Selena ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Selena ransomware is a malicious program designed to mainly attack businesses and organizations. Its main goal is to encrypt all usable files on the affected system and network and then demand ransom bitcoins from victims.
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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Selena ransomware: summary
| Name | Selena ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Ransomware, file-locking malware, cryptovirus, double-extortion |
| File extension | Malware alters the file names in the following pattern: id[ID].[Selena@onionmail.org].filename.jpg.selena |
| Ransom note | selena.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
| Contact | Selena@onionmail.org or Selena@cyberfear.com |
| Data Recovery | If no backups are available, recovering data is almost impossible. We recommend you try alternative methods, which we list 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 11 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Encrypted file extension | .selena |
| 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 | .selena |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 5 May 2022 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.selena - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of May 2022 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Selena ransomware
- Manual virus removal is not recommended, as it might be difficult for regular users.
- Instead, or other anti-malware tools should be used
- Malware can seriously tamper with Windows systems, causing errors, crashes, lag, and other stability issues after it is terminated.
- Free Ransomware Decryptors by Kaspersky
How Selena ransomware behaves
From our report of May 2022 · not reviewed since
Selena ransomware is another double-extortion ransomware that seeks to receive Bitcoins from victims
Selena ransomware is a malicious program designed to mainly attack businesses and organizations.
Its main goal is to encrypt all usable files on the affected system and network and then demand ransom bitcoins from victims. Just like many other larger-scale ransomware gangs, this one also threatens to release sensitive data if the extortion requests are not met in time.
Once installed on the system, the virus would immediately look for files to encrypt - documents, pictures, databases, and other important data. During this time, all files are altered - they receive an extension .selena and also have additional strings added to the front of each file name (for example, id .[Selena@onionmail.org].filename.jpg.selena).
Since the locking process is performed with a highly-advanced encryption algorithm, restoring files back to their original state becomes impossible without a unique key, accessible only to cybercriminals. In the ransom note selena.txt, they describe what has happened to all files and what victims have to do to retrieve them.
Evidently, the precise sum is not disclosed, as this is usually discussed via the provided emails - Selena@onionmail.org or Selena@cyberfear.com. Since the virus targets enterprise entities, the sum to be paid in bitcoins is likely to be very large.
From our report of May 2022 · not reviewed since
Ransom note
Since a ransom note is one of the first communication devices between the attackers and victims, most cybercriminals attempt to provide all the necessary information within the (text) file.
Selena ransomware creators take it to another level and provide an extensive message that has everything victims need to know in order to recover their data:
Despite the promises of the attackers, we strongly recommend not to pay. There is plenty of evidence that some victims did not receive the promised decryption keys after paying. Since there is little to no information about this ransomware developer, it would be hard to guess whether or not the decryptor would be actually sent.
While data recovery is almost impossible without working backups, there is a chance of restoring at least a portion of the affected files.
The Selena ransomware note
::: Greetings :::
Your important data, including financial/development, accounting, strategies, and other vital documents and databases, have been downloaded and will be leaked soon if not paid.
==================================
Little FAQ:
.1.
Q: What's Happened?
A: Your files have been encrypted and now have the "Selena" extension. The file structure has been changed to unreadable format, but you can recover them all with our tool.
.2.
Q: How to recover files?
A: If you wish to decrypt your files, you will need to pay in bitcoins.
.3.
Q: What about guarantees?
A: It's just a business. We absolutely do not care about you and your deals, except getting benefits. Nobody will cooperate with us if we do not do our work and liabilities. It's not in our interests.
To check the ability to return files, you can send us two files (under 5MB) of any kind that do not contain critical information. We will decrypt them and send them back to you. That is our guarantee.
.4.
Q: How to contact us?
A: You can write us to our mailbox: Selena@onionmail.org and Selena@cyberfear.com
write this in the email title: ID:-
.5.
Q: How will the decryption process proceed after payment?
A: After payment, we will send you our decoder program and your ID's unique keys + detailed instructions for use. With this program, you will be able to decrypt all your encrypted files.
.6.
Q: If I don't want to pay bad people like you?
A: If you will not cooperate with our service, it does not matter to us. But you will lose your time and data cause we are the only ones that have the private key. In practice - time is much more valuable than money.
:::BEWARE:::
1.1 DON'T try to change encrypted files by yourself!
If you use any third-party software to restore your data or antivirus solutions, please make a backup of all encrypted files!
Any changes in encrypted files may entail damage to the private key and, as a result, the loss of all data.
.2. Any company/person claiming to decrypt your data without paying us, they're simply lying and will charge you a lot of extra money for that; they all contact us and buy the decryptor from us.
.3. message from Developers: to avoid any possible problems with this email agent, always as for test files, never pay anyone outside of these two emails, only pay to wallet address we send you along with the test file, this will guarantee you recover all your files with no risk
.4.To Facilitate the process of retrieving the files, DO NOT delete the C:/Selena folder (it's a hidden folder)
.5.Some files were encrypted but not renamed; these files will be restored after the decryption procedure is completed.
