Bioawards ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Bioawards ransomware is a malicious program that belongs to a broad malware family known as Scarab. Its main goal is to encrypt all personal data (pictures, documents, music, archives, videos, etc.)
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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Bioawards ransomware: summary
| Name | Bioawards ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware, data locking malware, cryptovirus |
| Malware family | Scarab |
| Encryption method | RSA + AES-256 |
| File extension | .Bioawards extension is appended to each of the personal files, or example, a "picture.jpg" is turned into a "picture.jpg.Bioawards" |
| Ransom notes | Instruction.txt and DECRYPT FILES.txt |
| 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
| Contact | Bioawards@tutanota.com or Bioawards@gjessmail.com |
|---|---|
| File Recovery | If no backups are available, recovering data is almost impossible. Nonetheless, we suggest you try the alternative methods that could help you in some cases – we list them below. Also, you might be able to retrieve at least some of your files with the help of Dr.Web, although the service is not free |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .bioawards |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Ransom note | encryption DECRYPT FILES.TXT; as seen in the ransom note, cybercriminals claim that running anti-malware software such would permanently damage the encrypted files; the text is quoted in full below |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .bioawards |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 16 October 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.bioawards - Note file:
encryption DECRYPT FILES.TXT
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Bioawards ransomware
- Perform a full system scan with powerful security software, such as
- Malware can seriously tamper with Windows systems, causing errors, crashes, lag, and other stability issues after it is terminated.
How Bioawards ransomware behaves
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Bioawards ransomware - data-locking computer infection built for money extortion
Bioawards ransomware is a malicious program that belongs to a broad malware family known as Scarab.
Its main goal is to encrypt all personal data (pictures, documents, music, archives, videos, etc.) on a Windows computer then demand ransom for its return.
For that, the virus uses a combination of RSA and AES encryption algorithms, which also append .Bioawards extension to each of the files. As a result, victims can no longer access these files and require a unique key held hostage by cyber crooks behind the attack.
Once the encryption is complete, the Bioawards virus delivers two ransom notes - Instruction.txt and DECRYPT FILES.txt, with the latter being more detailed than the former one.
The message explains to victims what happened to their files and that they need to pay a ransom in bitcoin for data recovery - they also mention that the decryption key will be deleted after 96 hours if the email to Bioawards@tutanota.com or Bioawards@gjessmail.com is sent on time.
Ransomware such as Bioawards files virus can be particularly devastating to users, as it can result in permanent data loss. Scarab is a relatively old malware family with hundreds of variants, including Omerta, Artemy, MAKB, and many others. The names of ransom notes, appended extensions, and other attributes might change or remain the same from version to version, although the principle of operation remains unchanged - cybercriminals want money.
Once inside the system, the virus changes the way Windows operates - it modifies the registry, deletes Shadow Copies and System Restore points, drops thousands of malicious files, and performs other changes. If you are having trouble restoring your system to a previous state after Bioawards ransomware removal, employ automatic repair tools such as for an easy recovery.
Bioawards ransomware targets the most commonly used file types, such as JPG, PDF, DOC, TXT, DAT RAR, and many others, although it skips system and executable files to ensure that the computer is still operational (cybercriminals' goal is not to corrupt victims' machines but rather make them pay the ransom).
Once the encryption begins, it can hardly be stopped, as it only takes a few seconds to minutes to perform this process on a Windows machine (depending on the size of the data). Besides, victims rarely know what is going on and only realize it later once they spot the .Bioawards extension appended to each of their files.
There are two ransom notes delivered upon successful file encryption DECRYPT FILES.TXT provides exact details of how .Bioawards file recovery process should be handled, and Instruction.txt just explains briefly what happened:
The larger note includes a unique ID that is meant to be presented within the email to the attackers. However, security experts advise not communicating with the attackers, as there is a chance that they will not deliver the promised decryption tool.
Instead, backup the locked data and then remove Bioawards ransomware from your system to prevent the encryption of the incoming files. To delete the malware, you should employ powerful security tools, such as or . If you need to access Safe Mode with Networking to perform the elimination, you can find the instructions on how to do that below.
The Bioawards ransomware note
All files are encrypted with a complex strong key AES 256, RSA and so on.
Don't use an antivirus.
It can corrupt files and all cannot be recovered.
You have been assigned a unique identifier.
After infection, you have 96 hours to declare decryption.
After the expiration of 96 hours, the keys will be automatically deleted.
