Pants ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Pants ransomware is a dangerous computer virus that encrypts all files on the compromised machine and then demands a ransom for their retrieval. Discovered in late August 2020, the malware stems from a well-established malware family known as GlobeImposter, which is also known as the Fake Globe.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Pants ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Spam emails, fake updates, exploits, software cracks, illegal software bundles |
|---|---|
| Name | Pants ransomware |
| Type | File locking virus, crypto-malware |
| Family | GlobeImposter ransomware, otherwise known as Fake Globe |
| Extension | Each of the files is appended with .pants market. For example, a file "picture.jpg" is transformed into "picture.jpg.pants," and can no longer be accessed/viewed by victims |
| Ransom note | fu*ksh*t; the text is quoted in full 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 13 more facts
| Contact | Users are asked to send an email to BlackMajor@protonmail.com and provide the personal ID |
|---|---|
| Data recovery | Unfortunately, new variants of GlobeImposter can not be decrypted if no backups were retained. Security experts advise not to pay ransom, as cybercrimnals are known to keep their promises and send the required decryption software. For alternative file recovery solutions that might work in rare cases, check the recovery section below |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .pants |
| 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, a Windows Security "Threats found" notification and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .pants |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 8 September 2020 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Ransom:Win32/Filecoder.RB!MSR |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
What antivirus programs call Pants ransomware
Microsoft Defender reports Pants ransomware as Ransom:Win32/Filecoder.RB!MSR.
In a Defender name, the part before the colon is the category, the part after it is the platform, and the part after the slash is the family Microsoft assigned. A suffix after ! is an internal Microsoft marker, not a different threat.
Generic labels such as Agent, GenericKD or Malware.AI only say that a file looks malicious, not what it does; our guide to antivirus detection names shows how to read them.
- File extension:
.pants - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Pants ransomware
- fu*ksh*t.html is dropped on the desktop, as well as everywhere where locked files are located
- To eliminate the infection from your computer, perform a full system scan with powerful anti-malware software, such as or
- In case your computer suffers from system crashes, errors, and similar stability issues after the eliminated of ransomware, you should attempt to fix virus damage with tools such as and avoid Windows reinstallation
How Pants ransomware behaves
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
Pants ransomware - file locking computer infection with a bizarre name
Pants ransomware is a dangerous computer virus that encrypts all files on the compromised machine and then demands a ransom for their retrieval.
Discovered in late August 2020, the malware stems from a well-established malware family known as GlobeImposter, which is also known as the Fake Globe. Variants of this ransomware are typically distributed via spam email campaigns that include malicious attachments, although other delivery methods, such as exploits and fake updates, can also be used.
Once installed, the Pants virus would scan the system for susceptible files (usually, non-system and non-executable files) to lock with the help of a combination of encryption algorithms, such as AES + RSA. Suchlike modified data can no longer be accessed and receives .pants extension.
Additionally, the malware drops a ransom note fu*ksh*t.html on the desktop, which informs victims that they need to email to BlackMajor@protonmail.com and pay a ransom in Bitcoin if they want to recover their files.
There are several ways how Pants ransomware might have accessed your computer and encrypted files, although the payload is typically carried via the contaminated spam email attachment. The campaign authors typically send out thousands of emails by using botnets, although they do not include any text body within. Initially, there is no reason to open the attachment, although many people are curious.
One of the examples carrying the payload of malware was found in the wild under the name of netshield.exe. According to Virus Total, the file is detected under the following names:
Once the executable is launched, Pants files virus would run in the background to prepare the machine for the file encryption process. In the background, malware alters the Windows registry, deletes Shadow Volume Copies, and performs other tasks that are invisible for the victim. It was also reported that it could disable some anti-malware tools during this process - this could significantly complicate Pants ransomware removal.
As soon as the system is ready, the cryptovirus begins the encryption process of files. This does not usually last too long on a regular computer, as only a few kilobytes of each file get encrypted. Pants ransomware targets the most commonly-used files, such as MS Office documents, PDF, ZIP, and many others. As a result, the data can no longer be accessed, and .pants extension becomes visible.
If you had no backups, data recovery options are relatively limited, as malware uses sophisticated encryption algorithms in order to encrypt files. Nonetheless, you should remove Pants ransomware before you attempt file recovery - security experts advise avoiding manual elimination and relying on sophisticated anti-malware tools instead.
- Trojan.Ransom.GlobeImposter
- Win32:Malware-gen
- Globelmposter!656EAB6D9B13
- Ransom:Win32/Filecoder.RB!MSR
- Ransom_FAKEGLOBE.SMB
- A Variant Of Win32/Filecoder.FV. etc.
The Pants ransomware note
YOUR PERSONAL ID
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED!
ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DATA HAS BEEN ENCRYPTED.
To recover data you need decryptor.
To get the decryptor you should:
Send 1 test image or text file BlackMajor@protonmail.com.
In the letter include your personal ID (look at the beginning of this document).
We will give you the decrypted file and assign the price for decryption all files
After we send you instruction how to pay for decrypt and after payment you will receive a decryptor and instructions We can decrypt one file in quality the evidence that we have the decoder.
Attention!
Only BlackMajor@protonmail.com can decrypt your files
Do not trust anyone BlackMajor@protonmail.com
Do not attempt to remove the program or run the anti-virus tools
Attempts to self-decrypting files will result in the loss of your data
Decoders other users are not compatible with your data, because each user's unique encryption key
How to remove Pants 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 Pants 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 Pants 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
.pantsand the instructions are inthe ransom note. 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 Pants ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 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 Pants 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 Pants 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 Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
.pants virus authors might not send you the required decryptor: here are alternative methods for file recovery
As soon as malware completes the process of file encryption, it will drop a ransom note, which reads:
The main purpose of Pants ransomware virus authors is not to compromise your computer, but rather hold your files hostage. This means that .pants files are not corrupted or damaged but rather locked with a password that is unique to each of the victims. Without that password, otherwise known as a key, there is no guaranteed way of recovering data.
The general misconception that the infected users have about ransomware is that they can get rid of .pants extension either by manually removing it or by scanning their computers with anti-malware software.
This could not be further from the truth, however, as security software is designed to eliminate the infection from the computer, but it can not revert the files to their previous state. For this reason, ransomware can be extremely devastating, as it might result in a complete personal data loss.
Nonetheless, if you want your .pants files back, there are several ways that might help you, although the chance of success depends on many factors, and typically is very low. Here are a few options:
Of course, the most secure way of recovering from a ransomware infection is by storing data backups on a separate medium (such as an external hard drive or cloud storage). This way, you will not have to worry about risking thousands of dollars and communicating with the attackers.
- Use third-party recovery software. While these tools are not designed to restore ransomware-encrypted files, they might be able to retrieve working copies from deep within your hard drive. The less you use your computer after the infection, the bigger the chance of success.
- Built-in Windows recovery resources can be an option as well, as long as the virus failed to eliminate Shadow Volume Copies from the system.
- Paying cybercriminals is highly discouraged by most experts, as GlobeImposter developers are known to fail to deliver the required decryption tool even after the payment. Thus, if you pay, you might not only lose your data, but also the money.
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
Remove Pants ransomware in a correct way
While it is typically advised not to listen to cybercriminals, some of the claims they made in the ransom note are true.
For example, an attempt to remove Pants ransomware might compromise the encrypted data (although this is not true in all cases). Nevertheless, it is best to be safe than sorry; so, if you did not have backups ready, you should first make a backup of all the encrypted files.
You should also not worry about whether they can spread the infection, since encrypted files do not hold any malicious code inside, so they are safe to transfer.
Once backups are complete, you can perform Pants ransomware removal. Only after the infection is removed and the Pants virus eliminated you can proceed with alternative methods of data recovery - you can find guidelines and download links of recovery programs below.
[GI=method-1]In case Pants files virus tampers with your security software, you should access Safe Mode with Networking and perform the scan from there:
Windows Previous Versions method
This solution is only possible if you had System Restore enabled prior to the attack and if malware failed to delete Shadow Copies.
Use ShadowExplorer for automated recovery
If Shadow Copies were not deleted, ShadowExplorer could usually retrieve all the encrypted files.
No decryption tool is currently available.
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 Pants 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 .pants and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about Pants ransomware
How do I open .pants files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .pants has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:
- OneDrive versions
- File History
- an offline backup drive
- Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them
Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.
Did Pants ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Pants ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .pants 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.
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.
Is there a free Pants ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Pants 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 "Pants ransomware decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did Pants ransomware get on my computer?
The way Pants 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 .pants 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 Pants 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.
Defender removed Ransom:Win32/Filecoder.RB!MSR. Am I safe now?
Often yes, but check two things. First, whether the detection was caught on arrival: a file in Downloads or in an archive that Defender quarantined before it ran is the best case.
Second, whether Ransom:Win32/Filecoder.RB!MSR comes back. If it returns, or if Protection history shows several different detections around the same date, something on the PC keeps producing the file and needs to be found.
Run a full scan and, if anything remains, an offline scan. If the category names a password stealer or a backdoor, change your passwords from another device even if the file is gone.
What does the ransom note tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name the ransom note, 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.
Will Fortect remove Pants 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 Pants 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
- Virus Total: netshield.exe (read October 7, 2026)
- Usunwirusa: Usunwirusa (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)