EncryptedbyBB ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
EncryptedbyBB is one of the latest ransomware threat that has been detected at the beginning of April 2020. Distributed via malicious spam email attachments, the virus distorts log files and enables a strong encryptor, which targets the vast majority of personal files.
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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EncryptedbyBB ransomware: summary
| Name | EncryptedbyBB |
|---|---|
| Also known as | BB ransomware |
| File extensions used | The virus is a new member of ransomware family. Based on the initial research, it uses .encryptedbyBB file extension to encrypt personal files. |
| Ransom note | EncryptedbyBB; the text is quoted in full below |
| Targeted files | It is currently unknown which particular files the EncryptedbyBB ransomware targets. However, the most popular files, such as .docx, .doc, .exe, .jpg, .png, etc. |
| Distribution techniques | Malicious spam email attachments are the primary source for ransomware distribution. Nevertheless, unprotected RDP connections, exploits, malicious installers, infected websites, and similar means can be used to spread crypto-malware. |
| 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
| Detection names | Updated antivirus detect this virus under the following names: Trojan.GenericKD.33583211, Trojan:MSIL/Filecoder.d0bb6406, Win32:Trojan-gen, Gen:NN.ZemsilF.34104.km0@aWEeuXn, A Variant Of MSIL/Filecoder.YQ, W32/Crypren.YQ!tr.ransom, Ransom.BBRansomware, Ransom:MSIL/Fil eCoder.BB!MSR, Ransom.MSIL.BB.A, HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.MSIL.Crypren.gen. [3]; no Microsoft detection name is known for this name |
|---|---|
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .encryptedbybb |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension, a Windows Security "Threats found" notification and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .encryptedbybb |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 6 April 2020 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:MSIL/Filecoder.d0bb6406 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
What antivirus programs call EncryptedbyBB
Microsoft Defender reports EncryptedbyBB as Trojan:MSIL/Filecoder.d0bb6406.
In a Defender name, the part before the colon is the category, the part after it is the platform, and the part after the slash is the family Microsoft assigned. A suffix after ! is an internal Microsoft marker, not a different threat.
Generic labels such as Agent, GenericKD or Malware.AI only say that a file looks malicious, not what it does; our guide to antivirus detection names shows how to read them.
- File extension:
.encryptedbybb - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on EncryptedbyBB
- EncryptedbyBB.txt is dropped upon strong data encryption.
- The file may include information for people who became a victim of the virus.
- The data may include information on where to transfer money, how to apply decryption key, the contact information of the ransomware developers, and similar.
- EncryptedbyBB ransomware removal should be initiated with a reliable antivirus tool.
- Even after ransomware removal, you may find out that the PC does not work the way it used to work before.
- Various EncryptedbyBB virus side effects may appear, though severe slowdowns, unresponsive system files, questionable system files, duplicate files, and similar may occur.
- Therefore, it is recommended to run a full system scan with to get rid of remnants and restore the system's parameters to the state prior to EncryptedbyBB crypto-ransomware attack.
How EncryptedbyBB ransomware behaves
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
EncryptedbyBB is a highly malicious crypto ransomware that appends.encryptedbyBB file extension and locks victim's personal data
EncryptedbyBB is one of the latest ransomware threat that has been detected at the beginning of April 2020.
Distributed via malicious spam email attachments, the virus distorts log files and enables a strong encryptor, which targets the vast majority of personal files. Consequently, files that have .jpg, .png, .docx, .exe, .mp3 and similar get encrypted by the .encryptedbyBB file extension.
While the extent of attacks is currently unknown, cybersecurity experts have already puzzled out its main features and activities. It's known that this encrypting virus is being distributed in disguise with seemingly reliable email messages that may be related to shipping information, taxes, offers, and similar.
Once the file is launched, the malicious .encryptedbyBB extension is appended to most of the victim's files, making them unreadable. Cybercriminals use AES-256 encryption algorithm, which is known as one of the most reliable methods to render files useless without a decryptor. The algorithm creates unique codes for each victim, which is why the decryptor of ransomware are challenging to develop.
As soon as the files are locked, the BB ransomware drops a ransom note, which may pop up on the victim's desktop or appear as a new .png file. The ransom note is named as "BB ransomware," which is why BB ransomware may be used as a secondary EncryptedbyBB encryptor's name.
The developers of the EncryptedbyBB ransomware virus demands a Bitcoin in exchange to a decrypt. If this malicious infection has infected your PC, we highly recommend you to restrain from paying the ransom due to a couple of reasons.
