Dragon ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Dragon ransomware is a variant of Aurora virus and first showed up in mid-August 2019. It is yet unknown what type of distribution methods hackers use, but victims are most likely to get infected with the malware strain when they open a malicious email attachment, visit a malicious site while using an outdated version of Windows, download software cracks, use unprotected Remote Desktop, etc.
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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Dragon ransomware: summary
| Name | Dragon ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Cyprovirus |
| Encryption algorithm | RSA-2048 |
| File extension | .locked |
| Ransomware family | Aurora |
| Ransom note | #DECRYPT_MY_FILES#.txt |
| 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 18 more facts
| Contact | dragon-support@pm.me |
|---|---|
| Ransom size | 0.3 BTC |
| Additional information | Malware exists if it detects that the victim's IP is from China, Taiwan or Hong Kong |
| Background process | factura.exe |
| Decryption | Use a free decryption tool from Emsisoft |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .locked |
| 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, a ransom note left in folders and a Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .locked |
| Attacker contacts | dragon-support@pm.me |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 21 August 2019 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:Win32/Skeeyah.A!MTB |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Which name will your scanner show?
Microsoft's name for Dragon ransomware is Trojan:Win32/Skeeyah.A!MTB.
Defender sorts threats by category first, so the word before the colon tells you what kind of program was found, even if the family name means nothing to you.
Do not search for a removal tool by the detection name alone; fake "removal tools" use the same keywords. How the naming works is explained in our guide to antivirus detection names.
- File extension:
.locked - Note file:
DECRYPT_MY_FILES#.txt - Contact:
dragon-support@pm.me
From our report of Aug 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Dragon ransomware
- Employ professional anti-malware software like to get rid of Dragon ransomware
The Dragon ransomware note
Dragon Ransomware
###########################
#What happened to your files?
All your files has been encrypted by a strong encryption with RSA-2048.
More information about the encryption keys using RSA-2048 can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(cryptosystem)
#What does this mean?
This means that the structure and data within your files have been irrevocably changed, you will not be able to work with them, read them or see them, it is the same thing as losing them forever, but with our help, you can restore them.
#How did this happen?
Especially for you, on our server was generated the secret key pair RSA-2048 – public and private. All your files were encrypted with the public key, which has been transferred to your computer via the Internet. Decrypting of your files is only possible with the help of the private key and decrypt program, which is on our secret server.
#What do I do?
Alas, if you do not take the necessary measures for the specified time then the conditions for obtaining the private key will be changed. If you really value your data, then we suggest you do not waste valuable time searching for the solutions because they do not exist.
Trying to reinstall the system and decrypting the file with a third-party tool will result in file corruption which means no one can decrypt your file(including us)!
If you still try to decrypt the file yourself, you do so at your own risk!
#Test decryption!
As a proof, you can send 3 encrypted files and ID to test decrypt,and we will send you the decrypted files to prove that we can decrypt your files.
To decrypt all your files, you need to buy Dragon Decryptor.
#How to buy Dragon Decryptor?
1.buy 0.3 bitcoin at https://localbitcoins.com
2.contact us by email to get a payment address
3.send bitcoin to our payment address
4.after payment,we will send you Dragon Decryptor
Email:
dragon-support@pm.me
How to remove Dragon 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 Dragon 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
Dragon ransomware 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
DECRYPT_MY_FILES#.txtand one or two files ending in.lockedto 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 Dragon ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 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 Dragon ransomware 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 Aug 2019 · not reviewed since
Dragon ransomware - a decryptable cryptovirus that avoids infecting users from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong
Dragon ransomware is a variant of Aurora virus and first showed up in mid-August 2019.
It is yet unknown what type of distribution methods hackers use, but victims are most likely to get infected with the malware strain when they open a malicious email attachment, visit a malicious site while using an outdated version of Windows, download software cracks, use unprotected Remote Desktop, etc.
Once inside, Dragon ransomware modifies various system settings and starts the encryption process with the help of RSA-2048 cipher. Once complete, the content of the data is changed in a way that prevents users from accessing it.
Besides, a .locked extension is added (note that this appendix has been used by many different ransomware developers), so there is a high chance that the affected users will notice the infection straight away.
Dragon ransomware then drops a ransom note #DECRYPT_MY_FILES#.txt which explains that culprits are selling the "Dragon Decryptor" for 0.3 BTC and suggest to contact them via dragon-support@pm.me email. Do not associate with hackers - there is no need to buy the tool they offering, as security researchers from Emsisoft released a decryptor that can recover all the Dragon virus locked files for free.
As soon as Dragon ransomware enters the machine in one way or another, it changes Windows registry, deletes Shadow Volume Copies, opens/writes/copies system files, spawns a factura.exe process that runs in the background, loads various modules, etc.
After encrypting data, Dragon ransomware also contacts a Command & Control server to send out a private RSA key for each of the victims (it is needed in order to decipher files). Finally, the malware encrypts pictures, documents, databases, videos, and other files, sparing only system data, among a few other exceptions.
