Erebus ransomware virus: what it is and how to remove it
Erebus ransomware is a malicious program that aims to compromise Linux systems and especially servers. Just like any other ransomware , Erebus' primary goal is to corrupt as many machines as possible and demand an enormous ransom afterward.
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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Erebus ransomware virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | README.html; the text is quoted in full below |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .ecrypt |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| 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 9 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | Erebus ransomware virus |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .ecrypt |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 19 June 2017 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Traces of Erebus ransomware virus you can check
- File extension:
.ecrypt - Note file:
README.html
How Erebus ransomware virus behaves
From our report of Jun 2017 · not reviewed since
Erebus Linux ransomware targets servers
Erebus ransomware is a malicious program that aims to compromise Linux systems and especially servers.
Just like any other ransomware , Erebus' primary goal is to corrupt as many machines as possible and demand an enormous ransom afterward.
The initial version of Erebus used RSA-2048 encryption, appended .ecrypt file extensions to files and leaved two files as ransom notes: YOUR_FILES_HAS_BEEN_ENCRYPTED.txt" and "YOUR_FILES_HAS_BEEN_ENCRYPTED.html. The virus was using hacked websites in South Korea as its Command and Control (C&C) servers. The version was able to encrypt over 423 different file types.
The subsequent version of the ransomware was designed to bypass User Account Control (UAC) feature to launch itself with higher privileges. The virus stated that if the victim fails to comply with its demands and pay 0.085 BTC within 96 hours, the files stored on the computer will be deleted. The updated version of Erebus virus deleted victim's Volume Shadow Copies to prevent him from restoring encrypted files for free.
Although keeping a copy of personal files on an external storage device can help you to save part of your work in case of a ransomware attack, the majority of computer users do not feel the need to create them. Consequently, they have to sorrow over lost files later and desperately look for data recovery methods.
It doesn't matter whether you are a Windows, Mac or Linux user, you must take preventative measures to ward of malicious attacks. We suggest using software like or for ransomware removal. To remove Erebus, you must use a software that is compatible with Linux.
From our report of Jun 2017 · not reviewed since
Update February 2017: Erebus improves, demands a smaller ransom
In February, cyber security experts noticed a version of this virus that encrypts target files with AES encryption and then modifies their file extensions using ROT-23 cipher.
After that, it saves the README.html file on the desktop. The file contains instructions on how to recover the files.
As common for this type of virus, it urges victims to pay within 96 hours. There has been a tendency among hackers to use single-use email addresses for contacting with the victims. However, there is too little information whether the cyber criminals respond to victims and transfer the files. If you have fallen into the trap of this ransomware as well, concentrate on Erebus removal.
Now the current edition bypasses User Account Control window, or in other words, disables the function which initiates dialogue boxes before installing a new program. Likewise, the cryptomalware deprives a victim of ceasing the infection manually. Besides, the virus modifies registry keys to accelerate its functionality.
The ransomware launches eventvwr.msc file, which then opens eventvwr.msc file. The EventViewer is no longer associated with mmc.exe file, therefore it launches a randomly entitled executable of the virus. Thanks to EventViewer's capabilities to run in elevated mode, the virus' executable will be launches with similar permissions.
Afterward, Erebus connects http://ipecho.net/plain and http://ipinfo.io/ to identify the geographical location of a user. Later on, the virus will also access Tor network and connect to its Command and Control server.
Do not underestimate the ransomware as it deletes shadow volume copies leaving fewer chances for its victims to recover data. At the moment, it demands quite a small amount of ransom – 0,85 BTC (90 USD). Lastly, it launches an additional message which once again informs users about the ransomware attack.
From our report of Jun 2017 · not reviewed since
Update June 2017: Erebus malware strikes to South Korean web hosting company
Erebus successfully infected a web hosting company Nayana in South Korea , which allowed the malware to compromise thousands of websites.
The ransomware attack affected over hundred Linux servers and it seems that it encouraged the cybercriminals to demand for a ridiculously high ransom - 10 Bitcoins, which is nearly $26k. Later on, frauds realized that the ransom sum was too high and lowered it to 5.4 Bitcoin - approximately $14k.
The ransomware locked databases, images and videos. The company has published several notes on its official website, suggesting that it is sorry for the inconvenience and that legal authorities are investigating the case at the moment.
In the meantime, Nayana employees are working hard to respond to customers and restore backup files provided by them. It is also known that the company is currently negotiating the ransom price with cyber criminals.
The notices posted on company's official website suggest that cybercriminals may have given the company quite a good discount - one of provided noticed contain a piece of message from cyber criminals, asking for 550 BTC. Frauds even provide a calculation proving that the company can pay it.
From our report of Jun 2017 · not reviewed since
Distribution tricks
Unlike other ransomware infections, the virus concentrates on malvertising to deliver its attacks.
Specifically, it works through ads which users carelessly click on. Afterward, they get redirected to the domain which is infected with RIG exploit kit .
Likewise, when a victim finds himself in such website, it becomes a matter of seconds until Erebus strikes. In order to avoid or at least lower the risk of a cyber attack, install a proper security program and let it deal with the virtual threat. It also comes in handy detecting such threats as trojans or smaller threats – hijackers.
The Erebus ransomware virus ransom note
Files crypted!
Every important file on this computer was crypted.
Please look on your documents or desktop folder for a file called README.html for instructions on how to decrypt them.
How to remove Erebus ransomware virus
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 Erebus ransomware virus 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 Erebus ransomware virus 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
.ecryptand the instructions are inREADME.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 Erebus ransomware virus, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing Erebus ransomware virus 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 Erebus ransomware virus 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 Jun 2017 · not reviewed since
Remove Erebus virus
In order to successfully remove Erebus virus, you will need a malware elimination utility.
For that purpose, use practical tools that are compatible with Linux system. Keep in mind that they need to be updated in order for them to detect all components and registry entries of the threat.
After the elimination of Erebus, remember to follow safe browsing rules to prevent attackers from infecting your PC ever again. In the end, beware of spam emails since they also often happen to be harbingers of file-encrypting threats. By keeping updated software and cautiously surfing the Web, you might lower the risk not only of Erebus ransomware attack but other crypto-virus as well.
[GI=method-1]Some file-encrypting threats are known to lock computer screen or cease other important system functionalities. It is likely that the current threat might be one of them. As a result, it is likely that you may encounter Erebus removal problems. Thus, these instructions (designed for Windows users) will help you regain access.
[GI=method-2]In case automatic elimination does not go as planned, opt for the latter method.
No Erebus decryption tools 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.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows files that end in .ecrypt 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.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
Questions about Erebus ransomware virus
How do I open .ecrypt files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .ecrypt ending shows that Erebus ransomware virus 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 Erebus ransomware virus. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
How did Erebus ransomware virus get on my computer?
The way Erebus ransomware virus 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 .ecrypt 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.
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.
Is there a free Erebus ransomware virus decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Erebus ransomware virus 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 "Erebus ransomware virus 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.
Did Erebus ransomware virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Erebus ransomware virus, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .ecrypt 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 Erebus ransomware virus 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 .ecrypt from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .ecrypt 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 README.html?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text README.html 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 Erebus ransomware virus?
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 Erebus ransomware virus, 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
- ThreadPost: Inside the RIG exploit kit (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)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)