PedCont ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
PedCont is a file-encrypting virus that is designed to use AES cryptography to encode various files on the affected system. However, this ransomware does not append any specific file extension to the targeted data.
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.
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.
Programs like PedCont usually arrive in groups; a free scan lists the companions that are easy to miss.
Do it yourself · free Remove PedCont ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
PedCont ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Spam email attachments, as video file or extensions |
|---|---|
| Name | PedCont |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Ransom amount | $ 50 or 0.0065 BTC |
| Danger level | High. Locks access to computer, data. Can result in permanent data loss. |
| Encryption | AES |
| 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 11 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Ransom note | A message left on the computer; the information in the ransom note might include a little bit of truth; the text is quoted in full below |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 5 June 2018 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on PedCont
- The best tool for PedCont removal is
How PedCont ransomware behaves
From our report of Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
PedCont - a virus that claims that you have entered Deep Web and performed other illegal activities
PedCont is a file-encrypting virus that is designed to use AES cryptography to encode various files on the affected system.
However, this ransomware does not append any specific file extension to the targeted data. Instead of that, it displays a pop-up window. Authors of malware accuse a victim of searching for child pornography and entering the Deep Web . As a result, a computer was infected with ransomware and victim has to pay $50 in Bitcoins or Litecoins in 72 hours in order to get back files and avoid legal punishment.
PedCont virus seems to be more of a scareware than a real ransomware because it does not properly encrypt data on the targeted computer. The main purpose of this cyber threat is to trick users that they are criminals who used internet for illegal activities, and now they have to make a payment in order to avoid prosecution.
Soon after the infiltration, PedCont ransomware displays a window on the screen with a threatening message where people can learn what had happened to their files:
The further message of the ransom note contains specific information about:
Criminals use pure psychological terror in order to convince victims into paying the ransom. Paying $50 does not seem as painful as being arrested. However, people standing behind PedCont have nothing in common with legal authorities. This malicious program is created for swindling the money from inexperienced and naive computer users.
Of course, receiving such pop-up might be shocking experience at first. However, if you read attentively, you can find tons of grammar mistakes and lack of logic.
Any legal organization does not demand to make payments in cryptocurrency to avoid legal punishment. Such payments would be illegal itself. Specialists from Dieviren.de say that it's important to remain calm and be critical with received alerts on the computer's screen.
Therefore, if you see this scary message on your screen, you should think about anything else but PedCont removal. In order to get rid of malware, you should reboot the computer to Safe Mode with Networking (the guide is given below) and install a reputable anti-malware program.
However, feel free to use your prefered tools, but do not forget to update it first! Only up-to-date software can remove PedCont from the PC entirely. Additionally, if a virus has compromised your files and you need to recover them, you can find some restoration methods at the end of the article.
- how much money people have to pay in order to avoid legal punishment;
- how they can obtain Bitcoins or Litecoins necessary for the payment;
- how to transfer the ransom;
- where to transfer the payment.
From our report of Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
Malware might arrive on the system after opening an email attachment
The information in the ransom note might include a little bit of truth.
This cyber infection may have been a result of browsing through high-risk websites. Such sites might contain malware-laden ads or urge to download some updates in order to access specific content. However, it's not the main way how crypto-viruses spread.
In most cases, ransomware gets into machines when users open an obfuscated email attachment. Cyber criminals usually send thousands of different spam campaigns that trick people into opening fake invoices, bank statements or other important documents.
We want to remind that emails from legitimate organizations do not arrive in spam inbox. Therefore, you should never open them and empty spam box immediately. However, if you accidentally opened it, you should stay away from all the links and attachments to avoid a cyber attack.
The PedCont ransomware note
!!! ATTENTION !!! - Please the read the this immediately:
Dear Potential to criminal,
- to you of Due Actively seeking out child pornography or similarly illegal content on the Deep the Web, you have Been infected directory with Our ransomware Called PedCont.
- WHAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED:
All of your sensitive data, location and files - pictures, videos, documents, etc. - have been auto-collected and saved to an external server and will be stored & protected for the next 72 hours (counting from the first time you see this message). If we do not receive any cooperation from your part once the time is up, international authorities WILL be contacted and sent detailed information about everything that we have scraped from your computer.
How to remove PedCont 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 PedCont 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
PedCont 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 identify the family
Find the ransom note, usually a
.txt,.htmlor .hta file in every folder or on the desktop, and copy it with one or two encrypted files to a USB stick.From another device, upload them to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note and the file extension. Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note for the report.
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 PedCont, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 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 PedCont 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 Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
Eliminate PedCont from your PC immediately
To remove PedCont you need to powerful and professional anti-malware tools.
It's the only way to get rid of all malicious components without causing damage to the system. We highly recommend using , or . However, if you want to use other software, make sure that you are downloading or updating it from the reliable sources. Do not obtain security tools from P2P networks , suspicious file-sharing sites or torrents because they might be not only ineffective but malicious too.
If you cannot install or run anti-malware software, you should try rebooting your device to Safe Mode with Networking or use System Restore method. Ransomware might be resistant. However, with our prepared PedCont removal guide, you should be able to get rid of it without any obstacles.
[GI=method-1]To remove ransomware from your system, firstly, you can reboot computer using Safe Mode with Networking
[GI=method-2]After that you can use System Restore feature
This is specifically designed for helping people. This tool can recover encrypted or accidentally deleted files on your computer.
Windows Previous Versions feature can help in restoring PedCont virus encrypted files
Although this feature can be successful if System Restore was enabled before the attack, Windows Previous Versions feature can recover individual files
ShadowExplorer can restore the files that you want to get back
If PedCont did not remove Shadow Volume Copies from your computer you can use this tool for data recovery after encryption
Decryption tool is not 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.
Make the next attack harmless
PedCont could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (pedCont in the list of installed apps) 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.
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 PedCont ransomware
When will a decryptor for PedCont be released?
Nobody can promise a date. When we last checked, on 7 October 2026, no free decryptor is known. Decryptors usually appear after one of three events:
- police seize the attackers' servers and keys
- the authors leak or publish the master keys
- researchers find a mistake in how the ransomware generates keys
Some families got a tool within weeks, others never. Keep the encrypted files and the note on an external drive, check No More Ransom every few months, and follow news about the PedCont family. A decryptor may need an original file, so keep any unencrypted copies too.
Did PedCont steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by PedCont, but the only confirmed sign is pedCont in the list of installed apps, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did PedCont get on my computer?
The way PedCont 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 pedCont in the list of installed apps, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
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 PedCont 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 delete the ransom note?
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. the ransom note 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.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by PedCont?
You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that PedCont adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.
No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.
Will Fortect remove PedCont?
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 PedCont, 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
- Wikipedia: Deep web (read October 7, 2026)
- Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 7, 2026)
- Urban Dictionary: P2P definition (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)