Nypd ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Nypd file virus is a malicious program that originates from a notorious STOP/Djvu ransomware family, which already released over 230 versions, most of which are distributed via pirated program installers or software cracks. Nonetheless, this version of the virus was spotted being proliferated via infected download links of the VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugin.
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.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
A free scan checks for the encryptor still on the PC; it does not decrypt .nypd files.
Do it yourself · free Remove Nypd ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
Nypd ransomware: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | _readme.txt |
| Contact | gorentos@bitmessage.ch, gorentos@firemail.cc |
| Encrypted file extension | .nypd |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| 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 10 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | Nypd ransomware |
| 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 | .nypd |
| Attacker contacts | gorentos@bitmessage.ch |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 22 October 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.nypd - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
gorentos@bitmessage.ch
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Nypd ransomware
- It's a variant of the STOP/Djvu ransomware family
- VST plugin) on peer-to-peer networks and spam email attachments.
- However, it may also be pushed via unprotected RDPs, so admins should ensure a strong password protected service
- The ransomware appends the .nypd extension to encrypted files
- Djvu classic - $490 if the victim pays the ransom within 72 hours.
- Later, the price for the decryptor gets doubled - $980
- Djvu versions launched after August 2019 can only be decrypted if an offline key is used.
- In this case, victims can rely on Emisoft's STOP decryptor.
- Windows repair is needed upon ransomware attacks.
The Nypd 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:
hxxps://we.tl/t-dIIHZji8hl
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.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
gorentos@bitmessage.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
gorentos@firemail.cc
How to remove Nypd 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 Nypd 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
Nypd 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
_readme.txtand one or two files ending in.nypdto 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 Nypd 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 Nypd 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 2020 · not reviewed since
Nypd ransomware - malware that locks your files and blackmails you for decryption software
Nypd file virus is a malicious program that originates from a notorious STOP/Djvu ransomware family, which already released over 230 versions, most of which are distributed via pirated program installers or software cracks. Nonetheless, this version of the virus was spotted being proliferated via infected download links of the VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugin.
As soon as the Nypd ransomware payload is launched, it manifests itself by locking all personal files on the machine with the help of a sophisticated RSA encryption algorithm.
During this process, MS Office documents, pictures, videos, databases and other files are appended with .nypd file extension, and user access is restricted from that point. To retrieve their files, users need to acquire a unique key that is stored on the attackers' remote servers.
Criminals behind this malware clarify the situation by presenting their victims with the _readme.txt ransom note, which can be found on the desktop, as well as other non-system Windows folders. Crooks demand their victims to pay the $490/$980 ransom payment within 72 hours, but first, they have to email them via gorentos@bitmessage.ch or gorentos@firemail.cc.
The Nypd ransomware is a clone of other Djvu variants launched recently (Zipe, Nlah, Zwer, Pezi, etc.). Upon infiltration, it restricts user's access to most of the personal files stored on the machine using the .nypd file virus marker.
Up until August 2019, criminals behind Djvu ransomware have been using offline IDs for encoding people's data, so cybersecurity experts managed to crack the code down and represented the victims with a free decryption software known as STOPDecrypter.
However, since September last year, the Djvu ransomware has been improved and all the new strains generate online IDs that cannot be decrypted without paying the redemption. If you received an ID number, which has the t1 compound at the end of the key, it means that the virus is using offline keys and you can use free decryption software upon complete Nypd ransomware removal.
If, however, the virus locked your files with .nypd file virus using an online key, there are not many options to recover your files. You can either pay the criminals or remove the ransomware and try alternative data recovery options, such as data backups or third-party software.
The new .nypd ransomware manifests its presence on the machine right upon infiltration. Victims can hardly feel the symptoms of PC's hack during the first infection phase because the virus functions in the background to take control of the system.
During the second phase, the system may be automatically rebooted. Upon that, all personal files are loaded with the novel .nupd file virus extension, which prevents the data from being opened or otherwise used. The whole information about an attack can be found in the _readme.txt file, which contains the following information:
According to LosVirus.es , people should not pay the ransom for Djvu managers. These guys are not worth any financial support.
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
.nypd file virus: decryption options are limited
In this case, NYPD is not an abbreviation of the New York Police Department, so don't get confused.
If you see your files locked by .nypd extension, it's obvious that your machine is hacked by a ransomware virus. As we have pointed out above, this file-encoder is the latest variant of Djvu ransomware, so there are very few chances that you will be able to get your files back without paying for the criminals unless you have data backups.
The most recent versions of this data locker are known for using online IDs, thus leaving the victims helpless. However, since this latest variant hasn't yet been anatomized, you can check whether your ID is online or offline by yourself.
