FuxSocy ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
FuxSocy ransomware is the site that mimics some features of the previously known cryptovirus. There are many similarities and differences, but initially, both threats do the same - focus on encryption.
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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FuxSocy ransomware: summary
| Distribution | The particular ransomware is delivered with the help of malicious files like macro-laced documents, shady downloads, and other malware designed to load the malicious script on particular target systems. Trojans or worms can occur on the device and plant ransomware directly |
|---|---|
| Name | FuxSocy ransomware |
| Type | Cryptovirus |
| File marker | Random characters get added at the end of the encrypted file name |
| Ransom message | The ransom demanding message is delivered as a wallpaper automatically changed by the malware once the encryption process is done and as _R_E_A_D__T_H_I_S_ or a randomly-named text file planted on various folders on the infected device |
| Mimics | Cerber ransomware |
| 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 12 more facts
| Main danger | Ransomware focuses on getting money from its victims, but when you pay for the alleged decryption tool, you can lose your money and data permanently.[2] Criminals don't care for your belongings, so do not contact them |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| 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 |
| Ransom note | A message left on the computer; the ransom note is almost identical, and file markers get created in a similar manner as the Cerber; the text is quoted in full below |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 29 October 2019 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on FuxSocy ransomware
- Remove FuxSocy ransomware by scanning the machine fully with the anti-malware tool and make sure to double-check with for any traces or damaged files left behind
How FuxSocy ransomware behaves
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
FuxSocy ransomware is the threat that impersonates another cryptovirus Cerber with internal and outward similarities
FuxSocy ransomware is the site that mimics some features of the previously known cryptovirus.
There are many similarities and differences, but initially, both threats do the same - focus on encryption. Cryptovirus gets on the machine and immediately starts locking those common files like documents, photos, videos, audio files, PDFs, archives, and databases.
Then the message claiming about the possible payment and file recovery appears on the screen in the form of a wallpaper and text files. The ransom note is almost identical, and file markers get created in a similar manner as the Cerber.
What makes FuxSocy Encryptor ransomware different from the Cerber virus:
Although these similarities and differences make FuxSocy ransomware virus somewhat unique it is still a cryptovirus and developed by malicious criminals that cannot be trusted. We don't recommend paying these malware creators, so you should rely on malware removal and run a full system scan, clean the machine fully instead of contacting those people.
FuxSocy ransomware borrows a part of the code from another virus, and once the infected system is affected, the encryption starts. The process ends in encrypted files and changed desktop wallpaper that delivers a ransom demand identical to cerber ransomware.
Although the message shown for the victim brags about a decryption tool, in most cases, these criminals behind FuxSocy Encryptor ransomware and similar threats are not going to provide those tools for victims. The instructions on the extortion-based message read:
Do not follow these steps and stay away from the messaging application link. You need to remove FuxSocy ransomware and delete all the contents related to the virus, because keeping the contact with criminals can lead to privacy issues and even permanently damaged machine.
FuxSocy ransomware has no distinct file marker that can be identified as a particular file extension, but the ransom extension indicates all affected data on the system. It restrains from system folders when encrypting data, but affects the performance in other ways:
Those changes significantly interfere with the process of FuxSocy Encryptor ransomware removal and even data recovery. The best solution for encrypted files is restoring them with the help of backups from the cloud service or external device, but people sometimes don't have their data backed up. We have a few alternative methods listed below for those cases.
Experts also note when talking about ransomware that to remove FuxSocy ransomware completely, you should first terminate the virus and then clean all the associated files. Since it runs in the background, you cannot find a particular executable or malicious process manually.
Thankfully, anti-malware tools can provide the best solution when the person wants to remove FuxSocy Encryptor ransomware from the machine once and for all. Antivirus programs are designed to check the machine for malicious files, malware, applications, and data associated with dangerous activities. This is how you may find the malware detected:
The detection names depend on a particular database of the AV tool, so don't stress when your anti-malware program finds a different name of the FuxSocy ransomware virus.
- this malware blocks user from running the ransomware on a virtual machine;
- it encrypts only a part of the file and makes them useless this way;
- image files remain viewable but still corrupted;
- Cerber uses the Tor payment site, FuxSocy relies on ToxChat messaging app for communication.
- deletes files;
- adds other programs on the machine;
- removes Shadow Volume Copies;
- disables security features and programs.
- Trojan.Win32.Magniber.4!c;
- Generic.Ransom.Magniber.8486CAD0;
- Trojan.Ransom.Filecoder;
- Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Encoder.fsc.
