Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus: what it is and how to remove it
Pump ransomware is a cryptovirus that encrypts non-system files on a targeted computer and then demands some sort of a ransom for a decryption tool. This computer virus also steals some of the data by downloading it from host computers to secret servers.
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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Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus: summary
| name | Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus |
|---|---|
| type | Ransomware |
| Ransom note | README.txt |
| appended file extension | Non-system files are renamed by appending .pump extension to all of them |
| Additional info | Cybercriminals state that they have stolen a lot of data during the cyberattack |
| Criminal contact details | One email is provided to establish contact with the hackers – idfgiughderighu@tutanota.com |
| 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 15 more facts
| Ransomware removal | All malware, including the culprit of this article, should be eliminated with the help of trustworthy anti-malware software |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .pump |
| 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 |
| Name | Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus |
| 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 | .pump |
| Attacker contacts | idfgiughderighu@tutanota.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 8 December 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Names and addresses to look for
- File extension:
.pump - Note file:
README.txt - Contact:
idfgiughderighu@tutanota.com
How Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus behaves
From our report of Dec 2020 · not reviewed since
Pump ransomware - malicious program created to extort money from companies
Pump ransomware is a cryptovirus that encrypts non-system files on a targeted computer and then demands some sort of a ransom for a decryption tool.
This computer virus also steals some of the data by downloading it from host computers to secret servers. This helps the cybercriminals to blackmail their targets in a double-extortion scheme.
Once Pump virus gets access to a computer system it scans for recently or most used files and downloads them. Then, it encrypts all personal files and renames them by appending a .pump extension. Encrypted files are rendered useless, inaccessible.
Following a successful file lockage, .pump file virus generates ransom notes, titled README.txt, and places them in all folders with encrypted files so that they could be found easily. In the note (which is exceptionally short), cybercriminals tell victims what happened to their data, and that they need to write an email to idfgiughderighu@tutanota.com.
The ransom note of Pump ransomware is very short and uninformative, unlike other malware like Nobu, Zybvqxefmh, Hmmmmm, which have long and instructive messages. This ransom note contains a statement that the network was breached and all data is encrypted. Also, some of it was stolen.
Creators of Pump virus provide one email to establish contact with them and appoint a very complex user ID that contains alphanumeric characters. And that's it, no more info, nothing about the ransom size or preferred payment method, no threats or free decryption guarantee.
As always, we strongly advise against contacting criminals, as the action carries a lot of risk of losing the money. Whenever hackers get paid, they get motivated to expand their attacks and research new, more efficient malware distribution techniques. Victims should focus on Pump ransomware removal instead of paying the ransom. While there is no guaranteed way to recover data, there are alternative solutions that might just help some victims.
Remove Pump ransomware with time-tested antimalware software like or to make sure that the cryptovirus and all its elements are deleted properly. Keeping a reliable anti-virus is a must these days, so update its database frequently and it could save you from perils like this in the future.
Malware usually makes alterations to the system registry and other system settings. A powerful system tune-up tool like should do the trick.
Message in the generated ransom note from .pump file virus states:
From our report of Dec 2020 · not reviewed since
Distribution techniques used by hackers to infect computers with ransomware
In this day and age, there are various types of malware spread out throughout the internet.
In this paragraph, we're going to talk about two of the most common ways used by cybercriminals to infect everyday computer users' devices - spam emails and file-sharing platforms.
Spam emails are sent out in tens of thousands during so-called spam campaigns. Research shows that almost 250 million phishing emails have been sent out in 2017 alone. Computer users must watch out for these emails.
The best way to spot them is by reading throughout them, looking for any grammatical mistakes or any other visible irregularities. Never open any hyperlinks, they might lead to malicious sites. And never download any email attachments without scanning them first with a dependable anti-malware application.
File-sharing platforms like The Pirate Bay, eMule, BitTorrent and others, are a beloved ransomware hiding spot due to the fact that the cybercriminals can upload their viruses and name them whatever they think will lure the eye of soon to be victims.
Usually, malware is camouflaged as game cracks, unlocked (pirated) licensed software, game cheat codes, and so on. Refrain from using such platforms. Support your beloved software creators by purchasing their products either directly from them or from their official distributors.
The Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus ransom note
YOUR NETWORK HAS BEEN HACKED AND ALL DATA IS ENCRYPTED
Also a lot of sensitive data has been downloaded from your network
>>>>>>>>>>>>>idfgiughderighu@tutanota.com<;<<<<<<<<<<<<
-
How to remove Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus
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 Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus 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 Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus 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
.pumpand the instructions are inREADME.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 Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus, 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 Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus 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 Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Dec 2020 · not reviewed since
Tutorial for Pump ransomware removal and system tweaking
Dealing with the creators of ransomware might leave the victims in a lose-lose situation, where not only their data but their hard-earned money is gone too.
Manual Pump ransomware removal is possible but it could take a lot of time and be a bit too hard for inexperienced computer users, so we suggest entrusting this dirty work to reliable anti-malware software like or . Either of those apps should be able to eliminate the cryptovirus automatically and protect from such instances in the future.
Once the devices are free from Pump virus, users should consider performing a full system scan with a system tune-up tool like the to locate and restore any changes the file locking parasite might have done to system core settings.
[GI=method-1]Safe Mode with Networking might be able to delete ransomware virus
[GI=method-2]Using System Restore to eliminate the infection
This powerful application might be able to help you with .pump extension file recovery.
Windows Previous Version feature might recover encrypted files
With this built-in feature, you might be able to restore files one-by-one.
Shadow Explorer restores data from Shadow Volume Copies
If .pump file virus didn't remove Shadow Volume Copies then Shadow Explorer might retrieve old data.
No decryptor 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 files that end in .pump and no longer open; 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.
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 Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus
How do I open .pump files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .pump has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:
- OneDrive versions
- File History
- an offline backup drive
- Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them
Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.
Is there a free Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
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 Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus get on my computer?
The way Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus 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 .pump 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 Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .pump 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 Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus 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.
My files got .pump overnight. What happened?
Ransomware often runs at night or when the PC is idle, so the encryption finishes before anyone notices. It usually entered earlier through a cracked program, a fake installer, an e-mail attachment or remote desktop with a weak password.
The .pump extension marks every file it reached. Start by disconnecting the PC from the network, then identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check for a decryptor, and look for copies in backups and OneDrive before you consider anything else.
Will Fortect remove Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus?
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 Pump ransomware, .pump ransomware virus, 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
- Spyware and security news: Virusai (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Adware (read October 6, 2026)
- Kaspersky: Spam and phishing in 2017 (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)