Adlg ransomware: what it is and how to remove it

Adlg file virus is the ransomware-type intruder that triggers issues with the machine when it is running in the background. This virus uses powerful army-grade algorithms for encryption and then demands money, claiming that people can get their data restored if the payment gets transferred.

Facts checked October 7, 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.

Automatic

Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.

Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.

A free scan checks for the encryptor still on the PC; it does not decrypt .adlg files.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.

Do it yourself · free Remove Adlg ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.

Start the steps
Screenshot of Adlg ransomware: virus
Adlg ransomware as our 2022 report showed it.

Adlg ransomware: summary

NameAdlg ransomware
TypeFile-locker, cryptovirus
File marker.adlg
FamilyDjvu ransomware
Ransom note_readme.txt; the text is quoted in full below
Ransom amount$490/$980
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 13 more facts
Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
Contactsupport@bestyourmail.ch, datarestorehelp@airmail.cc
Encrypted file extension.adlg
DecryptorNo free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates
DistributionNot recorded in the old report
DamageNot recorded in the old report
SymptomsFiles renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders
Evidence4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet
Encrypted files.adlg
Attacker contactssupport@bestyourmail.ch
Free decryptorNo free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026)
First seen3 October 2022
Facts checked7 October 2026
  • File extension: .adlg
  • Note file: _readme.txt
  • Contact: support@bestyourmail.ch

From our report of Oct 2022 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Adlg ransomware

  • Threats can be removed with antivirus tools or security applications
  • Make sure to clear any threats and repair corrupted files using

How Adlg ransomware behaves

From our report of Oct 2022 · not reviewed since

Adlg ransomware is one of the many undecryptable versions in the same virus family

Adlg file virus is the ransomware-type intruder that triggers issues with the machine when it is running in the background.

This virus uses powerful army-grade algorithms for encryption and then demands money, claiming that people can get their data restored if the payment gets transferred. These claims can be scary enough, so people fall for these tricks and communicate with criminals.

Contacting criminals that provide these threats and operate money demands is dangerous. Adlg ransomware virus developers can trigger issues with the machine and cause various issues besides the file locking and marketing data using .adlg appendix. The infection is damaging and considered one of the most dangerous threats.

Adlg ransomware is convincing people to pay via ransom note _readme.txt that is placed on the desktop and in other folders containing particular encoded files. The listed option is not proper, so the infection should be removed from the computer and all the messages from criminals ignored.

Screenshot of Adlg ransomware: virus
Adlg ransomware in our 2022 report.

From our report of Oct 2022 · not reviewed since

Ransom demands and scaring tactics

Adlg file virus creators demand $490 in the first 72 hours, and this is the discount these criminals offer to keep users more invested in this communication.

People might think that this is the only and the best option, but there are no reasons to keep contacting people behind the infection.

Warning: Trusting these people might result in other issues, malware infections or double-extortion when victims do not pay right away.

These criminals behind Adlg ransomware virus only care about the money, so experts never recommend contacting people like this.

The _readme.txt is the file that lists the payment and contacting criminals via emails support@bestyourmail.ch and datarestorehelp@airmail.cc as the only option for getting files back. However, there are no guarantees that criminals can or will recover files once the sum of $980 or less gets transferred to their wallet. ignore anything that comes from criminals behind the Adlg ransomware.

The ransom note reads:

The Adlg ransomware note

Text of _readme.txt

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.

The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.

This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees you have?

You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.

But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

hxxps://we.tl/t-4Xcf4IX21n

Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.

Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.

Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.

Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:

support@bestyourmail.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

How to remove Adlg 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 Adlg 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.

  1. 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 Adlg 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 quick settings with Wi-Fi turned off
    Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  2. Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family

    Your files now end in .adlg and the instructions are in _readme.txt. 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.

    A ransom note text file next to encrypted files in File Explorer
    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

  3. Step 3: Check for a free decryptor

    Our last check found that for Adlg ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 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

  4. Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt

    Removing Adlg 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 Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

  5. 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 shadows in 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.

    Command Prompt running vssadmin list shadows
    Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  6. 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 Adlg 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.

