Esexz ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Esexz ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts non-system data on an infected computer with strong coding algorithms, renames the files by appending .esexz extension to original filenames, and generates a ransom note, titled readme.txt, which is placed directly on the desktop so it can be easily found. You can also find the text file in folders with data that got encoded.
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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Esexz ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Spam emails, deceptive ads, torrent websites |
|---|---|
| name | Esexz ransomware |
| type | Ransomware |
| Appended file extension | .esexz |
| Ransom note | readme.txt |
| additional info | Cybercriminals claim that they have stolen data, and it might be leaked if the ransom isn't paid |
| 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 15 more facts
| Criminal contact details | costestu@cock.li, setestco@protonmail.com, zetterlow@tutanota.com |
|---|---|
| Virus removal | To properly eliminate a virus, it has to be removed with trustworthy anti-malware tools. It might be difficult due to ransomware damage, so rely on the guide below |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .esexz |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Esexz ransomware |
| 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 | .esexz |
| Attacker contacts | costestu@cock.li |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 11 April 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.esexz - Note file:
readme.txt - Contact:
costestu@cock.li
From our report of Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Esexz ransomware
- Victims should use the tool or other powerful system repair app to restore their devices system files and settings back to normal
How Esexz ransomware behaves
From our report of Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
Esexz ransomware – a cryptovirus claiming that it has stolen data in addition to encrypting it
Esexz ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts non-system data on an infected computer with strong coding algorithms, renames the files by appending .esexz extension to original filenames, and generates a ransom note, titled readme.txt, which is placed directly on the desktop so it can be easily found.
You can also find the text file in folders with data that got encoded. Once this is done files are inaccessible and cannot be opened.
If you've spotted any of these symptoms, that means your computer is infected with Esexz ransomware virus. This article contains the infection summary, its distribution techniques, and ways to remove it.
You can find the alternatives for the decryption since there are no official tools below the article where the virus removal guide is placed. The best way to restore files after such infection - data backups and copies of those files that got encoded.
First and foremost, ransomware victims shouldn't contact its developers by the provided emails (costestu@cock.li, setestco@protonmail.com, zetterlow@tutanota.com). Paying is not the solution since you might end up without money and with locked or even permanently damaged files. Although data recovery might be impossible without their key, ransomware attacks can be stopped only if the victims stop paying their assailants.
Ransomware has been floating on the internet for a while now. There various ransomware families, and new variations are detected every day. Some of it targets big corporations, while others like DeroHe, Dis, Wbxd, are meant to infect everyday users' computers.
The best way to protect yourself from ransomware and malware alike is to acquire professional anti-malware software, such as or . If their virus databases are frequently updated, then these types of apps could prevent such nightmares. The tool detects and removes pieces of the cryptovirus, so the encryption cannot be launched again.
With its ransom note, readme.txt, developers of Esexz ransomware virus try to scare their victims using different techniques. They claim that files were stolen and can be made public if the ransom isn't paid and that the only way to retrieve the encrypted files is by purchasing their decryption tool.
Both threats might be true, but also, criminals are criminals for a reason, and thus they can be bluffing. Whatever the case is, victims of this cyber attack should remove Esexz ransomware from their encrypted devices as soon as possible. The best way to do it is by using trustworthy anti-malware software.
And since file-locking parasites often make various alterations to system files and settings, such as the registry, we highly advise the users to use the tool or similar system repair apps right after ransomware removal to take care of the issues. When left unattended, they might result in freezing, crashing, and other system performance problems.
This message is delivered within readme.txt ransom note:
From our report of Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
Spam emails and torrent sites – leaders of ransomware distribution
Ransomware is just one type of malware that can infect computers without proper security.
Cybercriminals use many techniques to distribute their creations, from Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) attacks to drive-by downloads. But our research suggests that the two most popular methods are spam emails and torrent sites.
Spam emails can look like legitimate letters from your bank, shipping/shopping company, etc., but actually, they might contain virus payload files in their attachments or hyperlinks. Check for any inconsistencies, such as grammatical errors, pushing to do something urgently, not addressing you by your full name, and others. If any of these are spotted, please refrain from downloading any attachments or opening any provided links.
File-sharing platforms, especially torrent sites, have become a hothouse for ransomware. Cybercriminals prefer this spreading technique because it doesn't require much effort. Created malware is named as something that would attract attention, e.g., crack for the latest game, unlocked commercial software, and uploaded. We advise our readers to refrain from visiting these types of sites, or they could download much more than they expected.
The Esexz ransomware note
Your ID:
Congrats! I have a bad news for you. All of yours data has been encrypted&stollen_!_
Also there is a good news - there is the one and the only who can help you to restore
yours Data ( u need to write here about restoring yours data, and write in the subject
of the letter yours ID : costestu@cock.li, setestco@protonmail.com, zetterlow@tutanota.com)
As faster you are - depends on discount of price. As slower
you are - depends on higher price. Don't forget about stollen data its can become public_!_(depends on also on you)
Also dear, you must know that it's impossible to restore infected computers by
yourself\somebody else_!_
As a proof for test, in a letter u can upload 3 files not bigger than 10 mb not contains important or secure info.
How to remove Esexz 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 Esexz 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
Esexz 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
readme.txtand one or two files ending in.esexzto 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 Esexz 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 Esexz 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 Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
Guidelines for Esexz ransomware virus removal and system repair
There's no place for malware in anyone's computer.
If you've got infected with ransomware, thank you for trusting us as your removal experts. You have to start by copying all essential encrypted files to offline storage. There's no decryption tool available at the moment, but it could be created sooner or later.
Then download and install any of these two professional anti-malware tools - , . Launch the application and run a full system scan. Remove ransomware and all other suspicious files that the software detects. It is worth to mention that sometimes malware can prevent anti-malware tools from opening.
If that happened to you, then reboot Windows in Safe Mode with Networking. Then you can launch the antivirus program without interruptions and eliminate Esexz file virus yourself. If you're not sure how to do that, see our detailed guide below this chapter.
Once Esexz ransomware removal is finished, users should take care of the overall system's health since file-locking viruses tend to corrupt them. Cybersecurity experts at Virusi.hr suggest all ransomware victims to use the system repair application to fix any system irregularities that the infection might have done.
[GI=method-1]Run Safe Mode with Networking to eliminate malware
[GI=method-2]Eliminating threats with System Restore
This third party app might be able to restore .esexz extension files.
Files could also be restored with Windows Previous Version feature
This feature allows people to restore files individually.
Shadow Explorer might be able to recover .esexz extension files
If Shadow Volume Copies are intact, Shadow Explorer might help with data recovery.
No decryption tools are currently 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.
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 Esexz 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 .esexz and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
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 Esexz ransomware
How do I open .esexz files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .esexz 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.
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.
Is there a free Esexz ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Esexz 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 "Esexz 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.
How did Esexz ransomware get on my computer?
The way Esexz 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 .esexz 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.
Did Esexz ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Esexz ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .esexz 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 Esexz 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.
Should I open readme.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text readme.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.
Should I reinstall Windows after the .esexz attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .esexz stay encrypted afterwards. So first copy the encrypted files and the ransom note to a separate drive, in case a decryptor appears later. Then decide:
- a clean-up with an offline scan is often enough for home PCs
- while a full reset is safer if remote access was involved
- scans keep finding new items
Restore your backups only after the PC is clean, and change passwords from another device.
Will Fortect remove Esexz 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 Esexz 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
- Cso: What is an RDP attack? 7 tips for mitigating your exposure (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Drive-by download (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)