BansomQare Manna ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
BansomQare Manna - dangerous ransomware that encrypts your files secretly and then informs you about the affected system and data loss. This ransomware-type virus is almost identical to WannaCry which name has been involved in several spam attacks recently.
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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BansomQare Manna ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Spam email attachments filled with macro viruses[3] |
|---|---|
| Name | BansomQare Manna |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Extension | .bitcoin |
| Danger level | High. File encryption can lead to permanent data loss |
| Contact email | MildredRLewis@teleworm.us |
| 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 12 more facts
| Ransom note | bitcoin2018.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
|---|---|
| Ransom amount | $100 |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .bitcoin |
| 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 and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .bitcoin |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 26 June 2018 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Names and addresses to look for
- File extension:
.bitcoin - Note file:
the ransom note
How BansomQare Manna ransomware behaves
From our report of Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
BansomQare Manna ransomware is a crypto-virus that locks your files and gives you 12 hours to pay up
BansomQare Manna - dangerous ransomware that encrypts your files secretly and then informs you about the affected system and data loss.
This ransomware-type virus is almost identical to WannaCry which name has been involved in several spam attacks recently. This malware is using .bitcoin file extension and makes all encrypted files to become useless. This virus is not choosing what to modify - BansomQare Manna ransomware encrypts everything from photos and videos to documents and archives.
After the encryption is done, ransomware displays a pop-up window and places a text file "bitcoin2018.txt" to every existing folder. The document is a ransom note that contains various information about the encryption process.
Typically, ransom message contains information which is related to the encryption procedure and what has to be done in order to recover locked data. Typically, BansomQare Manna provides in its ransom note: the name of the ransomware, encryption method, contact emails, ransom amount, the time period to pay the ransom, instructions on how to get cryptocurrency wallet, and a suggestion of test the decryption service.
As you can see in the extraction of the ransom note, virus developers are requesting $100 in bitcoin. The cybercriminals are stating that the only way to decrypt your files is by contacting them, but we do not recommend communicating with these people in any way!
The ransom note of the BansomQare Manna ransomware reads the following:
Any contact between you and these criminals can lead you to further loss. As it is well known for cybersecurity researchers, extortionists tend to disappear and ignore their victims after the ransom is paid. Decryption tool that can be safe to use is not available.
And this alleged key that virus developers say they have might not even exist. For this reason, researchers at Dieviren.de note that you need to focus on BansomQare Manna removal and only then worry about file decryption.
As we have already noted, the virus is clearly mimicking an infamous WannaCry ransomware. However, at the moment it seems that it is not as aggressive as the ransomware virus that it is trying to pretend as it has already managed to affect several hospitals and other governmental authorities.
While the developers of this ransomware are actively encouraging people to pay the ransom, 2spyware experts recommend relying on anti-malware tools like and initiating BansomQare Manna removal right after it shows up on the system.
Ransomware viruses are dangerous and can lead to serious issues with your PC system. This is the only way to be sure that no malicious pieces that belong to this ransomware are left on the computer. Only then you can try to recover your files using files' backups or methods that we provided below.
From our report of Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
Malicious files are typically spread with the help of spam
Ransomware viruses are one of the most harmful viruses that are actively spreading around.
Just like previous examples, this malware is spread with the help of spam mainly. While browsing online, you need to be aware of potential threats behind every suspicious link or email attachment. You can spot spam emails immediately, especially if they have a questionable link or document attached.
Virus developers can hide behind the name of a well-known company, so you should always double check the sender. If you can see that the email address does not match the company's name, carefully check message body. Otherwise, you can install the file filled with malicious macros and similar content.
To notice spam among your received email messages, look at:
Make sure you delete malicious emails without opening and always download your software from certified providers. Any downloads or updates that are typically suggested thru advertisements are fake and should be treated with extreme carefulness.
- the sender. You should be capable of contacting the sender if you have any questions regarding the email message;
- typo mistakes;
- grammar mistakes;
- attachments. If the file is asking you to enable macros, this is a serious sign showing that you are under the risk of malware.
The BansomQare Manna ransomware note
What Happened to My Computer?
Your important files are encryped.
Many of your documents,photo,video,databases and other files are no longer accessible because he have been encryped.Maybe you are busy looking for a way to recover your files,but do not wasteyour time. Nobody can recover your files without our decryption service.
Can I Recover My File?
Sure , We guarantee that you can recover all your files safely and easily. But you have not so enough time.
You can decrypt some of your files for free .
The bitcoin address will be saved to the "bitcoin2018.txt" file
>> instructions where to send bitcoins in bitcoin2018.txt (all folders):
Send $100 worth of bitcoin to this address:
[payment address omitted]
Contact Us:MildredRLewis@teleworm.us
How to remove BansomQare Manna 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 BansomQare Manna 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
BansomQare Manna 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
the ransom noteand one or two files ending in.bitcointo 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 BansomQare Manna, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 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 BansomQare Manna 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 Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
Get rid of BansomQare Manna ransomware immediately after you spot it on your computer
These programs can ensure that every little piece that is related to the virus is removed safely.
At this point, manual ransomware removal is not recommended since it requires advanced knowledge and takes time.
It is important to perform BansomQare Manna removal right after this malware shows up on the system because ransomware can start another encryption procedure on your computer. When it comes to data recovery procedure, rely only on certified tools.
[GI=method-1]First thing you can do when dealing with ransomware is rebooting your system to Safe Mode with networking and making this virus inactive. For that, use the guide below:
[GI=method-2]System Restore feature can also be helpful while trying to delete BansomQare Manna from your computer:
For that, perform these steps:
Windows Previous Versions is yet another way to unblock locked data
If your System Restore feature was enabled before the initial attack, you can use this method for the recovery of individual files:
ShadowExplorer is a tool that can also be helpful when dealing with ransomware
If you are dealing with ransomware which fails to delete Shadow Volume copies of files, you can use this tool to recover them:
Decryption tool is not available
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 files that end in .bitcoin and no longer open; 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.
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 BansomQare Manna ransomware
How do I open .bitcoin files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .bitcoin 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 BansomQare Manna decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for BansomQare Manna 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 "BansomQare Manna 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.
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 BansomQare Manna get on my computer?
The way BansomQare Manna 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 .bitcoin 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 BansomQare Manna steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by BansomQare Manna, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .bitcoin 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 BansomQare Manna 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 the ransom note?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text the ransom note cannot harm the PC. Be careful with notes in HTA or HTML format: double-clicking those runs them in a window that can contain scripts, so right-click and choose Open with > Notepad instead.
The note tells you the contact addresses, the claimed amount and the deadline. Do not visit links or write to the addresses from this PC. Use the note to identify the family and check for a free decryptor first.
Will .bitcoin spread to my other drives?
It can. Ransomware encrypts every drive and network share it can reach while it runs, so external disks, USB sticks and shared folders connected during the attack may also have files ending in .bitcoin. Disconnect everything now, then check each device from a clean computer.
Do not plug a backup drive into the infected PC until the ransomware has been removed with an offline scan. Cloud folders such as OneDrive sync the encrypted versions, but they keep earlier versions you can usually restore.
Will Fortect remove BansomQare Manna?
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 BansomQare Manna, 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
- Wikipedia: Ransomware (read October 7, 2026)
- 2spyware: WannaSpam - WannaCry-themed scam used to collect ransoms (read October 7, 2026)
- Tech target: What is macro virus? (read October 7, 2026)
- Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)