Pezi ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Pezi ransomware is a data locking infection that typically spreads via software cracks or pirated program installers that can be downloaded from insecure third-party sources such as Peer-to-peer networks. Once on the system, the cryptovirus performs full encryption of images, documents, video, audio files, archives, as well as other data, and then appends .pezi marker to them.
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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Pezi ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Ransomware is known for being distributed mainly via pirating sites, cracks, and cheatcodes – users download malicious files intentionally without realizing that it would result in a ransomware infection |
|---|---|
| Damage | The malware of this type be installed along with other infections and include a data-stealing module that would harvest credentials and other sensitive data from the affected computer. Nonetheless, the highly-likely loss of personal data is the most damaging trait of a ransomware infection |
| Name | Pezi ransomware |
| Family | DJVU virus |
| File marker | .pezi is the appendix that gets at the end of every file encrypted by this virus |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt – the file that delivers all the details about possible users' steps and encryption |
| 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 emails | helpmanager@mail.ch and restoremanager@firemail.cc |
|---|---|
| Ransom amount | $490, although the sum doubles to $980 if no contact is made with cybercriminals within 72 hours after the infection |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .pezi |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .pezi |
| Attacker contacts | helpmanager@mail.ch |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 3 June 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.pezi - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
helpmanager@mail.ch
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Pezi ransomware
- Pezi ransomware removal is a difficult process, so rely on anti-malware tools and scan system fully, so all malicious files can be eliminated promptly
- Since the system is affected by all the malware changes, your device may get damaged, but security tools might fail to fix this damage.
- Thus, choose or different PC repair application to find and fix the affected system files
How Pezi ransomware behaves
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Ransomware gets injected into the computer silently
The installation of the ransomware payload might happen when the user is installing applications, freeware, or licensed versions of software, cracks, game cheats from torrent sites, pirating services.
Various hacked sites and promotional material can trigger infections like trojans or worms that are known for causing ransomware infections.
Ransomware payload file can be disguised as an executable or different system file, so when you install anything it is common to receive such a file without paying much attention. Unfortunately, emails that pose as legitimate notifications from companies or services can include links to malicious sites or trigger direct stops of malware scripts with macro virus functions.
The best way to avoid these infections is by paying attention to various details, including sources that you use for software and other downloads. Pirating is never a good idea because you cannot be sure that all those senders are legitimate and not malicious people.
The internet is full of scammers, so emails with financial information should only be trusted when sent from companies and services you use and rely on. Any suspicious email should be considered dangerous.
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Move to Pezi ransomware termination as soon as possible
Pezi ransomware virus can run on the machine for a while and cause various issues right away or even damage the system first before your files get encrypted.
This makes the process of virus elimination more difficult when the system is affected by the virus in various ways.
The Pezi ransomware removal is the quickest when anti-malware tools get employed for the job. Once you run the AV detection engine-based application or security tool like or , you can check parts of the system where malware may hide its files and add other programs for the purpose of ensuring the persistence.
When you decide to remove Pezi ransomware completely from the system, you need to double-check before doing anything else. It is especially crucial when it comes to data recovery and system alterations.
If you add the external device with file backups on the machine that is still affected by the ransomware, your data may get encrypted again. Repair system functions with and rely on the tips below before you try to restore encoded files yourself.
[GI=method-1]Reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking when you want to run the AV tool and remove Pezi ransomware
[GI=method-2]To get rid of the threat, you may need to use System Restore feature
The program can restore files affected by the Pezi ransomware or accidentally deleted items
Windows Previous Versions create an option for data resroting
When System Restore gets enabled, you can rely on Windows Previous Versions and recover files yourself
ShadowExplorer for your files encrypted by Pezi ransomware
Shadow Volume Copies may get affected during encryption, but if not ShadowExplorercan be a reliable method
Decryption software option for some Djvu versions
Pezi ransomware is not decryptable itself, but this tool may help victims in some cases
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Pezi ransomware is a dangerous computer infection that restricts access to personal files and blackmails victims
Pezi ransomware is a data locking infection that typically spreads via software cracks or pirated program installers that can be downloaded from insecure third-party sources such as Peer-to-peer networks.
Once on the system, the cryptovirus performs full encryption of images, documents, video, audio files, archives, as well as other data, and then appends .pezi marker to them. As a result, users are unable to access their data, as they require a unique key that is stored on a remote server controlled by the attackers.
Once Pezi ransomware is done with encryption, it delivers the ransom note file in the form of _readme.txt. This message encourages people to pay the ransom of $490/$980 for file recovery (depending on how fast users contact criminals via the helpmanager@mail.ch or restoremanager@firemail.cc email).
