Creeper ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Creeper ransomware is a file locking malware which is a file-encrypting cyber infection, which seeks to lock personal files on victims' PC using a sophisticated AES encryption algorithm . Initially discovered in early 2018, malware is not very prominent, although it comes back with new versions from time to time.
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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Creeper ransomware: summary
| Name | Creeper ransomware |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Cripper ransomware |
| Type | Cryptovirus |
| Ransom note | DECRIPT_MY_FILES.txt; DECRIPT_FILES.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
| File extension | .creeper; .crypton, .cripper, .rag2hdst |
| Email address | skgrhk2018@tutanota.com, sqqsdr01@keemail.me, dfs20@keemail.me |
| 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
| Ransom currency | Monero |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | dfs20@keemail.me, skgrhk2018@tutanota.com, sqqsdr01@keemail.me |
| Encrypted file extension | .creeper |
| 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 | .creeper |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 27 April 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.creeper - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Creeper ransomware
- Get rid of Creeper virus by running a full system scan with reputable anti-malware software
- If you found Windows not to be working properly after malware removal, scan it with to fix system file damage
How Creeper ransomware behaves
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Ransomware developers rely on the success of malspam campaigns
According to the latest reports, the usage of drive-by download attacks and exploit kits for ransomware distribution are falling since 2017.
Although some major attacks via RIG EK and other exploit kits have been revealed through the last year, the numbers are decreasing leaving malspam campaigns as the primary distributor of the file-encrypting virus.
However, the revelation of such a tendency does not mean that PC users can stop being careful with suspicious ads or start surfing on illegal and potentially dangerous websites. Precautionary measures have to be in mind all the time because hackers the old virus distribution methods are often refined coming back with the new strength.
One malware distribution strategy seems to be stable - that's spam emails. Hackers use various bots (Necurs most frequently) to disseminate tricky email messages with malicious email attachments. Such messages can mimic various authorities and indicate an attachment as invoice, report, or another official document. Usually, such attachments require to enable Macros and, if the potential victim, does that, he or she unintentionally activates the ransomware.
To protect yourself from similar cyber attacks, experts from virusi.bg recommend you to keep a reputable anti-virus activated and update it regularly. Besides, avoid interaction with any content that looks suspicious to you. Although people often have a presentiment about email attachments or fake ads on the internet, curiosity often overcomes the fair of getting their PCs infected.
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Creeper ransomware - dangerous cryptovirus that demands a ransom in Monero
Creeper ransomware is a file locking malware which is a file-encrypting cyber infection, which seeks to lock personal files on victims' PC using a sophisticated AES encryption algorithm .
Initially discovered in early 2018, malware is not very prominent, although it comes back with new versions from time to time. Initially, malware appended .creeper or .crypton file extension to the encrypted data, although later attackers added .cripper, and, most recently, .rag2hdst to the list.
Once the Creeper virus encrypts all personal files on the computer, it also drops a ransom note DECRIPT_MY_FILES.txt or DECRIPT_FILES.txt, which demands to pay ransom for the decryption tool, which should be paid in Monero cryptocurrency, which sometimes reaches as much as $1,000. Attackers also provide contact email, which changed over time - the most recent one used is dfs20@keemail.me.
Typically, hackers are requesting to send them a unique code that is indicated on a ransom note. The ransom message displayed by Creeper ransomware reads the following:
In the text file, the ransomware does not indicate the particular amount of the ransom. The size of the redemption depends on how fast the victim reacts to the current situation. If the victim contacts the developers of the Creeper virus in two days or less, he or she will be asked to pay 3 Monero coins, which is currently more than 800 USD.
The price for those who respond within 3-5 days increases to 5 Monero coins, while the absolute deadline is six days. According to crooks, in 6 days the Creeper decryptor is permanently deleted.
All information related to this virus is originally written in English, so experts speculate that it's oriented to English-speaking users. Since English is a universal language, the prevalence of this crypto-extortionists is expected to be large.
