Plam ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Plam ransomware is a hazardous computer infection that encrypts files on a targeted Windows machine in order to demand to purchase a decryption tool required to regain access to the files. All non-system files, such as documents, pictures, databases, and others, are encoded with a military-grade RSA 2048 coding algorithm and renamed by appending a .plam extension to their original filenames.
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 .plam files.
Do it yourself · free Remove Plam ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.
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Plam ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Deceptive ads, spam emails, file-sharing platforms |
|---|---|
| name | Plam ransomware |
| type | Cryptovirus, file-locker |
| Family | Djvu/STOP |
| appended file extension | .plam |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt file can be found on the desktop |
| 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 17 more facts
| Ransom amount | $490/$980 |
|---|---|
| criminal contact details | helpmanager@mail.ch and helpmanager@airmail.cc |
| Malware Removal | To completely eliminate this and any other malware, use professional anti-malware software |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .plam |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Plam ransomware |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension, a ransom note left in folders and a Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .plam |
| Attacker contacts | helpmanager@mail.ch |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 3 February 2021 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:Win32/Glupteba.GKM!MTB |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What antivirus programs call Plam ransomware
Microsoft Defender reports Plam ransomware as Trojan:Win32/Glupteba.GKM!MTB.
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:
.plam - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
helpmanager@mail.ch
From our report of Feb 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Plam ransomware
- Ransomware makes alterations to system files and settings, which could lead to various performance issues.
The Plam ransomware note
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, 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-Wl6WKEBetp
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:
helpmanager@airmail.cc
Your personal ID:
How to remove Plam 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 Plam 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 Plam 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
.plamand 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 Plam 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 Plam 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 Plam 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.
Repair damaged system components
Once a computer is infected with malware, its system is changed to operate differently. For example, an infection can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc. Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is. Consequently, users might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstall is required.
Therefore, we highly recommend using a one-of-a-kind, patented technology of repair. Not only can it fix virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, the application is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.
- Download the application by clicking on the link above
- Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
- If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
- Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
- The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
- Once complete, check the results - they will be listed in the Summary
- You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
- If you see many problems that you find difficult to fix, we recommend you purchase the license and fix them automatically.
By employing , you would not have to worry about future computer issues, as most of them could be fixed quickly by performing a full system scan at any time. Most importantly, you could avoid the tedious process of Windows reinstallation in case things go very wrong due to one reason or another.
Restore Windows "hosts" file to its original state
Some ransomware might modify Windows hosts file in order to prevent users from accessing certain websites online. For example, Djvu ransomware variants add dozens of entries containing URLs of security-related websites, such as 2-spyware.com. Each of the entries means that users will not be able to access the listed web addresses and will receive an error instead.
Here's an example of "hosts" file entries that were injected by ransomware:
In order to restore your ability to access all websites without restrictions, you should either delete the file (Windows will automatically recreate it) or remove all the malware-created entries. If you have never touched the "hosts" file before, you should simply delete it by marking it and pressing Shift + Del on your keyboard. For that, navigate to the following location:
C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\
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.
Important steps to take before you begin malware removal
File encryption is one component of a ransomware infection, which may also include credential theft, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement. However, it is important to understand that malware may perform various changes within a Windows operating system, including persistence, scheduled tasks, registry modifications, and security feature tampering.
IMPORTANT for those without backups! →
If you attempt to use security or recovery software immediately, you might permanently damage your files, and even a working decryptor then would not be able to save them.
Before you proceed with the removal instructions below, you should copy the encrypted files onto a separate medium, such as USB flash drive or SSD, and then disconnect them from your computer. The storage device should remain disconnected after copying to prevent accidental modification or deletion. Encrypted data itself does not contain active malicious code, but only the encrypted files—not executables or scripts—should be transferred.
The instructions below might initially seem overwhelming and complicated, but they are not difficult to understand as long as you follow each step in the appropriate order. This comprehensive free guide will help you to handle the malware removal and data recovery process correctly.
If you have any questions, comments, or are having troubles with following the instructions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the Ask Us section.
IMPORTANT! →
It is vital to eliminate malware infection from the computer fully before starting the data recovery process, otherwise ransomware might re-encrypt retrieved files from backups repeatedly.
Restore files using data recovery software
Since many users do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by ransomware, they might often lose access to their files permanently. Paying criminals is also very risky, as they might not fulfill the promises and never send back the required decryption tool.