How to remove Selena 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 Selena 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 Selena 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
.selenaand 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 Selena 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 Selena 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 Selena 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.
Create data backups to avoid file loss in the future
Report the incident to your local authorities
Ransomware is a lucrative, highly illegal business, and authorities are actively targeting ransomware operators. The level of investigation and follow-up depends on the country, the scale of the incident, and whether the attack is linked to known ransomware groups. To increase the likelihood of identifying the culprits, the agencies need information. In many cases, reports are used primarily for intelligence gathering, trend analysis, and victim support rather than immediate identification of attackers.
Therefore, by reporting the crime, you could help stop the cybercriminal activities and catch the threat actors. Reporting does not guarantee investigation or recovery of data, but it contributes to broader efforts to track ransomware campaigns. Make sure you include all the possible details, including how did you notice the attack, when it happened, etc. Relevant details may also include affected systems, ransom demands, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and any communication with the attackers. Additionally, providing documents such as ransom notes, encrypted files, or malware executables would be beneficial.
Law enforcement agencies typically deal with online fraud and cybercrime, although it depends on where you live. Here is the list of local authority groups that handle incidents like ransomware attacks, sorted by country:
- USA - Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3
- United Kingdom - ActionFraud
- Canada - Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia - ScamWatch
- New Zealand - ConsumerProtection
- Germany - Polizei
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
If your country is not listed above, you should contact the local police department or communications center.
From our report of May 2022 · not reviewed since
Ransomware removal and file recovery
1.
Disconnect from the network
Network and internet can be used by cybercriminals for communication purposes - they can update malware, send additional payloads, etc. Thus, if the affected computer is connected to one of these or both, it is time to disconnect it. You can do that by simply pulling out the internet cable or disabling the WiFi connection, but you can also do it the following way:
2. Remove the infection
Once the affected machine is disconnected from the network, it is time to begin the Selena virus removal process. Most ransomware is programmed to self-destruct after the job of the data encryption is complete, although this is not a rule. Besides, ransomware can also be installed in conjunction with other malware, so it is important to eliminate everything.
To do so, you will have to perform a full system scan with , , or another powerful anti-malware software. This will ensure that all the malware components are removed, and it does not return. Note that System Restore should not be used in this case, as the infection could be reinstated accidentally.
3. Data recovery
Before you proceed with data recovery methods, we once more want to warn you against paying the ransom to cybercriminals. Next, you should make copies of all the encrypted files on your system, as their tampering might cause permanent damage, so even a working decryptor would not help.
Use a separate storage device such as a USB flash or external hard drive, or employ cloud services to back up your files virtually. If you need help with doing this, check the instructions at the very bottom of this post. Once done, you can try to restore the files located on the affected machine with the help of data recovery tools.
Some ransomware is far from perfect and has bugs within their encryption process, allowing security experts to create a working decryption tool, providing it for victims free. Alternatively, law enforcement has previously seized the servers of malware authors, which allowed them to release keys to the public.
Thus, use the following links to find a decryption tool, although you should keep in mind that it might take time before a working one is available, if at all.
4. System repair
If your system is unstable and suffers from crashes, lag, errors, and other issues, it could be the result of system corruption. Antivirus can't fix damaged system components, thus it is best to use specialized software.
- Type in Control Panel in Windows search and press Enter
- Go to Network and Internet
- Click Network and Sharing Center
- On the left, pick Change adapter settings
- Right-click on your connection (for example, Ethernet), and select Disable
- Confirm with Yes.
- 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.
- No More Ransom Project
- Free Ransomware Decryption Tools from Emsisoft
- Download
- 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
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.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like Selena ransomware together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .selena and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
Questions about Selena ransomware
How do I open .selena files?
You cannot open them by renaming or with another program, because the content of files ending in .selena has been encrypted. The only ways back are a working decryptor for the family, or clean copies from elsewhere:
- OneDrive versions
- File History
- an offline backup drive
- Previous Versions if the ransomware did not delete them
Identify the family first by uploading the ransom note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom. Avoid websites and programs that promise to open any encrypted file; they do not work and some are scams.
Is there a free Selena ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Selena 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 "Selena 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.
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
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.
How did Selena ransomware get on my computer?
The way Selena 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 .selena 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 Selena ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Selena ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .selena 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 Selena 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 delete the ransom note?
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. the ransom note 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 .selena spread to my other drives?
It can. Ransomware encrypts every drive and network share it can reach while it runs, so external disks, USB sticks and shared folders connected during the attack may also have files ending in .selena. Disconnect everything now, then check each device from a clean computer.
Do not plug a backup drive into the infected PC until the ransomware has been removed with an offline scan. Cloud folders such as OneDrive sync the encrypted versions, but they keep earlier versions you can usually restore.
Will Fortect remove Selena 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 Selena 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
- IBM: What is encryption? Data encryption defined (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft: What is System Restore? (read October 7, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Software bug (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)