Liquid ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Ransomware is a type of malware that prevents users from accessing their system or personal files and demands payment in order to regain access. The earliest variants of ransomware were developed in the late 1980s, and payment was to be sent via snail mail.
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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Liquid ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Email attachments, peer-to-peer file sharing platforms, malicious ads |
|---|---|
| NAME | Liquid |
| TYPE | Ransomware, cryptovirus, data locking malware |
| FILE EXTENSION | .Liquid |
| RANSOM NOTE | Liquid.hta; the text is quoted in full below |
| FILE RECOVERY | It is almost impossible to recover the files if you do not have backups |
| 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
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Contact | unknownteam@criptext.com, fixbyfinch@Tutanota.com |
| Encrypted file extension | .liquid |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Liquid |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .liquid |
| Ransom note | the ransom note |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 14 September 2021 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.liquid - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Sep 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Liquid
- Scan your machine with anti-malware software or to eliminate the malicious files.
- This will not recover your files.
- Windows reinstallation can be avoided with maintenance tool, which can fix damaged files
The Liquid ransomware note
all data in your machine turned to useless binary code
your databses and Documents have been downloaded and will be published after 12days if not paid
to return files and prevent publishing email us at : unknownteam@criptext.com , fixbyfinch@Tutanota.com (send copy to both, your id as subject)
your id : -
tips:
no one else can help you ,don't waste your business time
if not paid after a while Google your Campany Name and you wil see your private and custorres data in there ,all your customers and (this is done only if determine your data leakage does more damage than payment you should make)
anyone/any company offering help will contact us and intermediate, even if they claim otherwise, math prooves no one can decrypt without our private keys ,even some of them with good fame get test file from us and scam you (get your money, don't pay us, tell you some bullshit, and leave you with your encrypted data) the other half get only some extra fees from you (someone them they pick large amounts of your payment for themselves), there's nothing you can't do yourself
you can buy bitcoins easily , just google : how to buy bitcoins in xxx (your country)
Whats's guarantee? 1- you send a few Sample files for test before payment 2-if we don't recover our reputation will go bad and no one will pay us
we won;t be available for long
dont play with encrypted files that will corrupt them and make unrecoverable.
for proper decryption don't delete files at c:\Liquid hidden folder , even on machines with no important data , or get backup of them
question : i read at some website that some people pay the ransome and don't get their files answer: yes that happens with some ransomewares, affiliates scam you to to pay percentage to devs , to avoid it never pay anyone without testfile (us or any dealer),never ever pay outside of this 2 emails,ONLY PAY TO THE WALLET ADDRESS YOU RECEIVE WITH DECRYPTED SAMPLE FILE ,scam can't happen if this tips are followed , guaranteed .
use google translate (if you don't know english)
How to remove Liquid 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 Liquid 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 Liquid 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
.liquidand the instructions are inthe ransom note. 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 Liquid, 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 Liquid 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 Liquid 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.
Report the incident to your local authorities
Ransomware is a lucrative, highly illegal business, and authorities are actively targeting ransomware operators. The level of investigation and follow-up depends on the country, the scale of the incident, and whether the attack is linked to known ransomware groups. To increase the likelihood of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. In many cases, reports are used primarily for intelligence gathering, trend analysis, and victim support rather than immediate identification of attackers.
Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help stop the cybercriminal activities and catch the threat actors. Reporting does not guarantee investigation or recovery of data, but it contributes to broader efforts to track ransomware campaigns. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Relevant details may also include affected systems, ransom demands, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and any communication with the attackers. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, encrypted files, or malware executables would be beneficial.
Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:
- USA - Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
- United Kingdom - ActionFraud
- Canada - Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia - ScamWatch
- New Zealand - ConsumerProtection
- Germany - Polizei
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.
From our report of Sep 2021 · not reviewed since
Liquid ransomware prevents victims from accessing their files
Ransomware is a type of malware that prevents users from accessing their system or personal files and demands payment in order to regain access.
The earliest variants of ransomware were developed in the late 1980s, and payment was to be sent via snail mail. In this age, ransomware authors order the payment to be sent in cryptocurrency. Attackers target individuals, businesses, and organizations of all kinds.
In most cases, the malware first gains access to the device. Depending on the type of ransomware, either the entire operating system or individual files are encrypted. Liquid ransomware seems to encrypt only personal files like photos, videos, documents, databases, and others so that the victims could still use the device to make the payment.
After infiltrating the machine, the virus starts the process by encrypting the files and appending them with the .Liquid extension. The victims' ID and attackers' email address is also added. For example, if a file was previously named picture.jpg, now it would look like this - id .[unknownteam@criptext.com].picture.jpg.Liquid.
This is the moment where users notice that something strange is happening to their device, as the file icons also change to white pages. Shortly after the encryption process is over, a ransom note named Liquid.hta is generated and shown to the victim. There, people are informed that they need to send the hackers Bitcoin in order to get their files back.
We strongly suggest against contacting the cybercriminals or paying the ransom as many victims of ransomware attacks report that after paying the money they never heard back and not only lost their files but their money too.
