Ggwq ransomware: what it is and how to remove it

Ggwq file virus is a dangerous and malicious threat because it can affect documents, images, and video, and audio files. This infection focuses on common targets directly, so the ransom note will appear on your desktop with instructions for paying $490 worth of Bitcoin, or else files can be damaged permanently.

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.

Automatic

Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.

Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.

A free scan checks for the encryptor and anything installed with it; it does not decrypt files.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.

Do it yourself · free Remove Ggwq ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.

Start the steps
Screenshot of Ggwq ransomware: virus
Ggwq ransomware as our 2022 report showed it.

Ggwq ransomware: summary

NameGgwq ransomware
TypeFile locker, cryptovirus
FamilySTOP/ Djvu ransomware
File marker.ggwq
DistirbutionFiles with the malware payload get included in pirating packages, delivered via spam email
Ransom note_readme.txt; the text of the note is not in our records
Removal

Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.
Show 13 more facts
Ransom amount$490/ $980
Contact emailssupport@bestyourmail.ch, supportsys@airmail.cc
Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
Encrypted file extensionNot recorded in our earlier report
DecryptorNo free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates
DistributionNot recorded in the old report
DamageNot recorded in the old report
SymptomsA ransom note left in folders
Evidence4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited
Attacker contactssupport@bestyourmail.ch
Free decryptorNo free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026)
First seen18 July 2022
Facts checked7 October 2026
  • Note file: _readme.txt
  • Contact: support@bestyourmail.ch

From our report of Jul 2022 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Ggwq ransomware

  • Threat removal is the best when the anti-malware tools are used properly
  • Try to run to repair issues with the system issues

How Ggwq ransomware behaves

From our report of Jul 2022 · not reviewed since

Ggwq ransomware is the threat that controls various processes on the system and demands money for fake allegations

Ggwq file virus is a dangerous and malicious threat because it can affect documents, images, and video, and audio files.

This infection focuses on common targets directly, so the ransom note will appear on your desktop with instructions for paying $490 worth of Bitcoin, or else files can be damaged permanently.

However, people are risking losing personal information, including photos, as well as other important data and money if they fall for these claims and transfer money for the questionable program. If someone pays this much money within 72 hours after encryption, then they'll get their desired files back completely. That is a false claim from Ggwq ransomware creators.

The recent increase in ransomware attacks is concerning, but it's not just criminals who are to blame. People don't want the hassle of dealing with malware on their own servers or computers and often times download infected cracks from torrent pages which can spread this type of threat even more quickly than before.

Screenshot of Ggwq ransomware: virus
Ggwq ransomware in our 2022 report.

From our report of Jul 2022 · not reviewed since

The ransomware in-depth

These virus creators are not just focused on getting your data back but only on the financial gain.

They'll send you messages and even contact you via their emails. The ransom note _readme.txt is the message that informs about these options and claims that Ggwq files can only be recovered this way.

The ransomware virus has been reported to be impossible to decrypt right now. It is because of the dangerous Djvu ransomware virus family involved. However, there are other methods you can try instead of contacting them. Contacting these cyber-criminals could lead to major issues besides the Ggwq ransomware virus encryption.

The Ggwq ransomware note

The note is called _readme.txt.

We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.

How to remove Ggwq 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 Ggwq 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.

  1. Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives

    Ggwq 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 quick settings with Wi-Fi turned off
    Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  2. Step 2: Save the ransom note and identify the family

    Find the ransom note, usually a .txt, .html or .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.

    A ransom note text file next to encrypted files in File Explorer
    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

  3. Step 3: Check for a free decryptor

    For Ggwq 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

  4. Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt

    Restoring or decrypting files while Ggwq 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 Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

  5. 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.

    Command Prompt running vssadmin list shadows
    Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  6. 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.

