Happychoose ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Happychoose is a dangerous cyber infection that attempts to lock files with .happychoose extension and demand a ransom in exchange for the decryption key. Victims started searching for help to encrypt data attached by this file-encrypting malware at the end of February 2020, thus exposing a new evolving threat.
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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Happychoose ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Unprotected Remote Desktop, spam email attachments, drive-by-download attacks |
|---|---|
| Name | Happychoose |
| Origin | GlobeImposter 2.0 ransomware family |
| Symptoms | Upon Happychoose infiltration, most of the files present on the target system receive .happychoose file extension. The ransom note "Decryption INFO.html" appears on the desktop. Multiple registries on the system are compromised. The overall system's performance may diminish significantly. |
| Contact e-mail adress | happychoose@cock.lt or happychoose2@cock.lt |
| Ransom note | Decryption INFO.html; 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 13 more facts
| File extension | .happychoose |
|---|---|
| Data recovery | There are two options – to pay the ransom or use third-party data recovery tools to decrypt corrupted files. Paying the ransom is not recommended in any way. For more information on how to unlock files after Happychoose attack, see the end of the post. |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .happychoose |
| 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 |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .happychoose |
| Attacker contacts | happychoose@cock.lt |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 19 May 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.happychoose - Note file:
INFO.html - Contact:
happychoose@cock.lt
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Happychoose
- The only way to eliminate Happychoose ransomware is to launch AV tool and run a full system scan.
- Ransomware can severely damage multiple Windows Registry entries and initiate other disruptive modifications.
- To fix any system's damage, use repair utility.
How Happychoose ransomware behaves
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Happychoose ransomware - a new cryptovirus in the Globeimposter ransomware family
Happychoose is a dangerous cyber infection that attempts to lock files with .happychoose extension and demand a ransom in exchange for the decryption key.
Victims started searching for help to encrypt data attached by this file-encrypting malware at the end of February 2020, thus exposing a new evolving threat. Initially, Happychoose ransomware might seem like a unique piece of crypto-virus, but closer analysis reveals that it's a member of an infamous GlobeImposter family. Distributed through spam, it attacks random PCs by happening unreadable extensions to files and creating a ransom note named "Decryption INFO.html."
Happychoose ransomware virus creates the Decryption INFO.html on every system's folder that contains files locked with .happychoose extension. The note contains a list of demands and instructions. Cybercriminals encourage victims to contact them asap via happychoose@cock.lt or happychoose2@cock.lt email.
Crooks demand the victim to send an email that contains one locked file and a unique ID code that is provided on the note. The size of the ransom is not indicated. According to the information, it will be revealed only when ransomware developers receive the victim's ID and evaluate the amount of locked data.
Happychoose virus renders a unique cipher to encrypt data on a target computer. The virus runs the cipher by taking advantage of the infected cmd.exe file, as well as other vulnerable Windows Registries. The powerful ransomware scanner is capable of tracking over 34 file types and inject the .happychoose suffix to each of them.
The extension may also contain an email address of the developers or other ransom looking codes. Another thing proving the fact that the system has been infected is Html file Decryption INFO. The ransom note states:
Although criminals do not reveal the size of the ransom, it may be assumed that the payment varies from 1 to 10 Bitcoins. Such assumptions are based on its ancestor, GlobeImposter 2.0 requirements. Happychoose encryptor may be a severe problem and money stealer for those who are not used to backup files.
Since the decryption for this malicious infection hasn't been created yet, there's no other way to get data back except to pay the demanded ransom. Nevertheless, a deal with criminals is always a risk.
Developers of this cyber infection try to raise people's fair, claiming that any attempts to decrypt files encrypted by Happychoose ransomware manually may lead to a permanent data loss. Even more, a risk to cause perpetual data lock is the usage of automatic antivirus and recovery solutions.
However, there's no clear evidence that third-party data recovery tools cannot repair damaged files. Therefore, we strongly recommend victims to remove Happychoose with tools like and then install a reliable data recovery software, which may turn out to deal with ransomware cipher successfully.
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Checking malicious email attachments - a straight way to a ransomware attack
Dieviren.de and other security experts keep trying to warn Internet users about spam emails, which is by far the most widely used technique to spread various malware and virus types.
Cybercriminals keep developing botnets that are later used for massive spam attacks. Such messages are typically filled with infected with ransomware, spyware, trojans, and other viruses. Usually, attackers do research on people's preferences and make the infected emails look credible and professional. The more legitimate the email looks like, the more recipients are expected to open them.
