Mallox ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Ransomware is a type of malware that is used for money extortion thanks to its ability to encrypt all personal files on the targeted Windows machine. In the past decade, it has been one of the most prevalent and lucrative illegal businesses in the cybercrime scene.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Mallox ransomware: summary
| Name | Mallox ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware, file-locking virus |
| File extension | .Mallox, appended to each of the personal files on the infected computer |
| Ransom note | RECOVERY INFORMATION.txt |
| Contact | mallox.israel@mailfence.com, mallox@tutanota.com |
| File Recovery | If no backups are available, recovering data is almost impossible. However, we suggest you try the alternative methods that could help you in some cases – we list them 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 12 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Encrypted file extension | .mallox |
| 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 | .mallox |
| Attacker contacts | mallox.israel@mailfence.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 28 October 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.mallox - Note file:
INFORMATION.txt - Contact:
mallox.israel@mailfence.com
From our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Mallox 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.
- Free Ransomware Decryptors by Kaspersky
How Mallox ransomware behaves
From our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since
Mallox ransomware blocks access to all personal files and then demands the payment for reverting the process
Ransomware is a type of malware that is used for money extortion thanks to its ability to encrypt all personal files on the targeted Windows machine.
In the past decade, it has been one of the most prevalent and lucrative illegal businesses in the cybercrime scene. Attackers increasingly target medium to large organizations and businesses, which was enforced even further by a coronavirus pandemic. Likewise, new strains that focus on home users appear almost daily.
Mallox ransomware showed up in late October 2021, with its main target being personal Windows computers, meaning that the operations are on the lower scale, at least for now. Just like any other malware of this type, it gains access to users' computers in stealthy ways and begins changing the system immediately.
Soon after the infection begins, the ransomware then applies a sophisticated encryption algorithm to lock all documents, databases, pictures, and other personal files on the device, appending .mallox extension in the process. When it comes to data encryption, there are two aspects that should be noted:
As soon as the data-locking process is finished, the malware then delivers the ransom note - a text file titled "RECOVERY INFORMATION.txt." In the note, the attackers claim that the only way to restore files is to pay for a decryptor and recommend users contact them via mallox.israel@mailfence.com or mallox@tutanota.com emails.
We strongly advise you not to pay the ransom, as there is no guarantee you retrieve access to your files. Instead, check all the information below, as we provide alternative methods that could help you recover at least some of your data without paying and risking losing your money.
- Files are not damaged or corrupted but locked under a complex password
- The virus does not touch certain directories or files, mainly executables, and everything that is needed by Windows to boot and run.
From our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since
The ransom note analysis
A ransom note is one of the main components of a ransomware scheme.
It informs users about what happened to their files and what they can do to retrieve them. Almost all file-locking malware authors use a ransom note to communicate with their victims. Otherwise, the payment simply can't be made, and it serves as a loss for hackers. The Mallox virus delivers the following message:
The note does not differ much from other malware strains, such as Rivd or CryptoJoker 2021. It is typical for the attackers to offer an allegedly free test decryption service, which is meant to prove that the decryption is possible. In other words, crooks are trying to gain users' trust, increasing the chances of them paying the ransom.
However, keep in mind that ransomware authors are not your friends, and they don't really care for you or your files (they illegally encrypted your data in the first place!). Therefore, you should dismiss all the requests to contact them and instead use the alternative solutions we provide below. You should start with Mallox virus removal and only then proceed with data recovery options.
The Mallox ransomware note
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED !!!
TO DECRYPT, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS:
To recover data you need decrypt tool.
To get the decrypt tool you should:
1.In the letter include your personal ID! Send me this ID in your first email to me!
2.We can give you free test for decrypt few files (NOT VALUE) and assign the price for decryption all files!
3.After we send you instruction how to pay for decrypt tool and after payment you will receive a decryption tool!
4.We can decrypt few files in quality the evidence that we have the decoder.
CONTACT US:
mallox.israel@mailfence.com
mallox@tutanota.com
YOUR PERSONAL ID:
How to remove Mallox 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 Mallox 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
Mallox 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
INFORMATION.txtand one or two files ending in.malloxto 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 Mallox ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Mallox 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.
Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
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 Oct 2021 · not reviewed since
Using security software to remove Mallox ransomware
Ransomware is among the most devastating computer infections, be it for home users or corporations.
Not only can they hold files hostage, but they also compromise the security of the infected machine. Likewise, cybercriminals might employ additional modules to secretly steal personal data in the background as long as the malware is running.
One of the common traits of ransomware is that it often self-deletes after the job of file encryption is complete. Thus, even if you might not find ransomware infection, there could be plenty of malicious files, modules, processes, components, or even other malware running in the background. For that reason, you should always start with a computer scan with or security software.
