Nodera ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Nodera ransomware is an advanced cyber threat that targets Node.JS servers and appears on the Windows operating system. Even though this is the current OS that remains vulnerable to these types of attacks, the malware developers can modify the operating module of the ransomware anytime and it might get capable of infecting other types of OS such as Linux and Mac some of which also support the Node.JS server.
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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Nodera ransomware: summary
| Name | Nodera ransomware |
|---|---|
| Category | Ransomware/malware |
| Target | This dangerous cyber threat targets Node.JS servers that are running on the Windows operating system. However, if the cybercriminals develop the malware even more, it can also start functioning on other OS such as Linux and macOS |
| Encryption | The ransomware claims that the encryption process executes the RSA-2048 algorithm when it truly uses a 4096-bit cipher. When all files are locked, a random appendix such as .encrypted is added to all the filenames |
| Ransom note/price | The malicious string includes the ransom note named How-to-buy-bitcoins.html in the AppData folder where the cybercriminals urge for a 0,04 Bitcoin transfer |
| Delivery | It is known that this ransomware virus is most commonly delivered through infectious HTA files and malvertising advertisements that are met on unsecured online sources |
| 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 16 more facts
| Related files/folders | Files: fs.js, package.json, polyfills.js, graceful-fs.js, legacy-streams.js, ILT8PCI.js, GFp0JAk.exe, node.exe. Folders: node_modules |
|---|---|
| Termination | This dangerous cyber threat can be eliminated by purchasing and launching antimalware software that is capable of dealing with such advanced viruses |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .encrypted |
| 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 |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .encrypted |
| Ransom note | How-to-buy-bitcoins.html |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 29 January 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.encrypted - Note file:
How-to-buy-bitcoins.html
From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Nodera ransomware
- If you have discovered any compromised areas on your Windows operating system, might help you to fix them
How Nodera ransomware behaves
From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
Nodera ransomware - newly-discovered malware that aims to attack Node.JS platforms
Nodera ransomware is an advanced cyber threat that targets Node.JS servers and appears on the Windows operating system.
Even though this is the current OS that remains vulnerable to these types of attacks, the malware developers can modify the operating module of the ransomware anytime and it might get capable of infecting other types of OS such as Linux and Mac some of which also support the Node.JS server.
Node.JS is described as a run-time environment that holds all components necessary for executing any type of software that is written in JavaScript programming language.
When Nodera ransomware plants itself on the computer system completely, it starts searching for encryptable files that hold specific extensions. Then, the malware executes the RSA-4096 encryption cipher and starts locking each data component found even though the cybercriminals claim in their text message that they are employing RSA 2048-bit encryption.
Afterward, the ransomware will generate an extension (mostly, it will be .encrypted) and append it to each filename of the encrypted documents.
Continuously, Nodera virus pastes the ransom message named How-to-buy-bitcoins.html, in the AppData folder, which includes information on how to purchase Bitcoins for the price transfer. Also, the cyber threat will place a BAT file named Decrypt-your-files.bat, on the computer's desktop, which is the decryptor that should be executed by activating various specifications after the criminals receive their Bitcoin payment.
Nodera ransomware is a severe computer infection that has been already deeply analyzed by Quick Heal security specialists. These people have discovered the Node.JS framework that was linked to the malware. Such a specific fact was found very interesting as the misusage of such a platform is not common across threat developers.
Continuously, the cybersecurity specialists have discovered that the easiest way to get infected by Nodera ransomware is during online surfing sessions. The user can easily execute the malware by stepping on an infectious HTA file or clicking on malvertising-based advertisements that carry the malicious payload around the Internet.
When entering the targeted Windows computer system, Nodera ransomware creates a subfolder named node_modules that holds all the Node.JS-based libraries. Afterward, the malware tends to activate JavaScript content that can be done through the node.exe executable which is included as GFp0JAk.exe file in the %userprofile%\AppData\Local\GFp0JAk section.
Slightly after that, Nodera ransomware fills the node_modules directory with the mentioned libraries that are named fs.js, package.json, polyfills.js, graceful-fs.js, and legacy-streams.js. However, the main script that is responsible for loading all ransomware-related tasks such as encryption of files is named ILT8PCI.js.
Afterward, Nodera ransomware scans all system directories instead of the C: drive for encryptable files and documents as its main targets are components that are created and included by the victim. Before the encryption process begins, the ransomware virus runs specific tasks that permanently delete the Shadow Copies of all encrypted files.
This way Nodera ransomware tries to harden the decryption process for the victims in case they try to recover some of their files by using alternative software. However, the ransom note claims that the only way to restore files properly is by purchasing the decryption tool from the cybercriminals before the software's expiry date:
Our recommendation would be to decline any offers to pay the payment in order to release files from the prison of Nodera ransomware. Do not listen to the crooks' urges to disable your antivirus protection and so on. It is not worth risking to pay an inadequate amount of money as there is a big chance that you will get scammed by these hackers.
As you can see, Node ransomware developers generate unique keys for each computer they target. Continuously, both encryption and decryption codes are stored on remote servers that are reachable for the owners only. However, there still are some great alternative options that can help you to recover some data without big payments.
What you should do is remove Nodera ransomware with the help of an antimalware product that is capable of dealing with this dangerous parasite. Additionally, when you are done with the malware and it is gone for good, you should go to the end of this article where we have provided data recovery techniques some of which might allow you to restore locked files.