Restore Windows "hosts" file to its original state

Some ransomware might modify Windows hosts file in order to prevent users from accessing certain websites online. For example, Djvu ransomware variants add dozens of entries containing URLs of security-related websites, such as 2-spyware.com. Each of the entries means that users will not be able to access the listed web addresses and will receive an error instead.

Here's an example of "hosts" file entries that were injected by ransomware:

Hosts file

In order to restore your ability to access all websites without restrictions, you should either delete the file (Windows will automatically recreate it) or remove all the malware-created entries. If you have never touched the "hosts" file before, you should simply delete it by marking it and pressing Shift + Del on your keyboard. For that, navigate to the following location:

C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\

Delete Windows "hosts" file

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

  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. 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.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.Windows 7/XP

Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot.Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options.Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings.Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.Enable safe mode

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:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

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:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. 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).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following: Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files
  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. 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.

Important steps to take before you begin malware removal

File encryption is one component of a ransomware infection, which may also include credential theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement. However, it is important to understand that malware may perform various changes within a Windows operating system, including persistence, scheduled tasks, registry modifications, and security feature tampering.

IMPORTANT for those without backups! →
If you attempt to use security or recovery software immediately, you might permanently damage your files, and even a working decryptor then would not be able to save them.

Before you proceed with the removal instructions below, you should copy the encrypted files onto a separate medium, such as USB flash drive or SSD, and then disconnect them from your computer. The storage device should remain disconnected after copying to prevent accidental modification or deletion. Encrypted data itself does not contain active malicious code, but only the encrypted files—not executables or scripts—should be transferred.

The instructions below might initially seem overwhelming and complicated, but they are not difficult to understand as long as you follow each step in the appropriate order. This comprehensive free guide will help you to handle the malware removal and data recovery process correctly.

If you have any questions, comments, or are having troubles with following the instructions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the Ask Us section.

IMPORTANT! →
It is vital to eliminate malware infection from the computer fully before starting the data recovery process, otherwise ransomware might re-encrypt retrieved files from backups repeatedly.

Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
Report the incident to your local authorities

Ransomware is a lucrative, highly illegal business, and authorities are actively targeting ransomware operators. The level of investigation and follow-up depends on the country, the scale of the incident, and whether the attack is linked to known ransomware groups. To increase the likelihood of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. In many cases, reports are used primarily for intelligence gathering, trend analysis, and victim support rather than immediate identification of attackers.

Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help stop the cybercriminal activities and catch the threat actors. Reporting does not guarantee investigation or recovery of data, but it contributes to broader efforts to track ransomware campaigns. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Relevant details may also include affected systems, ransom demands, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and any communication with the attackers. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, encrypted files, or malware executables would be beneficial.

Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:

  • USA - Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
  • United Kingdom - ActionFraud
  • Canada - Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
  • Australia - ScamWatch
  • New Zealand - ConsumerProtection
  • Germany - Polizei
  • France - Ministère de l'Intérieur

Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3

If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.

Use Emsisoft decrytor for Djvu/STOP

If your computer got infected with one of the Djvu variants, you should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to mention that this tool will not work for everyone - it only works if data was locked with an offline ID due to malware failing to communicate with its remote servers.

Even if your case meets this condition, somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately. Thus, if the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. You also need to upload a set of files - one encrypted and a healthy one to the company's servers before you proceed.

  • Download the app from the official Emsisoft website.
  • After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up - click it.
  • If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
  • Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.

  • After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
  • The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
  • Press Decrypt.

From here, there are three available outcomes:

  1. "Decrypted!" will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully - they are now usable again.
  2. "Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID:" means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
  3. "This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible" - you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.

From our report of Oct 2022 · not reviewed since

Removing the virus

Adlg file virus is one of the most dangerous threats, and these antivirus programs that detect malware and other cyber threats can be used for proper system cleaning.

Tools like anti-malware apps or security programs can be launched to check the machine fully, so the damaged machine can be used again and the virus is terminated fully.

