DDDPP ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
DDDPP ransomware – a version of the cryptovirus that selects particular files for encoding and affects the rest by modifying or even corrupting them permanently. PPDDDP ransomware is the primary variant of this family that was more active at the end of 2019, so this newer version is the one that got slightly updated and altered to affect more devices and run more dangerous campaigns.
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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DDDPP ransomware: summary
| Distribution | This is a typical ransomware, so methods of spreading include spam email attachments, breaking through unprotected RDP configurations and using exploit kits, relying on vulnerabilities and other malware |
|---|---|
| Damage | Any blackmail-based threat is dangerous because it involves money demands and data that may get permanently damaged or lost |
| Name | DDDPP ransomware |
| Family | PPDDDP cryptovirus family known since 2019 December |
| File extension | .dddpp is te marker that comes at the end of every file encoded alongside the name of the directory, contact email address of criminals and possibly other ransom information that is changed per each victim and virus spreading campaign. |
| Additional features | The malware selects folder with files and randomly chooses which data gets encrypted, which corrupted or which altered because, besides encoding, the virus changes the original logo of some files and damages other data directly making them worth 0Kb |
| 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
| Contact information | crptcloud@protonmail.ch |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | FilesRestore.html gets opened and added on the desktop when malware is done with file-encryption procedures[1] |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .dddpp |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| 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 | .dddpp |
| Attacker contacts | crptcloud@protonmail.ch |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 20 March 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.dddpp - Note file:
FileRestore.html - Contact:
crptcloud@protonmail.ch
From our report of Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on DDDPP ransomware
- You should remove DDDPP ransomware using anti-malware tools and security programs that can detect the threat, malicious files and other programs related to this or additional virus.
- Such applications are designed to fight malware like cryptovirus
- You need to restore files after encryption, but system changes and various applications that malware installs behind your back significantly affects the performance and security of your machine.
- So get or a system optimizer to get those affected files fixed and repaired
The DDDPP ransomware note
Your files has been encrypted!
Hi
We have encrypted your files. Yes we know that it's shitty but it's not a disasster .
You are able to decrypt all files without aftermath for a 48 hours.
If time will expire you'll unable to restore your files.
We'll format your disk and delete decryption keys from our database.
Don't waste your time to check backups, it's also encrypted or deleted.
Your ID: a8e76a349f865b6299983810252 ***** [32 characters total]
You can buy BTC on one of this sites:
https://www.bestchange.com/paypal-usd-to-bitcoin.html
To get the decryptor you need to send mail with your ID to crptcloud@protonmail.chThen you will receive mail with price, instruction for payment and decryption.
Attention!
No Payment = No decryption
You really get the decryptor after payment
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
How to remove DDDPP 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 DDDPP 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 DDDPP 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
.dddppand the instructions are inFileRestore.html. 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 DDDPP 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 DDDPP 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 DDDPP 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 Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
DDDPP ransomware is the threat that shows ransom payment instructions and information about the encryption process on the FileRestore.html file
DDDPP ransomware – a version of the cryptovirus that selects particular files for encoding and affects the rest by modifying or even corrupting them permanently.
PPDDDP ransomware is the primary variant of this family that was more active at the end of 2019, so this newer version is the one that got slightly updated and altered to affect more devices and run more dangerous campaigns. It still has some features of the initial code, and they help researchers to determine that cryptovirus is from the same developers.
The ransom note FileRestore.html is the same that was used a few months back, information on the program window is also the same. The contact email is changed, and now criminals want you to contact them via crptcloud@protonmail.ch to get the full ransom amount settled and receive additional information about possible decryption software.
However, we don't recommend keeping away from any contact between you and those criminals. This is an important thing because ransomware payload can be distributed via email attachments and malicious actors can possibly spread more malware programs on the machine by sending scripts directly to you.
There is no possibility to decrypt files using official software because experts haven't analyzed the threat enough to come up with such an application. Also, since this ransomware manages to corrupt some of the files in selected folders, you may lose files permanently and there is pretty much nothing that could help you with such data affected by the DDDPP ransomware virus issue.
DDDPP ransomware manages to infiltrate the system and run in the background even when you cannot use the machine normally and notice those changes or activities of the malware.
Even though ransomware is a type of malware that focuses on encrypting and blackmailing, you need to note that there are other functions this virus can have. All the secondary payloads and initial cryptovirus functions depend on malicious actors who developed and distributed this threat.
When the threat lands on your device it manages to silently run in the system and runs all the wanted processes like data exfiltration, disabling of the system security programs, and the main encryption. DDDPP ransomware belongs to the family that is somewhat selective with the files that get encrypted during the attack.
DDDPP ransomware finds folders, and some of the data there gets encoded, some corrupted or damaged. When these alterations are done it shows the following ransom note:
FileRestore.html file is the program window with ransom note, but DDDPP ransomware virus is not determining the particular amount of ransom you will need to pay for decryption tool right away. This is why contact email is also on the message. However, when you contact them and still decide not to pay, you may end up with a damaged machine and even exposed to more dangerous malware.
