Kodg ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Kodg ransomware is the crypto-virus that affects Windows systems and is based on the code of the notorious STOP/Djvu virus. This infection is based on file-locking that is achieved by employing an encryption algorithm and encoding files like photos, images, video, audio files, various types of documents, or even databases.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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 .kodg files.
Do it yourself · free Remove Kodg ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
Kodg ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Cracked software, cheat codes, serial numbers of legitimate programs and other files that can be found on torrent services, corrupted pages can deliver the malicious script which triggers ransomware payload drop |
|---|---|
| Name | Kodg ransomware |
| File marker | .kodg |
| Family | Djvu ransomware family |
| Ransom note | _readme.txtis the file that delivers victims' ID, contact information, and offers the test decryption. This is the ransom note because a message contains a particular demand for the payment that should ensure file recovery |
| Ransom amount | At first, the victim is demanded to pay $980, but the amount can be lowered to $490, according to developers. However, there is no reason to consider paying since your files may still remain locked after the payment[2] |
| 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 14 more facts
| Contact emails | restorefiles@firemail.cc, gorentos@bitmessage.ch |
|---|---|
| Decryption possibilities | this virus family uses offline or online keys, so not every version can get decrypted using the STOPDecrtyper tool that is no longer supported; Emsisoft released a newer tool that can work for 148 Djvu versions developed before August 2019; This decryptor can possibly help with files encrypted by recent versions, but only when offline IDs get used, because online keys are too difficult to obtain. |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .kodg |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .kodg |
| Attacker contacts | restorefiles@firemail.cc |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 19 November 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.kodg - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
restorefiles@firemail.cc
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Kodg ransomware
- You should remove Kodg ransomware completely from the machine, and this can be achieved with anti-malware tools capable of detecting various malicious activities and intruders
- Unfortunately, file recovery is not the thing that can be achieved that easily.
- However, you need to also think about system files, functions that get affected besides the encryption in the background.
- You need to repair registry entries that get damaged, eliminate malicious files placed in various directories and folders.
- may check that for you and fix the virus damage
The Kodg ransomware note
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
How to remove Kodg 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 Kodg ransomware and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Kodg ransomware 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
_readme.txtand one or two files ending in.kodgto 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 Kodg ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 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 Kodg ransomware 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 Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
Kodg ransomware is the infection that can lead to serious system issues and damage files if not removed as soon as possible
Kodg ransomware is the crypto-virus that affects Windows systems and is based on the code of the notorious STOP/Djvu virus.
This infection is based on file-locking that is achieved by employing an encryption algorithm and encoding files like photos, images, video, audio files, various types of documents, or even databases. Once files get locked and "taken hostage", ransom gets demanded in the _readme.txt file which is placed in various folders and on the desktop to inform victims about further actions they can take.
Unfortunately, neither the offered test decryption nor the ransom paying options are recommended by malware researchers. There is a bigger opportunity to lose your files and money permanently when you pay and hope for the recovery because virus developers only focus on profiting from their victims.
Since Kodg ransomware virus is a version of the well-known ransomware, there are many typical features. The malware family is known for showing the fake Windows Update message, so the victim thinks that the slowness of the machine is caused by the process of updating.
During this time, all chosen data gets locked and encoded, various other processes loaded on the machine, and, in some cases, info-stealing malware placed on the computer too. This happens immediately after the infiltration, and the victim cannot stop the infection from this point.
Warning: Kodg ransomware is one of many versions in the Djvu family that continues to thrive because there are many users who don't pay enough attention and behave carelessly on the internet.
Accessing dubious pages, opening email attachments, pirating software, and other applications, cracking serial numbers of licensed apps can lead you not even to legal issues but cyber infections too.
Unfortunately, the encryption process starts immediately after the infiltration of Kodg ransomware or any other cryptovirus. This a quick process because the only thing malware do before that is checking the machine for potential red flags that should keep it from encrypting. That may be the fact that the computer was encrypted already or a particular location. There are some speculations that developers except people from the same country.
Once the encryption is done, Kodg ransomware marks files using .kodg file extension and generates IDs for each victim that gets placed in a ransom note. Then _readme.txt file appears in various folders, on the desktop, and other places where encrypted files may be found. The message reads the following:
The ransom message may seem convincing and serious enough to make you more eager to pay up. However, you should remove Kodg ransomware instead of paying the criminals. This is the better solution because even though you cannot recover your files back using the anti-malware program, you can make sure that this threat is not going to damage your machine any further.
