Grod ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Grod ransomware is the malware strain coming from the family known for a few years that releases at least one new variant a week for more than half a year now. This version is the 183rd in the Djvu ransomware family that recently become almost undecryptable due to alterations in the coding.
Facts checked October 6, 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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Grod ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Malicious files get loaded when you download and install pirated software, license activators, game cracks, cheatcodes, or other data from unreliable sources, torrent pages. This is one of the main methods used by the particular ransomware family |
|---|---|
| Name | Grod ransomware |
| File marker | .grod is the appendix that appears at the end of every file encoded by the threat, so the victim can indicate affected files when they get unopenable |
| Family | STOP virus |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt – a file which gets copied in various folders with affected data, so the victim can see further options |
| Ransom amount | Initial ransom demand is for $980 in Bitcoin, criminals also offer the discount and state that when you contact criminals in less than 72 hours, you can pay only $490 |
| 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 15 more facts
| Decryption | There is little to no possibility to get files affected by Grod virus decrypted, but try to read further to learn about possibilities or look for updates here |
|---|---|
| Contact information | restoredatahelp@firemail.cc, gorentos@bitmessage.ch |
| Additional functionality | The malware disables security tools and system functions, deletes files needed for file recovery, installs other programs, and runs malicious processes in the background. Various system files get corrupted, altered or damaged to ensure the persistence of the cryptovirus |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .grod |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| 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 | .grod |
| Attacker contacts | restoredatahelp@firemail.cc |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 27 November 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.grod - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
restoredatahelp@firemail.cc
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Grod ransomware
- You should get rid of the damage using that may indicate damaged, corrupted or out-dated system files and repair them for you without affecting other parts of the machine
- Grod ransomware removal should be performed as soon as possible because the virus can make huge changes and damage the device in time.
- Get an anti-malware program and run a scan to detect malicious activity and intruders
How Grod ransomware behaves
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
Grod ransomware is the cyber infection that is focused on interfering with system settings and making valuable files inaccessible
Grod ransomware is the malware strain coming from the family known for a few years that releases at least one new variant a week for more than half a year now. This version is the 183rd in the Djvu ransomware family that recently become almost undecryptable due to alterations in the coding.
Previously STOPDecrypter was the tool that helped Michael Gillespie and other researchers to provide help for victims and decrypt their files using offline IDs that worked for all victims of the same version.
Unfortunately, developers started using online IDs more and updated their RSA encryption algorithm to ensure that the virus is more persistent. It means that each victim gets a unique ID that needs to be obtained individually to decrypt files affected by the ransomware.
There are some rare occasions when Grod ransomware virus victims can get their files back, but that either involves offline keys or file pair functionality and decryption tools. File pair can only work for data of the same type, so when you decrypt one .doc file, you can restore all of the same type documents, but not photos, videos, or databases.
But even this method has exceptions. The best way to tackle the issue with encrypted files is replacing affected data with files from backups. This is safest to do after virus termination because otherwise, you can risk getting your files encrypted again.
Grod ransomware is the threat that sends the payload on the system and activates the encryption process once the machine is infected. This is the primary method to interfere with the device, but additional records, files, and functions get affected during the same attack. Files in the following folders get altered, damaged and disabled, so the system is not easily cleaned int he future:
However, you cannot notice these changes unless you encounter system slowness and generally poor performance. The visible symptoms of this Grod ransomware involve file marking using .grod appendix and the _readme.txt file that gets placed on various folders and reads the following:
It may seem convincing, and you, as a regular person, might fall for the trick and decide to pay the Grod ransomware developers. We don't recommend doing so, because you can risk getting more severe malware installed or lose your money, or even data permanently. Hackers are not the ones that you could trust with your money or files, especially when they use blackmailing functionalities.
Experts always talk about the importance of proper anti-malware tools when it comes to cyber threats like ransomware because any traces of the virus can affect recovered files or damage the machine. You need to remove Grod ransomware completely, and that is achieved with professional tools created to terminate such malware.
Grod ransomware came to the wild after other identical versions like Lokf ransomware, Mosk ransomware, and Peet ransomware that also can't get decrypted with tools already released online. Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu ransomware was released during the same time as all the changes to coding got made, but this is not the program that could work, in this case, or for any other versions released after August 2019.