While uninstalling malware from the system will not recover access to .pezi files, you should not rush to pay cybercriminals, as there are several alternative methods that could sometimes help you to restore data or at least a portion of it - Emsisoft's decryptor, built-in Windows resources, and third-party tools can all be used for the purpose.
Pezi ransomware is the 228th version of the DJVU virus family, which considered to be among the most prevalent cryptomalware strains currently in the wild. To find out what to do and what not to after being infected, please check all the tips and removal instructions provided below.
Pezi ransomware is the file-encrypting virus that restricts access to commonly used files and marks them using the .pezi extension, hence the given name of the ransomware. This is one of the newest versions and the family that belongs to STOP ransomware, so decryption is hardly possible.
Previously, in 2019 many of the malware versions used offline IDs for encoding, so researchers managed to use that to their advantage and helped people to recover data with tools like STOPDecrypter.
Right now it is not possible because online IDs are in use for the most part. Users still can try the Emsisoft Djvu decrypter, but this is also the tool based on offline IDs.
A quick indication might be t1 at the end of a victim's key displayed in the ransom note you receive. Unfortunately, there are not many other options for your files, so the best way to recover from the infection is to remove Pezi ransomware and replace affected data with safe copies from data backups.
If you do not have proper files backed up the recovery of encrypted Pezi ransomware files can create some issues. There are some data recovery programs, third-party applications, and system features that could help, but some of the changes that malware does on the machine can trigger issues with functions, programs, and security features.
Pezi virus might disable AV tools, file recovery functions, or even delete some crucial files in the system folders, alter registry entries. All the changes significantly affect the persistence of this threat and leave little to none possibilities for the victim to get their files recovered or malware safely removed.
However, you need to react to this infection and go straight to Pezi virus removal once you receive the following message:
When the Pezi ransomware virus infects the machine, it searches the system for files in .doc, .docx, .xls, .pdf, and other most-commonly used formats to cause maximum damage to the victim. For that, a strong RSA encryption algorithm is used - it cannot be deciphered even by quantum computers.
For that reason, once the files are encrypted, you can no longer open .pezi files, as a long key that consists of a long strain of randomly-assigned alphanumeric characters are required. To simply put it, imagine it as a Zip or Rar file that is password-protected, and the only ones who know the passwords are cybercriminals.
By providing test decryption service and restricting access to the most-commonly used files, Pezi ransomware authors ensure that you are more likely to pay up this way. However, experts do not recommend paying these criminals or even keeping contact with them. These people are targeting your money and valuable information, so anything related to cryptocurrency, blackmail, and cyber infections cannot give any positive results.
Pezi ransomware removal is the process that should help you get rid of the malware. Running an anti-malware tool and scanning the system fully can ensure that the virus is terminated as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this is not how you can recover your files because security software relies on cleaning the malware not repairing the damage.
Luckily there are some additional programs that can help with the damage the Pezi virus created. So once your system is again virus-free, find the best tool for you that can optimize the machine, recover files, or indicate damage. You need to run the check on the system and repair drivers, registry entries, system files, or any needed parts. As for data recovery, check options below the article.
The Pezi ransomware note
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-sBwlEg46JX
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:
helpmanager@mail.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
restoremanager@firemail.cc
Your personal ID
How to remove Pezi 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 Pezi 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 Pezi 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
.peziand the instructions are in_readme.txt. Save both to a USB stick, a copy of the note and two small encrypted files, before anything else.On another device, check them with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff: the family name decides which decryptor, if any, can help. Keep the note's ID and contact line for your report.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
Our last check found that for Pezi ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing Pezi 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 Pezi 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.
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 Pezi 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 .pezi and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
Questions about Pezi ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .pezi files?
That depends on the family behind the .pezi 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 .pezi files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .pezi ending shows that Pezi 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 Pezi ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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 Pezi ransomware get on my computer?
The way Pezi 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 .pezi 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 Pezi ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Pezi ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .pezi 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 Pezi 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 delete _readme.txt?
Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. _readme.txt contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.
Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.
Will .pezi spread to my other drives?
It can. Ransomware encrypts every drive and network share it can reach while it runs, so external disks, USB sticks and shared folders connected during the attack may also have files ending in .pezi. Disconnect everything now, then check each device from a clean computer.
Do not plug a backup drive into the infected PC until the ransomware has been removed with an offline scan. Cloud folders such as OneDrive sync the encrypted versions, but they keep earlier versions you can usually restore.
Will Fortect remove Pezi 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 Pezi 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
- Wikipedia: Encryption (read October 6, 2026)
- Acronis: Why Data Backup is Important for Your Business (read October 6, 2026)
- Dieviren: DieViren (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)