ChaCha ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
ChaCha ransomware is a file-encrypting threat that uses two different ciphers (RSA + ChaCha20) to lock targeted data. The malicious activities of this cyber threat were spotted in the first have of May this year.
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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ChaCha ransomware: summary
| Name | ChaCha |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware |
| Sub-type | Malware |
| Cipher(s) | RSA + ChaCha20 |
| Ransom message | DECRYPT-FILES.html |
| Price | No particular information is provided |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 15 more facts
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Spreading | Email spam mostly |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | getmyfilesback@airmail.cc |
| 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 | DECRYPT-FILES.html; the text is quoted in full below |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | A ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Attacker contacts | getmyfilesback@airmail.cc |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 21 May 2019 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- Note file:
DECRYPT-FILES.html - Contact:
getmyfilesback@airmail.cc
From our report of May 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on ChaCha
- Scan the system with and find all infected sources on your computer
How ChaCha ransomware behaves
From our report of May 2019 · not reviewed since
ChaCha ransomware - a cyber threat that uses a mixture of RSA and ChaCha20 encryption algorithms to block files
ChaCha ransomware is a file-encrypting threat that uses two different ciphers (RSA + ChaCha20) to lock targeted data.
The malicious activities of this cyber threat were spotted in the first have of May this year. It is known that once files are encrypted, ChaCha virus ads an extension which contains random characters. Additionally, the ransomware virus applies 0x66116166 mark to each encrypted component.
Later on, the malware bombards the computer screen with a message named DECRYPT-FILES.html. No particular details about the ransom price are given, however, the criminals urge to discuss all matters by making contact through the getmyfilesback@airmail.cc email address.
ChaCha ransomware targets English-speaking people because it produces a message in this language. English is first in the entire world so using this type of language is the easiest for crooks to communicate with there victims. Take a closer look at the ransom-demanding message:
Our suggestion would be to stay away from any possible contact with these people as they can appear to be only scammers. Once the money is transferred, you might notice that no decryption tool has been provided and you are just left with big monetary losses. Instead of paying these cruel people, you should remove ChaCha ransomware from the system.
Before you start performing the ChaCha ransomware removal process, it would be very useful and handy to download and install a reputable antimalware tool such as . Launch this tool to start the computer system scanning process, identify all infected directories and detect all malware-laden components. After you do this, take a look at the bottom of the page where you will find some data recovery measures.
ChaCha ransomware is a very dangerous and difficult threat due to the ways its activities are being carried out. First of all, this malware tricks users into opening a spam email and infiltrates the system unknowingly. After that, it uses unique encryption codes to lock files. Nevertheless, both encryption and decryption keys are stored in remote servers so that nobody, except the crooks themselves, could reach them.
Sadly, ChaCha ransomware might be capable of even a bigger variety of activities. Some of these cyber threats are known for their capacities to destroy files' Shadow Volume Copies so that the victim could not restore his/her data by using other techniques. Other file-locking viruses can inject dangerous malware and boot various malicious actions in the background.
Dealing with ChaCha ransomware virus might be hard but that does not mean that it is impossible. In order to stop the malicious activities from spreading on your computer, you need to reboot it to Safe Mode with Networking.
For the future, use portable drives to store all important documents and files so that if a virus gets installed on your machine, it will not be able to reach your data.
From our report of May 2019 · not reviewed since
Spreading places of ransomware-related payload
Cybersecurity experts from LosVirus.es want to warn all users that ransomware-based payload can be injected in almost any kind of unsafe content.
Most commonly, criminals distribute this type of malware through email spam by adding it in a harmful executable or regularly-looking hyperlink.
However, you need to be very careful with all the content that you receive in your email box. First of all, do not open any spam messages as official organizations will contact you directly. Second, use reliable antivirus software to scan all received attachments and open them only if you are 100% sure that they are safe.
Furthermore, it is very important to prevent yourself from visiting questionable networks. There are a lot of portals and domains that lack recommended protection and might include malware-related objects. Be aware of websites such as Torrents, The Pirate Bay, various online gaming websites and online movie watching pages.
