Recoverydatas ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Recoverydatas ransomware is a computer virus that attacks Windows machines exclusively. The malware belongs to a well-known ransomware family known as Scarab - it was first introduced in mid-2017, and since then, hundreds of variants were relapsed.
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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Recoverydatas ransomware: summary
| Name | Recoverydatas ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware, data locking malware, cryptovirus |
| Malware family | Scarab ransomware |
| Encryption method | RSA + AES used to encrypt all personal files on the device |
| File extension | .recoverydatas |
| Ransom note | HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
| 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 13 more facts
| Contact | recoverydatas@bk.ru |
|---|---|
| File Recovery | If no backups are available, recovering data is almost impossible. Nonetheless, we suggest you try the alternative methods that could help you in some cases – we list them below |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .recoverydatas |
| 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 | 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 | .recoverydatas |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 10 November 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.recoverydatas - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Recoverydatas ransomware
- Perform a full system scan with powerful security software, such as
- Malware can seriously tamper with Windows systems, causing errors, crashes, lag, and other stability issues after it is terminated.
The Recoverydatas ransomware note
Your All files are now encrypted!
Your personal identifier:
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC.
Now you should send us email with your personal identifier.
This email will be as confirmation you are ready to pay for decryption key.
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us.
After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Contact us using this email address: recoverydatas@bk.ru
with email pls send your ip adres :
Free decryption as guarantee!
Before paying you can send us up to 3 files for free decryption.
The total size of files must be less than 10Mb (non archived), and files should not contain
valuable information (databases, backups, large excel sheets, etc.).
How to obtain Bitcoins?
* The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click
'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price:
hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
* Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins
Attention!
* Do not rename encrypted files.
* Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
* Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price
(they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
How to remove Recoverydatas 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 Recoverydatas ransomware and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so Recoverydatas ransomware cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Your files now end in
.recoverydatasand the instructions are inthe ransom note. 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 Recoverydatas ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 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 Recoverydatas ransomware does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.
If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them.
vssadmin list shadowsin an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.
Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that Recoverydatas ransomware deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
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 2020 · not reviewed since
Recoverydatas ransomware is a type of malware that might result in a permanent file loss
Recoverydatas ransomware is a computer virus that attacks Windows machines exclusively.
The malware belongs to a well-known ransomware family known as Scarab - it was first introduced in mid-2017, and since then, hundreds of variants were relapsed. Once installed on the system, the malware encrypts all pictures, videos, music, documents, and other data with a combination of AES and RSA algorithms.
Suchlike modified files are appended with .recoverydatas extension, and their original names are replaced by a random string. For example, a "picture.jpg" is transformed into "74NRnEW6TfgMRT.recoverydatas" and can no longer be accessed.
In order to restore files to normal, users are asked to write an email with their personalized ID included to recoverydatas@bk.ru. Crooks explain in the HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.txt ransom note that victims have to pay a ransom of an unspecified amount (in Bitcoin cryptocurrency).
Recoverydatas virus is one of many which has the sole purpose of money extortion. Since this type of illegal business can be very profitable for the attackers, several methods could be used in order to spread the malware to as many users as possible.
Previous variants of Scarab were spotted being distributed via Necurs botnet, , although, since it was greatly disrupted by Microsoft, hackers are likely to prefer other methods, such as email spam or software cracks.
Recoverydatas files virus belongs to broad malware family, with many versions around, including Clay, Restoreserver, Scarry, and many others. It does not differ much from its predecessors, although the developers tend to use a bit different ransom notes each time when it comes to the body text (the name of the ransom note remains the same for awhile whoever). Here is what the message says:
As evident, the attackers are trying their best to make users pay for the decryptor instead of choosing different methods for file recovery. Threat actors even offer test decryption service of three files that would not exceed 10MB in size - this is meant to serve as proof that there is a working Recoverydatas virus decryptor, and victims would get it as soon as Bitcoins are transferred to a specified wallet.
