BlackKnight2020 ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
BlackKnight2020 ransomware – the cryptovirus that asks for money from victims immediately after the lockscreen delivery. This is the threat that focuses on collecting money from victims, mainly prefers cryptocurrency, as most of the cybercriminals.
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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BlackKnight2020 ransomware: summary
| Distribution | The locker malware comes via spam emails and other shady campaigns that involve malicious scripts and activities that allow the payload of the virus to drop directly on the system. Pirating and visiting malicious sites can lead to such infection |
|---|---|
| Name | BlackKnight2020 ransomware |
| Type | Screenlocker[1] that is based on cryptocurrency extortion |
| Tactics | The threat shows a lockscreen with the money demanding message and asks people to contact developers for the alleged unlock key |
| Issues | This threat is not locking files or damaging them, but the threat makes the system unreachable when the screen is locked without many options to unlock it |
| Ransom amount | Criminals ask for $100 transferred to their Bitcoin wallet address |
| 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 11 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Contact | 3816945@protonmail.com |
| Encrypted file extension | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Ransom note | A message left on the computer; the text is quoted in full below |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 3 September 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on BlackKnight2020 ransomware
- BlackKnight2020 ransomware removal is not the easiest procedure.
- You should get an anti-malware tool, transfer the program on an external device and run that on the infected machine to find and remove all parts of the virus
- You also should repair the machine in a proper state.
- Some threats like this ransomware can trigger changes, add other malware, and affect the performance, speed, and security significantly.
How BlackKnight2020 ransomware behaves
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
BlackKnight2020 ransomware is the screenlocker malware that demands money for the alleged unlocking
BlackKnight2020 ransomware – the cryptovirus that asks for money from victims immediately after the lockscreen delivery.
This is the threat that focuses on collecting money from victims, mainly prefers cryptocurrency, as most of the cybercriminals. Creators provide the Bitcoin wallet address and ask to transfer $100 worth amount, so the unlock code is sent to you.
Unfortunately, this is not the part where you should trust these claims because extortionists behind the threat are not thinking about your belongings, so you might transfer money, but not get anything back. It is important to believe those scary claims on the lockscreen though.
Your hard drive might get deleted clean after those 2 hours that get set on the timer, but you shouldn't pay to get the screen unlocked. Contacting virus creators via email (3816945@protonmail.com) cannot get you anywhere because malicious actors are unpredictable and can send you other threats instead of the unlock code or other valuable things.
Ransomware is one of the most dangerous threats in the world of cyber infections, so do not wait for too long and try to remove the malware as soon as you get the ransom message on the screen.
BlackKnight2020 ransomware is the program window triggering virus that locks the screen with the aim to get people scared into paying the demanded amount. The system cannot be accessed by the user when the virus opens the full lockscreen and delivers a ransom message.
Text on the image claims that BlackKnight2020 ransomware locked the computer and that all the functions got disabled because you triggered the infection by accessing the bad file. This is the common malware distribution way when people receive the email with an attachment or visit the malicious site that includes scripts spreading the payload files further.
BlackKnight2020 ransomware virus shows the following message on the lockscreen:
BlackKnight2020 ransomware delivers short instructions for the victim, so the person that gets this infection on a machine knows what to do to unlock the system. Unfortunately, there are only a few options and solutions for such types of malware. The best one and most reliable technique is to remove the threat properly using anti-malware tools like or .
BlackKnight2020 ransomware creators give two hours for users to react, so those payments get transferred immediately, but paying is not recommended by experts or malware researchers. It is known that criminals can possibly disappear instead of providing solutions or key for the unlocking.
You should never trust any criminals, especially when it comes to threats with such money demands. You should remove BlackKnight2020 ransomware instead and try to do so as soon as you possibly can. Anti-malware tools can be downloaded on the different device and then launched on the PC externally.
In most of the cases, cybercriminals behind these screenlockers do not send any codes, passwords are not available, so your machine remains locked or gets damaged instead.
