Anubiscrypt ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Anubiscrypt ransomware is a file locker that not only locks up personal data by appending .AnubisCrypt file extension on the device, but also incorporates screen-locking functionality. Additionally, it can steal the most sensitive information for the phone or tablet without users noticing.
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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Anubiscrypt ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Google Play store, third-party websites |
|---|---|
| Name | Anubiscrypt |
| Type | Ransomware (Android), banking trojan |
| Affected OS | Android only |
| Related | Android virus |
| File Extension | .AnubisCrypt |
| 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 features | Steals credentials, works as RAT, records keystrokes, intercepts SMS, etc. |
|---|---|
| File recovery | The virus is not decryptable. However, you can use backups to restore your data |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Ransom note | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .anubiscrypt |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Encrypted files | .anubiscrypt |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 10 April 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.anubiscrypt
From our report of Apr 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Anubiscrypt
- Use reputable anti-malware software after entering Safe Mode
- Scan your Android phone with to fix corrupted system files
- The initial version of the malware did not possess the screen-locking capability, while the newest version, which was discovered by ESET security researcher Lukas Stefanko, does.
How Anubiscrypt ransomware behaves
From our report of Apr 2019 · not reviewed since
Anubiscrypt ransomware - is a file locking malware that targets Android users
Anubiscrypt ransomware is a file locker that not only locks up personal data by appending .AnubisCrypt file extension on the device, but also incorporates screen-locking functionality.
Additionally, it can steal the most sensitive information for the phone or tablet without users noticing. Thus, the malware is exceptionally devastating, as it can lock users out of their Android phones until the threat is terminated.
The distribution method of the virus is relatively simple - hackers use Google Play service to insert fake financial, shopping, barcode-scanning or similar apps, that are mainly directed towards Turkish users. Anubiscrypt ransomware removal might be extremely complicated as most users will not be able to access their devices due to screen-locking feature.
Anubiscrypt ransomware stems from Anubis banking trojan that was first spotted around a year ago. It works very similarly to a variety of info-stealers, such as TrickBot, LokiBot, Zeus virus or Gustuff. Nevertheless, users can bypass the locked screen by entering Safe Mode.
Unlike most ransomware payloads, Anubiscrypt uses a sophisticated infection method - it populates malicious applications on the Google Play. Financial or shopping apps look just like any other applications, so regular users would never notice the difference.
Once one of such programs is installed on Android device, Anubiscrypt starts functioning as a downloader by utilizing REQUEST_PACKAGE_INSTALL function by contacting a Command & Control server controlled by hackers. Nevertheless, before the downloading procedure is executed, the app waits and does not perform any actions for a long time. This allows AnubisCrypt malware to bypass regular Google safety procedures.
Once the malicious payload is downloaded, a variety of information can be lured out of users, including those of PayPal, eBay, or banking app credentials For that, Anubiscrypt uses keylogging feature or takes screenshots of the login information (TrendMicro researchers confirmed that the malware targets 377 banking apps worldwide, including NatWest, Santander, Citibank, and others).
Anubiscrypt virus utilizes a variety of capabilities, including:
It is unknown which encryption algorithm is used to lock up personal files on the device, but all of them are marked with .AnubisCrypt extension, which prevents users from further use of data.
After that, the malware locks up the screen, which might make most users panic. Nevertheless, to AnubisCrypt ransomware removal can be performed after the device is booted into Safe Mode - we explain how to do that in the last section of this article.
After you terminate Anubiscrypt ransomware, experts recommend scanning your Android device with - it can fix damaged system files and remove virus damage. The only way to restore your data is by recovering them from a backup; hence, you should always enable the backup feature on Google Drive.
- Works as a RAT for hackers
- Logs users' keystrokes
- Steals the information from most banking apps
- Intercepts SMS service to bypass banking app defenses
- Locks personal files on external storage
- Locks the screen
From our report of Apr 2019 · not reviewed since
Beware of suspicious apps - even on Google Play
It is not the first time Google removes malicious apps from the Play Store.
