.666 (njkwe RaaS) ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
.666 (njkwe RaaS) is the name of a Paradise ransomware variant, which has resurfaced in the midsummer of 2020. The virus takes advantage of the army-grade algorithm RSA-2048 or RSA-1024 to lock the files detected on the infected system.
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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.666 (njkwe RaaS) ransomware: summary
| Name | .666 (njkwe RaaS) |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware/file-encrypting virus |
| Related files | VgvdhF8ESVZDurYTgkA.exe |
| Encryption algorithm | RSA-2048 or RSA-1024 |
| File extension | .666 file virus |
| Family | Paradise ransomware |
| 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
| Symptoms | All personal files are locked using .666 extension The ransom note can be found on the desktop The system becomes sluggish High CPU consumption can be noticed Random system restarts can occur, etc. |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Ransom note | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Contact | decryptdocs@msgsafe.io, decryptdocs@firemail.cc |
| Encrypted file extension | .paradise |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .paradise |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 21 July 2020 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:Win32/Ymacco.AAD1 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
.666 (njkwe RaaS) detection names
If Windows Security shows Trojan:Win32/Ymacco.AAD1, it has found .666 (njkwe RaaS) or a file that belongs to it.
Write the name down before you click Remove: it is the most useful search term later, and you will need it if you report the incident.
A family name in the label is more informative than a heuristic one. Our page on why one threat has many antivirus names lists the common formats and what each part means.
- File extension:
.paradise
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on .666 (njkwe RaaS)
- The only solution for getting rid of ransomware virus is to run a full system scan with a robust anti-malware while in Safe Mode with Networking
- To gain persistence the virus alters various Windows OS settings.
- It is capable of disabling certain processes, creating new registry keys, or deactivating programs.
- Thus, right after ransomware removal, experts recommend recovering the system using tool
- $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$ njkwe RaaS corporation $$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$ All your information is copied in case of refusal of payment will be sold $$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ WHAT HAPPENED!
- Your important files produced on this computer have been encrypted due a security problem.
- If you want to restore then write to the by email.
- email: decryptdocs@msgsafe.io ar email: decryptdocs@firemail.cc Your personal ID: - Enter your ID and e-mail in the chat that you would immediately answered.
- Do not rename encrypted files.
- Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
- Do not attempt to use the antivirus or uninstall the program.
- This will lead to your data loss and unrecoverable.
- Decoders of other users is not suitable to decrypt your files - encryption key is unique.
- A Variant Of Win32/Filecoder.Paradise.C (ESET-NOD32)
How .666 (njkwe RaaS) ransomware behaves
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
.666 (njkwe RaaS) is a file-encoder that can be purchased on various underground forums as Ransomware-as-a-service
.666 (njkwe RaaS) is the name of a Paradise ransomware variant, which has resurfaced in the midsummer of 2020.
The virus takes advantage of the army-grade algorithm RSA-2048 or RSA-1024 to lock the files detected on the infected system. As a consequence, data, such as pictures, photos, Microsoft Office documents, music, videos, etc. become unusable and owners cannot even tell what is in certain documents. All of the corrupted files feature the identical logo and .666 file extension.
The original version of the .666 (njkwe RaaS) ransomware used to append .paradise, .sell, .ransom, .logger, and other file extensions. Nonetheless, this latest variant distinguishes from the others by the .666 file name, nooode.txt ransom note, and new criminal contacts - decryptdocs@msgsafe.io or decryptdocs@firemail.cc.
The .666 file virus is one of few ransomware viruses that can be purchased by wanna-be hackers on the underground forum and with the slight customization become a new Paradise ransomware strain. The so-called Ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) reduces the need to code malware and creates the group of affiliates that spin the ransomware circle. Avoid downloading pirated software or opening spam email attachments as they may carry payload-dropper file VgvdhF8ESVZDurYTgkA.exe.
The njkwe ransomware is a cyber threat that focuses on file encryption process and money extortion. Therefore, it initiates various background processes to become persistent and successfully launch the encryption software. In case of success, it locks all personal files, and each document, photo, picture, video, or file archive becomes inaccessible.
Encrypted files can be easily distinguished as each of them get the .666 file name. There's no way to open, rename, or move the locked files because they are locked using a strong encryption code, which can be cracked only using a unique decryption key that is stored by criminals.
The decryption key for every victim is unique. A person who is suffering from .666 (njkwe RaaS) virus attack is supposed to email decryptdocs@msgsafe.io or decryptdocs@firemail.cc. The message necessarily has to contain a unique ID number, which is provided on the nooode.txt ransom note. The ID typically consists of six randomly selected characters (e.g. 5xgtHk).
Criminals do not disclose how much money they are expecting to get. The note does not specify the size of the ransom but based on the previous Paradise ransomware variants it's very likely that criminals expect to get a ransom not lesser than $500 in Bitcoins.
No matter what size of the redemption is, do not support criminals. Remove .666 (njkwe RaaS) virus from the system and try alternative data recovery methods instead.
.666 file virus removal requires the usage of a professional AV engine. If you have one installed, update it and run a scan while the system is rebooted into Safe Mode with Networking. The software should inform you about suchlike detection:
Set the anti-virus tool to perform a full .666 (njkwe RaaS) removal and restart the system. After that, scan your machine with utility to fix virus damage and then follow the instructions on how to recover .666 files. You can either use inbuilt Windows features or rely on third-party data recovery tools.
