Chch ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Chch ransomware, found by GrujaRS cybersecurity researcher, is a ransom-demanding cyber threat that adds the .chch appendix and provides payment demands via READ_ME.txt message. This malware touches all types of files and documents such as images, audios, videos, excel sheets, powerpoints, word documents, and others.
Facts checked October 6, 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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Chch ransomware: summary
| Name | Chch ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware virus/malware |
| Founder | GrujaRS |
| Danger level | High. This dangerous parasite locks files and documents by using a unique encryption key, can make your files be lost forever, and can install additional malware on the vulnerable machine |
| Extension | Once files are locked by using a symmetric or asymmetric algorithm, the .chch appendix is added to each filename to notify about the virus's activity |
| Ransom note | All ransom demands and information about the encryption are provided in the READ_ME.txt message. However, there is no current ransomware price given in the note. The victims have to contact the criminals directly in order to receive data regarding the sum |
| 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 13 more facts
| Contacts | squadhack@email.tg |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .chch |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| 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 | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .chch |
| Attacker contacts | squadhack@email.tg |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 17 December 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.chch - Note file:
READ_ME.txt - Contact:
squadhack@email.tg
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Chch ransomware
- You can get rid of the ransomware virus by employing automatical software.
- Do not try to eliminate the malware on your own as you might end up making severe damage
- If you have discovered any damage in your computer system, you can try repairing it with software such as
The Chch ransomware note
Your files are encrypted!
All your important data has been encrypted.
To recover data you need decryptor.
To get the decryptor you should:
Send 1 test image or text file squadhack@email.tg
In the letter include your personal ID (look at the end of this document).
We will give you the decrypted file and assign the price for decryption all files
After we send you instruction how to pay for decrypt and after payment you will receive a decryptor and instructions We can decrypt one file in quality the evidence that we have the decoder.
Attention!
Only squadhack@email.tg can decrypt your files
Do not trust anyone squadhack@email.tg
Do not attempt to remove the program or run the anti-virus tools
Attempts to self-decrypting files will result in the loss of your data
Decoders other users are not compatible with your data, because each user's unique encryption key
ID: -
How to remove Chch 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 Chch 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 Chch 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
.chchand the instructions are inREAD_ME.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 Chch ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 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 Chch 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 Chch 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 Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Chch ransomware - a file-encrypting parasite that threatens not to decrypt data by yourself or important files will be lost
Chch ransomware, found by GrujaRS cybersecurity researcher, is a ransom-demanding cyber threat that adds the .chch appendix and provides payment demands via READ_ME.txt message.
This malware touches all types of files and documents such as images, audios, videos, excel sheets, powerpoints, word documents, and others. After successful encryption, Chch ransomware, also called Squad ransomware, offers to send them one test file for free decryption via squadhack@email.tg email address. The crooks claim that they will send the document back and provide the accurate sum of the entire decryption software.
Chch ransomware might be able to avoid some type of antimalware detection. However, according to VirusTotal data, this malware has already been spotted by 52 antivirus programs out of the total 69. Locker.exe has been found as one of the files related to the malware and is detected by such names:
- Generic.Ransom.GarrantDecrypt.B.E7D1AC76
- Win32:Trojan-gen
- Ransom.Squad
- Trojan.Win32.DelShad.bpn
- Trojan.TR/DelShad.psxmr
- Trojan.Encoder.29852
- etc
Chch ransomware employs a unique encryption cipher for locking all files and documents that are found on the infected Windows computer. The malware uses a symmetric or asymmetric algorithm that comes unique for each victim. After the encryption, both decryption and encryption keys are safely stored on remote servers.
Continuously, .chch files virus urges for a ransom payment via READ_ME.txt ransom message even no accurate price is currently given. As explained, it can be discovered by contacting the criminals via email:
Usually, cybercriminals require a Bitcoin or another type of cryptocurrency ransom to stay anonymous and Chch ransomware is probably also not an exception. BTC transfers are the most popular ones amongst ransomware developers as Bitcoin currency if the most commonly used cryptocurrency worldwide.
Continuously, Chch ransomware chooses to target English and English-speaking users as its ransom note is written in the English language. This way, the malware can infect a bigger variety of people that will understand the written message although there are some ransomware viruses that have translated ransom notes for multiple countries.
Chch virus is a tricky one as it might include different modules into the infected Windows computer system. The ransomware might be capable of performing the following actions:
As you can see, Chch ransomware is more than just a file-locker. It can complete a big variety of activities in order to succeed. Nevertheless, such threats are known for distributing additional malware such as trojans, spyware, etc. You should be aware that your system will likely experience even more damage after the infiltration of other malware.
To avoid such risk, you should remove Chch ransomware from your Windows computer ASAP. For this purpose, we suggest you choose reliable antimalware software, otherwise, the cyber threat might not be eliminated properly. Note that it brings the locker.exe process to the system that also needs to be deleted during removal.
