ACTOR ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
ACTOR ransomware is a files virus that was first spotted in May 2019, although numerous variants were released after that, each of which is providing different contact addresses. The virus belongs to the family of Phobos ransomware, and usually is injected manually after a successful RDP attack.
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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ACTOR ransomware: summary
| Name | ACTOR ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Cryptovirus, file locking malware |
| Family | Phobos |
| Main targets | Malware primary targets public entities and companies by utilizing poorly protected RDP connections |
| File extension | Each of the non-system and non-executable files receive .actor appendix. However, Phobos is known to use more complicated file name modifications, which consist of an ID and a contact email |
| Ransom note | Two ransom notes are placed on the desktop and each of the infected files folders: info.txt and Info.hta |
| 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 16 more facts
| Contact | There has been multiple Actor virus variants released, and they provide the following contact emails: returnmefiles@aol.com William_Kidd_2019@protonmail.com zoye1596@msgden.net zoye596@protonmail.com |
|---|---|
| File decryption | There is no decryption tool available, so the only safe way to retrieve data is via backups. However, it is worth trying using third-party recovery software if there is are no backups available. Paying criminals is risky, as there is no guarantee that they will send a working ACTOR ransomware decryptor |
| Malware removal | Employ reputable anti-malware software to get rid of ransomware. Accessing Safe Mode with Networking can be useful as well, as malware might be programmed to hinder its removal |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .actor |
| 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 |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension, a ransom note left in folders and a Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .actor |
| Attacker contacts | Zoye1596@msgden.net |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 20 December 2019 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:Win32/Tiggre!rfn |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What antivirus programs call ACTOR ransomware
Microsoft Defender reports ACTOR ransomware as Trojan:Win32/Tiggre!rfn.
In a Defender name, the part before the colon is the category, the part after it is the platform, and the part after the slash is the family Microsoft assigned. A suffix after ! is an internal Microsoft marker, not a different threat.
Generic labels such as Agent, GenericKD or Malware.AI only say that a file looks malicious, not what it does; our guide to antivirus detection names shows how to read them.
- File extension:
.actor - Note file:
info.txt - Contact:
Zoye1596@msgden.net
How ACTOR ransomware behaves
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
ACTOR ransomware is malware that belongs to Phobos cryptovirus family
ACTOR ransomware is a files virus that was first spotted in May 2019, although numerous variants were released after that, each of which is providing different contact addresses.
The virus belongs to the family of Phobos ransomware, and usually is injected manually after a successful RDP attack. Upon infiltration, ACTOR ransomware scans the machine for encryptable files, such as pictures, music, videos, documents, etc., and locks them with a secure AES encryption algorithm.
From that point, none of the data on the local and networked drives are accessible. Likewise, each of the files receives a marker - .actor, although there is also the victim's ID and the associated email added after the original name of the file.
For example, a locked file would look as follows: picture.jpg.[6R741B00-2224].[Zoye1596@msgden.net].actor. Typically, the virus also drops two ransom notes - a brief one info.txt and Info.hta, which explains to victims how to proceed next in order to retrieve the ACTOR ransomware decryption tool.
As it is typical with Phobos variants, ACTOR virus does not provide ransom amount, and users are urged to contact hackers via email to negotiate the payment in Bitcoin. However, contacting cybercriminals is not recommended, as there is a chance of being scammed.
Since ACTOR ransomware is a variant of Phobos, it is very likely that its main targets are public companies that are accessed via poorly protected or unprotected Remote Desktop ports. Once hackers break-in, they can install malware manually, as well as perform other actions as required (for example, they can disable security solutions altogether).
Many ransomware viruses might self delete after encryption is performed. However, there is no guarantee for that, so it is important to check the computer with anti-malware software.
Note that ACTOR ransomware might be spread with the help of a backdoor, which might be able to perform other malicious functions, such as keystroke logging. Thus, make sure you pick a reliable anti-malware software to remove ACTOR ransomware promptly. Currently, multiple AVs recognize the virus as follows:
Once the system is infected, the Actor virus attempts to delete Shadow Volume Copies and disable System restore features. Additionally, the malware also modifies the Windows registry to increase its persistence. As a result, restoring encrypted data becomes much more complicated.
Data encryption process renders all personal files useless, and victims are presented with a ransom note which explains:
We suggest you do not agree to fulfill hackers' demands and instead try alternative data redemption methods. While Phobos ransomware family is still not decryptable, there is a possibility that security researchers might discover vulnerabilities within the code and release a free ACTOR ransomware decryptor in the future.
Note that, before you perform ACTOR ransomware removal, you should first backup all your encrypted data, as the process might damage it beyond repair. Then access Safe Mode with Networking and scan your machine with anti-malware software. Finally, to remediate the Windows system, we suggest using .
