H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus: what it is and how to remove it
H@RM@ virus is a type of malware called ransomware and belongs to the Wanna Scream family. Upon finding its way onto users' devices, it encrypts all non-system data and adds three components to each file:
- unique victims' ID
- cybercriminals email address
- an extension H@RM@
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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H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus: summary
| Distribution | Spam emails, mischievous hyperlinks, file-sharing platforms |
|---|---|
| Name | H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus |
| Clasification | Malware, Ransomware, Cryptoware |
| Appended extension | H@RM@ ransomware appends non-system files with three-part components consisting of prescribed user ID, email of the cybercriminals and .H@RM@ |
| Ransom note | ReadMe.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
| Infection aftermath | All victims' personal data is encrypted and become inaccessible. Probable changes made to system files, preventing computer system from working properly |
| 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
| criminal contact email | recoverydata98@protonmail.com, recoverydata99@protonmail.com |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| 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 | A ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Attacker contacts | recoverydata98@protonmail.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 30 October 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- Note file:
ReadMe.txt - Contact:
recoverydata98@protonmail.com
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus
- ReadMe.txt files with ransom instructions can be found in all infected folders on the computer system.
- Also a pop-up window with similar demands arrises
- Apart from users' data encryption, malware could have done extensive corruption to computer system files.
- ALL YOUR VALUABLE DATA WAS ENCRYPTED!
- All yоur filеs wеrе еnсrуptеd with strоng crуptо аlgоrithm АЕS-256 + RSА-2048.
- Plеаsе bе surе thаt yоur filеs аrе nоt brоkеn аnd уоu cаn rеstоrе thеm tоdаy.
- If yоu rеаllу wаnt tо rеstоrе yоur filеs plеаsе writе us tо thе е-mаils: recoverydata99@protonmail.com recoverydata98@protonmail.com In subjеct linе writе уоur ID: - Impоrtаnt!
- Plеаsе sеnd yоur mеssаgе tо аll оf оur 3 е-mаil аddrеssеs.
- This is rеаllу impоrtаnt bеcаusе оf dеlivеrу prоblеms оf sоmе mаil sеrviсеs!
- If you haven't received a response from us within 24 hours, please try to use a different email service (Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, etc).
- Please check your SPAM folder each time you wait for our response!
- If you find our email in the SPAM folder please move it to your Inbox.
- We are always in touch and ready to help you as soon as possible!
- Аttаch up tо 3 smаll еncrуptеd filеs fоr frее tеst dесryption.
- Plеаsе nоte thаt thе filеs yоu sеnd us shоuld nоt cоntаin аnу vаluаblе infоrmаtiоn.
- Wе will sеnd yоu tеst dеcrуptеd files in оur rеspоnsе fоr yоur cоnfidеnсе.
- Of course you will receive all the necessary instructions hоw tо dеcrуpt yоur filеs!
- Plеаsе nоte that we are professionals and just doing our job!
- Please dо nоt wаstе thе timе аnd dо nоt trу to dесеive us - it will rеsult оnly priсе incrеаsе!
- Wе аrе alwауs оpеnеd fоr diаlоg аnd rеаdy tо hеlp уоu.
How H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus behaves
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
H@RM@ ransomware - new cryptomalware hiding in the shadows
H@RM@ virus is a type of malware called ransomware and belongs to the Wanna Scream family.
Upon finding its way onto users' devices, it encrypts all non-system data and adds three components to each file:
- unique victims' ID
- cybercriminals email address
- an extension H@RM@
Affected files will not be able to be opened. After the virus has done what it's meant to do, a ransom note "ReadMe.txt" will appear in all affected folders, and a slightly different pop-up message will arise.
In the demand note, perpetrators state that victims' data was encrypted using AES-256 + RSA-2048 army grade coding algorithms. Creators of H@RM@ ransomware are urging users not to try and rename the infected files, also not to try decrypting them, as this may cause permanent data loss.
As a sign of good faith, the criminals are telling the victims that they can send up to 5 infected files (file size shouldn't exceed 4Mb) back to them for free decryption, thus allegedly proving that a decryption tool exists.
Two email addresses are provided (recoverydata98@protonmail.com, recoverydata99@protonmail.com) for victims to get a hold of the malware developers. A unique ID is created for each victim. The Ransom amount isn't specified, the only thing that's clear that the ransom will have to be paid using cryptocurrency bitcoin as the criminals provide instructions for buying it.
