Jupstb ransomware: what it is and how to remove it

Jupstb ransomware is a dangerous cryptovirus that first was discovered by GrujaRS and is the version of Snatch ransomware. This dangerous cyber threat has the ability to lock up various documents on the infected Windows computer by using symmetric or asymmetric encryption algorithms.

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.

Automatic

Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.

Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.

A free scan checks for the encryptor still on the PC; it does not decrypt .jupstb files.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.

Do it yourself · free Remove Jupstb ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.

Start the steps
Screenshot of Jupstb ransomware: screenshot
Jupstb ransomware as our 2019 report showed it.

Jupstb ransomware: summary

NameJupstb ransomware
TypeCryptovirus
RelationSnatch ransomware
DiscovererGrujaRS
Appendix.jupstb
Ransom messageReadme_Restore_Files.txt
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 16 more facts
Email addressesjohnsonwhate@protonmail.com and johnsonwhate@tutanota.com
RansomIt usually varies between $500 and $1000
Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
Contactjohnsonwhate@protonmail.com, johnsonwhate@tutanota.com
Encrypted file extension.jupstb
DecryptorNo free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates
Ransom noteReadme_Restore_Files.txt; the text of the note is not in our records
DistributionNot recorded in the old report
DamageNot recorded in the old report
SymptomsFiles renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders
Evidence5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet
Encrypted files.jupstb
Attacker contactsjohnsonwhate@protonmail.com
Free decryptorNo free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026)
First seen19 February 2019
Facts checked7 October 2026

Traces of Jupstb ransomware you can check

  • File extension: .jupstb
  • Note file: Readme_Restore_Files.txt
  • Contact: johnsonwhate@protonmail.com

How Jupstb ransomware behaves

From our report of Feb 2019 · not reviewed since

Terminate Jupstb ransomware from your Windows computer system

If you have spotted some rogue or malicious components in the system, you should use a program such as , , or to detect the ransomware virus which has planted.

After that, remove Jupstb virus from the computer system permanently. In order to achieve such a goal, use only reputable anti-malware programs as these tools are created to deal with ransomware and similar infections safely and effectively.

Jupstb ransomware removal is necessary if you want to bring all of your files back to their starter positions. Make sure that you eliminate each component such as malicious registry entries, executables, and other objects. After you complete this elimination process, ensure that your computer system has been rebooted to Safe Mode. Furthermore, take a look at data recovery methods which we have provided below the article.

[GI=method-1]Activate the Safe Mode with Networking to disable the virus's activity. If help is needed to use these instructing methods:

[GI=method-2]Enable the System Restore feature to deactivate the ransomware virus and disable all its actions by performing this guide:

Try this tool if you want to restore some files that were locked by the ransomware virus.

Windows Previous Versions feature can be used for file restoring purposes:

Perform this method if you have some files that were damaged, encrypted, or deleted by ransomware.

Shadow Explorer might be a helpful tool for data unlocking:

If the ransomware virus did not erase Shadow Volume Copies of your files, you can give this method a try.

There is no official ransomware decryptor discovered yet.

From our report of Feb 2019 · not reviewed since

Ransomware distribution techniques are closely related to spam

There are various sources from where you can catch a ransomware infection, however, according to cybersecurity specialists, ransomware can mostly be found in:

What you need to do is carefully investigate all email letters that you receive and do not access any unrecognizable ones. Moreover, avoid visiting secondary sources and using third-party downloading services. Make sure that you do not click on every link you approach throughout the Internet sphere. For further protection, install anti-malware in order to secure your computer system automatically and prevent possible cyber infections from entering the system.

  • email spam;
  • email attachments or inserted links;
  • P2P sites;
  • third-party content;
  • infected executables.

From our report of Feb 2019 · not reviewed since

Jupstb ransomware is a dangerous cyber threat which was found to be related to the infamous Snatch virus

Jupstb ransomware is a dangerous cryptovirus that first was discovered by GrujaRS and is the version of Snatch ransomware.

