Atek ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Atek ransomware is a data-locking computer infection that belongs to a well-established malware family known as Djvu. First spotted in early January 2021, it is among 260+ other versions that have been previously released by cybercriminals.
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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Atek ransomware: summary
| name | Atek ransomware |
|---|---|
| Family | Djvu/STOP |
| Type | File locking virus, crypto-malware |
| Appended file extension | .atek |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt |
| Ransom amount | $490 if the criminals are contacted within 72 hours. If not – $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 15 more facts
| Criminal contact details | helpmanager@mail.ch and restoremanager@firemail.cc |
|---|---|
| Virus removal | Elimination of any cyber threat should be entrusted to professional anti-malware applications |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .atek |
| 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 |
| Name | Atek ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .atek |
| Attacker contacts | helpmanager@mail.ch |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 4 January 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.atek - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
helpmanager@mail.ch
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Atek ransomware
- Since cryptoviruses make modifications to the system registry and other core system settings and files, it's highly recommended to use the tool to repair the device
How Atek ransomware behaves
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
Atek ransomware - a new cryptocurrency extortion-based malware from the Djvu family
Atek ransomware is a data-locking computer infection that belongs to a well-established malware family known as Djvu.
First spotted in early January 2021, it is among 260+ other versions that have been previously released by cybercriminals. This strain has been around for a few years now and has become one of the most prominent crypto-extortionists in the wild.
Almost all malware samples previously discovered by researchers were found on software crack distribution websites, which means that users install the Atek virus, misleadingly believing that the crack file is genuine. As soon as victims double-click the executable, the infection of a Windows computer begins. During this time, the malware performs a sequence of system and file modifications.
As a result of a robust RSA-2048 encryption, users are unable to open their personal data - all of it is marked with .atek extension. To make sure users are aware of what happened to their files, crooks also deliver the _readme.txt ransom note, which is placed on the desktop and other directories on the system.
According to the message, they have to contact criminals via helpmanager@mail.ch or restoremanager@firemail.cc and pay a ransom to retrieve the decryption tool that would return their files back to normal.
Luckily for some users, a free decryptor for Djvu strain exists. While it only works for a limited number of victims, it is worth trying it, as well as other alternative methods mentioned in the recovery section below.
As you might have understood, Atek ransomware is just the next step for the attackers to accomplish their malicious goals. It belongs to an infamous family that's been delivering new versions each week for over three years now. Here are a few examples of the latest variants:
Mostly only the appointed extension differentiates these samples from one another. Ransom note of the Atek virus is the same as all other viruses from this family. It consists of explaining what has happened to victims' files and a guarantee of free decryption of one file.
Also, there is a link to a video where the decryptor can be seen in action, personal IDs, and criminal contact details. The decryption toolkit price is also always the same – $490 if the victims act quickly and contact the assailants within 72 hours of the attack. If they fail to do that, the price is increased to a massive $980.
All this convincing and rushing is done so that the victims wouldn't have time and would take a hasty decision to meet the demands of the perpetrators. Instead, they should not panic, as it can only make matters worse.
Here's the whole message from the _readme.txt ransom note of the Atek virus:
After seeing the ransom note, victims of such cybercrimes shouldn't panic and give in to the demands of the cybercriminals – there's always hope that there are other ways of data recovery. The first thing that one should do is export all encrypted data to an offline storage device, of course, if backups are not available.
Only then should the victims remove Atek ransomware from their infected devices. The best way to do it is by using professional anti-malware software such as or . That way, the users can be sure that the infection is eliminated correctly.
Although manual elimination is possible, it is not recommended for inexperienced users because it is way too complicated. A techy task like this should be entrusted to professionals.
Once the computer is virus-free, another task should be performed since ransomware tends to make changes in the Windows "hosts" file, which might prevent users from visiting any cybersecurity-related websites, add additional background processes, and other system irregularities that could lead to crashing, severe lag, or other stability issues. Thus, after Atek ransomware removal, use the tool to restore the device to the pre-contamination phase and evade all abnormal behavior.
- Qlkm
- Igal
- Omfl
- Igdm, etc.
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
Avoid most prevalent Djvu ransomware spreading technique
Cybercriminals have created many techniques to deliver payload files of their created malware – drive-by downloads, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) attacks, spam emails, and so on.
Still, our research shows the most likely way to get your computer infected with Djvu family ransomware is by using file-sharing platforms.
These platforms, such as popular torrent sites, are often infested with computer infections. These viruses are often camouflaged as brand new, popular game cracks, or other illegal activation toolkits for licensed programs., pirated programs, etc.
To avoid these and other malware types, first of all, people should always have trustworthy anti-malware software watching their back. Second – refrain from using such websites because you might end up with a lot more than you expected. Support your game or other software developers by purchasing their created products either directly from their websites or official distributors, like Steam, Origin, or others.
The Atek ransomware note
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, 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:
https://we.tl/t-sBwlEg46JX
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:
helpmanager@mail.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
restoremanager@firemail.cc
Your personal ID
How to remove Atek 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 Atek 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
Atek ransomware 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
_readme.txtand one or two files ending in.atekto 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 Atek ransomware, 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 Atek ransomware 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 2021 · not reviewed since
Tutorial on Atek ransomware removal
Criminals are criminals for a reason, and they should never be trusted.
Victims of ransomware attacks have reported various issues after they have made payments to their assailants, including decryption tools that don't work, scamming for more money, or just the total disappearance of the criminals.
If you had extensive data backups, then don't wait for a second and do it with reliable anti-malware software, such as or , to make sure the virus is removed completely with all of its components.
If you didn't keep backups, then you might want to consider either of the following options:
Once you tried either of those choices (or all), it's time to remove Atek ransomware with any of the aforementioned tools. Afterward, a system tune-up is necessary due to the fact that file-locking parasites from this lineage make changes to Windows Registry and other key system settings and files.
If left unattended, these changes might result in various abnormal behavior exhibitions, from constant crashing to severe lag or even infection renewal. Experts highly recommend using the tool to revert any changes that the virus might have done.
[GI=method-1]Getting rid of computer viruses can be done in Safe Mode with Networking if the malware prevents from deleting it when Windows in normal mode
[GI=method-2]System Restore function might also be able to eliminate cyber threats
This third-party software could restore .atek extension files.
Using Windows Previous Version feature for data recovery
This OS feature could restore .atek extension files individually, i.e., one at a time.
File recovery with Shadow Explorer
Usually, Shadow Volume Copies get either deleted or encrypted during the cyberattack, but if the file-locking parasite missed them, then Shadow Explorer might help with file retrieval.
Possible decryption methods
Emisoft is constantly updating their decryption tools.
- Try decryption tools. Either from a company called Emisoft or any other that specializes in data recovery options.
- Export all encrypted files to an offline storage device and wait for a decryption tool to be made available to the public.
- Try our free guides provided at the bottom of this article.
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 Atek ransomware 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 .atek and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
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 Atek ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .atek files?
That depends on the family behind the .atek 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.
How do I open .atek files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .atek ending shows that Atek 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 Atek ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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 Atek ransomware get on my computer?
The way Atek 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 .atek 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 Atek ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Atek ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .atek 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 Atek ransomware the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I delete _readme.txt?
Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. _readme.txt contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.
Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.
My files got .atek 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 .atek 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 Atek 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 Atek 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
- Hackernoon: How does RSA work? (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Software cracking (read October 6, 2026)
- Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)