Talking about data decryption, there is no need to rush and pay the crooks. Even though their message might seem threatening to you, you should overthink everything twice. There is a big risk that Chch ransomware spreaders will scam you, run off with your money, and will not bother to provide you with decryption software.
So, once you have accomplished Chch ransomware removal, you can try alternative data recovery solutions. Even though the official decryptor is not available at the moment, we have decided to provide you with other possible ways of restoring your data. Take a look down below and you will discover all of the required steps.
Last but not least, there might be some damage caused by Chch ransomware or additional malware that needs quick fixing. If you have found your system struggling to perform some types of processes or broken software, you can try repairing your computer and its components with a program such as .
- Booting itself automatically whenever the computer is launched.
- Scanning the system and searching for encryptable data in certain time periods.
- Disabling some types of antimalware software.
- Eliminating or permanently destroying Shadow Copies.
- Damaging the Windows hosts file.
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
The distribution process of ransomware viruses
Cybersecurity experts from LosVirus.es claim that ransomware infections are distributed via multiple deceptive techniques.
Cybercriminals are most likely to inject malicious products into email attachments. They drop phishing emails to users' email boxes and pretend that they have come from some type of reputable organizations, e.g. banking, healthcare, shipping, etc.
A piece of advice would be not to open any clipped attachments without scanning them with antimalware software. Continuously, you should always identify the sender, check if the message is not sent from some type of rogue email address. Also, go through the email text and search for possible grammar mistakes. Be sure that reliable companies would take care that their emails are free from such misunderstandings.
In addition, ransomware viruses are distributed through software cracks that come from p2p networks such as The Pirate Bay, BitTorrent, and eMule. Avoid any types of pirating websites and do not use any unknown downloading services.
Last but not least, there are other malware spreading sources such as malvertising, exploit kits, malicious software updates, outdated products, infectious hyperlinks, and so on.
The main thing you should no here that you are the one that is responsible for your PC's safety and to achieve that goal, you have to take precautionary steps while browsing the web and also ensure that a strong antivirus tool is operating on your computer.
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
The removal process of Chch ransomware virus
Chch ransomware removal is a very responsible process that not every user would be capable of.
Strong antimalware software is the best option for cleaning your computer from this type of cyber threat. Additionally, note that the malware might have brought some damage to your machine. Find all infected components with the help of and . Once you discover the affected locations, you can try repairing them with another tool such as .
When you completely remove Chch ransomware and repair the damage that it has done, you can start thinking about data recovery possibilities. Even though there is no official decryptor released for .chch files at the time of writing, there are other alternatives that you can try.
Take a look down below and you will find three data recovery solutions some of which might appear to be really helpful if you complete everything as it is written in the instructing steps.
[GI=method-1]To disable malicious processes on your Windows computer system, boot your machine to Safe Mode with Networking. You can apply this mode by completing the following steps
[GI=method-2]To deactivate the ransomware virus on your machine, you should apply the System Restore feature. Learn how to do this by following the below-provided guide
Try using this software if the ransomware virus has locked your important files. Make sure that you perform each step as required to reach the best results possible
Windows Previous Versions feature might help with data restore
If you have enabled the System Restore feature in the past, this method might allow you to recover some individual files and documents
Using Shadow Explorer can help to recover some files
Try this tool if you are looking for an alternative to restore some of your data. However, make sure that the ransomware virus did not eliminate Shadow Copies, otherwise, you might not find this technique successful
Currently, there is no official decryptor available for .chch files
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 .chch 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.
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 Chch ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .chch files?
That depends on the family behind the .chch extension, which this guide cannot confirm yet from the reports alone. Check No More Ransom and ID Ransomware with your ransom note and one encrypted file; they list families with free tools.
If none exists today, keep the encrypted files and a copy of the note on a separate drive, because decryptors are sometimes published months later after flaws are found or servers are seized. Never buy a decryptor from a website that is not the security company that made it.
How do I open .chch files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .chch ending shows that Chch 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 Chch ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did Chch ransomware get on my computer?
The way Chch 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 .chch 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 Chch ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Chch ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .chch 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 Chch 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 READ_ME.txt tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name READ_ME.txt, 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.
Should I reinstall Windows after the .chch attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .chch stay encrypted afterwards. So first copy the encrypted files and the ransom note to a separate drive, in case a decryptor appears later. Then decide:
- a clean-up with an offline scan is often enough for home PCs
- while a full reset is safer if remote access was involved
- scans keep finding new items
Restore your backups only after the PC is clean, and change passwords from another device.
Will Fortect remove Chch 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 Chch 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
- Twitter: New Squad Ransomware (read October 6, 2026)
- VirusTotal: 52 engines detected this file (read October 6, 2026)
- LosVirus: LosVirus.es (read October 6, 2026)
- Palo Alto Networks: What is an Exploit Kit? (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)