly, you need to run the full system scan using one of the security or anti-malware tools that can be trusted. A full check on the computer or the whole network indicates all threats, so you might find the malware that started the infection. If so, should be helpful when removing a trojan and other malware damage in the system.
[GI=method-1]The machine can be cleared with the help of Safe Mode with Networking
[GI=method-2]Get rid of the Conti ransomware virus with the help from the System Restore feature
Try to restore Conti ransomware encoded files with Windows Previous Versions
System Restore got enabled before? You can then rely on this Windows Previous Versions feature and recover individual data yourself
ShadowExplorer feature - a possible way to restore affected files
When Shadow Volume Copies are not affected, you can't store files affected by the Conti ransomware virus
Conti ransomware is not decryptable
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.
Make the next attack harmless
Conti ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .conti and no longer open) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for 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 Conti ransomware
How do I open .conti files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .conti has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:
- OneDrive versions
- File History
- an offline backup drive
- Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them
Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.
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 Conti ransomware get on my computer?
The way Conti ransomware 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 files that end in .conti and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is there a free Conti ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Conti ransomware 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 "Conti ransomware 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.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
Did Conti ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Conti ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .conti and no longer open, 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.
Is Conti ransomware 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 CONTI_README.txt?
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. CONTI_README.txt 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.
Should I reinstall Windows after the .conti attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .conti stay encrypted afterwards. So first copy the encrypted files and the ransom note to a separate drive, in case a decryptor appears later. Then decide:
- a clean-up with an offline scan is often enough for home PCs
- while a full reset is safer if remote access was involved
- scans keep finding new items
Restore your backups only after the PC is clean, and change passwords from another device.
Will Fortect remove Conti ransomware?
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 Conti ransomware, 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
- ZDNet: Conti (Ryuk) joins the ranks of ransomware gangs operating data leak sites (read October 6, 2026)
- VirusTotal: Detection rate (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)