While this might sound terrible, not all is lost - data recovery software might be able to help you in some situations (it highly depends on the encryption algorithm used, whether ransomware managed to complete the programmed tasks, etc.). Since there are thousands of different ransomware strains, it is immediately impossible to tell whether third-party software will work for you.
Therefore, we suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:
- Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it - use a USB flash drive or another storage.
- Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.
Install data recovery software
- Download .
- Double-click the installer to launch it.
- Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
- As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
- Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
- Press Next.
- At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
- Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
- You can now pick which folders/files to recover - don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
- Press Recover to retrieve your files.
Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
Scan your system with anti-malware
If you are a victim of ransomware, you should employ anti-malware software for its removal. Some ransomware can self-destruct after the file encryption process is finished. Even in such cases, malware might leave various data-stealing modules or could operate in conjunction with other malicious programs on your device.
or can detect and eliminate all ransomware-related files, additional modules, along with other viruses that could be hiding on your system. The security software is really easy to use and does not require any prior IT knowledge to succeed in the malware removal process.
Use Emsisoft decrytor for Djvu/STOP
If your computer got infected with one of the Djvu variants, you should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. It is important to mention that this tool will not work for everyone - it only works if data was locked with an offline ID due to malware failing to communicate with its remote servers.
Even if your case meets this condition, somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately. Thus, if the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. You also need to upload a set of files - one encrypted and a healthy one to the company's servers before you proceed.
- Download the app from the official Emsisoft website.
- After pressing Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up - click it.
- If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
- Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.
- After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
- The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
- Press Decrypt.
From here, there are three available outcomes:
- "Decrypted!" will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully - they are now usable again.
- "Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID:" means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
- "This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible" - you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.
From our report of Feb 2021 · not reviewed since
Plam ransomware authors persuade users to pay $980 for file recovery tool
Plam ransomware is a hazardous computer infection that encrypts files on a targeted Windows machine in order to demand to purchase a decryption tool required to regain access to the files. All non-system files, such as documents, pictures, databases, and others, are encoded with a military-grade RSA 2048 coding algorithm and renamed by appending a .plam extension to their original filenames.
Afterward, a ransom note, named _readme.txt, with instructions from the assailants, is placed on the desktop. It contains a few persuasion techniques, with the main goal to force victims into contacting the threat actors behind the attack by provided emails (helpmanager@mail.ch, helpmanager@airmail.cc) and pay the ransom (either $490 or $980) in cryptocurrency Bitcoins.
The virus derives from the nefarious Djvu ransomware family, which has been active since the end of 2018. New file-locker variations from this lineage are introduced each week. If your data was encoded with an offline key, then it's more than likely that you can decrypt it for free with Emisoft decryption tools.
You can run files through the tool to make sure that data is decryptable. If not, options are limited to data backups and third-party alternate methods. Some of them listed below.
We're glad you chose us as your cybersecurity specialists, and we'll do our best not to let you down. This article contains a lot of information on the culprit, its peculiarities, most common distribution techniques, and certainly its elimination options.
If you can't be bothered with all that info, go straight to our removal section at the bottom of the page. You can find many tips for the elimination and instructions that contain options for encrypted file restoring when you don't have updated backups.
Djvu family ransomware is among the most pervasive of all malware that's lurking on the internet. It has produced over 250 file-locking parasites since late 2018. This version is the 280th on the list, and new ones are being produced weekly. Here are a few examples of the latest ones:
All infections from this lineage have a lot of similarities. All their ransom notes are practically identical. The latest version use RSA 2048 coding algorithm to encrypt files.
Also, all contact email addresses used to be the same, but one of them changed with Plam ransomware. Here's what the message in the _readme.txt file states:
As you can see in the message above, developers of the ransomware virus try to push their victims into making rash decisions by offering them free decryption and a 50% discount on the ransom. Users who encountered a cyberattack should remember that paying off the criminals is the worse thing they can do.
Threat actors can use that money to expand their whole illegal operation. That can result in attacking more innocent people, developing more advanced malware, and research into ransomware distribution efficiency. Various companies and institutions worldwide, including the FBI, urge victims to stop paying the ransom.
Therefore, remove PLAM ransomware from your infected device and forget about it. To properly eliminate it, you'll need a professional anti-malware tool.
A proper anti-malware tool should identify infections and prevent them from executing any commands by isolating them. According to file analysis platform VirusTotal, different tools have detected malware sample under the following names:
File-lockers, especially the ones from the Djvu family, cause havoc in system files and settings. Host files are altered, preventing users from visiting any cybersecurity sites, including 2-spyware.com, registry values are changed, and so on. It is also important to remember that malware can negatively impact system performance, even after it's removed.