Restore Windows "hosts" file to its original state

Some ransomware might modify Windows hosts file in order to prevent users from accessing certain websites online. For example, Djvu ransomware variants add dozens of entries containing URLs of security-related websites, such as 2-spyware.com. Each of the entries means that users will not be able to access the listed web addresses and will receive an error instead.

Here's an example of "hosts" file entries that were injected by ransomware:

Hosts file

In order to restore your ability to access all websites without restrictions, you should either delete the file (Windows will automatically recreate it) or remove all the malware-created entries. If you have never touched the "hosts" file before, you should simply delete it by marking it and pressing Shift + Del on your keyboard. For that, navigate to the following location:

C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\

Delete Windows "hosts" file

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

  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. 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.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.Windows 7/XP

Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot.Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options.Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings.Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.Enable safe mode

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:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

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:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. 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).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following: Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files
  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. 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.

Important steps to take before you begin malware removal

File encryption is one component of a ransomware infection, which may also include credential theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement. However, it is important to understand that malware may perform various changes within a Windows operating system, including persistence, scheduled tasks, registry modifications, and security feature tampering.

IMPORTANT for those without backups! →
If you attempt to use security or recovery software immediately, you might permanently damage your files, and even a working decryptor then would not be able to save them.

Before you proceed with the removal instructions below, you should copy the encrypted files onto a separate medium, such as USB flash drive or SSD, and then disconnect them from your computer. The storage device should remain disconnected after copying to prevent accidental modification or deletion. Encrypted data itself does not contain active malicious code, but only the encrypted files—not executables or scripts—should be transferred.

The instructions below might initially seem overwhelming and complicated, but they are not difficult to understand as long as you follow each step in the appropriate order. This comprehensive free guide will help you to handle the malware removal and data recovery process correctly.

If you have any questions, comments, or are having troubles with following the instructions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the Ask Us section.

IMPORTANT! →
It is vital to eliminate malware infection from the computer fully before starting the data recovery process, otherwise ransomware might re-encrypt retrieved files from backups repeatedly.

Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
Report the incident to your local authorities

Ransomware is a lucrative, highly illegal business, and authorities are actively targeting ransomware operators. The level of investigation and follow-up depends on the country, the scale of the incident, and whether the attack is linked to known ransomware groups. To increase the likelihood of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. In many cases, reports are used primarily for intelligence gathering, trend analysis, and victim support rather than immediate identification of attackers.

Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help stop the cybercriminal activities and catch the threat actors. Reporting does not guarantee investigation or recovery of data, but it contributes to broader efforts to track ransomware campaigns. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Relevant details may also include affected systems, ransom demands, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and any communication with the attackers. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, encrypted files, or malware executables would be beneficial.

Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:

  • USA - Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
  • United Kingdom - ActionFraud
  • Canada - Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
  • Australia - ScamWatch
  • New Zealand - ConsumerProtection
  • Germany - Polizei
  • France - Ministère de l'Intérieur

Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3

If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.

Use Emsisoft decrytor for Djvu/STOP

If your computer got infected with one of the Djvu variants, you should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to mention that this tool will not work for everyone - it only works if data was locked with an offline ID due to malware failing to communicate with its remote servers.

Even if your case meets this condition, somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately. Thus, if the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. You also need to upload a set of files - one encrypted and a healthy one to the company's servers before you proceed.

  • Download the app from the official Emsisoft website.
  • After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up - click it.
  • If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
  • Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.

  • After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
  • The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
  • Press Decrypt.

From here, there are three available outcomes:

  1. "Decrypted!" will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully - they are now usable again.
  2. "Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID:" means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
  3. "This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible" - you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.

From our report of Jul 2022 · not reviewed since

Elimination of the cryptovirus

Ggwq ransomware virus is a dangerous and financially motivated program that can trigger other issues with your machine.

The criminals behind this infection will do anything they think it takes to steal information from you, so avoid contact at all costs! Remove any files affected by these harmful programs as soon as possible before the damage becomes irreversible.

Since decryption options are not possible, experts recommend removing the virus first and then worrying about those damaged files.