A quite interesting fact is that Dragon ransomware will not start any system modification if the host computer IP is from China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong. This is most likely because culprits themselves are from those countries and do not want to attract the attention of local authorities.
Crooks behind Dragon ransomware try to convince users that all the decryption tools are useless and they are the only ones that can provide an effective solution for file recovery. Here's what they say in the ransom note that is dropped in every folder of the PC:
Test decryption is also that many ransomware developers offer nowadays, as it might give victims a false sense of security and shows that the malicious actors can actually decrypt all the data. However, the unfortunate part is that they might not necessarily send the required key and the tool, even after the payment of 0.3 Bitcoin is processed. Thus, do not hesitate and proceed with Dragon ransomware removal.
Speaking of malware analysis, 49 vendors currently recognize Dragon ransomware and detect it under the following names:
Therefore, you can use any of these tools or (based on Avira engine) to remove Dragon ransomware safely. Remember, if you start the file recovery process before that, all the data will be encrypted repeatedly. Besides, any files that you download from the internet will get immediately locked if the infection is still present.
- HEUR/AGEN.1034529
- A Variant Of Win32/Filecoder.NVB
- W32/Chapak.A!tr.ransom
- Troj/Auroran-A
- Ransom.FileCryptor
- Trojan:Win32/Skeeyah.A!MTB
- Win32:Malware-gen, etc.
From our report of Aug 2019 · not reviewed since
Spam emails, outdated operating system and careless behavior online can put you into serious trouble
Ransomware is one of the most devastating malware families, and seems like it one of the most lucrative ones as well, as millions of users resort to paying the ransom when they can't find any other ways to recover their files.
Unfortunately, that just fuels cybercrime, and more ransomware viruses are developed every day. To increase the profits, malicious actors also employ various methods to distribute malware, such as spam emails, exploits, web infects, fake updates software cracks, vulnerabilities, phishing sites, etc.
Security experts from Novirus.uk advise users to stay vigilant and promote the following computer security tips:
- Install reputable anti-malware software and update its database in order to stop most malware from entering the machine;
- Make sure your operating system and the installed applications are patched with security updates;
- Never download cracks, keygens, or pirated software installers;
- Do not use the default port when using Remote Desktop and protect it with a strong password;
- Enable two-factor authentication for all your accounts;
- Install adblock or use a browser that blocks ads automatically;
- Backup your files!
From our report of Aug 2019 · not reviewed since
Remove Dragon ransomware from your computer and recover your data for free
Before you proceed with file recovery, you need to make sure that Dragon ransomware removal was executed successfully.
For that, you need to employ reputable anti-malware software like or and perform a full system scan. In some cases, malware might tamper with security applications, however, preventing them from working correctly or stopping their startup in the first place. In such a case, enter Safe Mode with Networking as explained below and do the scan from there.
Once you remove Dragon ransomware, you can then use the Decryption tool from Emsisoft to recover your locked data. If for some reason, the tool does not work for you, we provide an additional option for file recovery below.
[GI=method-1]If you struggle to remove Dragon ransomware from your computer, you should enter Safe Mode with Networking and perform a full system scan:
[GI=method-2]If the previous method did not work for you, you could also try System Restore:
This application is capable of recovering corrupted, damaged or accidentally deleted files. Nevertheless, some users reported that it helped them with ransomware-encrypted files.
Make use of Windows Previous Versions Feature
This method is only possible if you had System Restore enabled before the Dragon ransomware infection occurred.
ShadowExplorer will retrieve all your data in some cases
In case ransomware failed to remove Shadow Volume Copies, use ShadowExplorer to recover your files.
Make use of the Aurora decryption tool from Emsisoft
Download a free decryptor from Emsisoft to recover your data for free.
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 Dragon ransomware 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 .locked and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
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 Dragon ransomware
How did Dragon ransomware get on my computer?
The way Dragon 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 .locked 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.
How do I open .locked files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .locked ending shows that Dragon 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 Dragon ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Is there a free Dragon ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Dragon 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 "Dragon 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.
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 Dragon ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Dragon ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .locked 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 Dragon 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 just remove .locked from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .locked extension is only a label; the file content has been scrambled with a key the attackers hold.
If a renamed copy opens normally, the malware only renamed files, which happens with some fake ransomware, and you can rename the rest back. If it does not open, leave the files as they are. Renaming encrypted files can confuse a decryptor later, so always work on copies.
Should I open DECRYPT_MY_FILES#.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text DECRYPT_MY_FILES#.txt cannot harm the PC. Be careful with notes in HTA or HTML format: double-clicking those runs them in a window that can contain scripts, so right-click and choose Open with > Notepad instead.
The note tells you the contact addresses, the claimed amount and the deadline. Do not visit links or write to the addresses from this PC. Use the note to identify the family and check for a free decryptor first.
Will Fortect remove Dragon 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 Dragon 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
- SecPod: Command And Control Servers : Things You Should Know (read October 6, 2026)
- Twitter: "Dragon Ransomware" appears to be a variant of Aurora (read October 6, 2026)
- Virus Total: R.exe (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)