BlackRouter ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
BlackRouter ransomware is a file-encrypting cyber threat which was first discovered by a cybersecurity researcher named Petrovic. This dangerous program can appear on the computer after opening a questionable email attachment or accessing an infected link on an unsafe website.
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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BlackRouter ransomware: summary
| Name | BlackRouter |
|---|---|
| Category | Ransomware, RaaS |
| Extensions | .BlackRouter, .pay2me |
| Text note | ReadME-BlackRouter |
| Ransom message | $300 |
| blackRouter@live.com | |
| 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 16 more facts
| Danger level | Very high. Locks up all files and turns them unusable |
|---|---|
| Spreading | Phishing email messages, infected files, and links |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | blackRouter@live.com |
| Encrypted file extension | .blackrouter |
| 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; after this activity, a note appears on the desktop screen; the text is quoted in full below |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .blackrouter |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 18 January 2019 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.blackrouter - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on BlackRouter
- Get rid of the virus automatically.
How BlackRouter ransomware behaves
From our report of Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
BlackRouter ransomware - a file locking virus which has been actively spread as RaaS in hacking forums on Telegram
BlackRouter ransomware is a file-encrypting cyber threat which was first discovered by a cybersecurity researcher named Petrovic.
This dangerous program can appear on the computer after opening a questionable email attachment or accessing an infected link on an unsafe website. Once installed, BlackRouter virus performs the encryption process by using unique codes, blocking access to targeted files, and adding the .BlackRouter or .pay2me extensions to each blocked document.
After this activity, a note appears on the desktop screen. The "ReadME-BlackRouter" message announces about the encryption that was performed, provides the victim with blackRouter@live.com email address, and urges paying $300 to two wallets that are also provided in the text message.
Recently, the virus was presented by hackers as a Ransomware-as-a-service Project. According to hackers on Telegram, they will take only 20% of generated ransoms for the "project." Other money, collected as ransoms, will go to virus affiliates. Having this in mind, the possibility of getting infected increases.
BlackRouter ransomware usually infiltrates the system without no signs and the most common cause for this to happen is the user's lack of cautiousness. However, keep in mind that the malware has been actively spread with the help of illegal programs, cracks and similar files. Besides, security experts have warned that the virus also has the ability to get into the target PC after hacking the Remote Desktop Services.
Once installed, the ransomware virus can start injecting rogue entries into the Windows Registry section, leaving malicious objects in different locations, etc. In some cases, the ransomware itself can be capable of making the computer system more vulnerable to other malware infections such as cryptominers or trojans.
If BlackRouter ransomware shows up on your computer, you will be able to identify the virus easily as files will appear with the .BlackRouter appendix and you will also overcome this type of message:
Moreover, crooks who spread viruses such as BlackRouter ransomware are keen on gaining as much income as they can.
That is why these people often threaten their victims by saying that all files will be permanently gone if the price is not paid, also, that no other tool can decrypt locked documents, etc. However, note that not all of this information is true. Cybercriminals often lie to the users just to threaten and convince them to pay the demanded price.
We suggest staying away from any contact with the cyber crooks. Instead of paying the price, you should remove BlackRouter virus from the system automatically. Also, you can use a reputable computer tool such as to detect all objects that might have caused some damage. After the elimination is completed, you can take a look at some data recovery tips that we have written at the bottom of this article.
The BlackRouter ransomware removal is a necessary thing to do if you want to unlock your files properly and safely. If you do not get rid of the file locking virus before you start the decryption process, the malware might renew all of its malicious activities just right after another computer boot.
Make sure you erase the threat carefully and use only reliable software for the process as other options will not be that effective.
Note that BlackRouter ransomware might have other damaging features also. Some ransomware viruses are capable of deleting Shadow Volume Copies of encrypted files which makes the documents harder to unlock. Furthermore, the ransomware might be able to inject other malware, such as a Trojan horse which might even relate in identity theft, software crashes, or computer breakdowns. If BlackRouter virus has been found, eliminate it ASAP.
From our report of Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
Ransomware distribution techniques start from email spam
According to technology specialists from NoVirus.uk, ransomware viruses are often spread through rogue email messages and their attachments.
The infected payload can come in the form of an attachment that is clipped to the email message or in a hyperlink which users can find in the email itself. Avoid all questionable messages you receive, delete them all.
Furthermore, ransomware is capable of reaching the targeted system through malware-laden pages also. Cybercriminals often place malicious content in hyperlinks which can be found on unsafe and unprotected web pages. If you ever enter a questionable-looking website, you should close that page immediately and never return to it again.
Additionally, for further protection, you can try antivirus software. Make sure you choose an expert-tested tool that will be capable of protecting various systems. If you take care of the program properly (this means updating once in a while), it will lengthen the work for you and you will be able to browse the web with no stress that an unwanted program might sneak in.
The BlackRouter ransomware note
BlackRouter
What's Happened to my computer?
Your important files are encrypted.
Many of your documents,photo,video,database,project
and other files are no longer accessible because they have
been encrypted. maybe you are busy looking for a way to
recover your files, but do not waste your time. nobody can
recover your files without our decryption service.
<...>
How to remove BlackRouter 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 BlackRouter 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 BlackRouter 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
.blackrouterand the instructions are inthe ransom note. 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 BlackRouter, 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 BlackRouter 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 BlackRouter 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 Jan 2019 · not reviewed since
Perform the BlackRouter ransomware elimination and unlock files
You can remove BlackRouter virus only automatically.
For this purpose, you should detect all dubious entries and other malicious content first. You can use a program such as , , or which will find every malware-laden component for you. Note that you are not advised to get rid of the cyber threat on your own as the process might be too difficult for an inexperienced computer user.
If you try to carry out the BlackRouter ransomware removal on your own, you might cause only more damage. So, better leave the job for anti-malware tools this time. Moreover, after the process is completed, reboot your computer system to ensure that all malware-related activities were disabled and there are no ransomware components left.
Additionally, you can check out some data recovery steps that we have provided below this text. Trying to recover files by using third-party tools is definitely a better option than paying the demanded price. The developers of BlackRouter ransomware might try to scam you and leave with no decryption tool, the opposite as promised.
[GI=method-1]Safe Mode with Networking will allow you to deactivate the malicious program:
[GI=method-2]Activate System Restore and disable the ransomware virus permanently:
Try this method if you want to recover data that was encrypted, blocked, or damaged in other ways. Make sure you complete each step exactly as shown in the instructions, otherwise, you might not receive expected results.
Windows Previous Versions feature is created for file restoring purposes:
If you have enabled the System Restore feature in the past, you can give this method a try.
Try Shadow Explorer for data recovery:
Try this method to recover some of your locked files. However, first check if the virus did not permanently erase Shadow Volume Copies of your encrypted documents.
Currently, there is no BlackRouter ransomware decryptor released.
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 .blackrouter 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.
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 BlackRouter ransomware
Should I pay the ransom in the ransom note?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from the ransom note 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 .blackrouter files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .blackrouter ending shows that BlackRouter 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 BlackRouter. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Is there a free BlackRouter decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for BlackRouter 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 "BlackRouter 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.
How did BlackRouter get on my computer?
The way BlackRouter 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 .blackrouter 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 BlackRouter steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by BlackRouter, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .blackrouter 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 BlackRouter 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 .blackrouter from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .blackrouter 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 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 Fortect remove BlackRouter?
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 BlackRouter, 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
- Twitter: Tweets (read October 7, 2026)
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Remote Desktop Services (read October 7, 2026)
- Search Security: Trojan horse (computing) (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)