Warning: There is a very simple way to avoid being hacked - just don't pay criminals off - some may say about these threats like the Ggwq file virus.

The cybersecurity experts have been working hard on deciphering these threats, but recent improvements in encryption of this family make decryption limited due to the advanced coding. Make sure to remove the virus and ignore any of the messages that encourage you to contact these criminals that state you have 72 hours for this.

Ggwq ransomware creators claim many things. Run or and try to remove the infection fully from the machine. These tools can help with virus detection and removal.

This way, the threat can be removed properly, and the active virus is no longer running on the system. If you do not do this as early as you can, information can get encrypted again.

Ggwq ransomware: ggwq file virus
Ggwq ransomware in our 2022 report.

From our report of Jul 2022 · not reviewed since

Repair system files

Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is.

Consequently, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required.

Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.

  • Download the application by clicking on the link above
  • Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
  • If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
  • Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
  • The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
  • Once complete, check the results - they will be listed in the Summary
  • You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
Ggwq ransomware: 1 1
Ggwq ransomware in our 2022 report.
Ggwq ransomware: 2 2
Ggwq ransomware in our 2022 report.

From our report of Jul 2022 · not reviewed since

Data recovery

Ggwq file virus is not decryptable, and these tools that can recover data after the virus infection fully take a long time to develop.

These threats come in bundles and at least weekly, so researchers have no time to develop universal decryption applications for the latest variants of the family.

Also, since many users do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by ransomware, they might often lose access to their files permanently. Paying criminals is also very risky, as they might not fulfill the promises and never send back the required decryption tool.

While this might sound terrible, not all is lost - data recovery software might be able to help you in some situations (it highly depends on the encryption algorithm used, whether ransomware managed to complete the programmed tasks, etc.). Since there are thousands of different ransomware strains, it is immediately impossible to tell whether third-party software will work for you.

Therefore, we suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:

Install data recovery software

Make sure to ignore any of those claims and messages that Ggwq ransomware virus developers send you. There are no tools that these threat actors could provide you. Run anti-malware tools, repair programs like , , , and make sure to do the full cleaning as soon as possible, so the machine is safe to use again.

  • Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it - use a USB flash drive or another storage.
  • Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.
  • Download .
  • Double-click the installer to launch it.
  • Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
  • As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
  • Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
  • Press Next.
  • At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
  • Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
  • You can now pick which folders/files to recover - don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
  • Press Recover to retrieve your files.
Screenshot of Ggwq ransomware: stellar1
Ggwq ransomware in our 2022 report.
Screenshot of Ggwq ransomware: stellar2
Ggwq ransomware in our 2022 report.

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

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 Ggwq 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 ransom notes called _readme.txt in every folder.

Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.

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 Ggwq ransomware

When will a decryptor for Ggwq 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 Ggwq ransomware family. A decryptor may need an original file, so keep any unencrypted copies too.

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.

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 Ggwq ransomware get on my computer?

The way Ggwq 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 ransom notes called _readme.txt in every folder, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.

Did Ggwq ransomware steal my files or passwords?

We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Ggwq ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is ransom notes called _readme.txt in every folder, 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 Ggwq 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 _readme.txt?

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. _readme.txt 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.

Is _readme.txt from real ransomware or a bluff?

Look at your files rather than the note. If documents and photos have a new extension and will not open, the encryption is real. If files open normally, or only a few were renamed, the note may come from fake ransomware or extortion-only malware that claims more than it did.

Some wipers also leave notes like _readme.txt while destroying data with no way back. Identification services help here too: they recognise the note and tell you whether the family is known to encrypt, to bluff, or to wipe.

How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by Ggwq?

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 Ggwq 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 Ggwq 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 Ggwq 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

  1. AVirus: Avirus (read October 7, 2026)
  2. VirusTotal: Virus sample detection (read October 7, 2026)
  3. CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
  4. No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
  5. FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)

More removal guides

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