For this purpose, navigate to the C: drive and look for the SystemID.txt or PersonalID.txt entry. Open the file and check whether any of the entries listed ends up with the t1. In case you found at least one entry ending with the t1 suffix, then try to download Emsisoft's decryption tool to recover .nypd files.
In case it turns out that the Nypd ransomware virus is using online IDs and no free decryptor is capable of breaking it down, then try taking advantage of alternative data recovery means:
- If you have data backups, then there's nothing to worry about. Remove Nypd virus from the system and recover the files using the backups.
- In addition, you can try to export locked files using Shadow Volume Copies or Windows Previous Versions feature.
- Although they may not be capable of retrieving the whole package of .nypd files, you may get back at least a part of important documents.
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Fake Nypd decryption tool can be used to lock your files a second time
At the beginning of June 2020, cybersecurity experts started sharing the warnings about a fake Djvu decryptor.
Criminals are taking advantage of the Djvu victims who are looking for a solution to get their files back without paying the ransom to criminals.
Crooks started spreading a malicious piece of software on various channels, including some underground forums and some third-party download websites claiming that the decryption tool has been found capable to unlock .nypd virus files and other Djvu versions that are using online IDs.
IMPORTANT: do not fall for downloading free Nypd decryptor from shady sources because you can end up with another ransomware on your machine. It has been found that the fake decryption tool carries Zorab ransomware payload, which once launched double encrypts encrypted files. Consequently, Djvu file virus is replaced by .zorab extension appendixes and the victims get a new ransom note called –DECRYPT–ZORAB.txt.ZRB.
Although it's not yet clear whether it's possible to recover double encrypted files, experts presume that it may be much difficult to ever the changes.
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Do not rely on shady download sites that promote pirated software
The members of this infamous ransomware group are extremely prevalent for several years already.
The reason for that - sophisticated distribution techniques applied. In most of the cases, hackers inject virus payloads into the links for downloading pirated or untrustworthy third-party software (e.g. cracked Virtual Studio Technology plugins).
Alternatively, people can get infected with a file-encrypting virus on P2P and torrenting sites. Hackers can easily participate in file-sharing websites as registered users, who may offer software cracks for Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, and others. Although bypassing license restrictions may be fun for users for as long as their personal files are not locked.
Another perfect medium for hackers to exploit is spam email messages. Since people cannot handle their curiosity, criminals keep inventing appealing spam campaigns, such as Covid-19 protection measures or Black Lives Matter anonymous voting.
Thus, every time your inbox gets a new email message from an unknown sender and you are seduced to open the attachment, check for grammar mistakes, google the sender and think twice before opening it. If the email requires enabling Macros, it's an immediate sign that you may be on the verge of launching ransomware.
From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rid of Nypd ransomware and proceed with file recovery options
Nypd virus might not only cause permanent file loss but also trigger serious Windows system malfunctions.
Even more, it may download a malicious trojan virus on the system as a secondary payload, thus exposing you to a high risk of identity theft and money losses.
There's only one option for Nypd ransomware removal, i.e. access Safe Mode with Networking and enabling the scanner of a robust antivirus program. There are multiple malicious processes that belong to this ransomware (e.g. dfile.su ), which cannot be quarantined manually in any way.
Finally, when the malicious entries are gone and the system is fully functional again, try to recover the data that have been locked.
[GI=method-1]If Nypd ransomware is interfering with your security software, enter Safe Mode with Networking to perform its termination without interruptions:
[GI=method-2]If you can't access Safe Mode for some reason, try to enable System Restore to get rid of the infection:
Windows Previous Versions method
This feature allows you to restore a file to its previous state if you had System Restore enabled. However, you can only retrieve one file at the time, so the recovery of a large amount of data might not be possible.
ShadowExplorer may help if the virus fails to launch command to remove Shadow Volume Copies
If Nypd file virus failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies, ShadowExplorer should be able to recover all your files.
Make use of STOPDecrypter
Download and employ STOPDecrypter software it might be able to retrieve your data in some cases.
If you checked the ID model and it turns out to be offline, give Emsisoft's Djvu Decryptor a try.
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 .nypd 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 Nypd ransomware
How do I open .nypd files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .nypd ending shows that Nypd 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 Nypd ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Nypd ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Nypd ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .nypd 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 Nypd ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Nypd 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 "Nypd 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.
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.
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 Nypd ransomware get on my computer?
The way Nypd 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 .nypd 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 Nypd 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 .nypd from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .nypd 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.
Should I open _readme.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text _readme.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.
Will Fortect remove Nypd 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 Nypd 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
- Trend Micro: Developing Story: COVID-19 Used in Malicious Campaigns (read October 6, 2026)
- Emsisoft: mado virus (STOP Djvu) Please help (read October 6, 2026)
- LosVirus: NOTICIAS SOBRE SEGURIDAD Y VIRUS (read October 6, 2026)
- VirusTotal: dfile.su (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)