This dangerous cyber threat has the ability to lock up various documents on the infected Windows computer by using symmetric or asymmetric encryption algorithms. Additionally, the dangerous cryptovirus adds the .jupstb extension to each locked file or folder. Once this happens, a ransom message named Readme_Restore_Files.txt is displayed on the computer screen.

The cybercriminals provide two email addresses johnsonwhate@protonmail.com and johnsonwhate@tutanota.com as a way to discuss all matters about the ransom price. Even though a particular ransom is not demanded in the ransom message, usually, crooks urge for an amount between $500 and $1000 in Bitcoin or another popular cryptocurrency.

.jupstb files virus is definitely not a pleasant program to have installed on your computer. These types of infections are capable of leaving various rogue and harmful content hidden in different locations. Once the ransomware starts running unknown tasks in the Task Manager, the encryption process is performed and files such as image, text documents, executables, powerpoint, and other similar data are locked with the .jupstb extension.

Moreover, some ransomware viruses might have features such as capturing valuable information, injecting trojans, avoiding the detection of antivirus programs, deleting Shadow Copies of encrypted data, and so on. In order to avoid the risk of such damaging activities that can cause unrepairable harm to your computer system, you need to remove Jupstb ransomware ASAP. Use to detect all malicious content that relates to the ransomware virus.

Jupstb ransomware removal is a very responsible process to proceed with. This is the main reason why you should use only reputable anti-malware programs to carry out the elimination.

Moreover, restore all of your systems and try some files restoring tips which you can discover below the text. Additionally, create backups for your valuable data and restore them on remote devices such as USB drives or remote servers such as iCloud.

Talking about the ransom price, cybercriminals do not provide a particular one in the Jupstb ransomware note. However, usually, crooks demand cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. We suggest staying away from any contact with the crooks as much as possible as if you do not, you take a big risk of getting scammed. Better try third-party software to restore some of your files and avoid unnecessary money losses.

Screenshot of Jupstb ransomware: screenshot
Jupstb ransomware in our 2019 report.
Jupstb ransomware: jupstb virus
Jupstb ransomware in our 2019 report.

The Jupstb ransomware note

The note is called Readme_Restore_Files.txt.

We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.

How to remove Jupstb 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 Jupstb 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.

  1. 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 Jupstb 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 quick settings with Wi-Fi turned off
    Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  2. Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family

    Your files now end in .jupstb and the instructions are in Readme_Restore_Files.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.

    A ransom note text file next to encrypted files in File Explorer
    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

  3. Step 3: Check for a free decryptor

    Our last check found that for Jupstb ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.

    A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  4. Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt

    Removing Jupstb 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 Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

  5. 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 shadows in 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.

    Command Prompt running vssadmin list shadows
    Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  6. 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 Jupstb 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

  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. 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.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.Windows 7/XP

Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot.Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options.Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings.Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.Enable safe mode

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:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

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:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. 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).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following: Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files
  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. 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.

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

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

Jupstb ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .jupstb 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 Jupstb ransomware

Is there a decryptor for .jupstb files?

That depends on the family behind the .jupstb 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 .jupstb files?

You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .jupstb ending shows that Jupstb 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 Jupstb ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.

Did Jupstb ransomware steal my files or passwords?

We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Jupstb ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .jupstb 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.

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 Jupstb ransomware get on my computer?

The way Jupstb 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 .jupstb 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 Jupstb ransomware the same as other ransomware with a similar name?

Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.

Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.

Can I delete Readme_Restore_Files.txt?

Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. Readme_Restore_Files.txt contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.

Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.

Will .jupstb spread to my other drives?

It can. Ransomware encrypts every drive and network share it can reach while it runs, so external disks, USB sticks and shared folders connected during the attack may also have files ending in .jupstb. Disconnect everything now, then check each device from a clean computer.

Do not plug a backup drive into the infected PC until the ransomware has been removed with an offline scan. Cloud folders such as OneDrive sync the encrypted versions, but they keep earlier versions you can usually restore.

Will Fortect remove Jupstb 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 Jupstb 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

  1. Techopedia: Encryption (read October 7, 2026)
  2. Wikipedia: Email Spam (read October 7, 2026)
  3. CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
  4. No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
  5. FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)

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