The ChaCha ransomware note
0010 SYSTEM FAILURE 0010
***************************
Attention! Your documents, photos, databases, and other important files have been encrypted!
***************************
Buy your private key from us.
It can be decrypt.
Order to the receive with In the the private key contact us Via email:
getmyfilesback@airmail.cc
the Remember to hurry up closeup, as with the your email address may not the BE avaliable for very long.
The key Buying immediatly will guarantee that 100% of your files will be restored.
Below you will see a big blob base64, you will need to email us.
you can click on it, it will be copied into the clipboard.
If you have troubles copying it, you are currently reading, as an attachment.
Base64:
M1ihuItJFJtvKrKaMGxt1UtaJoSTHI5dLA ***
How to remove ChaCha 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 ChaCha 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 ChaCha 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 ChaCha, 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 ChaCha 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 ChaCha 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 May 2019 · not reviewed since
Elevated removal instructions for ChaCha ransomware on Windows
If you want to remove ChaCha ransomware successfully, you need to enable System Restore or reboot your system to Safe Mode with Networking in order to disable the activity of this cyber threat. However, further manual elimination is not a possibility in this case as this malware is too advanced to remove on your own.
ChaCha ransomware removal should be performed only by using reputable automatic software. Make sure to choose a reliable antimalware program which will ensure you that no harmful content is left in the system after the elimination. After that, you can take a look at some data recovery steps that are displayed at the bottom of this page.
Cybersecurity experts have not yet released a decryption solution for files which were encrypted by ChaCha virus. However, this does not mean that you have to go and agree with all conditions that are suggested by the cybercriminals. Be aware that these people might try to scam you and swindle your money.
[GI=method-1]Activate Safe Mode with Networking to disable the activity of ransomware:
[GI=method-2]Use these steps to turn on System Restore and stop the threat from spreading further on your computer system:
If you complete all steps exactly as shown in the instructing guide, you might have a great chance to restore some of your files and documents that have been locked by ChaCha ransomware virus.
Windows Previous Versions feature might help you with file recovery:
Use this tool if you want to restore some of your locked data. However, make sure that you have launched System Restore in the past, otherwise, this software might not be successful.
Shadow Explorer is created for data recovery purposes:
If the ransomware virus did not touch or erase your files' Shadow Volume Copies, use this tool and try to recover some of your individual documents:
No official ChaCha ransomware decryptor has been released yet. The cybersecurity experts are currently working on it.
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like ChaCha together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows ransom notes called DECRYPT-FILES.html in every folder.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
Questions about ChaCha ransomware
Should I pay the ransom in DECRYPT-FILES.html?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from DECRYPT-FILES.html 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.
Is there a free ChaCha decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for ChaCha 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 "ChaCha 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 ChaCha steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by ChaCha, but the only confirmed sign is ransom notes called DECRYPT-FILES.html in every folder, 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 ChaCha get on my computer?
The way ChaCha 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 ransom notes called DECRYPT-FILES.html in every folder, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is ChaCha 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 DECRYPT-FILES.html tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name DECRYPT-FILES.html, 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.
Why did my antivirus not stop ChaCha?
New ransomware is often changed just enough that antivirus programs do not recognise it in its first days. Attackers test their builds against popular scanners before release, and some switch off protection or add exclusions before encrypting. That is how a PC can end up with ransom notes called DECRYPT-FILES.html in every folder while Windows Security shows no warning.
Run a full scan and the Microsoft Defender offline scan now: definitions are updated several times a day, and the offline scan starts before Windows, where the ransomware cannot interfere. Then check Windows Security for exclusions you did not add.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by ChaCha?
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 ChaCha 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 ChaCha?
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 ChaCha, 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: Shadow Copy (read October 7, 2026)
- LosVirus: LosVirus.es (read October 7, 2026)
- My Private Network: What is a torrent? Here's all that you need to know (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)