Before you proceed, it is important to note that malware can spread to other computers connected to the same network or LAN, so it is vital to immediately disconnect the infected PC from the internet.
You can simply pull out the Ethernet cable or disconnect from WiFi by right-clicking the internet icon in the taskbar. Only then proceed with the virus elimination. If your security software is being blocked in normal mode, access Safe Mode as explained below.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
Note that all sorts of computer problems might arise after the virus is eliminated. Since new ransomware is commonly riddled with bugs or other issues, it might damage or even destroy certain Windows components and settings. As a result, you might experience crashes, failure to load files/programs, BSODs, errors, and other issues.
It can replace the damaged system files with brand new ones with the help of its unique reconstruction capabilities without having to reinstall the OS. Likewise, the app can also help you clean the system from useless files, protect your privacy, and get rid of the most common Windows problems that arise due to other reasons.
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing the 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.
- Right-click on the Start button and select Settings.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
From our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since
Making encrypted file backups
Companies and businesses have procedures for keeping file backups, hence this feature of ransomware is relatively harmless to those entities (although cybercriminals are now stealing classified company information before deploying the ransomware). Unfortunately, regular computer users, especially those who get infected with ransomware for the very first time, rarely have file backups available.
Therefore, before you proceed with the next step, you should make backups of your encrypted files. Simply insert a USB stick or other storage device and copy the field over. You can also use cloud storage such as OneDrive or Google Drive.
You can find detailed instructions on how to do this at the very bottom of this post. Note that this step is necessary in order to avoid file corruption when attempting to restore them using the methods provided in the next section.
From our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since
File recovery process
There is a lot of misunderstanding about how ransomware works from those affected.
Most users who get infected with ransomware actually have never even heard of it before. Those who do, usually know very little about it as well, although file encryption is a very distinct feature of this malware type.
Some users believe that their files have been damaged in some kind of way, mainly because they can no longer be opened, and they are also stripped of their normal icons. However, this is not true, at least in most cases.
A sophisticated encryption algorithm uses a randomly-generated alphanumeric key that is used to lock every personal file on the system. Cybercriminals hold that key and obviously aren't willing to provide it for free.
In other cases, people believe that their files will turn back to normal as soon as they perform a full system scan with anti-malware software. This is also not correct, as security software is simply not designed for that. Although, it is important to point out that anti-malware should always be used to remove the infection from the system regardless.
With all that being said, if you have no working file backups you created before, the chances of restoring the encrypted data successfully are rather slim. Nonetheless, we strongly advise following these steps instead of doing business with cybercriminals. If you do, you risk losing your money in addition to files, so be warned.
From our report of Oct 2021 · not reviewed since
1. Use data recovery software
- 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 Oct 2021 · not reviewed since
2. Wait for a decryption tool
Mallox is a new ransomware strain, which means that there is no free decryption tool for the public available.
However, cybercriminals who are new in the scene commonly make mistakes when building ransomware, and security experts can make use of this flaw, creating a free decryptor. In other cases, cybercriminals' servers might be captured by the law authorities and the keys released. Follow these links and look for a decryption tool:
To protect yourself from further infections of ransomware, always keep your files on backups, and never ignore the warnings of your security software, which should be running in the background at all times. Below you will also find instructions on how to report the incident to the authorities.
- No More Ransom Project
- Free Ransomware Decryption Tools from Emsisoft
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like Mallox ransomware together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .mallox and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
Questions about Mallox ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .mallox files?
That depends on the family behind the .mallox extension, which this guide cannot confirm yet from the reports alone. Check No More Ransom and ID Ransomware with your ransom note and one encrypted file; they list families with free tools.
If none exists today, keep the encrypted files and a copy of the note on a separate drive, because decryptors are sometimes published months later after flaws are found or servers are seized. Never buy a decryptor from a website that is not the security company that made it.
Should I pay the ransom in INFORMATION.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from INFORMATION.txt 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 .mallox files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .mallox ending shows that Mallox 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 Mallox ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Mallox ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Mallox ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .mallox 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.
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 Mallox ransomware get on my computer?
The way Mallox 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 .mallox 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 Mallox 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.
Should I open INFORMATION.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text INFORMATION.txt 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.
My files got .mallox overnight. What happened?
Ransomware often runs at night or when the PC is idle, so the encryption finishes before anyone notices. It usually entered earlier through a cracked program, a fake installer, an e-mail attachment or remote desktop with a weak password.
The .mallox extension marks every file it reached. Start by disconnecting the PC from the network, then identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check for a decryptor, and look for copies in backups and OneDrive before you consider anything else.
Will Fortect remove Mallox 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 Mallox 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
- The Conversation: Ransomware, data breach, cyberattack: What do they have to do with your personal information, and how worried should you be? (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)