The automatic system cleaning should help because AV tools can detect this threat and terminate it from the operating system. Then you can check for damaged files or programs with a tool like and possibly fix the damage that BlackKnight2020 malware caused. It is needed because affected system functions and added files can trigger more issues with the system.
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
Macro virus methods used to spread malware by money-driven criminals
The main technique used by ransomware creators involves malicious scripts added on Microsoft files like documents or PDF files.
These files mainly get attached to legitimate-looking notifications about invoices, orders, shopping, or other deliveries. Such services like DHL, UPS, eBay are common and known, so people are used to getting such emails and open them immediately.
Criminals launch these email campaigns widely, so once the user gets the email and opens the notification, the malicious script is triggered and loads the payload on the system. This happens without users' knowledge and pretty quickly, so there might be only a few minutes between the email notification opening and the lockscreen appearance. Pay attention to sources of the sites you visit and senders of ransom emails.
The BlackKnight2020 ransomware note
Your Computer has been locked !
Your Computer has been locked and functions disabled, this is because you accessed
a bad file or you accessed a bad link. Which ever be the case click
the button "Get me Outta Here"
Getting Out is Pretty Easy....
-- Make a payment of $100 using any of the mentioned payment portal
** Perfect Money (U24482992)
** BTC CONTACT US (3816945@protonmail.com)
-- Send payment confirmation to email 3816945@protonmail.com
-- After confirmation the unlock code will be sent to you
DONT BE A SMART A**. The lockscreen has a timer and this is set to drive wipe after 2 hours.
As it stands your drive is currently unaccessible.
Enter the code you received from us
How to remove BlackKnight2020 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 BlackKnight2020 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 BlackKnight2020 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 identify the family
The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.
Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
Our last check found that for BlackKnight2020 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 BlackKnight2020 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 BlackKnight2020 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 Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
Clear the machine from all the cyber infections and remove BlackKnight2020 malware
The proper process of the BlackKnight2020 ransomware removal should include anti-malware tools like or that are capable of finding the intruder that creates the screen locking pop-up and triggered other possible changes in the system. You should run the application, so all the traces of this infection get removed.
Any files or programs related to this BlackKnight2020 ransomware virus and left behind can create more damage and trigger the repeat of this infection. There are many programs and malware that cush malicious actors can install behind your back and without any permission.
Remember to check for additional malware installed behind your back when you are sure that your machine is clear from malware even. You need to remove BlackKnight2020 ransomware properly and then check for files and functions that need to get repaired.
[GI=method-1]You should try to remove BlackKnight2020 ransomware from the machine with the help of Safe Mode with Networking
[GI=method-2]System Restore can possibly be used as the method for BlackKnight2020 malware removal because this feature recovers the machine in a previous state
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Make the next attack harmless
BlackKnight2020 ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (blackKnight2020 ransomware in the list of installed apps) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.
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 BlackKnight2020 ransomware
Is there a free BlackKnight2020 ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for BlackKnight2020 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 "BlackKnight2020 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.
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
Did BlackKnight2020 ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by BlackKnight2020 ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is blackKnight2020 ransomware in the list of installed apps, 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.
How did BlackKnight2020 ransomware get on my computer?
The way BlackKnight2020 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 blackKnight2020 ransomware in the list of installed apps, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
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.
Is BlackKnight2020 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.
What does the ransom note tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name the ransom note, the wording, the contact addresses and the format of the personal ID are typical for each family. Uploading the note together with one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff usually names the family within seconds.
That name decides your options: some families have free decryptors, some can be partially recovered, and some cannot be decrypted at all. The note's claims about stolen data should be taken seriously but not at face value.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by BlackKnight2020?
You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that BlackKnight2020 adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.
No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.
Will Fortect remove BlackKnight2020 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 BlackKnight2020 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
- Pandasecurity: Ransomware: Screen Lockers vs. Encryptors (read October 7, 2026)
- Proofpoint: Malicious Email Attachments (read October 7, 2026)
- Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 7, 2026)
- VirusTotal: Virus detection rate (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)