- Trojan.Ransom.Phobos.E
- Win/malicious_confidence_80% (W)
- Trojan:Win32/Tiggre!rfn
- A Variant Of Win32/Injector.EGEN
- Artemis!C622680D31E3
- HEUR:Trojan-PSW.Win32.Agent.gen, etc.
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Protect yourself from getting infected with ransomware
Malware developers are sophisticated individuals who chose to use their intelligence for malicious deeds.
For that reason, they always seek ways to improve the malware and infect as many victims as possible to have a chance at a bigger payout from the victims. In most of the cases, hackers use several ransomware distribution methods, although some groups choose to stick to one or two.
Currently, ransomware that targets organizations is mostly being imported via targeted phishing emails or RDP attacks. Because threat actors can ask companies for larger ransom sums, they are willing to put in the effort to dig up the required credentials or contact as well as the names of the employees.
Regardless of what malware developers choose as their primary malware distribution method, companies (as well as regular computer users) can repel malware attacks by following these simple security tips from industry experts:
- Implement and comprehensive security software with real-time protection feature;
- Always install the latest Windows and other software updates as soon as they are out;
- Protect the Remote Desktop services wit ha strong password and never use default TCP/UDP port 3389;
- Prepare and maintain data backups;
- Do not open spam email attachments that ask you to enable macro feature;
- Watch out for hyperlinks inside suspicious emails;
- Never download pirated software or keygens/cracks/loaders, etc.;
- use strong passwords for all your accounts.
The ACTOR ransomware note
All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail zoye1596@msgden.net
Write this ID in the title of your message
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to this e-mail:zoye596@protonmail.com
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 10Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
How to remove ACTOR 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 ACTOR 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
ACTOR 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
info.txtand one or two files ending in.actorto 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 ACTOR 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 ACTOR 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 Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Get rid of ACTOR ransomware
You should not rush ACTOR ransomware removal, as it might permanently damage all your files located on the local and networked drives.
Thus, before you do anything, you should first copy all the encrypted data to the external HDD, USB stick, or a remote cloud server. Once that is done, you should then perform a full system scan with anti-malware software, such as or .
If that does not work, it might be that the ransomware is tampering with the anti-malware program. In such a case, access Safe Mode with Networking and perform a full scan from there.
Once you remove ACTOR ransomware, you can then attempt to recover your data. As we explained before, without paying hackers, chances of restoring encrypted files are relatively low. However, it does not mean you should pay criminals, as you might end up losing not only your files but also your money. Instead, you could try our methods provided below.
[GI=method-1]Access Safe Mode with networking if your anti-malware software is not working properly due to the ransomware infection:
[GI=method-2]System Restore can also be used in order to delete the malicious files from the system:
Windows Previous Versions feature might work
This method will only work if you had System Restore feature enabled.
Make use of ShadowExplorer
ShadowExplorer might recover all your files encrypted by ACTOR ransomware, as long as Shadow Volume Copies were not deleted during the infection process.
No decryption tool is currently 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
ACTOR ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .actor 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 ACTOR ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .actor files?
That depends on the family behind the .actor extension, which this guide cannot confirm yet from the reports alone. Check No More Ransom and ID Ransomware with your ransom note and one encrypted file; they list families with free tools.
If none exists today, keep the encrypted files and a copy of the note on a separate drive, because decryptors are sometimes published months later after flaws are found or servers are seized. Never buy a decryptor from a website that is not the security company that made it.
Should I pay the ransom in info.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from info.txt and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
Did ACTOR ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by ACTOR ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .actor 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.
How did ACTOR ransomware get on my computer?
The way ACTOR 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 .actor 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.
How do I open .actor files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .actor ending shows that ACTOR ransomware 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 ACTOR ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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.
Is ACTOR 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.
What does info.txt tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name info.txt, the wording, the contact addresses and the format of the personal ID are typical for each family. Uploading the note together with one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff usually names the family within seconds.
That name decides your options: some families have free decryptors, some can be partially recovered, and some cannot be decrypted at all. The note's claims about stolen data should be taken seriously but not at face value.
What does the name Trojan:Win32/Tiggre!rfn tell me?
Microsoft builds names in a fixed order:
- category
- then platform
- then family
- sometimes followed by a variant letter
- a suffix
The category is the most useful part for you. Trojan, Backdoor and PWS mean real malware that can download more, give remote access or steal passwords. PUA means unwanted software.
Ransom means ransomware. Suffixes such as !ml or !MTB mean the detection came from machine learning or behaviour analysis. Search for the family part of Trojan:Win32/Tiggre!rfn together with the word Microsoft to find its entry in Microsoft's security encyclopedia.
Will Fortect remove ACTOR 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 ACTOR 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
- Emsisoft: Ransomware statistics for 2019: Q2 to Q3 report (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Advanced Encryption Standard (read October 6, 2026)
- Virus Total: bd9eb64eca2cbf7c481e3272dcce27639aff6c04252779d68bfdf8c9b4074eb7 (read October 6, 2026)
- Lesvirus: Lesvirus (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)