Adage ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Adage ransomware is one of the latest Phobos ransomware variants that appends the .adage extension to each locked file. The infection starts by modifying the Windows Registry and Task Manager settings.
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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Adage ransomware: summary
| Name | Adage ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Malware |
| Sub-type | Ransomware virus |
| Appendix | When files get encrypted by using a unique encryption cipher, their filenames end up with the .adage appendix added |
| Ransom note | The criminals provide all the information about ransom demands, encryption, and decryption in the info.hta and info.txt files which are placed on the computer's desktop and in each folder that hold encrypted data |
| Price | There are no particular ransom demands provided in the messages, except that the crooks urge for a Bitcoin cryptocurrency transfer. The ransom price can vary anywhere from $50 to $2000 |
| 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 15 more facts
| Crooks' email | The criminals include wewillhelpyou@qq.com email address into the ransom note as a way to make contact and allow the victims to send them 5 files for free decryption |
|---|---|
| File recovery | We do not recommend paying the demanded ransom price as you can easily get scammed. Instead, go to the end of this article and try the data recovery solutions that are provided there |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | wewillhelpyou@qq.com, veritablebee@protonmail.ch, viadolorosa@tuta.io |
| Encrypted file extension | .adage |
| 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 and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .adage |
| Attacker contacts | wewillhelpyou@qq.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 19 December 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.adage - Note file:
info.hta - Contact:
wewillhelpyou@qq.com
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Adage ransomware
- You should eliminate the ransomware virus as soon as you see it on your Windows computer system.
- For this purpose, use strong antimalware software as manual elimination is not a good possibility for this case
- If you have found some compromised system objects, you can try repairing them with software such as
How Adage ransomware behaves
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Adage ransomware - a Phobos malware variant that can encrypt some files stored in the backup
Adage ransomware is one of the latest Phobos ransomware variants that appends the .adage extension to each locked file.
The infection starts by modifying the Windows Registry and Task Manager settings. The malware ensures that it is able to launch within every computer boot process and starts the encryption process by using a unique cipher.
When all files and documents are locked, Adage virus provides a ransom-demanding message via info.hta and info.txt formats, places these notes on the desktop and a copy of each to every folder that includes encrypted data. The criminals urge for a Bitcoin payment and making contact via wewillhelpyou@qq.com email address. Additionally, they recommend sending five small files for free decryption if evidence of the existing decryption tool is wanted.
A victim has reported that Adage ransomware has attempted to lock all of his files not only on the computer system but some data components stored in the backup also got corrupted. It seems that this malware string has a more advanced operating module and can affect data from various locations.
The criminals who spread Adage ransomware do not provide any particular ransom demands except that the price should be paid in Bitcoin cryptocurrency. In reality, the price can vary anywhere from $50 to $2000. The hackers also threaten people not to use third-party decryption software as it might result in permanent loss of the files:
We do not recommend paying the criminals and believing in Adage ransomware promises as there is a big risk of getting scammed by these people. You might be asked to pay an inadequate amount of money and receive no decryption tool at all.
Continuously, Adage ransomware might have a much more complex module than it looks for us from the first view. The malware might eliminate the Windows hosts file to prevent the victim from accessing security-related websites and forums. Additionally, the virus might be able to delete Shadow Copies of encrypted data by executing specific PowerShell commands.
Furthermore, Adage ransomware might want to ensure its automatical boot process by using the Windows Registry and injecting specific entries into this section. In addition, the malware can try to avoid antimalware detection and not be able to detect by some particular AV engines. However, according to VirusTotal, this ransomware virus has already been spotted by 58 antivirus programs.
Adage ransomware can also be the source of other malicious infections and come to your system together with another type of parasite, for example, a Trojan horse. This way your computer system and its components might experience even more damage. However, this is how cyber threats work, they make your system vulnerable and allow other infections to manipulate it.
The only way to avoid all these dangerous activities is to remove Adage ransomware from your computer permanently. You can complete the elimination with the help of a reliable antimalware program. However, we do not recommend trying to get rid of the malware on your own as this process might be too hard for a user to carry out on his own.
After Adage ransomware removal, you should check the system for possible corruption. The malware and its additional components might have managed to compromise some of your computer's parts or software.
