Lulz ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Lulz ransomware is a new file locking malware strain that was first analyzed by security experts from SentinelOne. Once inside the system, it encrypts 195 file types located on the local and connected drives with the help of the AES-256 encryption algorithm and appends .lulz marker to each of them (for example, a picture.jpg is turned into picture.jpg.lulz).
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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Lulz ransomware: summary
| Name | Lulz ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Crypto-malware |
| Originates from | The malware comes from a ransomware-as-a-service Project Root |
| Operating platforms | The malware is developed for Windows and Linux operating systems and supports 32-bit and 64-bit architectures |
| File extension | Each of the affected files is appended with .lulz, although the extension can vary and be anything, as set by the attacker |
| Encryption method | Lulz ransomware uses symmetric encryption AES-256, which uses one key to lock and unlock the data on the host machine |
| 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 15 more facts
| Ransom note | Users' desktop wallpaper is altered that tells them to open a "Fu*k; the text is quoted in full below |
|---|---|
| File recovery | File decryption is only possible via backups, using third-party recovery software (low chance) or by paying cybercriminals (not recommended) |
| Ransomware removal | To get rid of Lulz ransomware, a scan with a robust anti-malware software is advised. If malware prevents security software from operating properly, enter Safe Mode with Networking as explained below |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | xxxxxx@protonmail.com |
| Encrypted file extension | .lulz |
| 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 | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .lulz |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 25 October 2019 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.lulz - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Lulz ransomware
- Users' desktop wallpaper is altered that tells them to open a "Fu*k.txt" file that is placed into each of the affected files folder
- Ransomware is known to alter multiple system files, and some of them cannot be recovered by anti-malware software.
- 001, 3fr, 7z,asset ,d3dbsp, ,mdbackup ,pkpass, ,psk ,rar accdb, ai, apk, arch00, avi, bar, bay, bc6 bc7 big, bik bin, bkf bkp blob bsa c, cab, cas, cdr, cer, cfr, con, cpp, cr2, crt, crw, css, csv, das DayZProfile, dazip, db0, dbf, dcr, der, desc, dmp, dng, doc, docm, docx, dwg, dxg, epk eps, erf, esm ff flv, forge fos, fpk fsh, gdb, gho,iso gif, hkdb hkx, hplg, htm, html, hvpl, ibank, icxs, indd, itdb, itl, itm itm, iwd, jpe, jpeg, jpg, js, kdc, kf, lbf, litemod, lng lrf ltx lvl m2, m3u, m4a, map, mcgame, mcmeta mdb, mdf, mef, menu, mlx, mp3, mp4, mpq, mpqge, mrwref, ncf, nrw, ntl, odb, odc, odm, odp, ods, odt, orf, p7b, p7c, p12, pak, pdd, pdf, pef, pem, pfx, png, ppt, pptm, pptx, psd, pst, ptx, py, qdf, qic, r3d, raf, raw, re4, rgss3a, rim rofl, rtf, rw2, rwl, sav sb, sc2save sid, sidd, sidn, sie, sis, slm snx, sql, sr2, srf, srw, sum, svg, t12,t13, tax, tor, torrent ttarch2 txt, unity3d upk, vdf, vfs0 vpk vpp_pc vtf, w3x, wb2, wma, wmo wmo, wmv, wotreplay, wpd, wps, x3f, xf, xlk, xls, xlsb, xlsm, xlsx, ztmp
How Lulz ransomware behaves
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
Lulz ransomware is crypto-malware that belongs to Project Root RaaS scheme
Lulz ransomware is a new file locking malware strain that was first analyzed by security experts from SentinelOne.
Once inside the system, it encrypts 195 file types located on the local and connected drives with the help of the AES-256 encryption algorithm and appends .lulz marker to each of them (for example, a picture.jpg is turned into picture.jpg.lulz).
After that, the data becomes inaccessible, and victims are asked to pay a ransom in order to regain access to it - a brief message from hackers appears in the "F*ck.txt" file, as well as a desktop wallpaper which is altered from a preset one.
Lulz ransomware is one of the first releases based on Project Root - a Ransomware-as-a-service scheme. Crooks, even without much of a programming proficiency, can buy the malicious payload via the Dark Web and use it for a cut from the profits made by collecting ransom payments from victims.
Lulz ransomware, while not extraordinary, has multiple tricks up its sleeve. Similarly to LockerGoga, the malware is written in Golang, which allows the payload to avoid both machine-learning and signature-based detection techniques by anti-virus engines. Nevertheless, most of the security solutions are equipped with advanced engines and might be able to stop the infection before file encryption is performed. Thus, for Lulz ransomware removal and protection, use reliable protection measures.