You have to be extremely careful with Nodera ransomware as it might also be programmed to bring other virtual parasites up to the surface. There are some ransomware viruses that distribute other malware such as Trojan viruses and these dangerous infections can relate to permanent data loss, software corruption, identity theft, money swindling, etc.
Nodera ransomware removal should be your primary goal while dealing with this cyber threat. The process will be a complex task to complete, that is why we do not recommend trying to eliminate the virus on your own. It will likely have also placed unwanted files and entries in your Windows Task Manager, Windows Registry, and other locations.
If you are having some trouble with uninstalling Nodera ransomware from your Windows operating system, the malware might be running specific processes to block antimalware software and interrupt the removal process. For this purpose, you should reboot your computer system in Safe Mode with Networking or activate the System Restore feature.
From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
Malvertising is a popular way of spreading ransomware viruses
Computer specialists from NoVirus.uk state that ransomware developers think of various ways how to distribute their products.
One popular technique is known as malvertising. The execution of the malicious payload happens when a user steps on a malicious advertisement while browsing on an unsafe website.
Also, you might get ransomware downloaded from files and hyperlinks that you access online. A tip would be not to click on everything that looks attractive to you, avoid visiting unsecured sources, and use antivirus protection with safe-browsing.
Continuously, ransomware viruses often get delivered through email spam. Criminals pretend to be from reliable shipping organizations such as FedEx or DHL and aim to trick users by providing malicious attachments as "shipping information". Be aware of random messages that fall into your inbox, always identify the sender, and do not open unknown files.
Furthermore, ransomware can get delivered through peer-to-peer networks such as The Pirate Bay, eMule, and BitTorrent that offer to download software cracks. These sources often get hacked and allow criminals to change the regular downloading links into ones that contain malicious products and services.
The Nodera ransomware note
Your files are encrypted! Encryption was produced by using a unique public key RSA-2048 generated for this computer. To decrypt files you need to obtain the private key. The single copy of the private key, which will allow to decrypt files, located on a remote server on the Internet. The server will destroy the key after a March 1, 2018. After that, nobody will be able to restore files ... To obtain the private key for this computer, you need to send
0,4 BTC
to bitcoin address
[payment address omitted]
You can easily delete this software, but know that without it, you will never be able to get your original files back. Disable your antivirus to prevent the removal of this software. When your transaction will be verified and confirmed you will receive your private key.
How to remove Nodera 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 Nodera 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
Nodera 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
How-to-buy-bitcoins.htmland one or two files ending in.encryptedto 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 Nodera 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 Nodera 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 Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rid of Nodera ransomware ASAP
If you have been attacked by this virus lately, you have to remove Nodera ransomware as soon as possible before it causes any damage to your Windows computer system as it might bring other infections to your device too.
The elimination process can be initiated with the help of antimalware software that is capable of deleting the parasite. Also, try using and for detecting damaged areas on your computer and these tools find any compromised places, you can try initiating the fix process with another product such as .
If you are having some trouble with the Nodera ransomware removal process it might be because the malware is evading antimalware detection and stopping you from terminating it. In this case, you should boot your Windows machine in Safe Mode with Networking or activate System Restore as shown in the below-provided instructions.
Additionally, if you are interested in data recovery techniques, there are also some methods added to the end of this article. We want to remind you all one more time that there is a big risk of getting scammed by Nodera ransomware developers so you should avoid paying the 0.04 Bitcoin ransom price, otherwise, you might face huge money losses for nothing.
[GI=method-1]To diminish malicious processes on your Windows computer system and disable the ransomware virus, you should apply for the following steps that will allow you to boot your device in Safe Mode with Networking.
[GI=method-2]To deactivate all the malware-laden tasks that were performed by the ransomware virus, you should opt for the System Restore feature. If you do not know how to activate such function, follow these steps.
If the ransomware virus has encrypted your files and documents, you can try to recover at least some of them by using this software instead of risking to get scammed by the hackers.
Using Windows Previous Versions feature might help with data restoring.
If you have enabled the System Restore feature in the past, this type of technique might allow bringing some of your encrypted components back to their primary positions.
Shadow Explorer is also a tool for file recovery.
Even though this software might work great for other cases, this time the ransomware virus appears to permanently delete the Shadow Volume Copies of all encrypted data. Unfortunately, this piece of software does not function correctly without the Shadow Copies.
At the time of writing, there is no official decrypter released for the files that got encrypted by Nodera ransomware virus.
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
Nodera ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .encrypted 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.
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 Nodera ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .encrypted files?
That depends on the family behind the .encrypted 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.
How do I open .encrypted files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .encrypted ending shows that Nodera 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 Nodera ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
How did Nodera ransomware get on my computer?
The way Nodera 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 .encrypted 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 Nodera ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Nodera ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .encrypted 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 Nodera 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.
What does How-to-buy-bitcoins.html tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name How-to-buy-bitcoins.html, 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.
My files got .encrypted 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 .encrypted 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 Nodera 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 Nodera 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
- Free Code Camp: What exactly is Node.js? (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: RSA (cryptosystem) (read October 6, 2026)
- Quick Heal: First Node.js-based Ransomware : Nodera (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)