Repg ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Repg ransomware is yet another file-locking virus that encrypts the data and asks for payment to decrypt it. This cyber threat can infect any computer that runs on Windows operating system.
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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Repg ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Game cracks and pirated software gets downloaded |
|---|---|
| name | Repg ransomware |
| Type | File-locker, cryptovirus |
| Family | Djvu ransomware/ STOP |
| Infection symptoms | Personal files are renamed by giving new extension and cannot be accessed; ransom note appears on the desktop and in affected folders; can't launch anti-malware software or visit specific websites |
| Appended file extension | .repg |
| 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
| Ransom note | _readme.txt |
|---|---|
| Data recovery | All possible solutions are presented in this article |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | manager@mailtemp.ch, helpmanager@airmail.cc |
| Encrypted file extension | .repg |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Repg 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 | .repg |
| Attacker contacts | manager@mailtemp.ch |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 9 August 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.repg - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
manager@mailtemp.ch
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Repg ransomware
- Ransomware removal has to be performed with reliable anti-malware software to ensure its complete termination
How Repg ransomware behaves
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Repg ransomware – a powerful computer virus that restricts access to non-system files
Repg ransomware is yet another file-locking virus that encrypts the data and asks for payment to decrypt it.
This cyber threat can infect any computer that runs on Windows operating system. Since it spread primarily through file-sharing platforms, such as torrent websites, and demanded ransom amount is relatively low, this file-locker is aimed at ordinary computer users. This should come as no surprise as the virus belongs to the Djvu ransomware family that was first observed in September 2017.
When this infection is downloaded, camouflaged as the latest game crack, pirated software, etc., and executed, it immediately starts to do its job. The encryption process starts alongside other functions that the crypto-malware has. Those include alterations in system folders and preferences.
Once the file-locking procedure is done, affected files get marked using the .repg appendix, hence the name of this virus. The victim can't open any affected data, and this means that all personal files are locked:
- photos
- videos
- documents
- etc
Moreover, the infection deletes Volume Shadow Copies from the computer by running a command-line interface: vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows/All/Quiet. By deleting Shadow Copies, the ransomware ensures that the victim will not be able to recover the encrypted files easily.
After that, the ransom note _readme.txt is dropped to the desktop and placed in other folders where locked files are. This message is an informational note from cybercriminals who ask for payment while promising to give a decryption key or alleged decryption software. Unfortunately, you cannot be sure that files get restored even after paying them.
Basically, criminals cannot be trusted at all. Through the ransomware, they also run another virus - AZORULT trojan. This cyber threat is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) that enables control over the infected device.
Such a virus is quite dangerous because it allows hackers to secretly surveillance a victim's actions. So, do you really want to try to negotiate with such criminals?
If you do not know how the ransom note looks like, you should remember that hackers are trying to intimidate their victims and force them to pay the ransom. Here is an example of a message:
Once this ransom note appears the cryptovirus has accomplished its primary mission. The cyberthreat successfully encrypted all personal data and inserted PersonalID.txt and bowsakkdestx.txt files on the infected computer. These files contain the victim's personal ID and allow the developers of this ransomware to access saved personal identification on the device.
However, in such a situation you do not need to panic immediately. We do not recommend communicating with cybercriminals, but there are other ways to recover files. You should remove the Repg ransomware first and then try to recover important data.
The Repg ransomware note
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-fhnNOAYC8Z
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
manager@mailtemp.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
helpmanager@airmail.cc
How to remove Repg 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 Repg 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 Repg 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
.repgand the instructions are in_readme.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 Repg ransomware, 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 Repg 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 Repg 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.
Restore files using data recovery software
Since many users do not prepare proper data backups prior to being attacked by ransomware, they might often lose access to their files permanently. Paying criminals is also very risky, as they might not fulfill the promises and never send back the required decryption tool.
While this might sound terrible, not all is lost - data recovery software might be able to help you in some situations (it highly depends on the encryption algorithm used, whether ransomware managed to complete the programmed tasks, etc.). Since there are thousands of different ransomware strains, it is immediately impossible to tell whether third-party software will work for you.
Therefore, we suggest trying regardless of which ransomware attacked your computer. Before you begin, several pointers are important while dealing with this situation:
- Since the encrypted data on your computer might permanently be damaged by security or data recovery software, you should first make backups of it - use a USB flash drive or another storage.
- Only attempt to recover your files using this method after you perform a scan with anti-malware software.
Install data recovery software
- Download .
- Double-click the installer to launch it.
- Follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
- As soon as you press Finish, you can use the app.
- Select Everything or pick individual folders where you want the files to be recovered from.
- Press Next.
- At the bottom, enable Deep scan and pick which Disks you want to be scanned.
- Press Scan and wait till it is complete.
- You can now pick which folders/files to recover - don't forget you also have the option to search by the file name!
- Press Recover to retrieve your files.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Removal and system repair instructions
Before the removal process, copy all encrypted files to a removable storage device - an SSD, a USB thumb drive, etc. Locked files do not contain any malicious code, so it is safe to transfer them. After transferring, be sure to disconnect the device from the infected computer.