If you leave the ransomware and other related programs running, the machine may get permanently damaged. Kodg ransomware is focusing on files, but many parts of the system get affected too. When the virus gets installed on a computer it creates a random executable in the %AppData% or %LocalAppData% folders.
The executable gets launched and begins to scan all the drive letters on your computer for data files to encrypt. Random files get placed in other files, directories, and so on. Even parts like Windows Registry gets affected by the threat, so the malware keeps more persistent on the machine.
Unfortunately, those changes also significantly affect Kodg ransomware removal process and file recovery options. Shadows Volume Copies needed for data recovery may get deleted, so there are fewer opportunities for victims to get their files back to normal. Some security functions also get disabled, and programs get installed to block AV tools.
Hopefully, there are some features on the Windows operating system that allows fighting malware still. You can reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking, so your anti-malware program can find, detect, and remove Kodg ransomware without interruption.
You need to make sure that Kodg ransomware gets eliminated with all the virus traces because your machine is a place where the virus can cause huge damage and permanently affect the machine. To check for the additional damage, run that might indicate system files and settings that can be improved and repaired by the program itself. Then you are free to perform any file recovery method of your choice.
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
File-locking malware gets distributed with the help of malicious files
The main vectors used by ransomware developers involve malicious files in the form of documents, executables, PDFs, or cracks and cheatcodes, pirated content.
The malicious script can be easily added on the common file and delivered directly to the system when the spam email attachment is opened and downloaded, or the pirated software gets installed.
The particular family we talk here is known for using pirated services, torrent networks, and similar sites or corrupted pages to deliver malware. NBA video games, serial numbers of such games, software, cracks, cheatcodes, Adobe packages are known for having malicious files.
You should, in general, avoid insecure online content and keep the machine safe by avoiding suspicious emails, shady sites, commercial pages, and illegal activities. If you don't pay enough attention, machine can get damaged quickly.
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
Kodg ransomware elimination tips and possible file recovery methods
Highly-complex code, encryption technique, and other features typical for the Kodg ransomware virus are the same feature of Djvu virus family.
This means that essential system settings, valuable files, and other parts of the system can get altered easily without your permission or knowledge.
Since you cannot find those programs and files affecting the performance, when you try to remove Kodg ransomware manually the process is mainly resultless due to this fact. Automatic techniques involving specially crafted software get recommended by many experts :
[GI=method-1]Reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking to achieve better results of Kodg ransomware removal
[GI=method-2]System Restore feature can help while fighting Kodg ransomware because it allows restoring machine in a previous state when the malware was not present
Windows Previous Versions is the feature of recovering individual files
When System Restore gets enabled for Kodg ransomware elimination, you can try Windows Previous Versions for the data recovery
ShadowExplorer might get useful when your files get encrypted
Shadow Volume Copies can be used by ShadowExplorer for your data recovery when Kodg ransomware is not affecting them
Decryption options for Kodg ransomware
The particular Kodg ransomware is not decryptable, but the forum post here should provide you all the needed updates on the changes and tools developed for the STOP virus family
- Kodg ransomware removal should be performed using anti-malware tools.
- System file recovery and virus damage termination require system repair tools.
- General system cleaning should benefit from , , .
- The recovery processes can be achieved with third-party data recovery tools or features if the OS. You can find some below.
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 Kodg ransomware together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .kodg and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
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 Kodg ransomware
How do I open .kodg files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .kodg ending shows that Kodg 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 Kodg ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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.
Is there a free Kodg ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Kodg ransomware no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "Kodg ransomware decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
How did Kodg ransomware get on my computer?
The way Kodg 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 .kodg 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 Kodg ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Kodg ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .kodg 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 Kodg ransomware the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I just remove .kodg from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .kodg extension is only a label; the file content has been scrambled with a key the attackers hold.
If a renamed copy opens normally, the malware only renamed files, which happens with some fake ransomware, and you can rename the rest back. If it does not open, leave the files as they are. Renaming encrypted files can confuse a decryptor later, so always work on copies.
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.
Will Fortect remove Kodg 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 Kodg 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
- Paloaltonetworks: Ransomware: Common Attack Methods (read October 6, 2026)
- Howtogeek: Should You Pay Up If You Get Hit by Ransomware? (read October 6, 2026)
- Virusai: Virusai (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)