When Adage ransomware is gone and the damage is fixed, you can start thinking about possible ways to decrypt your data. Once again, we do not recommend contacting the criminals and paying them as you might get easily scammed. Instead, go to the end of this article and check out the data recovery methods that have been provided by our specialists.
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Ransomware distribution involves phishing techniques
According to cybersecurity specialists from LosVirus.es, ransomware viruses have multiple distribution sources, however, one of the most popular appears to be email spam.
Criminals pretend to be from legitimate and well-known shipping organizations, healthcare firms, banking companies, etc.
They attach the infected payload as an executable, word document, or another type of file and encourage the victims to open it. Our suggestion would be to always check the sender so that the message would not be sent from some rogue address, always look grammar mistakes in the message's context and avoid opening attachments without performing a malware scan.
Continuously, ransomware infections can get distributed via vulnerable RDP configuration. Ports such as the TCP port 3389 lack required protection or include none. This way the hackers can remotely connect to the computer and break through. Make sure that you always think about complex and strong passwords.
In addition, ransomware viruses are known for their ability to infect the targeted computer system by malvertising, malicious hyperlinks, fake software updates, exploit kits, outdated software, etc. Always be careful while browsing online, do not step on unknown content, get all of your programs from well-known sources, keep them regularly updated. Besides, make sure that your computer is protected with a reliable antimalware program that also is kept up-to-date.
The Adage 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 veritablebee@protonmail.ch
Write this ID in the title of your message 1E857D00-2321
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to this e-mail:viadolorosa@tuta.io
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 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 4Mb (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 Adage 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 Adage 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
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so Adage ransomware 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 confirm the family
Your files now end in
.adageand the instructions are ininfo.hta. Save both to a USB stick, a copy of the note and two small encrypted files, before anything else.On another device, check them with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff: the family name decides which decryptor, if any, can help. Keep the note's ID and contact line for your report.
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 Adage ransomware, 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 Adage ransomware 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 Adage ransomware 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 Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Adage ransomware removal techniques
Adage ransomware removal is based on automatical technique.
This includes downloading reliable antimalware software and eliminating the malware with the tool. This type of software is capable of dealing with the entire process safely and effectively. We do not recommend completing the elimination process by yourself as it might bring more damage than positive effects. Also, you can accidentally miss some malicious content and leave it hanging.
Once you remove Adage ransomware, you should try scanning your computer system and searching for compromised and damaged objects. Tools such as and should help you to succeed in this type of process. If these programs announce some corruption discovered, you can continue fixing the damage by trying software such as .
When Adage ransomware is gone and all of the damage has been fixed, you can try recovering your encrypted files by using some of our below-provided data restoring techniques. Once again, we want to remind all users that there is a high risk of getting scammed if you decide to pay the ransom price to the cybercriminals.
[GI=method-1]Disable all malicious processes on your Windows computer by activating the Safe Mode with Networking feature. To complete this task, use these below-provided guidelines:
[GI=method-2]Stop all malware-laden activities on your machine by opting for System Restore. Use this feature exactly as described in the following instructions:
This piece of software can help you with data recovery purposes if you use it exactly as explained in the instructions.
Try using Windows Previous Versions feature for data recovery.
You can try using this method for restoring some data. However, make sure that you have enabled the System Restore feature in the past.
If the ransomware virus did not eliminate or permanently destroy the Shadow Volume Copies of encrypted data, you can give this method a try.
Currently, cybersecurity experts are working on the Adage ransomware decryptor.
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
Adage ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .adage 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.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
Questions about Adage ransomware
Should I pay the ransom in info.hta?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from info.hta 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.
How do I open .adage files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .adage ending shows that Adage 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 Adage ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Adage ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Adage ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .adage 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 there a free Adage ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Adage 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 "Adage 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.
How did Adage ransomware get on my computer?
The way Adage 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 .adage 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 Adage 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 just remove .adage from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .adage 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.
Can I delete info.hta?
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. info.hta 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.
Will Fortect remove Adage 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 Adage 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
- Reddit: .adage (read October 6, 2026)
- Virus Total: 58 engines detected this file (read October 6, 2026)
- LosVirus: LosVirus.es (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)