Polleryou ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Polleryou ransomware, otherwise known as Rentyr ransomware, is a cryptolocker that was first identified by security researchers in mid-February 2020. Just as many other viruses of such kind, it is designed to extort money from the infected victims by locking their files with a strong encryption algorithm (AES).
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Polleryou ransomware: summary
| Name | Polleryou ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | File locking virus, crypto-malware |
| Also known as | Rentyr ransomware |
| Related files | Com.exe, Rentyr.exe, l.bat |
| Encryption algorithm | Malware uses symmetric encryption algorithm AES to lock all pictures, documents, databases, videos, and other personal files located on the hard drive and connected networks |
| File extension | Unlike many other ransomware viruses, Polleryou does not append any extension to files, so they might visually look the same but still are not accessible |
| 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 note | Read-me22.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
|---|---|
| Contact | polleryou1@ctemplar.com or decrypter0203@gmail.com |
| Ransom size | Cybercriminals ask to pay $100 in BTC that should be transferred within two days of the initial infection; otherwise, the decryption key will be deleted permanently |
| Bitcoin addresses | [payment address omitted] [payment address omitted] |
| File recovery | Recovering encrypted files without paying criminals is difficult – the only secure way is to retrieve data from backups. Nevertheless, in some cases, third-party recovery software may be able to help, so check the recovery section for more information |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| 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 |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | A ransom note left in folders and a Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Attacker contacts | polleryou1@ctemplar.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 19 February 2020 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Ransom:MSIL/CryptInject!MSR |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
What antivirus programs call Polleryou ransomware
Microsoft Defender reports Polleryou ransomware as Ransom:MSIL/CryptInject!MSR.
In a Defender name, the part before the colon is the category, the part after it is the platform, and the part after the slash is the family Microsoft assigned. A suffix after ! is an internal Microsoft marker, not a different threat.
Generic labels such as Agent, GenericKD or Malware.AI only say that a file looks malicious, not what it does; our guide to antivirus detection names shows how to read them.
- Note file:
Read-me22.txt - Contact:
polleryou1@ctemplar.com
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Polleryou ransomware
- A text file Read-me22.txt is dropped into almost every folder located on the PC; additionally, a shorter version of the ransom note is presented on a desktop wallpaper "1.jpg," which is altered soon after the file encryption process.
- Both notes include information written in English and Russian languages
- Malware may damage Windows system files.
How Polleryou ransomware behaves
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
Polleryou ransomware is a file encrypting virus that provides ransom note in English and Russian languages
Polleryou ransomware, otherwise known as Rentyr ransomware, is a cryptolocker that was first identified by security researchers in mid-February 2020.
Just as many other viruses of such kind, it is designed to extort money from the infected victims by locking their files with a strong encryption algorithm (AES). However, unlike other file lockers, Polleryou ransomware does not append any extensions at the end, although it still means that users' access to data is restricted.
Soon after the infiltration and data encryption, the Polleryou virus replaces a default wallpaper of the victim with a "1.jpg" picture, which serves as a short version of a text-based file Read-me22.txt.
The latter holds a more extensive explanation in English and Russian about what happened to victims' files and that their only way to recover them is to contact hackers via polleryou1@ctemplar.com or decrypter0203@gmail.com, and then pay $100 in Bitcoin for Polleryou ransomware decryptor.
Currently, researchers have not yet established Polleryou virus' associations with other malware families, which means that developers are also unknown. However, because the ransom note is written in both Russian and English languages, there is a high chance that the Polleryou ransomware authors are Russian. The prevalence of this malware is currently low, as Bitcoin wallets provided by the attackers have no funds transferred them yet.
Even though Polleryou ransomware is not that prevalent, those infected can sustain maximum damage by it, as currently, there is no free decryption tool available that can recover encrypted files for free. It is also important to note that Polleryou ransomware removal will not provide access to locked files. Nevertheless, termination of malware is necessary to ensure system security and prevent further file compromise.
There are several anti-malware you could remove Polleryou ransomware with. Virus Total reports the following detection names:
If you experience system crashes, errors, and other stability issues post-termination, you can scan the system with to fix virus damage automatically.
- Trojan/Win32.Occamy
- Win32:Trojan-gen
- Ransom:MSIL/CryptInject!MSR
- Gen:Variant.Barys.53380
- HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.MSIL.Agent.gen
- Trj/GdSda.A
- Trojan.MSIL.MALREP.THBADBO, etc.
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
Polleryou ransomware operation principles
Just as many other ransomware, the Polleryou virus targets almost all versions of Windows operating systems with the help of various distribution techniques, including spam email attachments, malicious installers, software cracks, weakly protected RDP connections, exploits, and many others. Typically, the main executable is called using a random name - Com.exe and Rentyr.exe were both spotted in the wild.
Once the main executable is launched, it begins the infection routine, which populates malicious files in %User%, %Temp%, and other folders. Additionally, Polleryou ransomware also performs routine changes to the system before file encryption process, which include Windows registry modification, deletion of Shadow Volume Copies, etc. Malware modifies these Windows sections and files in order to escalate privileges, establish persistence, and prevent quick recovery.
Just as many other malware of this type, the Polleryou file virus targets the most common file types such as MS Office, archived, video, PDF, and others. For the encryption process, hackers employ symmetric encryption algorithm AES, , which uses the same (secret) key to lock and unlock data. This unique key is, unfortunately, only accessible to the attackers, as they keep it on a remote server.
As previously mentioned, Polleryou ransomware does not append any file extensions to the locked data. While victims may see no changes to the file names, they will notice that file icons are blank, and they are unable to open anything that has been altered by the virus. The message from Polleryou ransomware authors states that decryption is only possible within two days of the infection:
However, paying a ransom is not recommended by cybersecurity experts, as many users already got scammed by hackers before. In other words, by paying the Bitcoins to criminals, you also risk losing your money along with the already compromised files. Instead, backup the encrypted data and make use of tips we provide in our recovery section below - you might get lucky and recover at least some of Polleryou ransomware-locked files.
