Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus: what it is and how to remove it
Hets ransomware is one of the variants of the prominent STOP/Djvu virus family. The malware, just as its predecessors, started attacking thousands of users worldwide, locking their files, and asking for the ransom to be paid for the decryption tool.
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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Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus: summary
| Distribution | Hets virus is mostly distributed on torrent and warez websites, as well as software cracks and keygens |
|---|---|
| Name | Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus |
| Type | Cryptovirus |
| Belongs to | Hets is a member of one of the most prolific malware families – Djvu/STOP |
| Cipher used | Malware uses asymmetric encryption algorithm RSA to lock all files on the device and all its connected drives/networks |
| File extension | All non-system and non-executable files are appended with .hets marker and can no longer be accessed. Example of the encrypted file: sample.jpg.hets |
| 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 17 more facts
| Ransom note | _readme.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
|---|---|
| Contact | Users are asked to contact crooks via datarestorehelp@firemail.cc or datahelp@iran.ir |
| Ransom size | Hackers behind STOP/Djvu always ask users to pay $490 in Bitcoin, which doubles to $980 if contact is not established within 72 hours of the infection |
| Detection | Malware is detected by several vendors on Virus Total:[1] Microsoft: Ransom:Win32/STOP.BS!MTB Trojan.MalPack.GS Trojan.Win32.Ransom.349184.B W32/Kryptik.GYXK!tr TR/AD.InstaBot.eky Trojan.Win32.Stop.j!c FileRepMalware Ransom_Stop.R002C0PKT19, etc. |
| Malware removal | While there is a chance that ransomware might self-delete post-infection, users should be aware that it might bring other malware (previously, this malware family was known to be delivering AZORult Trojan) or insert modules that steal sensitive information. For malicious components and malware removal, victims should scan their machines with reputable anti-malware |
| File decryption | Besides obvious recovery methods (backups), there are several other options that victims can try, including third-party recovery software, Emsisoft's decrypter (which only works under certain circumstances) or Dr.Web's paid decryption service (might only be useful for certain file types – MS Office documents, PDFs or others) |
| Encrypted file extension | .hets |
| 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, a ransom note left in folders and a Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .hets |
| Attacker contacts | datarestorehelp@firemail.cc |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 31 December 2020 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Ransom:Win32/STOP.BS!MTB |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
What antivirus programs call Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus
Microsoft Defender reports Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus as Ransom:Win32/STOP.BS!MTB.
In a Defender name, the part before the colon is the category, the part after it is the platform, and the part after the slash is the family Microsoft assigned. A suffix after ! is an internal Microsoft marker, not a different threat.
Generic labels such as Agent, GenericKD or Malware.AI only say that a file looks malicious, not what it does; our guide to antivirus detection names shows how to read them.
- File extension:
.hets - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
datarestorehelp@firemail.cc
From our report of Dec 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus
- _readme.txt is dropped into each of the affected files' folders - it explains to victims what happened and how to proceed next
- It is known that ransomware intrudes vital system files and databases, sometimes resulting in system crashes and errors even after the payload is terminated.
How Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus behaves
From our report of Dec 2020 · not reviewed since
Hets ransomware heavily modifies Windows system settings and affects several processes
Hets ransomware targets all versions of Windows and begins its system changes immediately.
Before performing any actions, the malicious executable c652.tmp.exe or similar (the name is usually randomized) is placed into %Temp%, %AppData%, or %LocalAppData% folder.
From there, Hets virus begins to extract all the necessary files and prepare the system for the file encryption process. For example, it deletes Shadow Volume Copies by using "vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet" command to prevent instantaneous recovery using automatic Windows backups. Additionally, the malware heavily impacts the Windows registry in order to run without interruptions.
Hets ransomware then establishes a communication with a remote server (although this process is known to fail due to C2 being offline in many cases - this is exactly why data decryption is possible in some cases) to retrieve a generated key for the encrypted files.
After data encryption, the malware modifies Windows hosts file to prevent users from accessing security-related websites where they could get help. Therefore, it is important to use another device when trying to deal with the Hets ransomware removal process. Users should go to the following location and delete the hosts file if they want to access the internet without restrictions once again:
- C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\
From our report of Dec 2020 · not reviewed since
Hets ransomware - a dangerous computer infection that might render your pictures, videos and other data permanently useless
Hets ransomware is one of the variants of the prominent STOP/Djvu virus family.
The malware, just as its predecessors, started attacking thousands of users worldwide, locking their files, and asking for the ransom to be paid for the decryption tool.
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to decrypt .hets files, as this version is using a sophisticated RSA encryption method, which requires a unique set of keys to decrypt it. Fortunately, there is a chance of data recovery with the help of Emsisoft's decryptor or third-party software.
Upon infiltration, Hets ransomware performs numerous changes to the system in order to perform the encryption process uninterrupted and often displays a fake Windows update pop-up. As soon as malware locks files, it drops a ransom note _readme.txt - a message from the attackers behind the Hets virus.
This note notifies users that all their personal data like pictures, music, videos, documents, etc., are no longer accessible, although they also mention that they can recover them - not without the help of cybercrooks, of course.
As a no surprise, hackers ask victims to contact them through datarestorehelp@firemail.cc or datahelp@iran.ir email and, if it is done within 72 hours of infection, the price for the Hets ransomware decryptor is promised to be $490 in Bitcoin, while later it will increase to $980.