- Pola
- Wbxd
- Qlkm
- Coos
- MachineLearning/Anomalous.94%
- Trojan:Win32/Glupteba.GKM!MTB
- Trojan:Win32/Glupteba.ca055928
- Win32:BotX-gen
- ML.Attribute.HighConfidence.
From our report of Feb 2021 · not reviewed since
Evade one of the most common ways Djvu ransomware is distributed
Malware is spread using different methods.
Adware can be delivered with software bundling, Trojans through Remote Desktop Protocol attacks, while ransomware via deceptive ads, spam emails, etc. Users have to learn the basic techniques threat actors are using to distribute malware, to prevent from acquiring it.
Thus, we'll tell you how to avoid the most usually used Djvu ransomware family distribution technique. File-sharing platforms might be an easy way to send files to friends or colleagues, but cybercriminals love to exploit the lack of end-to-end security on these portals.
The habit of paying not enough attention can lead to ransomware infection when the pirated file with malicious code is downloaded in place of the good install piece.
Threat actors upload their creations to the most popular torrent websites, camouflaged as something that would catch a user's eye. For example, pirated expensive software, illegal activations tools (cracks) for the latest games, and so on.
When such a torrent is downloaded, ransomware can start its bidding immediately, and all files on the device can be locked within a few minutes. If you value your privacy and security, please refrain from using such sites.
From our report of Feb 2021 · not reviewed since
Your files are not infected - they are simply locked
The threat that marks files using .plam appendix is known for being the version of a Djvu/STOP ransomware family member.
This malware family was decryptable for a period of time in 2019, but the newest encryption methods and the usage of a more difficult ID forming technique that involves online keys made the threat more dangerous and took the previous decryption tool out of order.
There are few methods right now like the media file recovery tool or mentioned program from Emsisoft. However, decryption is not the option that all victims of these threats can have.
The best solution for the infection would be the removal of the threat and file recovery using up-to-date backups. You can run the decryption tool linked below to see if your files got encoded using online or offline keys when the virus encrypted all data.
Offline IDs indicate that files or at least some of them can be decrypted. If online keys are used - you have fewer options. No not panic.
It is unfortunate that you may lose your files, but it is possible to salvage your device by clearing the infection. Save some of those encoded files and make sure to store them on the external drive, so you might use the decryption tool in the future.
From our report of Feb 2021 · not reviewed since
Malware removal on Windows explained
Any malware from devices should be eliminated ASAP.
When you're dealing with the Djvu family viruses, you have to think about file recovery. If you're lucky and the encryption was done using an offline key, then there's a good chance that the existing Djvu decrypter will decipher your encrypted files.
If that doesn't work, then there might be other possible data recovery options. If nothing works, then extract all files to an offline storage device and wait for a decryption tool for .plam files to be developed. If you want to use the machine you still need to terminate the virus to avoid another encryption.
One more thing that Djvu family file-lockers can do is disable anti-malware software. If a security tool can't be opened, please refer to our manual removal guide below to open it in Safe Mode with Networking. If you don't own a professional tool capable of removing malware, we advise getting either or .
Launch the security tool and scan the entire system. Once it's finished, remove ransomware along with any other suspicious files. Keep your anti-malware software virus database updated at all times so it can stop the latest malware from infecting your device.
The last step is to fix system files and settings that were messed up during the encryption. Host files, system registry, and other core system settings get altered to establish persistence.
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
Plam ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .plam and no longer open) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.
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 Plam ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .plam files?
That depends on the family behind the .plam 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.
Did Plam ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Plam ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .plam 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.
How did Plam ransomware get on my computer?
The way Plam 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 .plam 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.
How do I open .plam files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .plam ending shows that Plam 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 Plam ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
Is Plam 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.
What does the name Trojan:Win32/Glupteba.GKM!MTB tell me?
Microsoft builds names in a fixed order:
- category
- then platform
- then family
- sometimes followed by a variant letter
- a suffix
The category is the most useful part for you. Trojan, Backdoor and PWS mean real malware that can download more, give remote access or steal passwords. PUA means unwanted software.
Ransom means ransomware. Suffixes such as !ml or !MTB mean the detection came from machine learning or behaviour analysis. Search for the family part of Trojan:Win32/Glupteba.GKM!MTB together with the word Microsoft to find its entry in Microsoft's security encyclopedia.
Will Fortect remove Plam 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 Plam 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
- Virustotal: VirusTotal (read October 6, 2026)
- Lesvirus: LesVirus (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)