Sekhmet ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Sekhmet ransomware is a new crypto-locking virus strain that was first spotted by cybersecurity experts in late March 2020. Just like similar malware of such type, it uses a strong encryption algorithm (this time, a combination of RSA and ChaCha) to lock pictures, music, videos, documents, databases, and other files on local and networked drives for blackmail purposes.
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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Sekhmet ransomware: summary
| Name | Sekhmet ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | File locking virus, crypto-malware |
| Related files | f55.dll, sekhmet.dll.exe, regsvr32.exe |
| Encryption method | All non-system files are encrypted with the help of RSA-2048 + ChaCha |
| File appendix | Unlike most ransomware, Sekhmet appends a random extension to each of the files on the same device. Example of two different files on the same system: picture1.jpg.WNgh and picture2.jpg.DtiV |
| Ransom note | RECOVER-FILES.txt |
| 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
| Contact | Malicious actors indicate two methods of contact: either by downloading a TOR client and visiting a provided link or by visiting sekhmet.top website |
|---|---|
| Threat | Hackers claim that they harvested sensitive information from the infected computers and will publish it if the ransom is not paid within three days |
| Data recovery | Without secure backups, retrieving data is almost impossible. Alternative ways for file recovery include using third-party software or trying to use built-in Windows backups. Paying cybercriminals might be the only choice in some cases (although it is not recommended) |
| Malware removal | To get rid of malware, users need to perform a network-wide scan with reputable anti-malware software |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .wngh |
| 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 | .wngh |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 2 April 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.wngh - Note file:
RECOVER-FILES.txt
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Sekhmet ransomware
- Malware can often damage Windows system files, resulting in crashes and other issues.
- To fix virus damage, employ repair tools like
How Sekhmet ransomware behaves
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Sekhmet ransomware - crypto-malware that targets organizations and threatens to publish confidential information online
Sekhmet ransomware is a new crypto-locking virus strain that was first spotted by cybersecurity experts in late March 2020.
Just like similar malware of such type, it uses a strong encryption algorithm (this time, a combination of RSA and ChaCha) to lock pictures, music, videos, documents, databases, and other files on local and networked drives for blackmail purposes.
Each of the locked files is appended with a random extension (e.g., .WNgh, .DtiV) and can no longer be accessed, unless a ransom in Bitcoin from Sekhmet virus authors.The tactic has been developed by Maze ransomware authors and is now being adopted across other strains.
Threat actors behind the Sekhmet ransomware strain joined the terrifying trend among cybercriminals - they harvest sensitive information during the infection process and then threaten to publish it on a specific portal online, which would be accessible for everybody.
Allegedly, victims only have three business days before that happens. To recover the Sekhmet ransomware decryption tool, users have to either visit a TOR site or visit a skhmet.top website. All this information is conveniently compiled into ransom RECOVER-FILES.txt, which is dropped on the infected machines' desktops.
Since Sekhmet ransomware targets organizations mainly, it is clear that attack vectors do not include random targets. To perform a targeted attack, malware developers often choose to use spear-phishing emails or insecure Remote Desktop connections. The latter can be reached simply by scanning the internet for all RDP connections that use a default TCP/UDP port 3389.
Due to the targeted nature of the attacks, threat actors behind Sekhmet virus could be able to disable implemented defenses, such as employed anti-malware tools. Nevertheless, most up-to-date security solutions might be the tools one needs to detect unauthorized access. There many AVs that detect malware under the following names:
Sekhmet ransomware removal can also be achieved with the help of anti-malware tools, although it could be possible that the infection neutralized itself after performing file encryption. Many ransomware is programmed to do so, although it is best to check the machine(s) with security software regardless. If you remove Sekhmet ransomware before backing up the encrypted data, it may get compromised for good, however.
Sekhmet ransomware does not immediately begin the file encryption process, as many system modifications need to be performed before that.
For example, the Windows registry is modified, remote server connections established, malicious files dropped, Shadow Volume Copies, and multiple other files deleted, etc. For a startup, regsvr32.exe process is used - malware boots each time the Windows is started. These Sekhmet ransomware changes can sometimes damage the system, although it can be later reverted with tools like .
With the system preparations complete, the Sekhmet virus begins to look for files on local and networked drives. It targets the most commonly used types, such as .pdf, .jpg, .zip, .mkv, .doc, and many others. With the help of sophisticated encryption, the malware locks all data and appends a different extension to each file, making them unusable.
After that, a lengthy ransom note is dropped, which explains that Sekhmet ransomware encrypted all files and, allegedly, the only way to recover data is by paying cybercriminals. Here's an extract from the note:
It is yet unknown who is behind Sekhmet ransomware strain, but it seems like these criminals are serious about what they do. Looking at ransom note and the way communication system is established, it becomes clear that these people are not new in ransomware scene, and they are aiming to infect organizations and businesses for increased ransom payments.
Keeping that in mind, sensitive information disclosure becomes even more devastating than the loss of files, in some cases. For a company to have its secrets revealed possibly to other malicious actors or competitors might prove detrimental, resulting in the company shut down. This is why Sekhmet ransomware might be so efficient in collecting ransom payments, as business owners do not want to lose their source of income.
