LIZARD ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
LIZARD ransomware is a malicious program that attacks Windows computers by locking all non-system files, such as pictures, videos, music, documents, etc. Malware, which belongs to Flamingo virus family, uses sophisticated encryption tactics by utilizing both AES and RSA algorithms, which also appends each of the files with .LIZARD extension, as well as additional stings, containing the user ID and the contact email.
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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LIZARD ransomware: summary
| Name | LIZARD ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware, data locking malware, cryptovirus |
| Malware family | Lizard ransomware |
| Encryption method | A combination of RSA and AES is used to lock all non-system and non-executable files on the host machine |
| File extension | Malware uses a three-part extension, which consists of a contact email, user ID (appended before the file name), and a .LIZARD extension. Example of an encrypted file: [LizardInfo@yandex.ru][id=460B22EA]picture.jpg.LIZARD |
| Ransom note | #READ ME.TXT; the text is quoted in full below |
| 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 13 more facts
| Contact | LizardInfo@yandex.ru or LizardSup@tutanota.com |
|---|---|
| File Recovery | If no backups are available, recovering data is almost impossible. Nonetheless, we suggest you try the alternative methods that could help you in some cases – we list them below |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .lizard |
| 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 | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .lizard |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 20 November 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.lizard - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on LIZARD ransomware
- Perform a full system scan with powerful security software, such as
- Malware can seriously tamper with Windows systems, causing errors, crashes, lag, and other stability issues after it is terminated.
How LIZARD ransomware behaves
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
LIZARD ransomware - cyber infection that might result in complete data compromise
LIZARD ransomware is a malicious program that attacks Windows computers by locking all non-system files, such as pictures, videos, music, documents, etc. Malware, which belongs to Flamingo virus family, uses sophisticated encryption tactics by utilizing both AES and RSA algorithms, which also appends each of the files with .LIZARD extension, as well as additional stings, containing the user ID and the contact email.
Suchlike files lose distinctive icons and become fully inaccessible.
While the .LIZARD files are unavailable, it does not mean that they are corrupted. It becomes apparent as soon as malware delivers a ransom note #READ ME.TXT - the attackers demand payment in Bitcoin in order to recover a unique decryption software which, once used, could unlock all the files on the computer.
But before that, victims are asked to send threat actors their personal ID and a test file for decryption via the LizardInfo@yandex.ru or LizardSup@tutanota.com emails. Nonetheless, we do not recommend contacting the attackers because they might not deliver the required decryption tool. Check out the alternative methods we provide below instead and take care of LIZARD ransomware removal first.
Flamingo ransomware, which is a relatively new strain, first showed up in September 2020. This is the first version which uses .LIZARD extension.
While it is yet unknown which actors are behind the strain, it seems like they are determined to keep going, as already four versions have been released within just a couple of months. It is not surprising since the ransomware business is extremely lucrative, and many criminals are keen to grab some cash.
As soon as the LIZARD virus gains access to a Windows machine, it begins changing the way it operates. One of the main goals of the threat is to ensure that the file encryption process is successful, so it immediately attempts to break into Windows defenses and delete Shadow Copies.
The virus also drops several hundred malicious files on the system and changes the Windows registry, as well as several other sectors.
While malicious files can be deleted during LIZARD ransomware removal, some system damage sustained during the attack could remain.
As soon as malware finishes with the system changes, it begins the encryption process. Most viruses of such type simply append a standalone extension or add additional components to each of the files. However, this malware uses a little bit different method - it appends the user ID and the email before the file name, followed by .LIZARD extension.
Data encryption process only lasts a moment, and a ransom note is delivered soon after, which reads:
As evident, the attackers want to make victims trust them, as they offer free test decryption solution. Instead, remove LIZARD ransomware with , , or another reputable security software and attempt to recover data in different ways - we provide a few solutions below.
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
Ransomware distribution methods: learn to protect yourself
Many users who get infected with ransomware are quite shocked.