Do not use third-party file recovery or decryption software.
They do not work.
They mess up files.
See for yourself.
Detailed information can be obtained by mail: Bioawards@tutanota.com To receive instructions on decryption, write to the mail: Bioawards@tutanota.com To get the decryption keys and the decryption program, write to the mail: Bioawards@gjessmail.com
How to remove Bioawards 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 Bioawards ransomware and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so Bioawards ransomware cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Your files now end in
.bioawardsand the instructions are inencryption DECRYPT FILES.TXT. Save both to a USB stick, a copy of the note and two small encrypted files, before anything else.On another device, check them with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff: the family name decides which decryptor, if any, can help. Keep the note's ID and contact line for your report.
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 Bioawards ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing Bioawards ransomware does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.
If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them.
vssadmin list shadowsin an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.
Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that Bioawards ransomware deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Security software will not restore .Bioawards files
Cybercriminals behind .Bioawards file virus use both symmetric and asymmetric ciphers to lock all data, which means that each of the victims is assigned with a key that consists of a random string of alphanumeric characters. This key is always unique, so users who paid for it will not be able to share it with other victims. These two factors are what makes ransomware so dangerous.
Users who get infected with ransomware for the first time mistakenly believe that they can remove .Bioawards extension from their files as soon as they complete a scan with security software. However, anti-malware is not designed for such purpose - it instead finds and deletes all malicious files, modules, and other malicious components from the system.
There is a particular set of tools that are indeed designed to restore lost files - they are known as data recovery software. These applications also can not decrypt files (as explained above, only cybercriminals have access to the unique key that can decrypt .Bioawards files), but they can attempt to retrieve some of the working copies from the hard drive.
Additionally, you can also attempt to restore your data with built-in Windows recovery tools, such as the Previous Versions feature, although, for this method to work, malware should have failed to perform some of its functions.
When it comes to paid recovery, there are two options available: either paying Bioawards ransomware authors for the key or contacting Dr.Web. The latter is obviously much more secure and trustworthy, although full decryption of files is not guaranteed.
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Delete Bioawards ransomware from your PC and only then attempt the data recovery
As long as the Bioawards ransomware virus runs on your machine, all the incoming files will continue to be encrypted.
As seen in the ransom note, cybercriminals claim that running anti-malware software such would permanently damage the encrypted files. While there is no guarantee that the attackers are bluffing, it is always best to make a copy of the encrypted data before Bioawards ransomware removal is performed. Locked files do not have malicious code within them, so it is safe to copy them over.
Once you have a copy of your most valuable files, remove Bioawards ransomware with , , or another security software that detects the threat. If you notice that your Windows computer faces various issues post-termination (lag, crashes, errors, etc.), you can attempt to fix them automatically with .
[GI=method-1]Enter Safe Mode with Networking if your security software is not working in normal mode.
[GI=method-2]Use System Restore if malware did not delete it:
As mentioned above, data recovery software might sometimes be able to restore at least some of your files if you are lucky.
Windows Previous Version feature might provide you with a solution
If malware failed to delete System Restore points, you could employ Windows Previous Version feature to recover files one-by-one.
Try Dr.Web data recovery service
In some cases, Dr.Web could help you to restore some or all of your encrypted files - contact the vendor directly for more details.
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 .bioawards 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.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about Bioawards ransomware
Should I pay the ransom in encryption DECRYPT FILES.TXT?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from encryption DECRYPT FILES.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.
How do I open .bioawards files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .bioawards ending shows that Bioawards 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 Bioawards ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
How did Bioawards ransomware get on my computer?
The way Bioawards 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 .bioawards 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 there a free Bioawards ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Bioawards ransomware no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "Bioawards ransomware decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
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.
Did Bioawards ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Bioawards ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .bioawards 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 Bioawards 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 just remove .bioawards from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .bioawards extension is only a label; the file content has been scrambled with a key the attackers hold.
If a renamed copy opens normally, the malware only renamed files, which happens with some fake ransomware, and you can rename the rest back. If it does not open, leave the files as they are. Renaming encrypted files can confuse a decryptor later, so always work on copies.
Should I open encryption DECRYPT FILES.TXT?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text encryption DECRYPT FILES.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.
Will Fortect remove Bioawards 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 Bioawards 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
- Usunwirusa: Usunwirusa (read October 7, 2026)
- Virus Total: 37cb1e251daf6320447f97f3536854f3f3db7ff18dfdb181ae25567d78020bcd (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)