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
Ransomware may be distributed in various ways - protect yourself comprehensively
As mentioned above, there are several different methods that malicious actors could employ in order to deliver ransomware to as many users as possible.
While some of these techniques are less sophisticated than the others, it does not mean that they are ineffective; for example, distributors of the widely-spread ransomware family Djvu exclusively use software cracks as the main attack vector and manage to infect hundreds of users daily.
There were very few instances when users got infected with ransomware without having anything to do with it. In other words, malware does not simply appear on a computer for no reason. In most cases, certain negligent actions (either intentional or not) contribute to the ransomware infection. Of course, cybercriminals also employ tricks to deceive people, such as fraudulent downloads and phishing messages.
Thus, you should always be aware that the internet is still a dangerous place (despite users becoming more aware of risks), and you should never treat cybersecurity carelessly. Such infections, like ransomware, can bring devastating consequences, such as hundreds of dollars in damages or permanent data loss.
Follow these tips provided by security experts:
- Install next-gen anti-malware software with real-time protection feature;
- Backup all your important files regularly;
- Do not allow suspicious email attachments to run macro function ("Allow content") and refrain from clicking on deceptive hyperlinks inside and email;
- Install Windows and software updates as soon as they are released;
- Never download pirated program installers or software cracks/keygens/loaders/cheats;
- Use secure passwords for all your accounts, including Remote Desktop connections;
- Employ two-factor authentication;
- Install ad-block and enable Firewall.
The Polleryou ransomware note
All your files have been encrypted
Photos, documents, videos, music and other
And shadow copies of files were deleted, so it is impossible to restore them with special programs and contacting specialists
Only we have a decoder
If you want to quickly return your files, you will have to pay us $100.
You have 2 days from the moment of encryption to pay $100 (which is approximately equal to 0.011 BITCOIN)
On day 3, the decryption will become impossible, alas. And you will lose your files forever!
Transfer the required amount to this BTC wallet
[payment address omitted]
or this
[payment address omitted]
What is BITCOIN, you can find out here, insert the link in the address bar of your browser:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin
How to buy BITCOIN, see here: hxxps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXqQt5nR7gk
After payment write to the mail: polleryou1@ctemplar.com or decrypter0203@gmail.com
indicating the time of payment and we will send you the decoder.
And remember, you only have 2 days to pay.
How to remove Polleryou 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 Polleryou 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
Polleryou ransomware encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and 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 Polleryou ransomware, 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 Polleryou ransomware still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
Polleryou ransomware: a correct removal guide
As previously mentioned, Polleryou ransomware removal will not return your files to their working state - these two processes are separate from each other.
The first step for you now is to establish whether you genuinely need the encrypted data and whether you had backups or it. If you are not too fussed about losing files, simply remove Polleryou ransomware with anti-malware software and then reinstall Windows or employ repair tools like to fix it.
However, most users are keen on restoring the locked files, as they are often important. In such a case, you should first make a copy of the data you need and only then terminate the Polleryou virus from your machine. After that, you can try third-party software or other solutions we provide in our recovery section below.
If no luck, your only option is to pay the $100 ransom and hope that the attackers will be kind enough to send you back the required decryption tool (remember, this option is not safe and is discouraged by many security experts!). Alternatively, you could wait for free decryption software from AV vendors, although considering the low prevalence of Polleryou, it is highly unlikely to happen.
[GI=method-1]In case Polleryou file virus is tampering with your anti-malware, access Safe Mode with Networking:
[GI=method-2]System Restore might also work when trying to eliminate malware:
Windows Previous Versions Feature might be successful
This solution can be applied to each file individually, although it requires a working System Restore point.
In some cases, ShadowExplorer will get all your data back
In case Polleryou ransomware failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies, ShadowExplorer may be successful in retrieving all your files safely.
No decryption tool is currently available
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows ransom notes called Read-me22.txt in every folder; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on Windows.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
Questions about Polleryou ransomware
When will a decryptor for Polleryou ransomware 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 Polleryou ransomware family. A decryptor may need an original file, so keep any unencrypted copies too.
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 Polleryou ransomware get on my computer?
The way Polleryou 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 ransom notes called Read-me22.txt in every folder, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Did Polleryou ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Polleryou ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is ransom notes called Read-me22.txt in every folder, 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 Polleryou 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.
Should I open Read-me22.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text Read-me22.txt cannot harm the PC. Be careful with notes in HTA or HTML format: double-clicking those runs them in a window that can contain scripts, so right-click and choose Open with > Notepad instead.
The note tells you the contact addresses, the claimed amount and the deadline. Do not visit links or write to the addresses from this PC. Use the note to identify the family and check for a free decryptor first.
Defender removed Ransom:MSIL/CryptInject!MSR. Am I safe now?
Often yes, but check two things. First, whether the detection was caught on arrival: a file in Downloads or in an archive that Defender quarantined before it ran is the best case.
Second, whether Ransom:MSIL/CryptInject!MSR comes back. If it returns, or if Protection history shows several different detections around the same date, something on the PC keeps producing the file and needs to be found.
Run a full scan and, if anything remains, an offline scan. If the category names a password stealer or a backdoor, change your passwords from another device even if the file is gone.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by Polleryou?
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 Polleryou 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 Polleryou 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 Polleryou 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
- Blockchain: bc1qwctedyrzga4kj2v6jy5nru5ajxh0nptsx7jrzu (read October 7, 2026)
- Virus Total: Com.exe (read October 7, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Advanced Encryption Standard (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)