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
Spam email campaigns that feature malicious attachments deliver malware
Unfortunately, various deceptive techniques are used by malicious actors that create all those viruses and threats which interfere with the most important parts of the devices.
Any person that tends to overlook some details can fall for the scammy email and get the malware installed without even noticing.
Emails posing as including order details or receipts for your purchases can easily trick people into opening the notification. the only thing that is left - triggering the malicious macros on the document. You need to open the Microsoft Word or Excel file and enable the content by clicking Allow or Enable button displayed before you.
From there, your device is infected, and files get targeted by the ransomware immediately. The way that can help you avoid these infections - anti-malware tools and paying attention to details, red flags, or suspicious senders. You should clean the email box more often and avoid malware this way.
The FuxSocy ransomware note
FuxSocy ENCRYPTOR
(=^..^=)
YOUR DOCUMENTS, PHOTOS, DATABASES AND OTHER IMPORTANT FILES
HAVE BEEN ENCRHYPTED!
The only way to decrypt your files is to receive
the private key and decryption program.
To receive the private key and decryption program
go to any decrypted folder - inside there is the special file {RAND}_R_E_A_D___T_H_I_S_{RAND}
with complete instructions how to decrypt your files.
If you cannot find any {RAND}_R_E_A_D___T_H_I_S_{RAND} file at your PC,
follow the instructions below:
1. Visit hxxps://tox.chat/download.html
2. Download and install qTOX on your PC.
3. Open it, click "New Profile" and create profile.
4. Click "Add friends" button and search our contact
How to remove FuxSocy 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 FuxSocy 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
FuxSocy 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 identify the family
Find the ransom note, usually a
.txt,.htmlor .hta file in every folder or on the desktop, and copy it with one or two encrypted files to a USB stick.From another device, upload them to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note and the file extension. Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note for the report.
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 FuxSocy ransomware, 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 FuxSocy 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 Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
You need to get rid of the malicious FuxSocy ransomware virus with anti-malware tools
You should note that there are no trustworthy criminals, especially the ones that ask to pay for the alleged decryption that initially is not going to reach you because virus developers only care for the profit. Make sure to remove FuxSocy Encryptor ransomware fully and then rely on techniques that can provide solutions for your encoded files.
However, FuxSocy ransomware removal should be the first thing you do once you encountered malware on your PC.
the best results can be achieved when you remove FuxSocy ransomware using , , or and run the full system scan with these tools. This way, you can eliminate virus damage and files that can affect the file recovery. For your encrypted files, rely on the methods listed below.
[GI=method-1]You should reboot the machine in the Safe Mode with Networking and then run a tool that can remove FuxSocy Encryptor ransomware
[GI=method-2]System Restore feature can help remove the threat without too much interferance
Windows Previous Versions can restore individual documents or photos after a ransomware attack
When you use System Restore feature for FuxSocy ransomware termination, Windows Previous Versions can be an alternative tool for data restoring
ShadowExplorer is the possible alternative for file backups of the encrypted data
When Shadow Volume Copies are untouched, ShadowExplorer can be helpful and recover your locked files
Decryption tool for FuxSocy Encryptor ransomware doesn't exist yet
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.
Make the next attack harmless
FuxSocy ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (fuxSocy ransomware in the list of installed apps) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for 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 FuxSocy ransomware
When will a decryptor for FuxSocy ransomware be released?
Nobody can promise a date. When we last checked, on 7 October 2026, no free decryptor is known. Decryptors usually appear after one of three events:
- police seize the attackers' servers and keys
- the authors leak or publish the master keys
- researchers find a mistake in how the ransomware generates keys
Some families got a tool within weeks, others never. Keep the encrypted files and the note on an external drive, check No More Ransom every few months, and follow news about the FuxSocy ransomware family. A decryptor may need an original file, so keep any unencrypted copies too.
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 FuxSocy ransomware get on my computer?
The way FuxSocy 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 fuxSocy ransomware 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.
Did FuxSocy ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by FuxSocy ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is fuxSocy ransomware 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.
Is FuxSocy ransomware the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I 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 FuxSocy?
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 FuxSocy 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 FuxSocy 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 FuxSocy 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
- ZDNet: Victims of these four types of file-encrypting malware can now retrieve their files for free (read October 7, 2026)
- Theregister: Less than half of paying ransomware targets get their files back (read October 7, 2026)
- Lesvirus: Lesvirus (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)