You should not pay the ransom due to two important reasons - money loss and future attacks. You can never know whether the felons creating ransomware virus are conscientious.
They may not store a decryptor at all, so after transferring Monero, they may not send you a decryptor or send the one that is not working. Besides, paying the ransom is not a decent move as you will motive crooks to keep initiating their shady activities.
If you are not aware how to initiate Creeper removal or the ransomware keeps blocking your anti-virus continuously, you can follow the instructions provided at the end of this article. You will also find several alternative methods that can help you to decrypt files encrypted by Creeper virus.
The Creeper ransomware note
Decrypting your files is easy. Take a deep breath and follow the steps below.
1 ) Make the proper payment.
Payments are made in Monero. This is a crypto-currency, like bitcoin.
You can buy Monero, and send it, from the same places you can any other
crypto-currency. If you're still unsure, google 'monero exchange.'
Sign up at one of these exchange sites and send the payment to the address below.
Payment Address (Monero Wallet):
[payment address omitted]
2 ) Farther you should send the following code: *** to email address skgrhk2018@tutanota.com.
Then you will receive all necessary key.
Prices :
Days : Monero : Offer Expires
0-2 : 3 : 03/01/18
3-5 : 5 : 03/04/18
Note: In 6 days your password decryption key gets permanently deleted.
You then have no way to ever retrieve your files. So pay now.
How to remove Creeper 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 Creeper 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 Creeper 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
.creeperand 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 Creeper ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing Creeper 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 Creeper 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 Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Learn how to remove Creeper virus quickly
Creeper removal can hardly be initiated without the assistance of the anti-virus tool.
Unlike less dangerous viruses, ransomware is known for initiating multiple system's changes, including corruption of Registry Entries. The problem is that you may not be able to remove Creeper virus with the help of an anti-virus. It may prevent the anti-malware tool from being launched and block the installation of a new one. In this kind of situation, you should initiate the steps that are given below.
Once you eliminate Creeper ransomware from the system, you should try to recover your files from Shadow Volume Copies, previous Windows version or use additional data recovery tools. Those who have file backups should skip data recovery steps and go ahead to the recovery from backups.
[GI=method-1]Creeper removal can become a mission impossible if the virus blocks your anti-virus. If you are stuck on your PC with all the files encrypted, you should follow the steps below to reboot your PC into Safe Mode with Networking.
[GI=method-2]These steps apply for those who cannot launch anti-virus even when in Safe Mode with Networking or if they cannot access this mode:
Nevertheless, it recovered millions of files encrypted by ransomware viruses, so it's worth giving a try:
Windows Previous Versions feature can recover the most important files
Once you remove Creeper ransomware, install ShadowExplorer and try to recover your files from Windows Shadow Volume Copies.
Creeper decryptor is not yet 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.
Make the next attack harmless
Creeper ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .creeper and no longer open) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about Creeper ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .creeper files?
That depends on the family behind the .creeper 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 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 .creeper files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .creeper ending shows that Creeper 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 Creeper ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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.
How did Creeper ransomware get on my computer?
The way Creeper 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 .creeper 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 Creeper ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Creeper ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .creeper 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 Creeper ransomware the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
What does the ransom note tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name the ransom note, the wording, the contact addresses and the format of the personal ID are typical for each family. Uploading the note together with one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff usually names the family within seconds.
That name decides your options: some families have free decryptors, some can be partially recovered, and some cannot be decrypted at all. The note's claims about stolen data should be taken seriously but not at face value.
Should I reinstall Windows after the .creeper attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .creeper 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 Creeper 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 Creeper 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
- SocPrime: Monero ransomware: new trend or test for delivery mechanism? (read October 7, 2026)
- 2-Spyware: The fall of Exploit Kits: RIG EK turns to cryptocurrency (read October 7, 2026)
- Virusi: Virusi (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)