GILLETTE ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
GILLETTE ransomware is the cyber threat used to extort money from victims for their encrypted photos, documents, and databases. This is a cryptovirus that is not associated with any particular ransomware family.
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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GILLETTE ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Spam email attachments |
|---|---|
| Name | GILLETTE ransomware |
| Type | Cryptovirus |
| Purpose | Extort cryptocurrency from victims |
| File marker | .GILLETTE |
| Contact email | gagima@gmail.com |
| 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 11 more facts
| Ransom note | Decrypt DATA.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .gillette |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| 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 | .gillette |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 25 March 2019 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.gillette - Note file:
- Decrypt DATA.txt
From our report of Mar 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on GILLETTE ransomware
- Use reputable anti-malware and remove GILLETTE ransomware, employ for virus damage removal
How GILLETTE ransomware behaves
From our report of Mar 2019 · not reviewed since
GILLETTE ransomware is the cryptovirus that focuses on file encryption and marks all encoded data using .GILLETTE marker
GILLETTE ransomware is the cyber threat used to extort money from victims for their encrypted photos, documents, and databases.
This is a cryptovirus that is not associated with any particular ransomware family. However, the ransomware can be categorized as crypto-extortion based computer virus because the primary goal of the creators is to get payments in Bitcoin. GILLETTE ransomware virus starts the attack with encryption and file marking process and every personal data like documents, photos, music or audio files get encoded and later appended using .GILLETTE extension.
What victims need to do next stated in the ransom note file - Decrypt DATA.txt which gets placed on the Desktop and in every folder. This text file contains brief instructions about the ransom payment and contact email - gagima@gmail.com. However, you should ignore the note and get rid of the cryptovirus as soon as possible without paying.
GILLETTE ransomware is developed by cybercriminals who cannot be trusted, so you shouldn't consider paying the demanded ransom. Often, these people disappear when the transfer is made, and your files remain locked. Paying the ransom can lead to permanent money or even data loss.
Remember that GILLETTE ransomware virus is categorized as one of the most dangerous cyber threats and should be eliminated from the machine as soon as possible. You should get the anti-malware program as soon as you notice any changes or ransom note gets placed on your screen.
GILLETTE ransomware generates the message in the Decrypt DATA.txt file that reads the following:
The particular GILLETTE ransomware is geared towards everyday computer users and targets people at home so that the ransom amount may differ from hundreds to thousands of dollars in Bitcoin. However, crypto malware is one of the most dangerous because various organizations and industries get attacked by this type of threat. When companies get affected by the ransomware, demanded ransom amount can go up to hundreds of thousands.
GILLETTE ransomware removal is not an easy process, but it is possible to get rid of the virus if you use reliable anti-malware software. Various cybersecurity researchers recommend using anti-malware programs for the job of cleaning the system and removing all threats.
You need to remove GILLETTE ransomware alongside the virus damage or related files, programs. This is crucial for the future because the affected computer cannot work properly and your data may get encrypted again. You should also check the system using or a similar program that can find altered files or compromised programs and fix other issues.
GILLETTE ransomware can disable some security features or programs and change Windows Registry keys on your computer, so this additional system check helps to fix those changes back to normal. For this reason, you should also enter the Safe Mode before using antivirus programs.
Focus on terminating the GILLETTE ransomware or other malware first, then you can worry about the file recovery. You need to have data backups for the job or employ data recovery software. We have a few suggestions below the article.
From our report of Mar 2019 · not reviewed since
Ransomware developers use different tactics for the distribution of their products
A malicious payload that initiates malware processes most often gets spread on the internet.
The malicious script or direct ransomware sample can get on the system in the form of an executable file or macro-filled document. Once the script is launched or macros get triggered the system gets infected.
Unfortunately, these files can get distributed via spam email because legitimate-looking emails come to your email box and may pose as notifications from known companies io services. These emails often have file attachments or direct links in the email itself, and once you click on it or download the file the payload gets dropped and your device infected with cryptovirus or ransomware spreading malware.
You can avoid these infiltrations if you pay more attention to emails you open and files you download. Be aware of the grammar or typo mistakes, suspicious shortened hyperlinks, files with names like "Invoice" or "Receipt."
The GILLETTE ransomware note
All your important files are encrypted
There is only one way to get your files back: contact with us, pay, and get decryptor software.
We accept Bitcoin
You have Your personal identifier, write it in letter when contact with us.
Also you can decrypt 1 file for test, its guarantee what we can decrypt your files.
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
For decrypt your data write to email
Contact information: gagima@gmail.com
and tell us your unique ID – ID-
How to remove GILLETTE 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 GILLETTE 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
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so GILLETTE ransomware cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Your files now end in
.gilletteand the instructions are in- Decrypt DATA.txt. Save both to a USB stick, a copy of the note and two small encrypted files, before anything else.On another device, check them with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff: the family name decides which decryptor, if any, can help. Keep the note's ID and contact line for your report.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
Our last check found that for GILLETTE ransomware, 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 GILLETTE ransomware 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 GILLETTE ransomware 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 Mar 2019 · not reviewed since
GILLETTE ransomware elimination requires attention and professional tools
Make sure to remove GILLETTE ransomware from the system as soon as you notice the encrypted files or the ransom note.
Warning: Developers often give a day or two to contact them; when you don't pay or contact them in the given time, your data may get deleted or corrupted.
So eliminate the virus ASAP and avoid getting your file permanently damaged.
GILLETTE ransomware removal should be performed using professional anti-malware tools. Make sure to get the program from the official distributor or developer to avoid additional installations or malware infiltration.
Make sure to delete all GILLETTE ransomware related files or programs and clean the device fully before any data recovery procedures. This is a crucial tip because any remains of the virus can affect essential parts of the machine.
[GI=method-1]Reboot the PC in Safe Mode with networking before GILLETTE ransomware removal so that all files can be deleted
[GI=method-2]System Restore is a feature that helps with recovering the computer to a previous state
Windows Previous Versions feature recovers encrypted files
Unfortunately, this feature is useful when System Restore is enabled
ShadowExplorer method for file restoring
When GILLETTE ransomware is not affecting Shadow Volume Copies, you can try to recover your data with ShadowExplorer
Decryption tool for GILLETTE ransomware is not available
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows files that end in .gillette and no longer open; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on Windows.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
Questions about GILLETTE ransomware
How do I open .gillette files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .gillette ending shows that GILLETTE ransomware encrypted the content, and only the matching key can reverse it. Renaming a file back to .docx or .jpg changes nothing except the icon, and it can confuse a future decryptor, so leave the names as they are.
To get the content back, use a backup, an unencrypted copy elsewhere, or a decryptor listed on No More Ransom if one exists for GILLETTE ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did GILLETTE ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by GILLETTE ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .gillette 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.
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.
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
Is there a free GILLETTE ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for GILLETTE 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 "GILLETTE 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.
How did GILLETTE ransomware get on my computer?
The way GILLETTE 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 .gillette 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.
Is GILLETTE 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 just remove .gillette from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .gillette extension is only a label; the file content has been scrambled with a key the attackers hold.
If a renamed copy opens normally, the malware only renamed files, which happens with some fake ransomware, and you can rename the rest back. If it does not open, leave the files as they are. Renaming encrypted files can confuse a decryptor later, so always work on copies.
Can I delete - Decrypt DATA.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. - Decrypt DATA.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.
Will Fortect remove GILLETTE 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 GILLETTE 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: This new ransomware campaign targets business and demands a massive bitcoin ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- Virusai: Virusai (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)