Get rid of the virus as soon as possible to eliminate the virus and avoid permanent damage. An infection like this Adlg ransomware virus can inject other programs and cause issues with the system when the persistence of the ransomware is affected, and other processes needed for virus termination and file recovery get disabled.

You need to properly run the anti-malware tool like or and clear the infection from your machine. These programs can run thorough checks on the machine and find all potentially dangerous files and all the threats on the machine that affect the persistence of the main Adlg ransomware. This is not the same as a decryption threat or file recovery, but this is the most important step.

Screenshot of Adlg ransomware: screenshot
Adlg ransomware in our 2022 report.

From our report of Oct 2022 · not reviewed since

System file repair

Once a computer is infected with malware, its system is changed to operate differently.

For example, an infection can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is. Consequently, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required.

Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.

  • Download the application by clicking on the link above
  • Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  • If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
  • Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
  • The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
  • Once complete, check the results - they will be listed in the Summary
  • You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
Adlg ransomware: 1 1
Adlg ransomware in our 2022 report.
Adlg ransomware: 2 2
Adlg ransomware in our 2022 report.

From our report of Oct 2022 · not reviewed since

Recovering data after the infection

Adlg file virus is coming from the Djvu ransomware family that releases new versions weekly, and those pieces are all not decryptable.

You need to take that into consideration and trust the alternate methods, research, and malware fighters instead of the criminals and decryption tools.

Threats like this malware can damage files significantly, and it is a problem with all these infections that fall under the file-locker category. It is crucial to remove the virus if you want to use the machine properly after the removal of the infection. The threat is serious, and there are no easy ways to recover files after the threat is removed.

Adlg ransomware virus cannot be decrypted because there are no tools for that and no applications that could be used and trusted for this. The virus also relies on online IDs and other advanced methods, so the encryption that this threat uses is more advanced than other ransomware found on the web.

While this might sound terrible, not all is lost - data recovery software might be able to help you in some situations (it highly depends on the encryption algorithm used, whether ransomware managed to complete the programmed tasks, etc.). Since there are thousands of different ransomware strains, it is immediately impossible to tell whether third-party software will work for you.

Therefore, we suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:

Install data recovery software

  • Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it - use a USB flash drive or another storage.
  • Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.
  • Download .
  • Double-click the installer to launch it.
  • Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
  • As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
  • Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
  • Press Next.
  • At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
  • Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
  • You can now pick which folders/files to recover - don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
  • Press Recover to retrieve your files.
Screenshot of Adlg ransomware: stellar1
Adlg ransomware in our 2022 report.
Screenshot of Adlg ransomware: stellar2
Adlg ransomware in our 2022 report.

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

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

Adlg ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .adlg 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 Adlg ransomware

Is there a decryptor for .adlg files?

That depends on the family behind the .adlg 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 _readme.txt?

Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from _readme.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.

How do I open .adlg files?

You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .adlg ending shows that Adlg 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 Adlg ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.

How did Adlg ransomware get on my computer?

The way Adlg 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 .adlg 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.

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 Adlg ransomware steal my files or passwords?

We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Adlg ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .adlg 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 Adlg 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.

Should I open _readme.txt?

Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text _readme.txt cannot harm the PC. Be careful with notes in HTA or HTML format: double-clicking those runs them in a window that can contain scripts, so right-click and choose Open with > Notepad instead.

The note tells you the contact addresses, the claimed amount and the deadline. Do not visit links or write to the addresses from this PC. Use the note to identify the family and check for a free decryptor first.

Will .adlg spread to my other drives?

It can. Ransomware encrypts every drive and network share it can reach while it runs, so external disks, USB sticks and shared folders connected during the attack may also have files ending in .adlg. Disconnect everything now, then check each device from a clean computer.

Do not plug a backup drive into the infected PC until the ransomware has been removed with an offline scan. Cloud folders such as OneDrive sync the encrypted versions, but they keep earlier versions you can usually restore.

Will Fortect remove Adlg 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 Adlg 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

  1. Cisco: Malware (read October 7, 2026)
  2. Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 7, 2026)
  3. VirusTotal: Virus sample detection (read October 7, 2026)
  4. CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
  5. No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)

More removal guides

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