Danger ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Danger ransomware is a virus that locks your files and demands ransom . The virus is related to Scarab ransomware which already has more than ten different variants discovered 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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Danger ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Insecure spam email attachments |
|---|---|
| Name | Danger |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Family | Scarab |
| Extension | .fastrecovery@xmpp.jp, .fastsupport@xmpp.jp, .onlinesupport@airmail.cc |
| Ransom note | "HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES-fastrecovery@xmpp; 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 13 more facts
| Danger level | High. Can lead to permanent data or money loss |
|---|---|
| Decryption | Not available yet |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | fastrecovery@xmpp.jp, fastsupport@xmpp.jp, onlinesupport@airmail.cc |
| Encrypted file extension | .fastrecovery |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .fastrecovery |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 26 September 2018 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.fastrecovery - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Sep 2018 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Danger
- Best tool for ransomware removal is
How Danger ransomware behaves
From our report of Sep 2018 · not reviewed since
Multiple malware spreading ways include spam email attachments
Ransomware viruses can spread in various ways, such as:
The most common is a spam email. They often contain attachments that could be filled with macro viruses and those little things spread ransomware onto your computer.
Also, these letters may look safe and legitimate because of the known company names on the addresses or email itself. The same trick is used with the attachments. Even though they are compromised, they still look as safe Word or another popular document.
This is the main fact that you need to pay attention while browsing throughout your email boxes. Opening and possibly purchasing anything from those attachments can lead to cyber infections or even ransomware attacks. You need to be aware of these threats behind every suspicious site or email. Caution and knowledge are critical here.
- fake software or tool updates;
- malicious spam email attachments;
- breaking through RDP unprotected configuration;
- freeware bundles;
- trojan viruses;
- web injects;
- fraudulent downloads.
From our report of Sep 2018 · not reviewed since
Danger ransomware — a virus that is related to Scarab crypto-virus family
Danger ransomware is a virus that locks your files and demands ransom .
The virus is related to Scarab ransomware which already has more than ten different variants discovered this year. This money-extortion virus family uses a combination of AES-256 and RSA-2048 encryption algorithm.
During this procedure, the virus appends either .fastrecovery@xmpp.jp, .fastsupport@xmpp.jp or .onlinesupport@airmail.cc file extensions to make targeted images, documents, videos or archives useless for the victims unless they decide to pay authors of the ransomware for a specific data recovery tool.
Immediately after files has been changed, you could spot "HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES-fastrecovery@xmpp.jp.TXT" or "HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES-fastsupport@xmpp.jp.TXT" text files on your computer. Virus places copies of these in every existing folder. This is the ransom notes where authors of Scarab-Danger ransomware put the most important information:
As you can see in the ransom message quoted above, the Danger virus developers change their contact information every three days and this is why victims should not hesitate and contact these cybercriminals quickly. Currently known addresses used for the communication with victims are fastrecovery@xmpp.jp and fastsupport@xmpp.jp. However, in the near future, the list of contact email addresses should expand.
Contacting cybercriminals is not recommended because they need only your money and file decryption might be only alleged and barely possible. Specialists at Virusai.lt notes that often these people disappear and ignore their victims after the ransom payment is done. You'd better remove Scarab-Danger ransomware from your computer before it is too late.
Often ransomware developers display little information about the ransom but ask for the specific amount in cryptocurrencies. These criminals are not beating around the bush and stating that people without money do not need to contact them and that they want to get their payment to Jabber account.
This only gives more evidence that authors of Danger ransomware virus do not care about victims and are not willing to help each of them.
Therefore, there's no need to trust people who created this malicious program. Even though the official decryptor is not available yet, malware researchers are working on it.
Meanwhile, you should get rid of the virus and try alternative recovery methods. However, if you have data backups, you do not need to worry about anything. Though, before file recovery, you need to clean your PC.
Danger ransomware removal should be done with professional help and all the seriousness in mind. This is not just an intrusive program, this is a malicious virus that contains various harmful pieces. Anti-malware tools like can do a proper full system scan and get rid of ransomware related applications and tools.
The Danger ransomware note
Danger: Our contacts change every 3 days, do not hesitate, contact us immediately. Then we will not be available.
Attention: if you do not have money then you do not need to write to us!
The file is encrypted with the RSA-2048 algorithm, only we can decrypt the file .
=================================================
the Jabber : fastsupport@xmpp.jp
the If you do not have a jabber. The write us to the To register to: hxxps://www.xmpp.jp
How to remove Danger 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 Danger 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
Danger 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
the ransom noteand one or two files ending in.fastrecoveryto 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 Danger, 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 Danger 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 Sep 2018 · not reviewed since
Get rid of Scarab-Danger ransomware as soon as possible and avoid more significant harm
To remove Danger ransomware from your computer entirely you should use certified and trustworthy tools or programs like , or .
This option in virus elimination can ensure you are deleting all of the remains that might be with this virus. Ransomware is malicious and harmful, but also there is a possibility that they contain other tools or programs.
Those programs can do more damage to your system than the ransomware itself. The more time you give for, the more access they can gain. Scarab-Danger ransomware removal is vital to do quickly and correctly so you can avoid any repetition in the future. We have a step-by-step guide below for better explanation and virus removal.
However, we do not recommend to focus on file decryption until you double-checked your system is clean. Only then you can insert an external backup and recover your data. Because you plug in any device to the insecure system, your files could be corrupted again, and this means you lose your data permanently.
[GI=method-1]When dealing with Danger ransomware, the first thing you can do is reboot your system in Safe Mode with networking
[GI=method-2]System Restore feature is a good option too
If you want to recover the most important individual files, you can use Windows Previous Versions feature
However, this feature can be useful if System Restore was enabled beforehand
ShadowExplorer can help you to recover encrypted files
If Danger ransomware encrypted your data but did not delete Shadow Volume Copies, you can use ShadowExplorer for data recovery
Decryption tool is not 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
Danger could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .fastrecovery 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 Danger ransomware
How do I open .fastrecovery files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .fastrecovery has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:
- OneDrive versions
- File History
- an offline backup drive
- Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them
Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.
How did Danger get on my computer?
The way Danger 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 .fastrecovery 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 there a free Danger decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Danger 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 "Danger 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.
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.
Did Danger steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Danger, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .fastrecovery 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 Danger the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I delete the ransom note?
Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. the ransom note contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.
Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.
Should I reinstall Windows after the .fastrecovery attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .fastrecovery 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 Danger?
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 Danger, 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
- Cambridge Dictionary: Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Cibercrime (read October 7, 2026)
- Virusai: Virusai (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)