Razy ransomware virus: what it is and how to remove it
Razy ransomware virus is a destructive cryptomalware which was designed to encrypt target files with AES-265 and RSA encryption algorithms. As a result, the affected data becomes useless and the only way to recover it becomes obtaining the special decryption key which is needed to unblock the affected files.
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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Razy ransomware virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .fear |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| 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 9 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | Razy ransomware virus |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension |
| Evidence | One write-up by a security site; details still limited |
| Encrypted files | .fear |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 15 November 2016 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.fear
From our report of Nov 2016 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Razy ransomware virus
- Also, you can try using other data recovery software, such as PhotoRec, R-Studio or Kaspersky virus-fighting utilities.
How Razy ransomware virus behaves
From our report of Nov 2016 · not reviewed since
How dangerous is Razy virus?
Razy ransomware virus is a destructive cryptomalware which was designed to encrypt target files with AES-265 and RSA encryption algorithms.
As a result, the affected data becomes useless and the only way to recover it becomes obtaining the special decryption key which is needed to unblock the affected files. However, this key will cost you from 0.5 to 1.5 Bitcoin what is equal to $355 and $1065.
If infected, you will find .razy extension, e.g. .razy1337 or .razy13371337, added to each of your files. Also, you should see the razy.jpg file on your desktop with the "Pay here" link that redirects you to a payment site.
Warning: Please, do NOT pay the ransom because it is a straight way to the money loss.
If your files are encrypted by this malware, you should initiate its removal on your computer without wasting your time. Otherwise, it can cause additional data loss. For Razy removal, we highly recommend using .
Initially, this program was presented as an educational application which was supposed to inform computer users about the dangers of ransomware viruses. Sadly, some evil-minded hackers stole the script and turned it into dangerous, fraudulent, money-seeking virus.
Regardless of whether you believe this story or not, beware that the virus is currently spreading around the web along with thousands of other similar infection, so you have to be careful not to become a victim of one. Unfortunately, these infections are not that easy to avoid since their developers often use creative and very deceptive techniques to sneak them into computers.
When the malicious script gets through, there is not much that can be done to stop it, primarily because the infection is difficult to spot until it is done with its dirty deeds. Usually, users notice the this malware only when a notification pops up on the infected computer screen, encouraging the victim to go to razydecrypt.com and get the files back.
As much as the users would like to think that they can retrieve their files, this is not what actually happens when dealing with ransomware viruses. More often the victims lose their files and get robbed of their money too. If you do not wish to meet such a grim fate yourself, remove Razy from your computer rather than follow the hacker's demands.
Razy ransomware is named after the extension it appends to the infected files. The related extension marks the documents which are affected by the strong AES encryption and cannot be accessed. This data may include Office files, video material, music or pictures. In some cases, programs may be blocked as well.
Naturally, you might be having troubles with the Razy removal in case the ransomware targets your anti-malware's executable file. In such a case, you should follow the instructions provided below. The worst part of this infection is that there is virtually no way of decrypting the locked files if you do not have a private decryption key.
The key can be purchased from the virus creators (or distributors) for a set amount of money. Nevertheless, we have already pointed out how dangerous such a collaboration might be, so it would be wiser if you terminated the virus before involving yourself in any risky business.
Besides, the money cyber criminals collect from their victims can also be used to create even more dangerous programs. If you do not want to contribute to a new Razy variant, we suggest taking care of the virus removal without delay.
How to remove Razy 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 Razy 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 Razy 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 identify the family
The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.
Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.
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 Razy 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 Razy 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 Razy 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 Nov 2016 · not reviewed since
Is it possible to decrypt files locked by this ransomware?
Depending on the complexity of the virus, there might still be a chance to decrypt the encrypted files after ransomware attack.
In a case of Razy appearance on your computer, you should think about backups of your important files. If you have them saved in your external hard drive, the cloud or similar solution, you will have no problem to recover your encrypted files.