If you do not have backups, we are sorry to disappoint, but it is possible that you lost your data forever. In this guide, we will show you how to remove the malware and what recovery options are available.
From our report of Sep 2021 · not reviewed since
How does ransomware spread?
There are several different ways that ransomware can infect your computer.
One of the most common methods is through malspam, which is an unsolicited email that is used to deliver malware. The email might include attachments, such as PDFs or Word documents. It might also contain links to malicious websites.
Cybercriminals use social engineering tactics in order to trick people into opening attachments or clicking on links by appearing as legitimate whether that's by seeming to be from a trusted institution or a friend. Installing "cracked" software is also a huge threat as the sites that distribute them disguise malicious programs as legitimate or hide malware between the files.
Another popular infection method is malvertising. Malicious advertising is the use of online advertising to distribute malware. While browsing the web, users can be redirected to criminal servers without ever clicking on an ad. These servers catalog details about victim computers and their locations and then select the malware best suited to deliver.
From our report of Sep 2021 · not reviewed since
The full Liquid.hta ransom note
From the ransom note, it is easy to tell that the creators' native language is not English as it is full of grammar and spelling mistakes.
The authors use scare tactics to rush victims into paying the ransom and not trying alternative methods. They want people to act based on fear and emotions.
Warning: The developers of Liquid ransomware also threaten to release the victims' files on the internet if they do not pay.
As we said before, hackers should not be trusted. They cannot guarantee that they will keep their promise. Your information might already be posted somewhere on the internet or they do not plan on doing that at all.
It is clear that these cybercriminals are trying to use every method possible to make you send cryptocurrency to their address. Keep in mind, that after you send a payment in crypto, you cannot cancel it, or report that you did not receive the promised services - they are gone forever.
From our report of Sep 2021 · not reviewed since
Disconnect the device from the local network
As the creators of this malicious program seem to be targeting businesses, you need to isolate the affected machine so the virus would not infect the entire network.
As soon as one of the machines is infected, malware can spread via network and encrypt files everywhere else, including Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. If your computer is connected to a network, it is important to isolate it to prevent re-infection after ransomware removal is complete.
The easiest way to disconnect a PC from everything is simply to plug out the ethernet cable. However, in the corporate environment, this might be extremely difficult to do (also would take a long time). The method below will disconnect from all the networks, including local and the internet, isolating each of the machines involved.
If you are using some type of cloud storage you are connected to, you should disconnect from it immediately. It is also advisable to disconnect all the external devices, such as USB flash sticks, external HDDs, etc. Once the malware elimination process is finished, you can connect your computers to the network and internet, as explained above, but by pressing Enable instead.
- Type in Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter
- Go to Network and Internet
- Click Network and Sharing Center
- On the left, pick Change adapter settings
- Right-click on your connection (for example, Ethernet), and select Disable
- Confirm with Yes.
From our report of Sep 2021 · not reviewed since
Remove the intruder from your machine
If you try to recover your data first, it can result in permanent loss.
It can also encrypt your files the second time. It will not stop until you remove the malicious files causing it first. You should not attempt removing the malicious program yourself.
This security software should find all the related files and entries and remove them automatically for you. Automatic removal is the best option because there is less risk of leaving some of the traces behind.
If the virus is preventing you from using security software, first you need to access Safe Mode. If you do not know how to do it, look for instructions at the bottom of the post.
From our report of Sep 2021 · not reviewed since
Try recovering your personal data using third-party software
Only hackers hold the decryption key, which can unlock your files, so if you did not back them up previously, you possibly lost your files forever.
You can try using data recovery software, but third-party programs cannot always decrypt the files. We suggest at least trying this method. Before proceeding, you have to copy the corrupted files and place them in a USB flash drive or another storage. And remember - only do this if you have already removed Liquid ransomware.
- Download .
- Double-click the installer to launch it.
- Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
- As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
- Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
- Press Next.
- At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
- Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
- You can now pick which folders/files to recover - don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
- Press Recover to retrieve your files.
From our report of Sep 2021 · not reviewed since
Fix the damaged operating system
Performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required, are expected after malware infection.
These types of infections can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not able to repair it.
This is why was developed. It can fix a lot of the damage caused by an infection like this. Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc., can make your computer completely unusable. By using this maintenance tool, you could avoid Windows reinstallation.
- Download the application by clicking on the link above
- Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
- If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
- Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
- The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
- Once complete, check the results - they will be listed in the Summary
- You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
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 .liquid 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.
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 Liquid ransomware
Should I pay the ransom in the ransom note?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
How do I open .liquid files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .liquid ending shows that Liquid 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 Liquid. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
How did Liquid get on my computer?
The way Liquid 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 .liquid 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 there a free Liquid decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Liquid 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 "Liquid 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.
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.
Did Liquid steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Liquid, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .liquid 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 Liquid 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 .liquid from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .liquid 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 the ransom note?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text the ransom note 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 Liquid?
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 Liquid, 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
- MakeUseOf: 5 Security Reasons Not to Download Cracked Software (read October 7, 2026)
- ciSecurity: Malvertising (read October 7, 2026)
- HowStuffWorks: In Windows, what is Safe Mode used for and why? (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)