Do not piss off malicious actors, don't write them and remove DDDPP ransomware instead. If you do that as soon as you get the ransom message, you can avoid bigger system issues and malware infections that may end up sent to you by criminals themselves. These people are unpredictable, and more recent campaigns of such malware shows that they can be exceptionally malicious people.
The best option for DDDPP ransomware removal is automatic anti-malware programs capable of detecting and removing such threats and other possibly malicious programs, files or tools. When the AV engine runs a full system scan it manages to check additional places on the computer where some malicious scripts can get hidden and programs installed.
Proper detection also depends on the database antivirus tools use because not all of them get updated frequently enough to include all the newest threats and malware samples. So make sure to rely on professional software and tools that can find DDDPP ransomware and terminate all associated programs. To make sure that the process is successful - run a few tools of similar functionality to double-check.
These anti-malware programs can be exceptionally powerful in such processes as malware termination, but files that get damaged and encrypted or even system functions that become disabled due to affected files, and apps are not going to get repaired when you clean the system from DDDPP ransomware. For these repair processes, you need to get the proper system repair application or the optimization tool like .
When you are sure that all parts of the machine get repaired and managed to get rid of the threat with methods that experts recommended, you can go for data recovery. Only when DDDPP ransomware is no longer active because second round of encryption damages your files forever.
Data backups are the best option because you can replace affected files with safe copies this way. If you don't have anything like that - rely on third-party data restoring programs. A few of them are listed below.
From our report of Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
Main methods of distribution of crypto-ransomware
This is a common ransomware that is not different than other cryptocurrency-extortion based threats, so there are many spreading methods that can be used to deliver this virus.
Main techniques have one particular feature - malicious files that get either downloaded from peer-to-peer networks, torrents or different sharing platforms.
Also, spam email attachments include malicious-macro filled documents that need to get opened to trigger the malware scripts. This is how trojan downloaders, installers, backdoors end up on the system and can directly load the notorious ransomware.
You cannot notice any of these processes because scripts land directly in the system folders and start running in the background. Exploit kits and hacked sites can also deliver payload for you, so file downloads with special tools or hyperlinks and remote control attacks can damage your device.
The most important thing to note is to check files you download with security tools, AV programs before opening and stay away from suspicious emails, especially when the notification has attachments.
From our report of Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
Stay from paying, remove DDDPP ransomware virus ASAP
DDDPP ransomware virus developers scare people by claiming that virus can self decrypt if you run the AV tool or that decryption and file recovery is not possible unless you pay the demanded amount. These are all tactics of tricking victims into transferring Bitcoins to malware creators.
You shouldn't even consider paying because criminals have many goals and none of them are related to your security or data and recovery of the already affected systems. You need to remove DDDPP ransomware and terminate all the related processes, so nothing is affected further than data in those folders that got encrypted already.
Make sure to get professional anti-malware tools like , or and perform the DDDPP ransomware removal. Then manage to repair system functions and files affected by this malware using . Only after these recovery procedures and when the machine is newly secured you can restore files that got encrypted or corrupted during the attack.
[GI=method-1]Go for the better solution of DDDPP ransomware removal and reboot the machine in the Safe Mode with Networking
[GI=method-2]System Restore feature provides the opportunity to recover machine in the previous state when DDDPP ransomware was not running, and files haven't been affected
You should try third=party software designed for recovering files and terminating the damage that malware like DDDPP ransomware makes
Windows Previous Versions is the feature useful for file recovery
If you enable System Restore feature, Windows Previous versions can help you with files later on
ShadowExplorer - a method for data recovery
Shadow Volume Copies, when left untouched can provide another option that restores encrypted files
Decryption tool is not developed yet for DDDPP ransomware virus
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 .dddpp 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.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
Questions about DDDPP ransomware
How do I open .dddpp files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .dddpp 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.
Should I pay the ransom in FileRestore.html?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from FileRestore.html and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
Is there a free DDDPP ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for DDDPP ransomware 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 "DDDPP ransomware decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
Did DDDPP ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by DDDPP ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .dddpp 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.
How did DDDPP ransomware get on my computer?
The way DDDPP 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 .dddpp 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 DDDPP 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.
Can I delete FileRestore.html?
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. FileRestore.html 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.
My files got .dddpp overnight. What happened?
Ransomware often runs at night or when the PC is idle, so the encryption finishes before anyone notices. It usually entered earlier through a cracked program, a fake installer, an e-mail attachment or remote desktop with a weak password.
The .dddpp extension marks every file it reached. Start by disconnecting the PC from the network, then identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check for a decryptor, and look for copies in backups and OneDrive before you consider anything else.
Will Fortect remove DDDPP 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 DDDPP 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
- Wikipedia: Encryption (read October 6, 2026)
- ZDNet: France warns of new ransomware gang targeting local governments (read October 6, 2026)
- Virusai: Virusai (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)