If you don't have extra copies, there is still a chance to recover your encrypted data. For that, you should try using Data recovery steps that were introduced by 2-spyware experts. They are given below.
In fact, you should take care of your data's security before it is exposed to any infection if you really value your personal data. We suggest making backup copies of your files and keeping them stored on some external drives, unplugged from your computer, far from where the Razy virus can reach them.
From our report of Nov 2016 · not reviewed since
Versions of Razy malware
Razy 5.0 ransomware virus.
This virus has been spotted in September 2016, and it spreads in the form of an infected Adobe file. Once the victim attempts to open this Adobe document, a pop-up message shows up and informs that there was "Error on PDF file!" Meanwhile, the ransomware starts corrupting all victim's documents, pictures, videos, and other files.
This virus asks to pay 10 Euros via PaySafeCard. However, victims are advised not to fall for this virus' threats by paying the ransom and remove Razy 5.0 malware instead. Although there is no free decryption tool invented for this ransomware yet, malware researchers are likely to discover one soon.
Krypte ransomware virus. Yet another version of Razy that demands a small ransom. It appears that information about the encryption is provided in the German language, so we assume that this malicious program is designed to target German PC users. To restore victim's data, the ransomware asks to pay 15-20 Euros by buying PaySafeCard and transmitting its code to the criminals.
The virus adds .fear file extensions to encrypted data. As always, we do not recommend paying the ransom as criminals might not provide you with the decryption software. Files can be safely recovered from a backup, but the virus has to be uninstalled from the system first.
From our report of Nov 2016 · not reviewed since
How to remove Razy from your system safely
There is not much information about the Razy virus itself yet, but the methods of its removal will unlikely be any different from other ransomware infections.
Like always, security experts recommend keeping away from the manual Razy removal and staying on the safer path of automatic virus elimination. Besides, this method is not only more effective that the manual one but will save you some time too. A quick system scan with a reliable antivirus utility will remove Razy and ensure virus protection in the future.
You probably have noticed the manual removal instructions provided at the end of this article. These may come in handy if the virus blocks your anti-malware utility from removing it from the computer. By no means should you use these instructions alone to deal with the virus. After accomplishing the steps, run a full system scan of your computer again.
It is a reliable program that restores files. For this method, follow a guide below:
Using Windows Previous Versions feature to decrypt encrypted files
Windows Previous Versions feature will work for you only if you had the System Restore function enabled on your computer. If yes, perform the steps given below:
Razy decrypter is not available yet
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
Razy ransomware virus could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .fear 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.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
Questions about Razy ransomware virus
Is there a decryptor for .fear files?
That depends on the family behind the .fear extension, which this guide cannot confirm yet from the reports alone. Check No More Ransom and ID Ransomware with your ransom note and one encrypted file; they list families with free tools.
If none exists today, keep the encrypted files and a copy of the note on a separate drive, because decryptors are sometimes published months later after flaws are found or servers are seized. Never buy a decryptor from a website that is not the security company that made it.
How do I open .fear files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .fear ending shows that Razy ransomware virus 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 Razy ransomware virus. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Razy ransomware virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Razy ransomware virus, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .fear 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.
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 Razy ransomware virus get on my computer?
The way Razy 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 .fear 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 Razy 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.
My files got .fear 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 .fear 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 removing Razy ransomware virus unlock my .fear files?
No. Removing Razy ransomware virus stops it from encrypting more files and from starting again, but it does not decrypt the files that already end in .fear. The scanner does not have the attackers' key.
Files come back only from a backup, from copies the ransomware did not reach, such as OneDrive version history, Previous Versions, e-mail attachments or a phone, or with a working decryptor if one exists.
Remove the ransomware first anyway: if you restore files while it is still active, it can encrypt them again. Keep the encrypted files; a decryptor may be published later.
Will Fortect remove Razy 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 Razy 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
- 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)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)