Hets ransomware is a member of one of the most prolific crypto-malware around, as it infected thousands of users so far. Just as its other versions (Grod, Mbed, Rote, Zobm, and others), the malware mainly uses software cracks to infect hosts and lock all their files, although it does not exempt it from other infection vectors, including:
To prevent ransomware infection in the future, stay away from illegal software installers/cracks, backup all your data, employ reputable anti-malware, update your OS/programs on time and be overall more careful when browsing the web.
While many ransomware infections simply self-delete after performing the necessary tasks and the file locking process, Hets virus may leave secondary modules that are used by the attackers for data-stealing on the host device. Additionally, variants of Djvu are also known to be distributed along with trojans like AZORult. Therefore, it is necessary to remove Hets ransomware to prevent additional negative consequences like data theft and money loss.
If you have any troubles after virus termination (such as system crashes or errors), we suggest using for fixing the damage done to Windows by Hets ransomware.
- Exploits
- Badly protected RDP connections
- Spam emails
- Fake updates
- Web injects, etc.
The Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus ransom 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-4NWUGZxdHc
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.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
datarestorehelp@firemail.cc
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
datahelp@iran.ir
How to remove Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus
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 Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus 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 Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus 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
.hetsand 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 Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus, 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 Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus 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 Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus 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 Dec 2020 · not reviewed since
Decryption possibilities
File encryption time might vary, as it highly depends on the number of files present on the computer and the connected networks.
To remove suspicions and prevent users from shutting down the machine, Hets ransomware shows users a fake Windows update window.
After encryption, the _readme.txt note provides the following information to victims:
While hackers behind Hets virus allegedly provide test decryption service and even offer a 50% discount, users should not trust them that easily. After all, they are in the illegal business that strives to blackmail victims into paying money.
Besides, there is always a chance that crooks will not send a working Hets ransomware decryptor. So, what should the victims do to recover files? There are a few alternative possibilities.
Hets ransomware belongs to the newer category of Djvu, which uses a more sophisticated encryption process, consequently making STOPDecrypter useless - the tool could previously help users whose data was locked with a hard-coded key (an offline ID).
However, security researchers at Emsisoft announced in October 2019 some very good news to ransomware victims, as they managed to crack 148 variants of the virus, enabling users to recover locked data for free. However, they also need a file pair of healthy and the encrypted file for this method to work.
Unfortunately, Hets ransomware does not belong to these decryptable 148 variants. Luckily, users might still have a chance by using Emsisoft's decryptor - it works for victims whose data was encrypted with hard-coded key (offline ID).
There is also a chance of recovering at least some files by contacting Dr.Web (paid service) or using third-party recovery software as explained in our data recovery section below.
From our report of Dec 2020 · not reviewed since
Anti-malware scan is always necessary when dealing with Hets ransomware infection
While there is a chance that Hets virus will self-delete after the file encryption process, there might be other modules left on the system (or even additional malware).
Therefore, it is important to ensure that the system is clean before performing the file recovery process.
Experts warn, however, that attempting data recovery without acquiring the RSA key might permanently damage it, so it is necessary to make backups of encrypted files. Simply copy all the important data to a Flash drive or virtual storage like Google Drive. After that, you can start the Hets ransomware removal process.
This might not be necessary, but it is best to enter Safe Mode with Networking in order to remove Hets ransomware safely and without interruptions. The mode guarantees that no malware processes or modules are loaded, and anti-malware software can run without interruptions.
[GI=method-1]To access Safe Mode with Networking, perform the following steps:
[GI=method-2]System Restore might also sometimes work when trying to eliminate Hets ransomware virus:
Windows Previous Versions feature might be helpful when dealing with .hets files
In some cases, the Windows Previous Versions feature might allow you to recover files one-by-one. Note that this method will not work unless you had System Restore enabled before ransomware locked your files.
In some cases, ShadowExplorer could be your savior
ShadowExplorer is the tool to go for if the virus fails to remove Shadow Volume Copies.
Try Emsisoft's decrypter or Dr.Web services
In case Hets ransomware failed to contact its remote servers, it used a hard-coded key to lock the files on your machine. This would allow Emsisoft's decrypter to work.
Alternatively, you can also rely on Dr.Web as it offers the rescue pack, which includes security software and the ransomware decryption service, although it is not free.
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 Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus 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 .hets and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
Questions about Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus
Is there a decryptor for .hets files?
That depends on the family behind the .hets 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 _readme.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from _readme.txt 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 did Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus get on my computer?
The way Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus 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 .hets 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.
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 do I open .hets files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .hets ending shows that Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus 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 Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .hets 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 Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus 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.
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.
Is Ransom:Win32/STOP.BS!MTB a false positive?
Sometimes. Names ending in !ml or describing behaviour are generated by machine learning and occasionally flag cracked tools, game mods or small unsigned utilities. A false positive is likely only when the file is a program you installed from its official developer, it is signed by that developer and other scanners do not flag it.
Files from cracks, cheats, fake updates or unknown downloads are rarely false positives, whatever the detection name. If you are sure the file is genuine, you can report it to Microsoft as a false positive; never add an exclusion for Ransom:Win32/STOP.BS!MTB just to make the alert stop.
Will Fortect remove Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus?
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 Hets ransomware / Hets virus / .hets file virus, 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
- Virus Total: c652.tmp.exe (read October 7, 2026)
- NJCCIC: Exploit Kits (read October 7, 2026)
- SearchSecurity: Command-and-control servers: The puppet masters that govern malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Emsisoft: Emsisoft releases new decryptor for STOP Djvu ransomware (read October 7, 2026)
- DieViren: DieViren (read October 7, 2026)