Normally, now would be the time to install the or similar security software and perform a full system scan with it to remove the Repg virus. But not this time, because you may fail if you try to run the program in the normal way.
This ransomware might prevent you from visiting any security-related websites by modifying hosts files. It also might prevent you from downloading and installing any antivirus software. Djvu ransomware variants add dozens of entries containing URLs of how-to articles and similar security-related websites, such as 2-spyware.com.
Each of the entries means that users will not be able to access the listed web addresses and will receive a DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error instead. If you don't know how the "hosts" file entries look like, here's an example:
So, if you want to remove the virus, you will need to do all that after rebooting your Windows computer in Safe Mode with Networking. If you don't know how to do this, just follow our instructions.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing the 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.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Windows 10 / Windows 8
Once you reach Safe Mode, launch or another reputable antivirus, update it with the latest definitions, and perform a full system scan to eradicate malware and all its malicious components.
Either of the recommended programs will automatically detect all malicious files and entries and suggest eliminating them. Please stick with the recommendations to fully remove the threat.
Moreover, it is always a good idea to have powerful security software on the computer because these days cybercrime is on the rise. You should keep such a program always working, frequently update it and remember to perform full system scans at least a couple of times per week.
But even after you remove the virus, you may run into problems. It happens because once a computer is infected with ransomware, not only all personal files are locked but also the system of the device is changed to operate differently. For example, an infection can alter the Windows registry database, damage vital bootup, and other sections, delete or corrupt DLL files, etc.
Once a system file is damaged by malware, antivirus software is not capable of doing anything about it, leaving it just the way it is even after the virus removal. Consequently, victims might experience performance, stability, and usability issues, to the point where a full Windows reinstallation is required.
Not only can it fix Repg virus damage after the infection, but it is also capable of removing malware that has already broken into the system thanks to several engines used by the program. Besides, this program is also capable of fixing various Windows-related issues that are not caused by malware infections, for example, Blue Screen errors, freezes, registry errors, damaged DLLs, etc.
With the help of , you would not have to worry about future computer issues, as most of them could be fixed quickly by performing a full system scan at any time. So this tool will be useful not only after this infection but in the future too.
- Right-click on the Start button and select Settings.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
- Download the application by clicking on the link above
- Click on the ReimageRepair.exe
- If User Account Control (UAC) shows up, select Yes
- Press Install and wait till the program finishes the installation process
- The analysis of your machine will begin immediately
- Once complete, check the results - they will be listed in the Summary
- You can now click on each of the issues and fix them manually
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
How to recover encrypted files
Once your computer is completely clean, you can try to recover .Repg files.
As already mentioned, we do not recommend trying to communicate with criminals and pay a ransom. By paying money, you would encourage hackers to create new viruses. Also, there is no guarantee that they will really help you recover your files, so it is better not to risk at all. Simply try other recovery options - maybe you will be able to recover some files.
If you have infected your computer with one of the Djvu variants, you should try using Emsisoft decryptor for Djvu/STOP. But it is important to note that this tool will not work for everyone - it only works if data was locked with an offline ID due to malware failing to communicate with its remote servers. If an online ID has been used, then unfortunately, this tool will not help.
Even if your case meets the offline ID condition, the decryption tool will not necessarily work. It is because somebody from the victims has to pay criminals, retrieve an offline key, and then share it with security researchers at Emsisoft. As a result, you might not be able to restore the encrypted files immediately.
But don't lose hope in the same second. If the decryptor says your data was locked with an offline ID but cannot be recovered currently, you should try later. Maybe cuber security specialists will get the offline key after a week or two. You also need to upload a set of files - one encrypted and a healthy one to the company's servers before you proceed.
From here, there are three available outcomes:
If this tool has helped recover .repg files, congratulations on successful virus removal and recovery of your important data. If it didn't help, please stay optimistic.
- After pressing the Download button, a small pop-up at the bottom, titled decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe should show up - click it.
- If User Account Control (UAC) message shows up, press Yes.
- Agree to License Terms by pressing Yes.
- After Disclaimer shows up, press OK.
- The tool should automatically populate the affected folders, although you can also do it by pressing Add folder at the bottom.
- Press Decrypt.
- "Decrypted!" will be shown under files that were decrypted successfully - they are now usable again.
- "Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID:" means that the keys for this version of the virus have not yet been retrieved, so you should try later.
- "This ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible" - you are unable to decrypt files with this tool.
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
Repg ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .repg 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 Repg ransomware
How do I open .repg files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .repg ending shows that Repg 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 Repg 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.
Is there a free Repg ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Repg 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 "Repg 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 Repg ransomware get on my computer?
The way Repg 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 .repg 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 Repg ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Repg ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .repg 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 Repg 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 .repg from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .repg 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.
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.
Will Fortect remove Repg 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 Repg 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
- Wikipedia: Encryption (read October 6, 2026)
- CSOonline: Ransomware explained: How it works and how to remove it (read October 6, 2026)
- Howtogeek: Everything You Need To Know About the Blue Screen of Death (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)