First of all, no one can guarantee the success of "agreement" since paying by Bitcoins allow criminals to stay unrecognized, and no one knows if they do have a BB ransomware key themselves. Second of all, the virus may scam victims and make copies of valuable data, so paying the ransom does not make people safer.
VirusTotal research shows that the ransomware can be detected by most of the trustworthy security software. Thus, it is crucial to install a reliable security tool and keep it up-to-date.
To remove EncryptedbyBB virus, you should launch a full system scan with a reputable anti-virus. If your security software is blocked, please see the guidelines on how to start it down below. After you perform a BB ransomware removal, try using third-party data, recover tools. The things are easy as a pie if you have duplicates of essential data on cloud storage.
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Do not open questionable emails with attachments
Even though there are multiple means of virus distribution, spam emails remain the most successful medium to infect peoples' PCs with ransomware, trojans, spyware, and other highly dangerous infections.
Crooks use exploits and similar techniques to spread malicious emails to thousands of potential victims. To make more chances to deceive people, they disguise viruses under trusted senders, such as official authorities, courier services, post offices, agencies, etc.
Therefore, even though the email seems to be trustworthy, it's always important to double-check the sender, the names, content, grammar, typo, and other features. Do not open the attachment if you do not have anything in common with the provided information.
Finally, to ensure a full system's protection, and minimize the risk of a ransomware attack, install a professional antivirus program and make sure it's always up to date. That's the only way to protect your PC from severe attacks.
The EncryptedbyBB ransomware note
Hello! I'm a bb, and Im encrypt your files
Please give me a BTC To address:
[payment address omitted]
And I send you decrypt code
If you have a special decrypt code, please select Path and decrypt file
How to remove EncryptedbyBB 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 EncryptedbyBB 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
EncryptedbyBB 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.encryptedbybbto 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 EncryptedbyBB, 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 EncryptedbyBB 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 Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rid of EncryptedbyBB virus using a professional removal guide
Unfortunately, manual EncryptedbyBB removal is practically impossible.
While some questionable "cybersecurity experts" may claim that they will help you to get rid of malicious ransomware without an antivirus, any attempt to change ransom codes or extensions may lead to a permanent data loss.
The only way to remove EncryptedbyBB ransomware virus completely is to install a professional antivirus tool and launch a full system scan. We would strongly recommend using one of the following programs: or .
Sadly, but EncryptedbyBB removal will not lead to the decryption of personal files. All files with .encryptedbyBB extension will remain unusable. If you have duplicate files on a cloud, then remove damaged data and use the copies. In case you don't have a single copy, try initiating the steps below to recover your files.
Please note that the EncryptedbyBB virus may try to block your antivirus system. Therefore, you may need to perform the following steps:
[GI=method-1] If a ransomware appears to be antivirus resistant, please enter Safe Mode with Networking to run a scan
Unfortunately, BB ransomware removal does not decrypt locked files. Run a full recovery and check whether the malicious file extension has been removed from files.
Previous Windows Version may work when trying to recover data
Windows has a Previous Windows Version as a default. The most notorious ransomware viruses are known for deleting the previous Windows version copies. However, there is a handful of cases when crooks failed to delete the copies, which is why this method is worth giving a try. To enable Previous Windows Version, please follow these steps:
EncryptedbyBB decryptor hasn't yet been launched
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 .encryptedbybb 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.
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 EncryptedbyBB ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .encryptedbybb files?
That depends on the family behind the .encryptedbybb 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.
Did EncryptedbyBB steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by EncryptedbyBB, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .encryptedbybb 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 do I open .encryptedbybb files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .encryptedbybb ending shows that EncryptedbyBB 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 EncryptedbyBB. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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.
How did EncryptedbyBB get on my computer?
The way EncryptedbyBB 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 .encryptedbybb 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 EncryptedbyBB 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.
Defender removed Trojan:MSIL/Filecoder.d0bb6406. Am I safe now?
Often yes, but check two things. First, whether the detection was caught on arrival: a file in Downloads or in an archive that Defender quarantined before it ran is the best case.
Second, whether Trojan:MSIL/Filecoder.d0bb6406 comes back. If it returns, or if Protection history shows several different detections around the same date, something on the PC keeps producing the file and needs to be found.
Run a full scan and, if anything remains, an offline scan. If the category names a password stealer or a backdoor, change your passwords from another device even if the file is gone.
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.
Will Fortect remove EncryptedbyBB?
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 EncryptedbyBB, 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
- Novatech amangement of services: Why Ransomware is So Dangerous for Small to Midsize Companies (read October 7, 2026)
- VirusTotal - URL/domain blacklisting services, virus scanner service: BB ransomware (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)