Apocalypse ransomware virus: what it is and how to remove it
Apocalypse virus seems to be a poorly programmed ransomware that has already been decrypted by a well known virus researcher Fabian Wosar . If you are dealing with ApocalypseVM or Fabiansomware, which are two different versions of this file-encrypting malware, you should know that they both have been defeated and you can use free decrypters to recover your files.
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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Apocalypse ransomware virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | How_to_Decrypt.txt |
| Contact | cryptservice@inbox.ru, decryptdata@inbox.ru, ransomware.attack@list.ru |
| Encrypted file extension | .encrypted |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| 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 10 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | Apocalypse ransomware virus |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| 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 | .encrypted |
| Attacker contacts | cryptservice@inbox.ru |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 30 January 2017 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What to search your PC and browser for
- File extension:
.encrypted - Note file:
How_to_Decrypt.txt - Contact:
cryptservice@inbox.ru
How Apocalypse ransomware virus behaves
From our report of Jan 2017 · not reviewed since
Apocalypse virus continues to attack computer users: aggressive and active in 2017
Apocalypse virus seems to be a poorly programmed ransomware that has already been decrypted by a well known virus researcher Fabian Wosar .
If you are dealing with ApocalypseVM or Fabiansomware, which are two different versions of this file-encrypting malware, you should know that they both have been defeated and you can use free decrypters to recover your files.
However, don't forget that cyber criminals are stubborn people so have been trying to earn as much money as possible, so they can easily add new updates to each of their viruses. Besides, no matter if there is a free decrypt tool available on the Internet or not, you still need to remove Apocalypse ransomware from your computer. For that you can use .
The first version of Apocalypse ransomware encrypted files by appending .encrypted file extensions to them. However, the latest its version comes with changes and uses more complicated file extension which consists of such details as victim's country code, victim's ID, etc. The extension which is used by the latest version of Apocalypse looks like that: .id-*[8characters]+countrycode[cryptservice@inbox.ru]. .
Besides, this ransomware variant creates an individual copy of the ransom note for each file, named like .encrypted.How_to_Decrypt.txt. The ransom note is usually named as .txt. As soon as this virus finishes its encryption procedure, it also deletes Volume Shadow Copies to prevent the user from recovering them.
The virus also installs a malicious version of file named windowsupdate.exe which is usually used Microsoft or Apple . This file is assigned to Startup programs and is used to display the lock screen that provides the following information:
Different versions of Apocalypse malware provide different contact emails, such as decryptdata@inbox.ru, ransomware.attack@list.ru, decrptionservice@mail.ru, getdataback@bk.ru, datarecovery@bk.ru or fabianwosar@mail.ru. The most recent version of Apocalypse reportedly uses crypt32@mail.ru email address (this version was spotted on January 22, 2017). No other modifications were discovered, so we assume that previous email accounts were probably closed for security reasons.
Speaking about Apocalypse/Al-Namrood ransomware, we cannot provide any information regarding the ransom price since these viruses do not provide any information on what amount of money do the cyber criminals want in exchange for the data. Either way, it is not advisable to pay up as it only benefits the crooks , whereas you may be left without your money as well as your data.
Besides, you can try decrypting your files with decryption tools that have been released by malware researchers. You can find informative guide on how to remove Apocalypse as well as data recovery instructions in the tutorial provided below the article.
From our report of Jan 2017 · not reviewed since
Can you keep your computer safe from ransomware viruses?
As long as your computer is not infected with any virus, your main priority should be protecting your device with a triple-layer protection.
First of all, you should use the best antivirus technology, second, you should use it alongside anti-malware or anti-spyware software, and finally, you should create data backups. It is also recommended always to keep your operating system updated to its latest version, to eliminate any vulnerabilities .
On top of that, you should keep watch for the virus yourself. Pay attention to your Inbox because ransomware viruses like Apocalypse usually spread through malicious emails. Do not open suspicious emails or download added attachments.
This should help to keep the virus away. However, viruses are unpredictable and can use a variety of different techniques to get into your computer. So if you have already been infected, you should start thinking about Apocalypse removal without wasting time.