Having this in mind, it's a must to carefully analyze all emails that contain attachments before double-clicking on the file. Look for grammar or type mistakes, check the sender online, and think twice does the email really has any information that is relevant for you. If you are not sure, you'd better not open the attachment.
In addition to spam, ransomware can be deployed by clicking on the malicious links on unprotected websites or social network messages. Unprotected Remote desktop, as well as drive-by-download attacks, are also among conventional ransomware distribution means.
We want to stress the fact that GlobeImposter 2.0 ransomware family has been noticed on the landscape in 2019 and is ranking third with 12.57% , among other ransomware-type infections.
It shows that impostors that are responsible for disseminating Happychoose and GlobeImposter are going on the right way looking from cybercriminal's perspective. Therefore, to protect your files and PC from severe attacks, take care of a proper system's security and try to be more suspicious when browsing the Internet.
The Happychoose ransomware note
ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED!
ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DATA HAS BEEN ENCRYPTED.
To recover data you need decryptor.
To get the decryptor you should:
Send 1 test image or text file happychoose@cock.li or happychoose2@cock.li.
In the letter include YOUR ID (look at the beginning of this document).
We will give you the decrypted file and assign the price for decryption all files
After we send you instruction on how to pay for decrypt and after payment you will receive a decryptor and instructions. We can decrypt one file in quality the evidence that we have the decoder.
Attention!
Only happychoose@cock.li or happychoose2@cock.li can decrypt your files
Do not trust anyone happychoose@cock.li or happychoose2@cock.li
Do not attempt to remove the program or run the antivirus tools
Attempts to self-decrypting files will result in the loss of your data
Decoders other users are not compatible with your data, because each user's unique encryption key
How to remove Happychoose 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 Happychoose 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
Happychoose encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Copy
INFO.htmland one or two files ending in.happychooseto a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
For Happychoose, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Happychoose still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Delete Happychoose ransomware pack from the system
Happychoose ransomware virus is currently in an active transmission phase, security forums reveal.
If its developers managed to successfully upgrade GlobeImposter 2.0 and release it with a new strength, the prognosis on the infection rate might be saddening.
The removal of Happychoose may be a tough nut to crack as most of the ransomware are incredibly resistant to detection. This threat may be programmed to block AV tools and other security programs, as well as take care of the complete removal of Windows Shadow Copies. Therefore, you may need the help of professional IT experts to clean the system and get at least some of the files back.
To bypass AV blockade, boot the system into Safe Mode and run , , or an alternative program. You can learn how to do that with the help of the instructions provided below. As for encrypted files, antivirus software will not be able to revert the changes that the ransomware initiate.
If you manage to remove Happychoose ransomware successfully, fix Windows Registry damage with utility and then give a chance for third-party data recovery tools. You can find several useful decryption methods below.
[GI=method-1]If it is not possible to remove the Happychoose virus because it blocks AV tools, try rebooting the system into Safe Mode with networking and running security software.
[GI=method-2]Upon successful malware removal try alternative means to restore the files. Open System Restore feature and recover at least a part of corrupted data.
to give the tool a try, follow these steps:
Take advantage of Windows Previous Versions
Files encrypted by Happychoose ransomware can be recovered by enabling the Previous Windows version feature.
In case the ransomware has not been programmed to delete Windows Shadow Copies, encrypted files are very likely to be recovered using this function.
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Make the next attack harmless
Happychoose could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .happychoose and no longer open) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.
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 Happychoose ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .happychoose files?
That depends on the family behind the .happychoose 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.
How do I open .happychoose files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .happychoose ending shows that Happychoose 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 Happychoose. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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 Happychoose get on my computer?
The way Happychoose 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 .happychoose 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 Happychoose steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Happychoose, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .happychoose 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 Happychoose 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.
What does INFO.html tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name INFO.html, the wording, the contact addresses and the format of the personal ID are typical for each family. Uploading the note together with one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff usually names the family within seconds.
That name decides your options: some families have free decryptors, some can be partially recovered, and some cannot be decrypted at all. The note's claims about stolen data should be taken seriously but not at face value.
Should I reinstall Windows after the .happychoose attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .happychoose stay encrypted afterwards. So first copy the encrypted files and the ransom note to a separate drive, in case a decryptor appears later. Then decide:
- a clean-up with an offline scan is often enough for home PCs
- while a full reset is safer if remote access was involved
- scans keep finding new items
Restore your backups only after the PC is clean, and change passwords from another device.
Will Fortect remove Happychoose?
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 Happychoose, 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
- CSO: Ransomware explained: How it works and how to remove it (read October 7, 2026)
- Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 7, 2026)
- 360 Total Security Blog: The Analysis of Ransomware Outbreak in January 2020 (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)