For example, the industry giant removed 85 adware apps that infected over 9 million users. In another case, Kotlin-based malware was detected and downloaded up to 5,000 times. The app was called Swift Cleaner - another example of useless Android cleaning utilities that turned out to be malware. In fact, most security apps turned out to be ineffective, based on research done by AV-Comparatives researchers.
Nevertheless, Google tries to tackle the problem by increasing the defenses used by its scanner, which already resulted in a 66% increase in rejected app volume in 2018.
However, the risk of downloading malicious applications from third-party sites is by much higher. For that reason, it is highly advised staying away from unknown sites that host applications and rely on those that are present on the official stores, such as Google Play, Amazon, or similar.
Additionally, to protect your phone from malware, make sure you install reputable security software. Also, make sure you backup all your pictures, videos, and other data of Google Drive, DropBox, or similar cloud services.
How to remove Anubiscrypt 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 Anubiscrypt 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 Anubiscrypt 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 Anubiscrypt, 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 Anubiscrypt 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 Anubiscrypt 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 Apr 2019 · not reviewed since
Ways to remove and recover from Anubiscrypt ransomware infection
AnubisCrypt ransomware removal might be tricky, as the screen of the device gets locked after the infection.
Nevertheless, entering the Safe Mode might temporarily stop this functionality and allow to control the device. To enter Safe Mode on your Android phone, perform these steps:
Once inside the Safe Mode, download and install a reputable security application that can detect malware. For example, Trend Micro detects it as ANDROIDOS_BANKBOT, while Sophos uses Andr/Banker-GUZ name. After you remove AnubisCrypt file virus, you can recover your data from backups.
Otherwise, you might as well say goodbye to your pictures, videos, and other data. Nevertheless, security experts might one day come up with a decryptor, so do not lose hope, and keep backups of locked files.
If Anubiscrypt ransomware removal fails, the only option is to perform a factory reset. Simply use instructions based on your Android phone model. In most cases, the factory reset option is located under System option in the Settings menu.
- Hold the power button and wait for prompt;
- Select Power off option;
- Press Power button again, and wait till startup animation starts;
- Then, press and gold Volume Up + Volume Down buttons;
- The phone will ask if you want to access Safe Mode - tap Yes.
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
Anubiscrypt could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .anubiscrypt 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.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
Questions about Anubiscrypt ransomware
How do I open .anubiscrypt files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .anubiscrypt has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:
- OneDrive versions
- File History
- an offline backup drive
- Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them
Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.
Is there a free Anubiscrypt decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Anubiscrypt 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 "Anubiscrypt 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 Anubiscrypt steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Anubiscrypt, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .anubiscrypt 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.
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
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.
How did Anubiscrypt get on my computer?
The way Anubiscrypt 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 .anubiscrypt 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 Anubiscrypt 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 reinstall Windows after the .anubiscrypt attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .anubiscrypt stay encrypted afterwards. So first copy the encrypted files and the ransom note to a separate drive, in case a decryptor appears later. Then decide:
- a clean-up with an offline scan is often enough for home PCs
- while a full reset is safer if remote access was involved
- scans keep finding new items
Restore your backups only after the PC is clean, and change passwords from another device.
Will removing Anubiscrypt unlock my .anubiscrypt files?
No. Removing Anubiscrypt stops it from encrypting more files and from starting again, but it does not decrypt the files that already end in .anubiscrypt. The scanner does not have the attackers' key.
Files come back only from a backup, from copies the ransomware did not reach, such as OneDrive version history, Previous Versions, e-mail attachments or a phone, or with a working decryptor if one exists.
Remove the ransomware first anyway: if you restore files while it is still active, it can encrypt them again. Keep the encrypted files; a decryptor may be published later.
Will Fortect remove Anubiscrypt?
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 Anubiscrypt, 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: Crypto-Banking Ransomware found on Google Play (read October 6, 2026)
- 2-spyware: Two-thirds of Android anti-malware tools on Google Play are useless (read October 6, 2026)
- Threat Post: Google Play Cracks Down on Malicious Apps (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)