Ciop ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Ciop ransomware is a variant of the Clop, which initially stems from CryptoMix virus family. In most cases, users download an executable or document file via a phishing email sent by the attackers.
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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Ciop ransomware: summary
| Name | Ciop |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransowmare |
| Previous versions | Clop |
| Virus family | CryptoMix |
| File extension | .Ciop |
| Ransom note | CIopReadMe.txt, ClopReadMe.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
| 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
| Contact | unlock@eqaltech.su, unlock@royalmail.su or kensgilbomet@protonmail.com |
|---|---|
| Related files | SCN0tification.exe, uZHOQbicgS.exe, swaqp.exe |
| Peculiarities | Uses valid signature, checks for security software, spawns new services, communicates with Command & Control server, etc. |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .ciop |
| 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 | .ciop |
| Attacker contacts | unlock@eqaltech.su |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 22 March 2019 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.ciop - Note file:
CIopReadMe.txt - Contact:
unlock@eqaltech.su
From our report of Mar 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Ciop
- Use security software that can recognize the threat, such as (detected as TR/AD.ClopRansom.uxgju based on Avira scan engine)
The Ciop ransomware note
--------------------------------------Your networks has been penetrated!--------------------------------------------
All files on each host in the network have been encrypted with a strong algorithm.
Backups were either encrypted or deleted or backup disks were formatted.
Shadow copies either encrypted, so F8 or any other methods may damage encrypted data but not recover.
We exclusively have decryption software for your situation.
===No DECRYPTION software is AVAILABLE in the PUBLIC===
===========DO NOT RESET OR SHUTDOWN - FILES MAY BE DAMAGED============
===========DO NOT RESET OR SHUTDOWN - FILES MAY BE DAMAGED============
===========DO NOT RESET OR SHUTDOWN - FILES MAY BE DAMAGED============
---THIS MAY LEAD TO THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF RECOVERY OF THE CERTAIN FILES---
---ALL REPAIR TOOLS ARE USELESS AND CAN DESTROY YOUR FILES IRREVERSIBLY---
If you want to restore your files write to email.
and attach 4-6 encrypted files!
]!!!
***You will receive decrypted samples and our conditions how to get the decoder***
<...>
How to remove Ciop 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 Ciop 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
Ciop encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
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
Copy
CIopReadMe.txtand one or two files ending in.ciopto a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
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
For Ciop, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Ciop still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or 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
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
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
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
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 Mar 2019 · not reviewed since
Ciop ransomware is data locking virus that continues what Clop malware started - encrypts files and demands ransom payment for the alleged decryptor
Ciop ransomware is a variant of the Clop, which initially stems from CryptoMix virus family.
In most cases, users download an executable or document file via a phishing email sent by the attackers. Nevertheless, the developers can also use different distribution tactics, such as brute-forcing, fake updates, drive-by downloads, etc. Once inside, the cyber threat uses the AES encryption algorithm to lock data, appends .Ciop extension to each of the affected files and prevents victims from accessing them.
Ciop ransomware also drops a ransom note CIopReadMe.txt and explains that users need to contact hackers via unlock@eqaltech.su, unlock@royalmail.su or kensgilbomet@protonmail.com, and, because malware targets corporate networks rather than individuals, asks to include the name of the company and site address.
Malware also uses software packing to evade detection - the main executable is compressed, which allows it to use a valid digital signature, consequently helping .Ciop file virus to evade detection.
Ciop ransomware is a sophisticated threat and, unfortunately, is not currently decryptable without backups. However, file recovery might be possible with the help of alternative methods, such as Windows Previous Versions feature or third-party software. Yet, the attempt to retrieve data should only be made after Ciop ransomware removal is performed, otherwise, the compromised system will repeatedly encrypt files.
Once .Ciop file virus enters the machine, it performs a variety of system changes, such as:
After that, Ciop ransomware begins file encryption and changes the structure of databases, documents, pictures, videos, and other files by appending .Ciop or .CIOP file extensions. The ransom message then states the following:
According to cybercriminals, they are targeting organizations, rather than regular users, as they are talking about network infection. Nevertheless, studies showed that Ciop does not incorporate means necessary to spread laterally unless hackers break in via the RDP.