If you have a powerful anti-malware software equipped, such as or , you can be almost guaranteed that ransomware would not be able to access your PC and encrypt all files on it. However, since you are here, you are likely to look for Recoverydatas ransomware removal and data recovery possibilities.
Indeed, security experts recommend staying away from hackers, as they might simply take your money and never provide the tool they promised. Instead, remove Recoverydatas virus from your system and use alternative methods for data recovery.
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
.Recoverydatas extension will not go away after you eliminate malware from your computer
While cybercriminals can hardly be trusted with anything, they are right when they are talking about data decryption.
Since malware uses sophisticated encryption methods, there is no known way of how these files can be decrypted unless a unique key is retrieved from the attackers. This is one reason why ransomware infection is so dangerous - most of such infections use fail-proof file locking methods that can not be bypassed by any programs or tools.
It is important to note that many users who get infected with ransomware are not aware of how it works and believe that, as soon as a full scan with anti-malware software is performed, they can remove .recoverydatas file extension and be able to access the data once again.
Unfortunately, this is not true, as security software is unable to decrypt any types of files. Having that said, removing the infection from the computer is just as important.
So, what is there left to do and how to restore .recoverydatas virus files without paying criminals? There are a few things you would try - they include using third-party recovery solutions or employing built-in Windows restore points. Unfortunately, recovering data in such a way is relatively rare, however, not impossible. For alternative data restoration methods, please check the detailed instructions in our recovery section below.
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
Remove Recoverydatas ransomware before you attempt file recovery
The only secure way to recover your files is by restoring them from a backup.
If you do not have one prepared, you should not hurry with Recoverydatas ransomware removal. First of all, you should make a copy of your most important files, as any action post-infection might cause them to get permanently corrupted. Note that locked files do not hold any malicious code within them, so they are safe to copy over.
Once that is done, you should remove Recoverydatas virus from your Windows computer. This is extremely important, as malware sometimes travels in bulk, meaning that additional infections might be present - these could steal your sensitive data or use your machine for other malicious purposes.
Thus, employ powerful security software like or , and then perform a full system scan. Then, use utility to ensure that your system runs well. Finally, attempt to recover your data without paying criminals.
[GI=method-1]Safe Mode with networking can be used when you are unable to delete the infection manually:
[GI=method-2]System Restore, if it was not deleted by malware, can also be useful:
This solution might not always work, but some victims might be able to restore at least some portion of the lost files.
Try Windows Previous Versions
You can attempt to recover files one-by-one with Windows Previous Versions feature.
ShadowExplorer might be able to help you
In case you were lucky enough, and .recoverydatas file virus failed to remove Shadow Copies from your Windows OS, you can use ShadowExplorer to restore all your files.
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.
Make the next attack harmless
Recoverydatas ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .recoverydatas 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 Recoverydatas ransomware
How do I open .recoverydatas files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .recoverydatas ending shows that Recoverydatas 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 Recoverydatas ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Recoverydatas ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Recoverydatas ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .recoverydatas 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.
Is there a free Recoverydatas ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Recoverydatas ransomware 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 "Recoverydatas ransomware 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.
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 Recoverydatas ransomware get on my computer?
The way Recoverydatas 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 .recoverydatas 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 Recoverydatas ransomware the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I just remove .recoverydatas from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .recoverydatas extension is only a label; the file content has been scrambled with a key the attackers hold.
If a renamed copy opens normally, the malware only renamed files, which happens with some fake ransomware, and you can rename the rest back. If it does not open, leave the files as they are. Renaming encrypted files can confuse a decryptor later, so always work on copies.
What does the ransom note tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name the ransom note, the wording, the contact addresses and the format of the personal ID are typical for each family. Uploading the note together with one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff usually names the family within seconds.
That name decides your options: some families have free decryptors, some can be partially recovered, and some cannot be decrypted at all. The note's claims about stolen data should be taken seriously but not at face value.
Will Fortect remove Recoverydatas 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 Recoverydatas 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
- Microsoft: New action to disrupt world's largest online criminal network (read October 7, 2026)
- Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)