What is Scanda.exe? Should I remove it?

What does Scanda.exe file do on the system?

Scanda.exe is one of the two executable files that are associated with Dharma ransomware virus. However, some users report that after virus attack they found the skanda.exe file on the system. Indeed, the name of the file may differ because of the different malware versions. The virus has been spotted in November 2016, and since then it has been updated few times. However, the main distribution technique hasn’t changed yet. The virus executable mostly spreads via malicious email attachments. When the victim opens obfuscated file, he or she installs the malicious file on the computer. Once the Scanda.exe file is executed and activated on the affected computer, it starts scanning the system and looking for targeted file types. It encrypts files that are saved on the Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, Music and Vide folders using AES-256 encryption algorithm. Then, it follows traditional ransomware behavior. It leaves a ransom note where it demands to pay the ransom in order to restore encrypted files. It goes without saying that people should not follow these orders and instead of having business with cyber criminals, they should concentrate on virus removal.


Professional antivirus or anti-malware programs can detect Scanda.exe file on the system. However, it often happens too late when Dharma virus has already encrypted the files. Nevertheless, security experts haven’t released a Dharma decrypter to restore files; victims can try to restore their files using Crysis decryptor because these two cyber threats are very similar. But first, you have to get rid of the malware. We want to point out that you should not try to remove Scanda.exe file manually. In the system might be other malware-related files that must be removed as well. What is more, you may accidentally delete a crucial file and harm the computer. As we already mentioned, malware removal programs can detect malicious files and clean your computer. Hence, you should rely on FortectIntego or your preferred program and start the virus and Scanda.exe removal immediately.

How did this file end up on the computer?

Scanda.exe file is an important component of the Dharma ransomware virus. Hence, they are traveling together. We briefly mentioned that the virus spreads via malicious emails and their attachments. Therefore, the developers of the virus pretend to be from reliable or well-known organizations, banks, financial or governmental institutions and tell polished lies to persuade users to open the attached document. The attachment often is a Word or PDF document, and the majority of the computer users have no idea that it is obfuscated .exe file. Therefore, when the victim opens or downloads the infected attachment, he or she actually installs Scanda.exe file which starts data encryption on the targeted device.

How can you remove Scanda.exe from the machine?

Nevertheless, you can remove Scanda.exe file from the computer; it may not be a right choice. This file warns that your PC is infected with a dangerous ransomware virus. So you must concentrate on its removal if you want to protect your personal information from cyber criminals. Therefore, forget about Scanda.exe removal, and look from the broader perspective. For virus removal, you need to install FortectIntego and follow our prepared Dharma removal instructions.