Kraken ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Kraken ransomware is file-encrypting malware that was detected in 2017. Recently, the second its version was detected which was dubbed Kraken 2.0 ransomware.
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 .kraken files.
Do it yourself · free Remove Kraken ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
Kraken ransomware: summary
| Name | Kraken |
|---|---|
| Versions | Kraken 2.0 |
| Type | ranosmware |
| Extensions used | .kraken, .SN-%ID%-info@kraken.cc_worldcza@email.cz |
| Ransom note | _HELP_YOUR_FILES.html; the text of the note is not in our records |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| 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
| Contact | kraken.cc_worldcza@email.cz, krakenk811@gmail.com, kraken0@india.com |
|---|---|
| Encrypted file extension | .kraken |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .kraken |
| Attacker contacts | kraken.cc_worldcza@email.cz |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 8 May 2018 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.kraken - Note file:
_HELP_YOUR_FILES.html - Contact:
kraken.cc_worldcza@email.cz
From our report of May 2018 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Kraken
- To get rid of this virus, use .
How Kraken ransomware behaves
From our report of May 2018 · not reviewed since
Kraken ransomware returns with its second version after one year break
Kraken ransomware is file-encrypting malware that was detected in 2017.
Recently, the second its version was detected which was dubbed Kraken 2.0 ransomware. The virus encrypts files using RSA and AES ciphers, and then appends the .kraken or .SN-%ID%-info@kraken.cc_worldcza@email.cz file extensions to each damaged file.
As a result, victims cannot access their personal files, such as photos, video or audio files as well as other documents that are extremely important to them. To recover the access, they are required to pay a ransom.
The attack of this ransomware might not seem so cruel if you have backups of your encrypted files because you can easily use them to restore your affected data.
If you have no copies of the most important files that are encrypted, the situation becomes more complicated. Victims of this ransomware cannot access, open or use their data. However, they can find a new .html file on their desktop that includes information about data recovery.
The "_HELP_YOUR_FILES.html" file contains instructions on how to purchase Bitcoins and transfer them to the individual Bitcoin wallet. It also requires contacting cyber criminals and waiting for the decryption program to be sent. However, in case of the attack, we do not recommend following crooks' orders because you might be trapped. We highly recommend you to take care of Kraken ransomware removal as soon as it steps inside the computer.
This ransom note is unusual because it has dynamic fields that might be updated and modified. The crooks worked hard and provided lots of links where victims can buy Bitcoins and how the transaction has to be made.
Virus demands 2 Bitcoins for data decryption; however, if victims do not rush to pay, the sum doubles. This document also includes victim's ID number, and they have to send it after paying the ransom to the cyber criminals to one of these addresses:
Sooner or later victims should receive an email from the hackers which includes Kraken decryptor. Victims have to push "Decrypt" button and wait for the further instructions. However, clicking this button and using decryptor is extremely dangerous.
You might get infected with another ransomware and asked to pay even more money. Therefore, remove Kraken ransomware from the computer with the help of and our prepared instructions.
- krakenk811@gmail.com;
- kraken0@india.com;
- kraken@innocent.com.
From our report of May 2018 · not reviewed since
Methods used for spreading this ransomware
The developers of ransomware viruses have been applying almost the same and well-known malware distribution strategy which is closely related to malicious spam emails , exploit kits, malware-laden ads, etc. If you are interested in technology or viruses, probably you have heard that the most popular ransomware distribution method is malicious email campaigns.
Cybercriminals send hundreds of thousands different email that includes an attached document. If a person opens the attachment, Kraken or other ransomware infiltrates the system.
Nowadays it's extremely important to pay attention to online safety because the number of malware attacks is growing and hackers find new ways to spread the virus.To minimize the risk of the ransomware attack, it's not only important to stay away from suspicious emails and their attachments but also avoid visiting shady websites, clicking or installing software/updates from questionable online ads, and using file-sharing sites.
The Kraken ransomware note
The note is called _HELP_YOUR_FILES.html.
We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.
How to remove Kraken 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 Kraken 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 Kraken 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
.krakenand the instructions are in_HELP_YOUR_FILES.html. 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 Kraken, 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 Kraken 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 Kraken 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 May 2018 · not reviewed since
The removal procedure of Kraken
After ransomware attack, you should act smart and fast.
You should not delay Kraken ransomware removal or consider paying the ransom. As we already told you, if you have already found yourself in this unpleasant situation, you should try to get yourself out of it. The only way to do is to remove malware from the computer.
While it resides on your PC, the system stays vulnerable and fragile, so other computer infections might take advantage of the situations and cause even more problems for you. To remove Kraken from the computer, you have to install and update reputable anti-malware program (e.g., , , ) and run a full system scan.
[GI=method-1]To launch anti-spyware for ransomware removal, you need to follow these steps and reboot your PC to Safe Mode. They will help you prevent problems related to the functionality of this virus.
[GI=method-2]If Safe Mode with Networking method dis not help you block the virus, follow the steps given below. System Restore can help you disable this malware:
Keep in mind that this program was not created to restore files specifically encrypted by Kraken ransomware. However, it might be capable of restoring some of your files.
Restore individual files using Windows Previous Versions feature
If System Restore function has been enabled before virus attack, you should follow the steps below and restore some of the most important files:
Data recovery with ShadowExplorer
If malware hasn't deleted Shadow Volume Copies, you can try to restore files using ShadowExplorer tool.
Kraken ransomware decrypter is available
You can try using this decrypter offered by one of security experts on Twitter. However, we must warn you that it was provided by the developer of this ransomware, what means that you are taking all the risk.
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.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows files that end in .kraken and no longer open; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on Windows.
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 Kraken ransomware
How do I open .kraken files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .kraken ending shows that Kraken 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 Kraken. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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.
Is there a free Kraken decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Kraken 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 "Kraken 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 Kraken get on my computer?
The way Kraken 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 .kraken 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 Kraken steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Kraken, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .kraken 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 Kraken 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 .kraken from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .kraken 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.
Should I open _HELP_YOUR_FILES.html?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text _HELP_YOUR_FILES.html 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.
Will Fortect remove Kraken?
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 Kraken, 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
- Wikipedia: RSA (cryptosystem) (read October 7, 2026)
- Bitcoin: How does Bitcoin work? (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)