Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus: what it is and how to remove it
Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com is a ransomware virus, and its primary goal is to encrypt certain computer files. This crypto-locker is a part of Xorist ransomware family that been lurking around the world wide web since 2016.
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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Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | A message left on the computer; the virus then drops ransom note HOW TO DECRYPT FILES; the text is quoted in full below |
| Contact | Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com, fast_decrypt_and_protect@tutanota.com |
| Encrypted file extension | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| 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 8 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 29 May 2018 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of May 2018 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus
- Spam emails, software vulnerabilities, malicious websites, etc.
How Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus behaves
From our report of May 2018 · not reviewed since
Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com is a file encrypting virus that is used to blackmail people
Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com is a ransomware virus, and its primary goal is to encrypt certain computer files.
This crypto-locker is a part of Xorist ransomware family that been lurking around the world wide web since 2016. It uses XOR or TEA cipher to encrypt data and appends .fast_decrypt_and_protect@tutanota.com file extension.
The virus then drops ransom note HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt which explains that payment of 3 BTC should be transferred to crooks in order to obtain a decryption key. Nevertheless, victims can use a free Xorist decryptor that might be useful for data recovery.
Criminals put victims under time pressure and give mere 24 hours to make the payment. If the ransom isn't transferred within this time, the extortionists threaten with the complete destruction of the encrypted data.
This way, different documents, files archives, video and audio material will supposedly be destroyed. We don't know whether the criminals stick to this promise, but it is definitely not worth risking it. A safer solution is to remove Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com virus from the PC and prevent further data encryption.
The ransom note states the following :
Security specialists advise not to contact Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com malware creators under any circumstances. Even if you manage to get the decryptor, you will be doing a big favor to cybercriminals and encourage them to produce more viruses. Thus, instead stick to Xorist decryptor or use third-party software to recover your files.
There is no much that the cybersecurity experts know about this virus. Its distribution is rather low, and it is quite challenging to come across its samples. Judging from the ransom note, it is clear that hackers are not native English speakers, as the message is littered with mistakes.
Nevertheless, what the experts do know is how to recognize the threat once it is on the computer. The infected device starts working slower, its RAM and CPU utilization will increase to the highest levels, and different strange processes will show up in the Windows Task Manager. Additionally, ransomware viruses are known to weaken the system which allows other infections to slip through into machines easily.
Even if you don't notice the initial processes of the ransomware attack, you will inevitably become aware of this problem after you unexpectedly lose access your files and find a ransom note on your PC demanding you to pay.
Of course, you should refuse any collaboration with the cybercriminals and perform Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com removal instead. Fix your PC with or similar antivirus software. Professional tools will make sure that the virus is banished from the system to the last bit of its malicious components.
From our report of May 2018 · not reviewed since
Ransomware distribution: spam emails dominate
There are a few techniques that modern ransomware use for the system infiltration.
One of these methods relies on spam emails and their attachments. Malicious spam campaigns send around counterfeited emails with an attached files disguised as invoice or tax information. The virus payload is activated once the victim opens an infected attachment.
Another way that crypto-ransomware can infiltrate computer is through brute force attacks. Weak passwords of RDP networks and outdated software vulnerabilities highly increase the chances of ransomware attack.
Finally, ransomware developers may employ exploit kits and Trojans to deploy their malicious creations on the victim's computer. Typically such infectious programs will be delivered through Torrent networks or other peer-to-peer file sharing domains as well as unsafe websites.
As you can see, file-encrypting malware can easily catch you off guard. Thus, we highly recommend following these simple precautions:
- Install a reputable anti-malware software and keep it up to date;
- Always update your software and operating system as soon as new patches are out;
- Only download updates from trusted sources;
- Protect your RDP with a strong password;
- Do not open spam emails (especially attachments);
- Avoid suspicious websites, such as porn, gambling, file-sharing and other similar domains.
The Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus ransom note
All your important files were encrypted on this computer. You can verify this by click on see files an try open them. Encryption was produced using unique KEY generated for this computer.
To decrypt files, you need to obtain private key. The single copy of the private key, with will allow you to decrypt the files, is locate on a secret server on the internet; The server will destroy the key within 24 hours after encryption completed. Payment have to be made in maxim 24 hours. To retrieve the private key, you need to pay 3 BITCOINS.
Bitcoins have to be sent to this address:
After you've sent the payment send us email to: fast_decrypt_and_protect@tutanota.com with subject : ERROR-ID-random(3BITCOINS) . If you are not familiar with bitcoin you can buy it from here: SITE : www.localbitcoin.com.
After we confirm the payment, we send the private key so you can decrypt your system.
How to remove Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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 Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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 Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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 identify the family
The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.
Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.
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 Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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 Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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 Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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 May 2018 · not reviewed since
Quick suggestions for Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com removal
If you find yourself in a situation when you have to remove Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com virus from your PC but have no experience in any malware elimination whatsoever, you should not panic and trust this job to the specialized antivirus software, such as , or . These tools will locate hazardous components on your computer and expose virtual threats, including exploits, rootkits, and trojans.
After Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com removal, you will then be able to attempt data recovery. Though there is official decryption tool for Xorist invented, it might not help with this version of ransomware. Nevertheless, you should be able to restore at least some of your files using alternative recovery suggestions below.
[GI=method-1]Some users may encounter problems removing this parasite from their computers. To make the elimination procedure easier, experts recommend running the system scan with an antivirus utility in Safe Mode. Learn to activate this mode below:
[GI=method-2]If the Safe Mode does not help decontaminate the virus, you may try the following steps:
Windows Previous Versions feature recovery option
If you had System Restore feature enabled prior malware attack, you should have no problems recovering your important files using Windows Previous Versions feature.
Recover files with Shadow Explorer
Try Xorist decryptor
You can use Xorist decryptor by Emisoft and see if it can be useful for you.
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 fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus in the list of installed apps; 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.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
Questions about Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus
Is there a free Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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 "Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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.
Did Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus, but the only confirmed sign is fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus in the list of installed apps, 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.
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 Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus get on my computer?
The way Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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 fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com ransomware virus in the list of installed apps, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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 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.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com?
You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.
No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.
Will Fortect remove Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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 Fast_Decrypt_and_Protect@Tutanota.com 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
- Wikipedia: Remote Desktop Protocol (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)