- Ransom_Gen.R002C0WGE20 (Trend Micro)
- TrojWare.Win32.TrojanDropper.Agent.PRQ@8a (Comodo)
- Gen:Variant.Kazy.23813 (B) (Emsisoft)
- Trojan:Win32/Ymacco.AAD1 (Microsoft), etc.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Obfuscated files appended to email spam attachments run the payload droppers
Ransomware is one of the most dangerous cyber threats.
Not only because it causes significant losses, but also because it spreads in the most stealthy manner and manages to get inside thousands of machines. Usually, hackers rely on techniques like exploits, brute-force attacks, remote code execution via unprotected RDPs, and similar. In fact, these methods most successfully work for the attacks on businesses and corporations.
The majority of home users' PCs are infected via spam. Professionally-looking emails are often sent to unsuspecting PC users who fall for opening the PDF, Word, Excel, and other forms of attachments believing that these are some kind of forms, order confirmations, or financial information.
The malicious attachments are macro-filled documents , so clicking on them activates the ransomware payload, which extracts the malicious executables and activates the ransomware. Once activated, there's no way to deactivate the payload unless you immediately understand that a virus entered the machine and reboot it into Safe Mode.
At that time, a full scan might save the day. Anyway, to prevent this from happening, render a powerful spam filter, use a professional AV engine, and be cautious when web browsing because suspicious content can cause damage to the system.
How to remove .666 (njkwe RaaS) 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 .666 (njkwe RaaS) 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
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so .666 (njkwe RaaS) cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
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 identify the family
The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.
Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.
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
Our last check found that for .666 (njkwe RaaS), no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing .666 (njkwe RaaS) does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.
If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and 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
Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them.
vssadmin list shadowsin an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.
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
A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.
Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that .666 (njkwe RaaS) deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
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 Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Learn how to remove .666 (njkwe RaaS) file-encrypting virus easily
Njkwe RaaS virus removal is one-sided.
There's no other way to get rid of it except run a full system scan with trusted anti-virus software. Ransomware is not a single file or installer. It's a composition of malicious processes, files, registry entries, processes, and others.
Therefore, to stop all malicious performance that a cyber infection is capable of initiating, it's imminent to reboot the machine into Safe Mode and then set an anti-virus scanner to perform a full check.
The scan process can take some time, so be patient and let the application perform its task.
Unfortunately, this program won't recover the .666 files. However, it will check the system for virus damage and perform a repair procedure to ensure a smooth PC's performance.
The elimination of a virus is not the same as file recovery. Ransomware encrypted files are difficult to restore without working decryption software. For more information, follow the tutorial below.
[GI=method-1]To stop malicious .666 (njkwe RaaS) processes, you may need to reboot Windows into Safe Mode with Networking as explained below:
[GI=method-2]Restoring the system to the previous state may help to recover damaged system components.
Although there's no free .666 file decryption key available, cybersecurity experts from NoVirus.uk recommend trying alternative data recovery methods instead of paying the ransom.
Data Recovery Scanner might help
Therefore, give this tool a try.
Windows Previous Versions feature for the rescue after encryption
If you have been using Windows Previous Version feature before, you should try to enable the previous versions of the encrypted files as explained below. This method might take some time as every file has to be recovered separately.
Use Shadow Explorer
Shadow Explorer is a tool that might perfectly work in recovering the files encrypted by njkwe ransomware using .666 extension. However, this option can work only if the ransomware does not run a command do delete the Shadow Volume Copies.
No official decryptor available.
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
.666 (njkwe RaaS) could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .paradise 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.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
Questions about .666 (njkwe RaaS) ransomware
How do I open .paradise files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .paradise ending shows that .666 (njkwe RaaS) encrypted the content, and only the matching key can reverse it. Renaming a file back to .docx or .jpg changes nothing except the icon, and it can confuse a future decryptor, so leave the names as they are.
To get the content back, use a backup, an unencrypted copy elsewhere, or a decryptor listed on No More Ransom if one exists for .666 (njkwe RaaS). Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
How did .666 (njkwe RaaS) get on my computer?
The way .666 (njkwe RaaS) 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 .paradise 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 .666 (njkwe RaaS) decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for .666 (njkwe RaaS) 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 ".666 (njkwe RaaS) 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.
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.
Did .666 (njkwe RaaS) steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by .666 (njkwe RaaS), but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .paradise 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 .666 (njkwe RaaS) 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 just remove .paradise from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .paradise extension is only a label; the file content has been scrambled with a key the attackers hold.
If a renamed copy opens normally, the malware only renamed files, which happens with some fake ransomware, and you can rename the rest back. If it does not open, leave the files as they are. Renaming encrypted files can confuse a decryptor later, so always work on copies.
Is Trojan:Win32/Ymacco.AAD1 a false positive?
Sometimes. Names ending in !ml or describing behaviour are generated by machine learning and occasionally flag cracked tools, game mods or small unsigned utilities. A false positive is likely only when the file is a program you installed from its official developer, it is signed by that developer and other scanners do not flag it.
Files from cracks, cheats, fake updates or unknown downloads are rarely false positives, whatever the detection name. If you are sure the file is genuine, you can report it to Microsoft as a false positive; never add an exclusion for Trojan:Win32/Ymacco.AAD1 just to make the alert stop.
Will Fortect remove .666 (njkwe RaaS)?
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 .666 (njkwe RaaS), 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
- VirusTotal: VgvdhF8ESVZDurYTgkA.exe analysis (read October 6, 2026)
- Ugetfix: Macro-less Microsoft Word spam attachments infect users with malware (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)