The Apocalypse ransomware virus ransom note
IF YOU ARE READING THIS MESSAGE, ALL THE FILES IN THIS COMPUTER HAVE BEEN CRYPTED!!
documents , pictures, videos, audio, backups, etc
IF YOU WANT TO RECOVER YOUR DATA, CONTACT THE EMAIL BELOW.
EMAIL:
WE WILL PROVIDE DECRYPTION SOFTWARE TO RECOVER YOUR FILES
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
IF YOU DONT CONTACT BEFORE 72 HOURS, ALL DATA WILL BE LOST FOREVER
How to remove Apocalypse ransomware virus
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 Apocalypse ransomware virus 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
Apocalypse ransomware virus encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Copy
How_to_Decrypt.txtand one or two files ending in.encryptedto a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
For Apocalypse ransomware virus, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Apocalypse ransomware virus still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Jan 2017 · not reviewed since
Apocalypse removal help
If you are planning Apocalypse removal, you should seriously weigh your capabilities.
Do you have the proper skills to do it? Is your computer equipped with powerful antivirus software? If you answered "YES" to both of these questions, you are ready for the virus removal. You will have to use a reputable antivirus scanner to detect and remove Apocalypse virus and its related files from your device.
However, some computer knowledge will be needed if any problems occur in the process. If your antivirus is having difficulties removing the virus, you will have to follow special instructions to block some of the viruses most aggressive processes.
[GI=method-1]Before you start Apocalypse removal, restart your computer using instructions provided here. This will help to protect the system from unexpected virus' behavior and help to create a safe environment for your antivirus software. Sometimes viruses try to block antivirus programs, but when computer is booted in a Safe Mode with Networking, viruses no longer can do that.
[GI=method-2]In case the previous method didn't work, rely on these instructions.
Please do not even think about paying the ransom and do not follow instructions cybercriminals provide. Experienced malware researchers managed to find flaws in Apocalypse's code that allowed them to create free decryption tools. Before using them, remove Apocalypse ransomware from the system first. You can find the link to download the Apocalypse decryption tool in the instructions provided below.
Although it might not successfully restore all data, this tool is definitely worth a try.
Recover your files using these decryption tools
There are several decryption tools that can recover files encrypted by Apocalypse. Download the proper one to restore your files. You will need one healthy file sample and one encrypted file sample to decrypt the rest of the data:
1. Apocalypse decryption tool. This tool works for victims who find these file extensions appended to original filenames:
- .encrypted
- .Encryptedfile
- .FuckYourData
- .SecureCrypted
2. ApocalypseVM decryption tool. This tool can decrypt files encrypted by a different version of Apocalypse, which appends either .encrypted or .locked file extensions to encrypted data. Your malware removal tool should help you determine which version of this ransomware has attacked your PC.
3. Fabiansomware decrypter. This decryptor restores files that have .encrypted file extensions appended to them. Works for victims who were asked to contact these emails: fwosar@mail.ru or fabianwosar@mail.ru.
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.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like Apocalypse ransomware virus together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .encrypted and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
Questions about Apocalypse ransomware virus
How do I open .encrypted files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .encrypted 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.
Should I pay the ransom in How_to_Decrypt.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from How_to_Decrypt.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.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
Is there a free Apocalypse ransomware virus decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Apocalypse ransomware virus 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 "Apocalypse ransomware virus 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.
How did Apocalypse ransomware virus get on my computer?
The way Apocalypse ransomware virus 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 .encrypted 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.
Did Apocalypse ransomware virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Apocalypse ransomware virus, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .encrypted 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 Apocalypse ransomware virus 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 How_to_Decrypt.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text How_to_Decrypt.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.
My files got .encrypted overnight. What happened?
Ransomware often runs at night or when the PC is idle, so the encryption finishes before anyone notices. It usually entered earlier through a cracked program, a fake installer, an e-mail attachment or remote desktop with a weak password.
The .encrypted extension marks every file it reached. Start by disconnecting the PC from the network, then identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check for a decryptor, and look for copies in backups and OneDrive before you consider anything else.
Will Fortect remove Apocalypse ransomware virus?
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 Apocalypse ransomware virus, 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
- 2spyware: What is ransomware and how to remove it (read October 6, 2026)
- Twitter: Fabian Wosar. Follow him on Twitter (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)