GNS ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
GNS ransomware is a threat that has been spotted spreading around the world in early July 2020 and was attributed to the Dharma ransomware family, which has been around for several years now. The malware spreads via several channels, including malicious spam emails, repacked installers, and weakly protected RDP connections.
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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GNS ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Malicious actors can use several different techniques, although the malicious payload is mainly delivered via spam email attachments, insecure Remote Desktop connections, or software cracks |
|---|---|
| Name | GNS ransomware |
| Type | File locking virus, crypto-malware |
| Malware family | Dharma, also known as Crysis |
| File extension | .GNS, although a full extension looks as follows: .id-ID.[geniusid@protonmail.ch].GNS |
| Ransom note | FILES ENCRYPTED.txt and a popup window titled geniusid@protonmail.ch; the text is quoted in full below |
| 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
| Contact | geniusid@protonmail.ch and geniusid@cock.li |
|---|---|
| File decryption | There are no known tools that could recover your files encrypted with the latest versions of Dharma. However, you might want to try using built-in Windows restoration points or third-party recovery software |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .gns |
| 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 | .gns |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 30 July 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.gns - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on GNS ransomware
- Ransomware might damage some Windows system files and configuration settings in a way that would prevent the OS from operating the way it used to.
- In case you experience crashes, BSODs, errors, and other stability issues, scan your machine with
- all your data has been locked us You want to return?
- write email geniusid@protonmail.ch or geniusyourid@cock.li
The GNS ransomware note
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED
Don't worry,you can return all your files!
If you want to restore them, follow this link:email geniusid@protonmail.ch YOUR ID -
If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:geniusyourid@cock.li
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
How to remove GNS 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 GNS 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 GNS 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
.gnsand the instructions are inthe ransom note. 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 GNS 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 GNS 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 GNS 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 Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
GNS ransomware - malicious program designed to prevent access to personal files
GNS ransomware is a threat that has been spotted spreading around the world in early July 2020 and was attributed to the Dharma ransomware family, which has been around for several years now. The malware spreads via several channels, including malicious spam emails, repacked installers, and weakly protected RDP connections.
As soon as the payload is executed, GNS ransomware begins the data locking process with the help of RSA + AES ciphers, , which also modifies file names. For example, a file "picture.jpg" is turned into "picture.jpg.id-random string.[geniusid@protonmail.ch].GNS," and can no longer be accessed by the victims.
Malware also drops a ransom note FILES ENCRYPTED.txt, as well as shows a popup window. These documents serve as a message from GNS files virus authors and explain that users have to pay a ransom in Bitcoin in order to regain access to their data.
While GNS ransomware can use several different distribution methods, it mostly penetrates machines with the help of social engineering. Believable messages are crafted by malware authors and then delivered to thousands of users.
Clipped to such emails are the attachments which hold the payload of ransomware. Hackers behind the strain often use double extensions in order to confuse users and make them believe that they are not opening an executable (.exe) file.
Once such a file is executed, Windows operating system is heavily modified, and several built-in backup systems deleted. This is done to prevent users from recovering from the virus without paying the ransom. In some cases, even GNS ransomware removal might not help when it comes to system performance after the infection is terminated.
GNS files virus begins the file encryption process immediately - it looks for pictures, music, videos, databases, MS Office documents, and other types of most commonly-used file types. The process of encryption is swift - and for a reason.
In many cases, the data encryption process might begin to slow down the computer, which could make users suspicious and interrupt the process. Thus, ransomware typically encrypts only a few kilobytes of each file.
As soon as the encryption process is finished and the .GNS extension applied, malware does not hide its presence on the system anymore and displays the following information via the pop-up window:
Another file, FILES ENCRYPTED.txt, which can be opened via the Notepad, includes a much shorter description of a ransomware attack:
Most security researchers advise not paying the ransom, as it might result in not only data but also money loss.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Should you pay the ransom? GNS files recovery methods
We advise you to take the words of cybercriminals behind the GNS virus with a grain of salt: they claim that other methods of data recovery will result in a complete data loss. This is not true, however, since some alternative methods might actually be successful in GNS virus files recovery.
