Qensvlcbymk ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Qensvlcbymk ransomware is a variant of Snatch malware and was first identified by a security researcher GrujaRS on Twitter in the middle of May 2020. While the version might vary slightly from other malware of such type, its main goal is to extort money from victims.
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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Qensvlcbymk ransomware: summary
| Name | Qensvlcbymk ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | File locking virus, cryptomalware |
| Family | The virus belongs to Snatch ransomware family |
| File extension | Each of the non-system and non-executable files are appended with .qensvlcbymk extension and can no longer be accessed |
| Ransom note | HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT is dropped into each folder where the locked data is located; the text is quoted in full below |
| Contact | Users are asked to email the attackers via support911@cock.li or xilttbg@tutanota.com for negotiations about size of the ransom and data recovery process |
| 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
| Distribution method | Malware is highly likely to spread via weakly protected RDP connections, as its attacks are targeted |
|---|---|
| Main targets | Small to medium size businesses and organizations |
| Data restore | Unfortunately, there is no secure method to recover Qensvlcbymk ransomware encrypted files if no backups were prepared or were also encrypted. Alternative methods include: Using third-party software which works on rare occasions Paying cybercriminals for the decryptor, which is not recommended by security experts Waiting till a free decryption tool is released by cybersecurity researchers |
| Malware removal | To eliminate the infection, the infected computer or NAS device should be disconnected from the network and only then malware elimination performed with the help of powerful security software |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .qensvlcbymk |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension, a Windows Security "Threats found" notification and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .qensvlcbymk |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 20 May 2020 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Ransom:Win64/Qensvl!MSR |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
What antivirus programs call Qensvlcbymk ransomware
Microsoft Defender reports Qensvlcbymk ransomware as Ransom:Win64/Qensvl!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.
- File extension:
.qensvlcbymk - Note file:
as HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Qensvlcbymk ransomware
- To fix system damage after ransomware infection, employ repair tools like
How Qensvlcbymk ransomware behaves
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Companies should ensure a secure usage of Remote Desktop connections
Remote Desktop connections, otherwise known as RDPs, are very useful tools that allow remote access to a computer.
Another reason why is RDP is so widely used is because it is built into Windows OS and can be used for free by, e.g., system administrators to reach the workstation of interest.
However, because the RDP is so popular and widely used (and also commonly poorly protected), it became one of the main attack vectors for malicious actors for surveillance and malware injection purposes. The attack is also often combined with brute-forcing - another technique that abuses weak passwords used to protect RDP connections.
The attackers typically spend weeks on the infected networks, all while gathering the necessary information and moving laterally via the network and accessing administrator accounts. After the malware is launched, the whole network should be considered compromised.
To protect your company from RDP attacks, practice the following precautionary measures:
- Never use a default TCP/UDP port 3389;
- Use a strong password fro connection and never reuse it for anything else;
- Enable Network Level Authentication (NLA) via System Properties;
- Employ a reputable VPN service for the computers that use RDP services;
- Limit the number of employees that can access the service;
- Disconnect from RDP as soon as it is not used for anything;
- Protect your network with endpoint security solutions.
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Qensvlcbymk ransomware - dangerous file locking malware that targets organizations
Qensvlcbymk ransomware is a variant of Snatch malware and was first identified by a security researcher GrujaRS on Twitter in the middle of May 2020.
While the version might vary slightly from other malware of such type, its main goal is to extort money from victims. While ransomware strains like Djvu mainly target regular consumers, Qensvlcbymk ransomware mostly focuses on corporations and businesses for larger ransom sums.
Once inside the system, the malware performs various checks and system changes before scanning for data to encrypt on local and networked drives (including NAS devices often used in corporations for data backups). It will encrypt most of the files with AES cipher, appending .qensvlcbymk extensions to each.
The virus will also drop a ransom-demanding message (HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT) that asks users to email the attackers at support911@cock.li or xilttbg@tutanota.com and pay the ransom in cryptocurrency for Qensvlcbymk ransomware decryption tool.
Snatch is a relatively established ransomware strain in the illegal crypto-extortion business since its first release back in December 2018. While it is not the most active cryptoviruses around, it released around a dozen variants (e.g., Jupstb, Egmwv, and others), targets of which are corporate networks.
At the end of 2019, the malware has started rebooting Windows computers to avoid the detection of anti-malware software and performing data encryption without interruptions. Due to this, victims might also struggle with Qensvlcbymk removal, although adequate security solutions like or should be able to handle the infection. Additionally, the malware is detected under following names by security tools:
Just as other crypto-malware of such kind, Qensvlcbymk ransomware mainly uses Remote Desktop connections to penetrate corporate networks. This happens when RDPs are exposed via the default port and are not protected with adequate measures, such as strong passwords.
Attackers typically infiltrate the networks to perform surveillance, remaining undetected for weeks before releasing Qensvlcbymk ransomware manually. Looking at the latest ransomware trends, they are highly likely to exfoliate sensitive information during this time, which they can later publish online if the victims declined to pay the ransom.
Once malicious actors gain access to the network, they release the main executable such as qensvlcbymkx64.exe, which begins the infection routine and reboots Windows PC into Safe Mode. In this mode, most security solutions are non-functional, which would otherwise prevent Qensvlcbymk virus infection and file encryption.