Contacting and trying to reason with the cyber thieves is the worst thing victims can do. Although it may seem like the only viable option to retrieve locked files, criminals are criminals for a reason.
In some cases, instead of receiving a promises decoding tool/key, victims receive additional malware that does even more damage, and thus developers of such malware can ask for even more money. So it's a lose-lose for some victims. It is up to you whether you want to risk it, however.
Right after such malware is detected, the user should eliminate it instantly. To remove H@RM@ ransomware swiftly, use trustworthy apps like and before the virus has done any more damage.
If users' antivirus software didn't detect the infection and it spread, it might have done some damage to system files also. To restore the device to its normal state and prevent it from crashing or display any other abnormal work, use the tool.
Criminal ransom demand in file ReadMe.txt reads:
Text from the irritating ransom demanding pop-up window:
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Probable sources of malware distribution
The internet is full of various sites suited for each user's needs.
However, people should be aware that cybercriminals are trying to trick them all the time. They disguise their creations in many different ways.
Malware could be hidden as a genuine installation tool for the desired app or as a movie that the soon to be victim didn't see in torrent and other file-sharing platforms. Ransomware can get into a computer system as a .pdf, .exe, .jpeg, or any other file type.
Threats lurk in harmlessly looking email attachments. But right after opening such mischievous files - infection starts. Experts warn that users should be aware criminals are targeting unsuspecting computer users all over the world. A reliable anti-malware software should always safeguard users' clumsy steps while browsing and avoiding viruses like H@RM@ ransomware.
The H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus ransom note
All your files have been encrypted by Wanna Scream!
due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail recoverydata98@protonmail.com
Write this ID in the title of your message:-
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to this e-mail:recoverydata99@protonmail.com
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
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 H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ 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
H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus 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 identify the family
Find the ransom note, usually a
.txt,.htmlor .hta file in every folder or on the desktop, and copy it with one or two encrypted files to a USB stick.From another device, upload them to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note and the file extension. Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note for the report.
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 H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus, 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 H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus 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 Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Malware removal instructions
Unfortunately, removing malware like the H@RM@ ransomware won't make your data accessible, but users should do that immediately after detection.
Users can retrieve the data from backups. If such a security step wasn't taken, then export all encrypted files to an empty offline device, like a USB drive, and hope for a third-party decryption tool to be created. Never community or even worse pay the cybercriminals, as this fuels future development of such ransomware.
These apps will automatically get rid of the virus and protect computer systems in the future.
If the virus infection wasn't prevented, it is very feasible that it has done some damage that anti-malware software can't fix. Corruption of system files can lead to system failure, crashes, lag, etc.
[GI=method-1]To access Safe Mode with Networking, please follow these steps:
[GI=method-2]You can use System Restore if malware did not delete restore points:
Windows Previous Versions Feature is here to help
This method can only work if the H@RM@ file virus failed to delete Shadow Copies.
This tool can help you automate the data recovery process.
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.
Make the next attack harmless
H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (ransom notes called ReadMe.txt in every folder) 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 H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus
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.
When will a decryptor for H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus be released?
Nobody can promise a date. When we last checked, on 7 October 2026, no free decryptor is known. Decryptors usually appear after one of three events:
- police seize the attackers' servers and keys
- the authors leak or publish the master keys
- researchers find a mistake in how the ransomware generates keys
Some families got a tool within weeks, others never. Keep the encrypted files and the note on an external drive, check No More Ransom every few months, and follow news about the H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus family. A decryptor may need an original file, so keep any unencrypted copies too.
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 H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus get on my computer?
The way H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ 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 ransom notes called ReadMe.txt in every folder, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Did H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ file virus, but the only confirmed sign is ransom notes called ReadMe.txt in every folder, 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 H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ 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.
What does ReadMe.txt tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name ReadMe.txt, 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.
What happens if I pay?
In the best case, the attackers send a decryption tool and a key, and the tool works on most files. In many cases it does not go that smoothly:
- tools crash on large files
- skip some folders or are painfully slow
- some attackers simply stop answering after payment or ask for more
You have no way to enforce the deal. Paying also tells criminals that you pay, which makes a second attack more likely. If you are still considering it, report the attack first, keep copies of all encrypted files and never deal through an intermediary who contacted you.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by H@RM@?
You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that H@RM@ adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.
No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.
Will Fortect remove H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ 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 H@RM@ ransomware, H@RM@ virus, H@RM@ 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
- Business Standard: Ransomware attack: Why do hackers want payments through bitcoins? (read October 7, 2026)
- Usunwirusa: Usunwirusa (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)