.STOLEN ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Ransomware has been rampant in the last few years due to it being so lucrative. While strains like Djvu focus on home users and prevalence across the board with random targets, some malware authors tend to lean towards targeted attacks against businesses, organizations, and companies.
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.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
A free scan checks for the encryptor still on the PC; it does not decrypt .stolen files.
Do it yourself · free Remove .STOLEN ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
.STOLEN ransomware: summary
| Name | .STOLEN ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | Cryptovirus, file-locking malware |
| Encryption method | All data is compiled into a standalone file and is renamed to ALLDATA.STOLEN |
| Ransom note | READ_ME_SECURITY_WARNING.txt |
| Contact | Via Bitmessage address BM-NBaptUA9UYd1LNe19A13YRVduqXjDZkK |
| Ransom size | 3,000 Bitcoin |
| 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 12 more facts
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .stolen |
| 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 | .stolen |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 11 August 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.stolen - Note file:
READ_ME_SECURITY_WARNING.txt
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on .STOLEN 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.
How .STOLEN ransomware behaves
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
.STOLEN ransomware asks for ridiculous amounts of money for the locked data to be returned
Ransomware has been rampant in the last few years due to it being so lucrative.
While strains like Djvu focus on home users and prevalence across the board with random targets, some malware authors tend to lean towards targeted attacks against businesses, organizations, and companies.
STOLEN ransomware has been spotted in the beginning au August 2021 and belongs to the group of crypto-malware that locks all documents, pictures, databases, and other files on the targeted network or server - and it does it in a rather interesting way. All the data is then merged into a singular file under every partition within each of the partitions under the name "ALLDATA.STOLEN."
According to the ransom note titled READ_ME_SECURITY_WARNING.txt provided by the attackers, victims must pay a whopping 3,000 Bitcoin (approx. $137 million at the time of the writing) in order to regain access to files. After 30 days of the attack, if no payment is received, criminals claim the sum will double.
As it is not common for many other ransomware strains that target corporate networks, hackers say they would sell the secret information found to the highest bidder on the underground forums. The best solution would be not listening to cybercriminals and retrieving data from backups.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
How large-scale attacks work
Once the attackers manage to break into the compromised network, they usually escalate privileges and move laterally as required.
Typically, they spend several days or even weeks before ransomware is deployed, and only then do systems get encrypted. If the security suite is strong enough, it should detect suspicious network activities during this time. However, attackers are often pretty good at hiding their footprints, hence so many successful ransomware attacks were conducted in recent years.
Typically, ransomware encrypts several bytes of each of the non-system files located on a Windows machine. At this time, malware appends a particular file extension to each of them. It then delivers a unique victim ID to the remote server, generating a unique key for it, providing association marks.
Instead of doing this, .STOLEN virus compiles all the data available in each logical drive, clumping all the files into one file, making it extremely large (considering that companies hold a lot of data on their networks, this file can reach hundreds of gigabytes in size).
Once the systems are encrypted, hackers can then demand a ransom for the decryption key. They also threaten the company's secret information to be exposed if the payment is not transferred in time. This is a typical extortion technique that many high-profile ransomware strains, such as Maze, Ryuk, or Phobos.
The following is the ransom note message that was received by one of the victims of ransomware:
It is unclear why the attackers are asking for a ridiculous sum of money, as the average ransom payment is $178,254 for corporations.
While .STOLEN files can be recovered from backups, the threat of the sensitive information being disclosed online remains. Cybersecurity experts, the FBI, and many other parties agree that ransom payments should be avoided at all costs, as it only motivates the attackers and proves that their illegal business model works.
The .STOLEN ransomware note
All your DATA has been STOLEN
--
For several months we have been downloading your databases, sources software, private email, documents and etc
It's time to discuss the ransom amount
transfer "3000" BITCOINS to our wallet : "[payment address omitted]"
if we do not receive the transfer within 30 days, the AMOUNT WILL DOUBLE
if after 45 days you do nothing, then we will sell part of the information on the black market,
and publish some of it in internet, and notify all clients/partners/staff and maximum number of media and bloggers
they will be interested to know all the details about how and that your company has lost the data,
and is trying to hide information about data stolen.
--
After payment, write to us a use secure client Bitmessage
--
address: BM-NBaptUA9UYd1LNe19A13YRVduqXjDZkK
subject : VN100H
We will reply within 72 hours
--
download latest client https://download.bitmessage.org/snapshots/
How to remove .STOLEN 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 .STOLEN 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
.STOLEN 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
READ_ME_SECURITY_WARNING.txtand one or two files ending in.stolento 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 .STOLEN 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 .STOLEN 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.
