Afrodita ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Afrodita ransomware is a notorious parasite that is spread via phishing emails and attached excel sheets. The malware uses AES-256 and RSA-2048 keys to lock up files but adds no extension to the filenames.
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.
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Afrodita ransomware: summary
| Name | Afrodita ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware virus/malware |
| Encryption | The ransomware virus uses the AES-256 and RSA-2048 algorithms to lock up files that are placed on the infected Windows computer system. However, this malware adds no extension after the encryption process |
| Ransom note | _README_RECOVERY.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
| Contacts | The criminals provide afroditeam@tutanota.com and afroditasupport@mail2tor.com email addresses as a way to contact them and discuss the payment terms and conditions |
| Related files | Afrodita virus is capable of delivering these random files to the computer system: verynice.jpg that is saved as Afrodita.dll and info.jpg |
| 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
| Other activities | The ransomware might have other capabilities such as booting up within every startup process, evading antimalware detection, deleting the Shadow Volume Copies of encrypted data, damaging the Windows hosts file, including other malware into the system |
|---|---|
| Spreading | It is known that this malicious string is most commonly delivered through email spam campaigns and malicious attachments such as Invoice.xlsm. However, the malware can also be spread through cracked products that come from p2p networks, malvertising, infectious hyperlinks, fake software updates, and unsecured RDP configuration |
| Removal process | You should get rid of the ransomware virus as soon as you spot it on your Windows computer system. For this process, employ reliable security software only as manual steps might not be enough to terminate the malware fully and safely |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| 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 | A ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Attacker contacts | afroditeam@tutanota.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 10 January 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- Note file:
_README_RECOVERY.txt - Contact:
afroditeam@tutanota.com
From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Afrodita ransomware
- The malware displays the _README_RECOVERY.txt and _README_ENCRYPTED_AFRODITA_.txt ransom messages when the encryption on files succeeds
- If you have discovered any signs that your system might have got compromised during the ransomware attack, try repairing your machine with a piece of software such as
How Afrodita ransomware behaves
From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
Afrodita ransomware - a new malware string that targets businesses in Croatia
Afrodita ransomware is a notorious parasite that is spread via phishing emails and attached excel sheets.
The malware uses AES-256 and RSA-2048 keys to lock up files but adds no extension to the filenames. Continuously, the _README_RECOVERY.txt and __README__ENCRYPTED__AFRODITA__.txt. ransom notes are delivered to the computer screen.
One of them provides the afroditeam@tutanota.com and afroditasupport@mail2tor.com email addresses for making contact with the Afrodita ransomware developers and discussing all the terms about the decryption price when the other one provides a contact link to the Tor web browser. These people offer to send them one file for free decryption to receive evidence that the software truly exists.
Afrodita ransomware plays tricks on random users by getting delivered as the Invoice.xlsm file attached to a phishing email message. It might not seem strange at first but once opened, the attachment places the verynice.jpg file on the computer which is saved as Afrodita.dll.
This particular component is the one that executes the malicious infection. Continuously, another file named info.jpg is dropped to the machine and is supposed to change the desktop's background after the encryption process succeeds.
Afrodita virus is a notorious infection that can hit any type of user nevermind if the person has high computing skills or weak ones. In order not to get caught by the cybercriminals, you have to manage your received email wisely. If you do not do that, all of your files and documents that are on your infected Windows computer will get encrypted.
It might be hard to spot Afrodita ransomware at first as it does not append any extension to the locked files. However, you can recognize the malware if it changes your background image or displays you this ransom note:
Afrodita ransomware offers to deliver the crooks one file for free encryption to receive proof of the decryption software's existence. These people state that they are the only ones that can recover the blocked data within 30 minutes after the ransom payment. Even though the cybercriminals claim that they are not lying, you can never now.
Victims who fall for believing in the promises of cyber crooks often get scammed and are left without their promised product. The same can happen with Afrodita ransomware developers as these people are orientated only in collecting income. thus, you should avoid making contact with the developers and paying the demanded amount.
Afrodita ransomware does not provide any particular payment demands but the malware creators can ask for any type of price from tens of dollars to thousands of them. However, the criminals will likely urge some type of cryptocurrency payment, e.g. Bitcoin, to ensure that the transfer process is kept safe and untrackable by federal agencies.
Afrodita ransomware might have a much complex module than it can be thought from the first view. The malware might be able to deactivate antimalware software, boot itself within every startup process, and search for encryptable files and documents in particular time periods, e.g. ten, thirty minutes, one hour, and so on.
Continuously, the malware can be capable of deleting the Shadow Volume Copies of encrypted data in order to hard the decryption process for the users. Another thing that Afrodita ransomware can do is permanently damage the Windows hosts file to prevent access to cybersecurity-related websites, forums, and networks.
Besides all that the ransomware might install other types of malware into the infected computer system, e.g. trojans. For this not to happen, you should remove Afrodita ransomware as soon as you recognize the infection. You should use only reliable automatical software that is capable of eliminating such complex cyber threats.
Even though the ransomware is likely to be eliminated automatically after the files are encrypted, there is no guarantee that this will happen, so you still might have to deal with the Afrodita ransomware removal process. Also, if you find any corrupted areas on your Windows computer system, you can try repairing the damage with software such as .
From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
Email spam is the most common ransomware distribution source
Phishing email messages are often dropped to random users by ransomware developers.
This is the most popular technique that is employed for pushing the malicious payload. The hackers pretend to be from reliable organizations, companies, and agencies. They attach executables, pdfs, or word documents to the email message where the ransomware infection is hidden. Also, they can include the malware into a hyperlink and insert it into the content of the email.
