Meka ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Meka ransomware is the cryptovirus that was reported by users at the beginning of November. It is one of the last ones in the Djvu virus family that came out after a few decryption tools got released.
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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Meka ransomware: summary
| Distribution | The main technique used by these particular criminals who developed the threat is infected file distribution. There are many methods of how files get around the world: torrent services, pirated software packages, or spam email campaigns. The main thing is to make the targeted person install, open, or download the needed file. Once that is done, the machine gets infected |
|---|---|
| Name | Meka ransomware |
| Type | Crypto-currency extortion malware[1] |
| File marker | .meka is the extension that comes before the generic one on files that get encrypted and indicates all of them from the untouched data |
| Ransom note | A file that gets placed in various folders and other places all over the machine _readme.txt, contains the payment demanding message and instructions |
| Family | Djvu/STOP virus[2] |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 12 more facts
| Contact emails | salesrestoresoftware@firemail.cc, salesrestoresoftware@gmail.com |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .meka |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| 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 | .meka |
| Attacker contacts | salesrestoresoftware@firemail.cc |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 4 November 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.meka - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
salesrestoresoftware@firemail.cc
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Meka ransomware
- You need a professional anti-malware tool that can run on the machine and check for threats to fully remove Meka ransomware from your device and eliminate any damage or associated files, programs
How Meka ransomware behaves
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
Meka ransomware is the virus belonging to a family which spreads via pirated files and torrent services
Meka ransomware is the cryptovirus that was reported by users at the beginning of November.
It is one of the last ones in the Djvu virus family that came out after a few decryption tools got released. Unfortunately, those programs work for earlier versions, and this one that appends encrypted files with .meka is not included in them.
Almost 200 different versions have already been included in the list, so this not a new virus nor the hacker team. However, some features get changed once new versions get released and discovered. Once the proper RSA encryption method got employed, the virus became not that easily decryptable as before.
The particular Meka ransomware virus is the one that has a different file marker that other versions, but ransom note comes in _readme.txt file as previous variants. Contact emails for the developers - salesrestoresoftware@firemail.cc, salesrestoresoftware@gmail.com, also remain unchanged for some versions since Coot ransomware. These features are not something crucial, but it indicates that malware code is not much changed from the original releases
Meka ransomware virus is nothing else but a product of cyber criminals focusing on money and scaring people. This is a newly discovered threat that people have reported online . But researchers haven't got enough samples to perform in-depth analysis.
However, based on DJVU ransomware creators ant their tactics previously, we can determine some particularly common features that Meka ransomware also should have:
This is the type of malware that mainly affects Windows devices and damages files in such formats as images, audio, video files, documents, and other data used on a daily basis. However, Meka ransomware is not a simple malware, so encryption is the main process, but not the only one that affects the PC.
Once Meka ransomware encodes those files and delivers the ransom message, additional payloads affect the security tools, registry entries, and other important parts that can lead to the permanently damaged machine. You should get rid of it as soon as the following demand appears on the screen:
- Malware gets on the system when pirated software, cracks, or cheatcodes get downloaded and installed. The malicious file gets triggered immediately after the installation and loads ransomware payload on the machine.
- The infection also includes a secondary download of info-stealing trojan or other malware.
- Malicious processes take place during the fake Windows updating that masks the screen by claiming your device is scanning at the time.
- Virus deletes disables and changes many things on the system, so it keeps on running, although the main payload is deleted after the encryption process. This is to keep all the malicious features interrupted.
The Meka ransomware note
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-514KtsAKtH
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours
How to remove Meka 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 Meka 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 Meka 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
.mekaand the instructions are in_readme.txt. 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 Meka ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 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 Meka 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 Meka 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 2019 · not reviewed since
What to do when ransomware hits
As we mentioned Meka ransomware belongs to another family of malware that is known as the more active and never sleeping one.
The whole infiltration of this threat happens immediately once the infected files get on the system, so first thing you can notice is the speed of the machine. However, in most cases, victims cannot spot anything until all files get encrypted and ransom note delivered.
From there machine is fully infected, and Meka ransomware virus can run anything it pleases. This makes the biggest danger because victims mainly focus on their data that gets locked and starts worrying about the decryption, forgetting the system entirely. You should react to the infection immediately to try saving the device from permanent damage and corruption.
As for Meka ransomware removal, you need to get anti-malware tools that can find all traces and malicious files hidden on the network. Then, use to help you recover damaged or corrupted system files on Windows.
However, programs that can remove Meka ransomware are not capable of decrypting and recovering your files, in most cases. Free decryption tools are developed but work for previous versions of the malware or files that got encrypted with offline keys only. The particular application that could restore .meka files is not developed yet. You can try this tool, search for another free program, or wait for another official decryptor.
To have the best options in the future when Meka ransomware decryption tools get released, you should store all files related to the malware on an external device. Then run a proper elimination process and restore files using other methods. As experts always note, to have a virus-free machine, you need to delete everything, but those files may be useful for decryption later on.
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
Be aware of all the possible methods used to spread the malicious payload
Infected file attachments or documents, executables hidden in software packages seem to be the main method that ransomware developers use.
However, there are many people who trust spam emails, torrent services, and ignore some major red flags.
Criminals send out spam emails and forge header titles to trick people into believing that emails come from DHL, UPS, eBay, Amazon, or other known companies. Once they fall for the scam and download the file, this is how ransomware payload gets triggered and loaded on the machine.
Pirated software, serial numbers of legitimate games, license keys, cracks, and cheatcodes are also commonly downloaded from torrent or pirating services, so people let malware get on their devices. You should either restrain from anything similar to these networks or keep the AV tool constantly running, so malicious sites and programs get blocked.
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
To get rid of Meka ransomware virus damage, you should clean the PC fully
The whole process of Meka ransomware removal sounds impossible when you consider that the virus changes various parts of the device besides encrypting physical files found on the computer.
To completely clean the system, you need to delete all the associated applications, data, and malware.
It is not that easy to achieve a fully virus-free machine after the infection like Meka ransomware virus, but it is possible. Many anti-malware tools are created with the focus on ransomware-type threats, so you can achieve the best results with those programs.
We also recommend to get professional tools, and then remove Meka ransomware, clean the machine fully and then double-check for virus damage. You should use , or at first and then repair the system with . Since decryption tools have many exclusions and may not work with this virus, the best way to recover encrypted data - file backups from external devices.
[GI=method-1]Reboot the machine in a Safe Mode with Networking, so you can freely eliminate Meka ransomware from the system
[GI=method-2]System Restore feature is one of the methods within the Windows OS that can be used to fight malware
When you don't have data backed up, you should try software options like this
Windows Previous Versions - the alternate Windows feature for file recovery
You can recover individual files using this feature when you enabled the System
Get rid of Meka ransomware by relying on ShadowExplorer as your tool
You can use this alternate method when Shadow Volume Copies are left untouched
Decryption tool for Meka ransomware specifically is not developed yet
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 .meka and no longer open; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on Windows.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
Questions about Meka ransomware
Should I pay the ransom in _readme.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from _readme.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 .meka files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .meka ending shows that Meka 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 Meka 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 Meka ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Meka 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 "Meka 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 Meka ransomware get on my computer?
The way Meka 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 .meka 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 Meka ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Meka ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .meka 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 Meka 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 .meka from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .meka 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 _readme.txt?
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. _readme.txt 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 Meka 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 Meka 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
- Fireeye: Ransomware: The Attacker's Choice for Cyber Extortion (read October 6, 2026)
- Propublica: The Ransomware Superhero of Normal, Illinois (read October 6, 2026)
- Reddit: .meka Ransomware fix (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)