Restore Windows "hosts" file to its original state
Some ransomware might modify Windows hosts file in order to prevent users from accessing certain websites online. For example, Djvu ransomware variants add dozens of entries containing URLs of 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 an error instead.
Here's an example of "hosts" file entries that were injected by ransomware:
In order to restore your ability to access all websites without restrictions, you should either delete the file (Windows will automatically recreate it) or remove all the malware-created entries. If you have never touched the "hosts" file before, you should simply delete it by marking it and pressing Shift + Del on your keyboard. For that, navigate to the following location:
C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\
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 Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
To begin recovery process, disconnect computers from the network
The recovery process after being hit by ransomware can be difficult and lengthy.
If the network has been breached, it is important to disconnect each of the machines from the network:
If you are using some type of cloud storage you are connected to, you should disconnect from it immediately. It is also advisable to disconnect all the external devices, such as USB flash sticks, external HDDs, etc.
Once this step is complete, it is important to eliminate all the possible malicious files belonging to malware. Keep in mind that the attackers could have planted a backdoor or another malicious program on the system to exploit it later. This is why using anti-malware software, such as or , is important. To ensure that malware is not interfering with this process, running the scan in Safe Mode is recommended:
- 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.
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
- 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
Data recovery options
Every company needs to have a reliable data backup system that could and should be used in the case of a ransomware attack.
This step should only be done once all malware traces are deleted from the network and each system is clean. We also recommend running a scan with a PC repair and maintenance utility to ensure that Windows is remediated fully:
Finally, you can then proceed with data recovery from NAS or other storage that was used for backups. In case malware managed to encrypt backups as well or they were unavailable at the time of the attack, there are little chances of restoring files without paying attackers (although there is no guarantee that it is possible after paying criminals, either).
One last thing we would recommend is trying a data recovery software that might be able to restore at least some of the lost files:
- 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
- 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
Ransomware spreading techniques speculated
When it comes to regular crypto-malware, which targets home users, these are commonly distributed via methods that would reach a large number of victims.
Most commonly, spam emails are sent out to thousands of people, or a malicious payload is placed on a website that distributes illegal software installers or program cracks. This makes victims to be random, and the scheme works very well considering the goal of the attackers (higher number of victims - smaller payments they are likely to afford if required).
However, attacks on businesses and companies are not that simple and often completed in multi-stages. These types of attacks focus on larger sums to be acquired from one target at a time.
Targeted attacks require much more planning and a higher skill level within the hacking sphere, as corporations often use end-point protection to prevent such attacks from happening. No security measure is fail-proof, however, and cybercriminals are well aware of that.
Most commonly, the following intrusion methods could be used against large-scale targets:
In order to prevent future attacks, one must ensure that network accesses is secured with strong passwords, end-point security employed, and consistent staff security training is conducted.
- Poorly protected or unprotected RDP connections
- Vulnerabilities present in the corporate software
- Targeted phishing e-mails.
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
.STOLEN ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .stolen 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.
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 .STOLEN ransomware
Can I just remove .stolen from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .stolen 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 pay the ransom in READ_ME_SECURITY_WARNING.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from READ_ME_SECURITY_WARNING.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 .stolen files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .stolen ending shows that .STOLEN 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 .STOLEN ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Is there a free .STOLEN ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for .STOLEN 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 ".STOLEN 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 .STOLEN ransomware get on my computer?
The way .STOLEN 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 .stolen 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 .STOLEN 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.
What does READ_ME_SECURITY_WARNING.txt tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name READ_ME_SECURITY_WARNING.txt, the wording, the contact addresses and the format of the personal ID are typical for each family. Uploading the note together with one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff usually names the family within seconds.
That name decides your options: some families have free decryptors, some can be partially recovered, and some cannot be decrypted at all. The note's claims about stolen data should be taken seriously but not at face value.
Should I reinstall Windows after the .stolen attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .stolen stay encrypted afterwards. So first copy the encrypted files and the ransom note to a separate drive, in case a decryptor appears later. Then decide:
- a clean-up with an offline scan is often enough for home PCs
- while a full reset is safer if remote access was involved
- scans keep finding new items
Restore your backups only after the PC is clean, and change passwords from another device.
Will Fortect remove .STOLEN 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 .STOLEN 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
- Coveware: Ransomware Attacks Fracture Between Enterprise and Ransomware-as-a-Service in Q2 as Demands Increase (read October 6, 2026)
- ZDNet: Big jump in RDP attacks as hackers target staff working from home (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Vulnerability (computing) (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)