If you want to protect yourself from ransomware attacks, you should be careful while opening unknown emails. If you were not expecting to receive anything important lately, you should consider deleting the message right away. Also, you should never open questionable-looking attachments without scanning them with antimalware software, try to identify the deliverer of the message and search the email's content for possible grammar mistakes.
Continuously, ransomware viruses are delivered through unsecured RDP. According to cybersecurity specialists from NoVirus.uk, if the port does not include a strong and reliable password, remote hackers can easily connect to it and brutally enter your computer system. Regarding this fact, never forget to secure your RDP with a strong password. However, there are also more techniques used for ransomware delivery.
These cyberthreats can camouflage as fake software updates, get distributed through malvertising or infectious hyperlinks that are found on third-party networks. Also, peer-to-peer sources are widely distributing various malware strings, including ransomware.
The Pirate Bay and other secondary downloading websites are known for their weak protection and ability to carry malware instead of the regular product. Avoid these types of sources, get your programs and products from reliable sources only and use antimalware protection that will alert if something wrong is going on.
The Afrodita ransomware note
~~~Greetings~~~
[+] What has happened? [+]
Your files are encrypted, and currently unavailable. You are free to check. Every file is recoverable by following our instructions below.
Encryption algorithms used: AES256(CBC) + RSA2048 (military/government grade).
[+] Guarantees? [+]
This is our daily job. We are not here to lie to you - as you are 1 of 10000's. Our only interest is in us getting payed and you getting your files back.
If we were not able to decrypt the data, other people in same situation as you wouldn't trust us and that would be bad for our buissness -- So it's not in our interest.
To prove our ability to decrypt your data you have 1 file free decryption.
If you don't want to pay the fee for bringing files back that's okey, but remeber that you will lose a lot of time - and time is money.
Don't waste your time and money trying to recover files using some file recovery "experts", we have your private key - only we can get the files back.
With our service you can go back to original state in less then 30 minutes.
[+] Service [+]
If you decided to use our service please follow instructions below.
Contact us:
Install Telegram(available for Windows,Android,ios) and contact us on chat: Telegram contact: https://t.me/RecoverySupport
Also available at email afroditateam@tutanota.com cc: afroditasupport@mail2tor.com
Make sure you are talking with us and not impostor by requiring by requiring free 1 file decryption to make sure we CAN decrypt!!
How to remove Afrodita 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 Afrodita 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 Afrodita 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 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 Afrodita 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
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing Afrodita 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 Afrodita 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 Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
The Afrodita ransomware virus elimination guide
Even though Afrodita ransomware should eliminate itself after the encryption process, this might also not happen or the malware might leave additional malicious components on the computer system that also require cleaning.
To remove Afrodita ransomware from your Windows machine, employ reliable and strong antimalware software only, otherwise, the tool might not be capable of proceeding with the elimination. Note that the malware might have filled the Task Manager, Windows Registry and other sections with malicious products that also need to be deleted.
If you are having struggles with Afrodita ransomware removal, you should reboot your machine in Safe Mode with Networking or activate the System Restore feature in order to disable the malicious processes that the ransomware might be running. If these tools find any corrupted areas, you can try repairing them with another program such as .
When Afrodita ransomware is completely gone and you have returned your computer back to its previous state, you can continue with data recovery. Below we have provided some data restoring methods that might help you.
[GI=method-1]To deactivate the ransomware virus and diminish malicious changes on your Windows computer system, apply the following steps that will help you to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
[GI=method-2]To disable the dangerous infection and prevent its malicious processes from continuing, you should activate the System Restore feature on your computer system. Here are instructions on how to do it.
If Afrodita ransomware virus has locked your files and documents, you have a chance of restoring them with the help of this software.
Windows Previous Versions feature might be capable of recovering some files.
Try using this tool for recovering at least some of your documents that were affected by the ransomware virus. However, this method requires booting the computer in System Restore before completing the recovery with this tool
Using Shadow Explorer might help you with data recovery.
This tool might allow you to restore at least some of your individual files. However, note that this method might not work if the ransomware virus has deleted the Shadow Copies of encrypted data.
Currently, the cybersecurity specialists are working on the decryption key's development.
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.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows ransom notes called _README_RECOVERY.txt in every folder; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on 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 Afrodita ransomware
Is there a free Afrodita ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Afrodita 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 "Afrodita 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.
Did Afrodita ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Afrodita ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is ransom notes called _README_RECOVERY.txt in every folder, 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.
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.
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 Afrodita ransomware get on my computer?
The way Afrodita 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 ransom notes called _README_RECOVERY.txt in every folder, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is Afrodita 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_RECOVERY.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text _README_RECOVERY.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.
Can I get my files back without paying after _README_RECOVERY.txt appeared?
Sometimes. Free decryptors exist for a number of families, especially older ones or those with flaws in their encryption. Other routes are copies the ransomware missed:
- OneDrive version history
- File History
- a backup drive that was disconnected
- email attachments
- phone photos
Shadow copies are often deleted, but it is worth checking. Identify the family from _README_RECOVERY.txt first, because that tells you which of these routes is realistic. Keep encrypted files even if nothing works now; decryptors are sometimes released months later.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by Afrodita?
You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that Afrodita adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.
No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.
Will Fortect remove Afrodita 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 Afrodita 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
- Twitter: #Afrodita Ransomware (read October 7, 2026)
- CSO online: What is the Tor Browser? And how it can help protect your identity (read October 7, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Shadow Copy (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)