This virus family, in general, is one of the most dangerous, so you shouldn't wait for long once you receive the demanding message. Grod ransomware encrypts files and performs other processes in stages, so the more time it gets, the more permanent damage is left behind until the virus deletes itself.
The whole process of recovering encrypted files should start with Grod ransomware removal and system cleaning. You should ignore the offer to test decrypt your files and forget about paying the ransom because it can lead to more significant issues.
Get rid of the virus using an anti-malware tool and then run a system scan again to make sure that it is virus-free. Once that is done, you can rely on your data backups and replace encrypted files using their copies.
It is believed that if institutions like the FBI not going to catch developers of the Grod ransomware virus, files encrypted by the threat remains damaged forever. The only solution for data encrypted using the powerful RSA encryption and online keys is the database containing all those IDs.
When that gets public, all victims get their files recovered, otherwise, there is nothing researchers can offer. You can store those files on a different device and wait for any updates, but make sure to clean the system fully before getting back to your normal activities online.
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
Stay away from shady sites and services to avoid cryptovirus infection
Probably the most common ransomware spreading technique is spam email attachments with infected documents filled with macros that need to get enabled by the user.
However, there are many other methods now that help to deliver malicious payload around:
The vector used by this virus family, in most cases, revolves around pirated application delivery because in those packages cybercriminals can inject executables with ransomware payload and once the video game, program or activation software gets installed cryptovirus loads on the system. You cannot see the shady addition, so the only way to avoid the infection is to stay away from services like that entirely.
- torrent sites;
- hacker websites;
- pirated software;
- shady forums;
- fake update promotions.
The Grod ransomware note
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-514KtsAKtH
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
How to remove Grod 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 Grod 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 Grod 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
.grodand the instructions are in_readme.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 Grod ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 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 Grod 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 Grod 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 Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
Grod ransomware removal and system repair tips
You need to remove Grod ransomware to have a clean system before you recover files, replace the affected data using file backups, or even use the decryption options.
Any traces of the core virus files can trigger a second round of encryption on those fresh photos, documents or archives.
When you are sure that Grod ransomware virus is no longer running on the system, you can repair the damage using a system tool or optimizing utility. However, the recommended software does not restore files encrypted by the threat.
After the proper Grod ransomware removal with or , you can go for recovering your blocked data with the help of backups. You can also try using third-party software if you can't find backups. Remember to choose programs from reliable sources and avoid free download sites entirely.
The video guide to help you remove the virus from the system is provided below:
[GI=method-1]You can reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking before you run the AV tool to remove Grod ransomware
[GI=method-2]System Restore feature can be helpful for you because it allows recovering the machine in a previous state when the virus was not present
Windows Previous Versions feature is used to restore individual files
After enabling the System Restore feature, you can recover files using Windows Previous Versions
ShadowExplorer for encrypted files
When Grod ransomware leaves Shadow Volume Copies untouched, you can rely on ShadowExplorer and recover data
Decryption is possible for some versions of Grod ransomware
Djvu virus family has many versions. Some of them get decrypted when offline keys get used, so keep an eye on updates from researchers that get posted here
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 Grod 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 .grod and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
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 Grod ransomware
How do I open .grod files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .grod ending shows that Grod 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 Grod ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Grod ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Grod ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .grod 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 there a free Grod ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Grod 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 "Grod 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.
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 Grod ransomware get on my computer?
The way Grod 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 .grod 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 Grod 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 .grod from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .grod 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.
Should I open _readme.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text _readme.txt cannot harm the PC. Be careful with notes in HTA or HTML format: double-clicking those runs them in a window that can contain scripts, so right-click and choose Open with > Notepad instead.
The note tells you the contact addresses, the claimed amount and the deadline. Do not visit links or write to the addresses from this PC. Use the note to identify the family and check for a free decryptor first.
Will Fortect remove Grod 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 Grod 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
- Techcrunch: A set of new tools can decrypt files locked by Stop, a highly active ransomware (read October 6, 2026)
- Theguardian: I got a phishing email that tried to blackmail me – what should I do? (read October 6, 2026)
- Lesvirus: Lesvirus (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)