Salma ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
If your files have suddenly lost their regular icons and been appended with the .salma extension, your computer has been infected with ransomware. Ransomware is one of the most devastating malware infections among PC users, as its aftermath can result in a full loss of personal data that was located on the computer during the attack.
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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Salma ransomware: summary
| Name | Salma ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Cryptovirus, ransomware |
| Encryption method | AES + RSA |
| File extension | .salma |
| Ransom note | read_me.txt |
| Contact | mangerman@firemail.de and assistant@firemail.de |
| 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 14 more facts
| Ransom demand | $50 to be delivered as bitcoin to a specified Bitcoin wallet |
|---|---|
| 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 | .salma |
| 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 | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .salma |
| Attacker contacts | mangerman@firemail.de |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 12 August 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.salma - Note file:
read_me.txt - Contact:
mangerman@firemail.de
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Salma 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.
- Free Ransomware Decryptors by Kaspersky
The Salma ransomware note
what happened to your files?
all of your important files have been encrypted
how to restore your files?
you need to pay 50 $ in bitcoin
what guarantee that we would not scam you?
you can send us one test file by email and we will decrypt it for free
how to contact us?
send us an email and the subject contains the id: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
our emails:
mangerman@firemail.de
assistant@firemail.de
Finally:
--donot change the files extension (.salma)
--donot try to change any thing in the files
How to remove Salma 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 Salma 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 Salma 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
.salmaand the instructions are inread_me.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 Salma 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 Salma 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 Salma 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
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Salma ransomware prevents access to your personal files to extort money from you
If your files have suddenly lost their regular icons and been appended with the .salma extension, your computer has been infected with ransomware.
Ransomware is one of the most devastating malware infections among PC users, as its aftermath can result in a full loss of personal data that was located on the computer during the attack.
Salma virus uses a combination of sophisticated encryption algorithms AES and RSA to lock pictures, videos, documents, databases, and other files located on a Windows computer.
As soon as the data-locking process is complete, malware puts a ransom note titled read_me.txt into each of the folders where encrypted files are located, as well as the desktop. This ensures that victims can access the information about what happened to them rather quickly.
Inside the file, there is a message from the cybercriminals behind the virus. According to it, users are meant to send an email to mangerman@firemail.de or assistant@firemail.de and pay $50-worth of Bitcoin in order to receive the decryption tool and restore files back to normal.
A ransom note is the first communication line between the attackers and victims. Almost all file locking malware delivers this note as soon as the encryption of files is complete. In rare cases, the note might be missing due to poor coding or a bug; some ransomware is also used to destroy files, hence no note is sent.
Usually, the main goal of threat actors is not to somehow damage your computer or steal sensitive information (although there are plenty of examples where ransomware includes additional modules that are perfectly capable of additional actions). Therefore, delivering the contact information of criminals and the ransom demands is imperative to the success of the illegal business of ransomware.
The full message of the ransom note reads:
Hackers are asking for your personal ID to recognize your computer and separate it from others. This is because each of the infected machines receives a unique key to prevent users from sharing it. Likewise, running anti-malware software will not restore .salma files. This is one of the reasons why ransomware is so destructive.
As it is typical, threat actors also offer test decryption services in order to convince users to pay - it simply serves as proof that they indeed have a working decryptor, and all you have to do is pay the money.
That being said, keep in mind that cybercriminals are not your friends, and they are not obligated to do anything positive (they already broke into your machine and locked all files without asking).
There have been plenty of events where victims paid ransoms and never received the decryption tool. Besides, this malware strain is relatively new, hence it is difficult to know whether cybercriminals can keep their promises. This is why you should refrain from paying and only use it as an absolute last option.
We also provide alternative file recovery methods below.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
How ransomware got into your computer
Salma virus is a threat that was spotted in mid-August 2021.
So far, security experts did not manage to find any similarities to any other prominent ransomware families such as Dharma. The limited number of victims also prevents a more detailed examination of malware.
Nonetheless, the malicious file that belongs to ransomware (ConsoleApplication1.exe) was found on Github under the "school design.gz" file, which suggests that it could be spread through the site by using outside phishing links. According to some victims, they received suspicious links in the Discord app, which lead them to the malicious file download page.
Besides this, many other ways could be used for ransomware distribution, including:
In order to protect yourself from ransomware attacks, you should always rely on powerful security software and be extra careful when browsing the web, clicking links on social media, opening emails, or downloading software.
- Spam email attachments and hyperlinks;
- Software vulnerabilities;
- Hacked or malicious websites;
- Fake updates;
- Software cracks and pirated program installers, etc.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Step 1. Remove ransomware efficiently
As we already explained, scanning your computer with anti-malware will not restore your files - they will remain locked.
This is because ransomware infection and data encryption are two independent processes, although the latter would not be possible without the former.
Likewise, it is important to remove Salma ransomware from your system first. Otherwise, the encryption process could be applied to all your incoming files, and even if you manage to restore some of them, they would be encrypted right away.
If malware is tampering with its operation or you are unable to launch it, access Safe Mode with Networking and perform the scan from there:
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 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.
- Right-click on 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.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Tip 2. Restore your files without paying the attackers
Indeed, $50 might not seem like much (depending on where you live), especially if you have important data on your computer.
However, this does not guarantee that you will retrieve the needed decryptor. Paying criminals only motivates them to proceed with their malicious actions and proves to them that the illegal scheme works as intended.
If you already removed ransomware by scanning your device with security software, you should now make some backups of your locked files. If you try to restore them without making copies, they could get permanently corrupted; simply use a USB flash or another storage device (cloud storage can also work).
Once that is done, you can look for decryption software provided by third parties and security experts. Lists are updated constantly, so never give up the search. Keep in mind that creating a working tool that would restore your files for free is not always possible, although bugs within the code of ransomware allow breaching it.
Here are a few links that could help you find encryption software:
Also, you could try using third-party data recovery tools. These do not always work for ransomware-affected files, but it might be possible to recover at least a portion of data.
- No More Ransom Project
- Free Ransomware Decryption Tools from Emsisoft
- 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.
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows files that end in .salma and no longer open; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on Windows.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
Questions about Salma ransomware
Should I pay the ransom in read_me.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from read_me.txt and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
How do I open .salma files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .salma ending shows that Salma 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 Salma ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
How did Salma ransomware get on my computer?
The way Salma 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 .salma 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 there a free Salma ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Salma 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 "Salma 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.
Did Salma ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Salma ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .salma 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 Salma 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 .salma from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .salma 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 read_me.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. read_me.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 Salma 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 Salma 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
- Help Net Security: Nearly 40% of new ransomware families use both data encryption and data theft in attacks (read October 6, 2026)
- Virus Total: ConsoleApplication1.exe (read October 6, 2026)
- Twitter: A new #Salma #Ransomware (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)