Nevertheless, it does not mean that regular users cannot be infected with Ciop file virus. Thus, if you were among the unlucky ones, remove Ciop ransomware from your device using security software. Besides, it was proved that malware might read a variety of information and send it to a remote server
Be aware that paying cybercriminals does not guarantee you the decryptor. As practice shows, some malware authors cannot even decrypt files themselves, and others might simply ignore you and keep your money. Thus, experts advise to stay away from hackers and take care of Ciop ransomware infection without their help.
- Modifies Windows registry;
- Spawns new services and modifies existing ones;
- Gains administrator's access;
- Checks for security software and sends out system information;
- Deletes Shadow Volume Copies, etc.
From our report of Mar 2019 · not reviewed since
Use adequate precautionary measures to avoid ransomware infections
Users often underestimate the fact that they might get infected with horrible viruses and often neglect precautionary measures that are needed to protect themselves from such consequences.
However, once they fall victims of ransomware, only then they realize how devastating the infection can be. Therefore, it is always better to prevent the virus rather than dealing with ramifications.
Industry experts advise the following:
- Employ reputable security software and keep it updated at all times;
- Enable built-in or third-party firewall;
- Always update your operating system and the installed software as soon as security patches are released;
- Use strong passwords for all your accounts, as well as two-factor authentication;
- Beware of phishing emails. While most of them end up in the Spam box, some of them might bypass built-in scanners and end up in your Inbox. Thus, treat every email with attachments or hyperlinks as a potential hazard;
- Install an ad-block program;
- Adequately protect the RDP connection if you are using one;
- Disable Javascript and Flash plugin auto-run feature;
- Use browsers that incorporate advanced security measures against malware, phishing, and other threats.
From our report of Mar 2019 · not reviewed since
Ciop ransomware removal and and file recovery procedure
As we already mentioned, Ciop virus is not decryptable, so only backups would save you from data loss.
Nevertheless, you should not lose hope, as there are other methods you can rely on, like third-party tools that might be able to help you retrieve at least some files. Alternatively, security experts might create a decryption tool one day - many other viruses were decoded in such a way (No More Ransom project).
But before that, you need to remove Ciop ransomware from your machine entirely. In some cases, Ciop ransomware removal will only be possible via the Safe Mode, as the virus might be blocking anti-virus software from functioning. We explain how to do that below. You will also find instructions on how to attempt file recovery with the help of third-party software.
[GI=method-1]In case Ciop ransomware is blocking your antivirus, enter Safe Mode with Networking:
[GI=method-2]System Restore can also be used to stop the virus:
This tool might be able to recover at least some of the files that got encrypted by the cryptovirus.
Windows Previous Versions feature might be able to help you to recover separate files
If you had System Restore enabled previously, you can try Windows Previous Versions feature to retrieve files one by one.
ShadowExplorer might be useful when trying to recover files locked by .Ciop ransomware virus
Most ransomware viruses attempt to delete Shadow Volume copies to complicate the file recovery. If this process fails you have a chance with ShadowExplorer.
No decryptor is currently available
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 Ciop 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 files that end in .ciop and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
Questions about Ciop ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .ciop files?
That depends on the family behind the .ciop 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.
Should I pay the ransom in CIopReadMe.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from CIopReadMe.txt and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
How do I open .ciop files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .ciop ending shows that Ciop 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 Ciop. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Ciop steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Ciop, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .ciop 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.
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 Ciop get on my computer?
The way Ciop 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 .ciop and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is Ciop 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 CIopReadMe.txt tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name CIopReadMe.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 .ciop attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .ciop 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 Ciop?
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 Ciop, 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
- Virus Total: SCN0tification.exe (read October 7, 2026)
- Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom: NEED HELP unlocking your digital life without paying your attackers*? (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)