Lulz virus is programmed to exit the machine upon detecting a sandbox environment, such as VMware and Oracle VirtualBox (these are usually used by security researchers to analyze malware samples). Before proceeding with the infection, it will also attempt to establish the connection to one of amazonaws.com addresses, to ensure that internet connection is available on the targeted machine. Lulz ransomware will then try to disable the installed anti-virus applications.
Once the preparations of Windows or Linux operating systems are done, Lulz ransomware will look for the following file types and encrypt them with a secure symmetric encryption AES-256:
The changed wallpaper will refer users to the ransom note Fu*k.txt which states the following:
Please do not contact cybercriminals behind the ransomware, as, looking at the way they communicate with victims, it is highly likely that they might not send back the Lulz ransomware decryptor, even after payment is transferred. Under certain circumstances, alternative methods may help you retrieve the locked data, although the chances are very low.
However, before that, you should remove Lulz ransomware from your computer, which might prove to be a challenge for some, unfortunately. Due to the sophisticated functionality of malware, we highly recommend you access Safe Mode with Networking for the process. After you are sure that all Lulz virus components are eliminated, you could also use to recover from system errors caused by malware infection.
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
Ransomware authors can use multiple different distribution methods
The ransomware-as-a-service scheme allows multiple different threat actors to buy the service and customize it before deploying it to the victims.
Therefore, even the same malware might have different features or be delivered in different methods, depending on its distributors' preferences. If you want to protect your machine from ransomware, you should be ready for everything - check out these security tips from industry researchers:
Finally, you should backup your files - this will save a great deal of frustration when dealing with ransomware infection.
- Employ reputable anti-malware software that uses advanced detection methods and provides real-time protection;
- Enable Firewall and protect your WiFi connection with a secure password;
- When using Remote Desktop, change the default TCP port, use a strong password and always disconnect from the service once complete;
- Beware of spam email attachments that ask you to enable macros - these phishing emails might seem legitimate from the first sight;
- Never download pirated software installers or cracks/keygens - these tools are often infused with malware;
- Patch your system with the latest security patches;
- Set all the installed software to be updated automatically.
The Lulz ransomware note
You are hacked
your all files have been encrypted
if you want you files back
email us here : xxxxxx@protonmail.com with your unique id => xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
F*ck you!!!
How to remove Lulz 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 Lulz 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
Lulz 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
the ransom noteand one or two files ending in.lulzto 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 Lulz ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 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 Lulz 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 Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
Lulz ransomware elimination might get tricky - here's what to do
As we previously mentioned, the Lulz virus is capable of using evasion techniques and might also be able to disable your anti-virus software.
Luckily, the Safe Mode environment usually tackles these problems and prevents ransomware from reaching its goals. Therefore, if you fail to remove Lulz ransomware normally, you should access the Safe Mode, as explained below.
If your security software does not start or got corrupted by malware, you should download the installer from an unaffected computer, transfer it via the USB or DVD, install it, and only then run a full system scan.
Once you complete Lulz ransomware removal, you should first backup all your data. Paying criminals is one of the possibilities of recovering your files but be aware that:
Therefore, rather attempt to recover your data with third-party solutions first. Likely these will not be effective for all files, although some parts may be recovered successfully. If no luck, you should wait for security experts to find vulnerabilities within ransomware code and release a working Lulz ransomware decryptor in the future.
[GI=method-1]Lulz ransomware might be difficult to remove. If you are struggling, you should access Safe Mode with Networking and attempt the process from there:
[GI=method-2]System Restore function can also serve as an effective method when trying to get rid of malware:
However, it is not designed to recover data that has been locked by ransomware, to the results might not always be positive.
Windows Previous Versions feature might be a solution
In some cases, Windows Previous Versions feature can be used to retrieve files one-by-one. However, this method only works if the System Restore function was enabled prior to the Lulz ransomware attack.
Make use of ShadowExplorer
Ransomware is programmed to perform certain changes in the system. However, just like any other software, it might fail to execute certain functions because of bugs within the programming code. If that is the case and the Lulz virus failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies, you have a high chance of retrieving all your files with ShadowExplorer.
No decryption tool is currently available
- the provided tool might not work or be contaminated with other malware;
- crooks may simply ignore you after they get your money.
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 .lulz 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.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about Lulz 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 .lulz files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .lulz ending shows that Lulz 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 Lulz ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Lulz ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Lulz ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .lulz 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 there a free Lulz ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Lulz 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 "Lulz 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.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did Lulz ransomware get on my computer?
The way Lulz 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 .lulz 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 Lulz 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 .lulz from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .lulz 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.
Can I delete the ransom note?
Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. the ransom note contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.
Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.
Will Fortect remove Lulz 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 Lulz 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
- SentinelOne: Behind Enemy Lines | Looking into Ransomware as a Service (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)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)