This is because most ransomware victims never encountered such an infection before. This also makes many believe that they can recover .LIZARD files as soon as they scan their computers with anti-malware. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth, as crypto-malware after-effects remain present even after the virus is deleted.
In other words, you won't get your files back just because you remove the infection from your computer (although this is a necessary procedure regardless). If no backups are available, data recovery possibilities are very limited, unfortunately.
Therefore, it is best to avoid ransomware infiltration in the first place - here are some tips that you should take into consideration each time you turn on a PC connected to the internet:
- Install powerful anti-malware software and keep it updated;
- Never download software cracks or pirated program installers;
- Do not allow documents attached to unknown emails to run macros on your system ("Allow Content" feature);
- Update your operating system and all the installed software regularly;
- Use secure and complex passwords for all your accounts and never leave your WiFi opened to everyone;
- Backup your most important files on a regular basis - this is the easiest way to recover from a ransomware attack.
The LIZARD ransomware note
----------[ All your data is encrypted by a strong encryter L!zarD ]----------
=========================== # Unique ID : 460B22EA
=========================== # E-mail : LizardInfo@yandex.ru
================================================================================
" PLEASE BE CAREFUL " :
if your data is important to you, And you want to make a payment, be sure
to send us a test file first(3 Mb),And make sure we have the ability to
open your files(Decrypt test files).So first send the test file to prove
that we can decrypt your files, Then make a payment (Buy BTC) and receive the
decryption tool (Send Decrypter).
================================================================================
If you do not receive a reply after sending us an email,
please send an email to the second email address.
second E-mail : LizardSup@tutanota.com
================================================================================
How to remove LIZARD 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 LIZARD 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
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so LIZARD 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: 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
.lizardand 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 LIZARD 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
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing LIZARD 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 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 LIZARD 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
- 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 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rid of LIZARD virus and only then proceed with data recovery
If you have no backups available, it is important you do not proceed with LIZARD ransomware removal immediately.
First, you have to make sure you copy all of your most important encrypted files to a separate medium (locked data does not hold any malicious code, so it is safe to move); otherwise, the files might be permanently damaged by security software.
This is also useful if you later decide to pay the ransom after all - keep in mind it is an absolute last resort, and the risk of losing your money prevails!
As soon as that is done, remove LIZARD ransomware with powerful anti-malware software, such as or . If, for some reason, your security software is struggling to work due to the presence of malware, access Safe Mode with networking as explained below and perform the scan from there. Also, use to remediate Windows system files, as you might face crashes, errors, or other stability issues otherwise.
[GI=method-1]You can access Safe Mode with Networking if you can not delete the virus in a normal mode:
[GI=method-2]System Restore could sometimes be useful when trying to eliminate the infection:
This tool might be able to retrieve at least some files from within your hard drive.
Windows Previous Versions feature could be your choice when trying to recover .LIZARD files
If malware didn't delete automatic Windows backups, you should be able to use Windows Previous Versions feature to retrieve files one-by-one.
ShadowExplorer is here to help
Just as with the previous method, ShadowExplorer would only work if Lizard ransomware failed to delete Shadow Copies from your system.
No decryptor is currently available
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Make the next attack harmless
LIZARD ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .lizard 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 LIZARD 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 .lizard files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .lizard ending shows that LIZARD 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 LIZARD ransomware. 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 LIZARD ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for LIZARD 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 "LIZARD 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.
How did LIZARD ransomware get on my computer?
The way LIZARD 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 .lizard 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 LIZARD ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by LIZARD ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .lizard 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 LIZARD 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 .lizard from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .lizard 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 the ransom note tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name the ransom note, 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 LIZARD 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 LIZARD 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
- Bitdefender: Why Ransomware Continues to Be an Immensely Profitable Business for Bad Actors (read October 7, 2026)
- Senzavirus: Senzavirus (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)