After data is locked, Qensvlcbymk ransomware boots in normal Windows mode and launches a ransom note titled as HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT, which reads:
As evident, the attackers are asking for victims to include the name of the file extension (.qensvlcbymk, although this can vary) and the company name that the ransomware has infected for identification purposes. Snatch ransomware authors were previously seen asking for ransoms reaching 1-5 Bitcoin, although this can greatly vary depending on the size of the organization and the number of encrypted workstations/servers.
Crooks behind Qensvlcbymk ransomware are also offering free decryption of one file that is no larger than 1 MB, and should not contain any important information.
This is a typical trick to make victims believe that they can trust the attackers and that they are guaranteed a Qensvlcbymk ransomware decryption tool as soon as the ransom is paid. However, there were several instances where attackers failed to fulfill their promise, or the tool simply did not work.
Before performing Qensvlcbymk ransomware removal, users should make a copy of all the important files and the registry database, as some relevant information might be stored in there. Also, the process would eliminate additional modules that the malware might install, such as publicly available test penetration tools and data-stealing components.
Once backups are prepared, the infected machine should be segregated from the infected network and then cleaned with anti-malware solutions.
- Win64:Trojan-gen
- Gen:Variant.Ransom.Snatch.1
- Ransom:Win64/Qensvl!MSR
- Ransom.Snatch.GO
- Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Gen.wwz
- Trojan.TR/FileCoder.diule
- W64/Trojan.QVCE-6605, etc.
The Qensvlcbymk ransomware note
Hello!
All your files are encrypted, write to me if you want to return your files - I can do it very quickly!
Contact me by email:
support911@cock.li or xilttbg@tutanota.com
The subject line must contain an encryption extension or the name of your company!
Do not rename encrypted files, you may lose them forever.
You may be a victim of fraud. Free decryption as a guarantee.
Send us up to 3 files for free decryption.
The total file size should be no more than 1 MB! (not in the archive), and the files should not contain valuable information. (databases, backups, large Excel spreadsheets, etc.)
!!! Do not turn off or restart the NAS equipment. This will lead to data loss !!!
To contact us, we recommend that you create an email address at protonmail.com or tutanota.com
Because gmail and other public email programs can block our messages!
How to remove Qensvlcbymk 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 Qensvlcbymk 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
Qensvlcbymk 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 confirm the family
Copy
as HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXTand one or two files ending in.qensvlcbymkto a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
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 Qensvlcbymk 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 Qensvlcbymk 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 May 2020 · not reviewed since
Eliminate Qensvlcbymk ransomware correctly
Since the Qensvlcbymk virus is a part of Snatch ransomware, it may run a component called SuperBackupMan in Safe Mode (it is typically established during the infection routine).
However, before you remove Qensvlcbymk ransomware from the system, there are several steps that need to follow. First of all, all the affected machines should be disconnected from the infected network and a full backup of the hard drive performed (if important files are present). After that, you can use security software to terminate the infection, along with all the malicious files and modules that were inserted by the attackers.
The best way to recover encrypted files is by restoring them from backups. If you do not have backups ready, there are very few chances currently to recover data for free. Paying cybercriminals remains an option, although it is very risky and discouraged by most security researchers. Unfortunately, that might be the only choice in some cases.
[GI=method-1]If you need to access Safe Mode with Networking, perform the following steps:
[GI=method-2]System Restore might also serve as an alternative method to eliminate the infection:
Make use of Windows Previous Versions feature This method will only work if System Restore was enabled prior to the attack
ShadowExplorer might save your files
If malware failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies, ShadowExplorer should be able to restore all your 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.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like Qensvlcbymk ransomware together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .qensvlcbymk and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
Questions about Qensvlcbymk ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .qensvlcbymk files?
That depends on the family behind the .qensvlcbymk 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 Qensvlcbymk ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Qensvlcbymk ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .qensvlcbymk 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.
How do I open .qensvlcbymk files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .qensvlcbymk ending shows that Qensvlcbymk 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 Qensvlcbymk ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did Qensvlcbymk ransomware get on my computer?
The way Qensvlcbymk 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 .qensvlcbymk 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.
Is Qensvlcbymk 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.
Is Ransom:Win64/Qensvl!MSR a false positive?
Sometimes. Names ending in !ml or describing behaviour are generated by machine learning and occasionally flag cracked tools, game mods or small unsigned utilities. A false positive is likely only when the file is a program you installed from its official developer, it is signed by that developer and other scanners do not flag it.
Files from cracks, cheats, fake updates or unknown downloads are rarely false positives, whatever the detection name. If you are sure the file is genuine, you can report it to Microsoft as a false positive; never add an exclusion for Ransom:Win64/Qensvl!MSR just to make the alert stop.
Should I open as HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.TXT?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text as HOW TO RESTORE YOUR FILES.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.
Will Fortect remove Qensvlcbymk 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 Qensvlcbymk 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
- Twitter: #Snatch #Ransomware extension .qensvlcbymk (read October 7, 2026)
- ZDNet: Snatch ransomware reboots PCs in Windows Safe Mode to bypass antivirus apps (read October 7, 2026)
- Virus Total: 794d549579812a90e14ef36b70c660900086e25a989e987bb642dff5239ee133 (read October 7, 2026)
- Orange Cyberdefense: Ransomware 2020: pay up or find your data online (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)