- Trojan.GenericKD.42872102
- Win32:Malware-gen
- Ransom.Win32.SEKHMET.A
- Win32.Trojan.Cryptor.Pgwr
- Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Cryptor.ddu
- Trojan.GenericKD.42872102 (B), etc.
The Sekhmet ransomware note
| Attention! |
-----
Your company network has been hacked and breached. We downloaded confidential and private data.
In case of not contacting us in 3 business days this data will be published on a special website available for public view.
Also we had executed a special software that turned files, databases and other important data in your network into an encrypted state using RSA-2048 and ChaCha algorithms.
A special key is required to decrypt and restore these files. Only we have this key and only we can give it to you with a reliable decryption software.
-----
| How to contact us and be safe again |
-----
The only method to restore your files and be safe from data leakage is to purchase a private key which is unique for you and securely stored on our servers.
After the payment we provide you with decryption software that will decrypt all your files, also we remove the downloaded data from your network and never post any information about you.
There are 2 ways to directly contact us:
1) Using hidden TOR network:
a) Download a special TOR browser: hxxps://www.torproject.org/
b) Install the TOR browser
c) Open our website in the TOR browser: hxxp://o3n4bhhtybbtwqqs.onion/1E857D009F862A38
d) Follow the instructions on this page.
2) If you have any problems connecting or using TOR network
a) Open our website: hxxps://sekhmet.top/1E857D009F862A38
b) Follow the instructions on this page
On this web site, you will get instructions on how to make a free decryption test and how to pay.
Also it has a live chat with our operators and support team.
How to remove Sekhmet 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 Sekhmet 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
Sekhmet ransomware encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Copy
RECOVER-FILES.txtand one or two files ending in.wnghto a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
For Sekhmet ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Sekhmet ransomware still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Ransomware prevention measures
It is currently unknown that type of distribution methods ransomware developers are using, although, considering the nature of the ransom note, they most likely rely on targeted attacks.
In most cases, these are executed via unprotected RDP connections or phishing emails. Nevertheless, it does not mean that cybercriminals cannot use other methods, including:
Therefore, to ensure the safety of the company, staff training and dedicated IT teams are essential for cybersecurity. It is especially important to secure remote desktop connections with the help of such tools like VPN, as well as strong passwords and correct settings.
Additionally, email attachments should never be allowed to run macro function, i.e., "Allow content." Typically, PDF or .doc files, boobytrapped with malicious macros, are employed to execute commands and begin the infection routine. Also, with the help of spoofing techniques, hackers might make it look that the email is coming from within the company, so caution should be practiced at all times.
Finally, comprehensive anti-malware software, regular backups, system patching, and other safety measures should always be practiced.
- web injects
- fake updates
- exploits
- pirated software installers
- etc.
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rid of Sekhmet ransomware and try to recover your data
It is up to you to decide whether you want to pay for Sekhmet ransomware decryptor, although keep in mind that it is very risky - cybercriminals behind the strain might simply ignore victims as soon as Bitcoins are transferred. Therefore, security experts advise against paying criminals, although the fact that they could disclose sensitive company information publicly is a considerable threat.
If you decide not to pay, you have to ensure that Sekhmet ransomware removal is performed correctly. Since malware drops a multitude of files across the system and changes various Windows settings, it is best to be done with the help of anti-malware software like or
In case you have struggled when trying to remove Sekhmet ransomware, you can access Safe Mode with Networking and perform a full scan from there. Only then you should attempt to recover your data, although do not forget to backup the encrypted files first. Run for file alterations and PC repair before you recover files.
[GI=method-1]To access Safe Mode with Networking, perform the following actions:
Make use of Windows Previous Versions feature
This method will only work if you had System Restore enabled.
ShadowExplorer can sometimes help
In case the Sekhmet file virus failed to delete Shadow Volume Copies, ShadowExplorer can help you to retrieve the encrypted data.
No decryptor is currently available
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Make the next attack harmless
Sekhmet ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .wngh 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.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
Questions about Sekhmet ransomware
Should I pay the ransom in RECOVER-FILES.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from RECOVER-FILES.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 .wngh files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .wngh ending shows that Sekhmet 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 Sekhmet ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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.
Is there a free Sekhmet ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Sekhmet 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 "Sekhmet 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.
How did Sekhmet ransomware get on my computer?
The way Sekhmet 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 .wngh 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 Sekhmet ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Sekhmet ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .wngh 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 Sekhmet 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 .wngh from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .wngh 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.
Should I open RECOVER-FILES.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text RECOVER-FILES.txt cannot harm the PC. Be careful with notes in HTA or HTML format: double-clicking those runs them in a window that can contain scripts, so right-click and choose Open with > Notepad instead.
The note tells you the contact addresses, the claimed amount and the deadline. Do not visit links or write to the addresses from this PC. Use the note to identify the family and check for a free decryptor first.
Will Fortect remove Sekhmet 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 Sekhmet 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
- Virus Total: f55.dll (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Email spoofing (read October 6, 2026)
- 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)