In case malware failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies and System Restore features, you would most likely be able to retrieve all data without any issues. However, all the modern and working crypto-malware strains are programmed to delete the automatic backups (although this process might fail due to bugs or other reasons).
Another solution is using third-party recovery tools - this option also has a very small success rate, as most of such tools rely on retrieving working copies of files from the hard disk. Note that neither data recovery software, nor anti-malware can remove .GNS file extension (i.e., decrypt current files), as it is not designed for such a purpose.
Finally, paying criminals is your last resort. Before you consider this option, please take points into consideration:
As you can see, the task of recovering GNS files is not that easy. We suggest you keep backups ready in case such unfortunate circumstances happen to you in the future. To protect your machine, use reputable anti-malware, update your operating system and the installed software on a regular basis, and never download software cracks.
- Crooks might send you a non-working decryptor
- Hackers might not send you anything and completely ignore you
- Payments only fuel the will of cybercriminals to create more malware
- You might be a target of future attacks, as threat actors would know you are willing to pay.
From our report of Jul 2020 · not reviewed since
Delete GNS ransomware from your computer and only then attempt file recovery
Many ransomware victims find themselves in a state of disbelief and even shock after they find out that they cannot open their photos, school papers, or a work project.
However, panicking doe nothing in such a situation, and handling it correctly is the only way to go forward. If you never had to deal with GNS ransomware removal, it might seem like a very complicated task, however.
Nonetheless, considering you had no backups available, you should copy all the encrypted files before you remove GNS ransomware from your computer. Encrypted data does not store any malicious code within it, so having them on another medium is safe. Likewise, security researchers might develop a working GNS ransomware decryptor in the future.
To delete the GNS file virus from your machine, perform a full system with anti-malware software, although do not get surprised that your files till cannot be opened. As explained earlier, malware termination will not grant you access to locked files. Instead, follow the instructions for alternative data recovery methods below.
[GI=method-1]In case you cannot delete the malware in a normal mode, you can access Safe Mode with Networking:
[GI=method-2]System Restore could also help you undo the changes made by ransomware in some cases:
Windows Previous Versions feature could help you retrieve files one-by-one
This method will only work if automated Windows backups were not erased by the GNS file virus.
In some cases, ShadowExplorer could save your files
If malware failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies, ShadowExplorer is a great tool to recover your files.
No decryption tool is currently available
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like GNS ransomware together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .gns and no longer open.
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 GNS ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .gns files?
That depends on the family behind the .gns extension, which this guide cannot confirm yet from the reports alone. Check No More Ransom and ID Ransomware with your ransom note and one encrypted file; they list families with free tools.
If none exists today, keep the encrypted files and a copy of the note on a separate drive, because decryptors are sometimes published months later after flaws are found or servers are seized. Never buy a decryptor from a website that is not the security company that made it.
Should I pay the ransom in the ransom note?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
How do I open .gns files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .gns ending shows that GNS 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 GNS ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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.
How did GNS ransomware get on my computer?
The way GNS 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 .gns and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Did GNS ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by GNS ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .gns and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Is GNS 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.
Will .gns spread to my other drives?
It can. Ransomware encrypts every drive and network share it can reach while it runs, so external disks, USB sticks and shared folders connected during the attack may also have files ending in .gns. Disconnect everything now, then check each device from a clean computer.
Do not plug a backup drive into the infected PC until the ransomware has been removed with an offline scan. Cloud folders such as OneDrive sync the encrypted versions, but they keep earlier versions you can usually restore.
Will Fortect remove GNS 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 GNS 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
- Twitter: '.GNS' - 'geniusid@protonmail.ch' (read October 7, 2026)
- Precisely: AES vs. RSA Encryption: What Are the Differences? (read October 7, 2026)
- Losvirus: Losvirus (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)