[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware is the file encryption-based malware that offers to decrypt 3 files out of a bunch marked with a lengthy appendix. This is a threat that employs the AES-256 encryption algorithm to lock data stored on the device and scare people into paying the demanded amount.
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.
Automatic
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Do it yourself · free Remove [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.
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[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Infected files gel placed in software packages included on torrent sites, pirated software pages. Also, some of the samples get delivered via spam email campaigns when malicious macros get placed on MS documents and PDFs. Once these files get opened and macros triggered malicious script launches on the machine |
|---|---|
| Name | [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware |
| Family | JSWorm ransomware |
| File marker | .[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM gets placed at the end of every encrypted file to mark the affected data once files, photos, video and audio files get locked |
| Ransom note | JSWRM-DECRYPT.hta; the text of the note is not in our records |
| Encryption method | The modified version of AES-256 algorithm[1] gets used for file encryption in campaigns of this malware |
| 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
| Contact emails | symmetries@tutamail.com, symmetries0@tutanota.com |
|---|---|
| Decryptable? | Emsisoft has developed a JSWRM decryption tool you can get here. It should work for this 4.0.2 version of JSWorm also |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .jswrm |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .jswrm |
| Attacker contacts | symmetries@tutamail.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 22 October 2019 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.jswrm - Note file:
JSWRM-DECRYPT.hta - Contact:
symmetries@tutamail.com
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware
- JSWRM-DECRYPT.hta - a file that appears placed on the desktop, in other folders and gets opened by the virus automatically on your screen when encryption is done
- Perform a thorough [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware removal with anti-malware tools.
- Rely on to clean the virus damage and improve the performance
The [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware note
The note is called JSWRM-DECRYPT.hta.
We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.
How to remove [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM 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 [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM 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
[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM 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
JSWRM-DECRYPT.htaand one or two files ending in.jswrmto 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 [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 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 [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM 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 Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM is the cryptovirus also called JSWorm 4.0.2 because it belongs to this semi-decryptable malware family
[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware is the file encryption-based malware that offers to decrypt 3 files out of a bunch marked with a lengthy appendix.
This is a threat that employs the AES-256 encryption algorithm to lock data stored on the device and scare people into paying the demanded amount. The attack starts immediately after the infiltration when the payload file is dropped on the computer via cracked software or email attachments.
Once files get chosen for the encryption names get altered with a marker template . [].JSWRM that indicates all the untouched files from the ones that got locked. The email included in the extension also is a preferred contact email for virus developers, we don't recommend contacting JSWorm ransomware developers, especially when this is not a version of crypto-extortion based threat.
Although [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware virus affects photos, documents, audio and video files, databases, archives and other common types of data with encryption, system folders get altered too. Malware can disable security functions, programs and add registry entries, other files on the system to ensure the persistence of ransomware.
The best way to fight such malware is to remove all traces with AV tools and then recover files using your file backups. However, Emsisoft decrypter was released for this particular version not long ago and you can try to use it for encoded file recovery.
Although [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware encrypts files and marks them with a lengthy file extension, data stored on the system gets affected differently. The malware adds various processes in the background that runs continuously and affects the performance significantly. Some AV tools can detect those processes as malicious and related to malware when other files keep hidden.
You should use such software for the general [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware removal too because anti-malware programs can find, indicate and remove all the potential threats, malware-related files or applications, ransomware, and its damage.
Even though JSWRM 4.0.2 ransomware can possibly be decryptable as other versions in the same family, it is crucial to clean the system, eliminate all the threats, virus damage, and malicious files. When you leave the malicious program running for a long time it damages the registry, other programs and even parts of the system, so you have a corrupted device that cannot be used.
Another thing that is important to note is paying the ransom. It may seem a good solution to get those encrypted files recovered, but there is little to no possibility that [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware developers are going to restore them for you. In most cases, people end up with damaged files and without money.
Experts note that when your files get encrypted by JSWRM ransomware 4.0.2 virus and marked with file appendix, you can be sure that ransomware is on the system for good. This is the initial and main process that cryptovirus is focusing on, so from there other processes are for persistence.
Also, all those changes make it even more difficult to remove [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware. recover files and repair the system in general. You need additional help to achieve full malware elimination, so rely on anti-malware tools and run a scan on the system that can help indicate threats and issues affecting your device.
As for file recovery after the [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware elimination:
- try to look for a decryption tool online;
- use Emsisoft's decryptor;
- rely on your data backups;
- try third-party data recovery software;
- go through the methods listed below.
![[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware: symmetriestutamail com jswrm ransomware virus](/pic/w1080q75/uploads/wp/uploads/virusai/symmetriestutamail-com-jswrm-ransomware-virus_en.jpg.webp)
![[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware: jswrm ransomware v 4 0 2](/pic/w1080q75/uploads/wp/uploads/virusai/jswrm-ransomware-v-4-0-2_en.jpg.webp)
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
Poor knowledge leads to unwanted malware infections
The knowledge is key and in cybersecurity, it is especially important to know what risks may be hidden behind the content you continuously visit or get exposed to unwillingly.
However, pirated software, torrent sites, free program distributors online are sources that people constantly rely on but without thinking twice.
Besides being illegal pirated software sites deliver prepacked cracked software bundles where payload droppers with malicious ransomware script also get hidden. Once you download and install such an application, the malicious file automatically loads the malware and lets it run freely.
Another method used to spread malicious files includes spam email campaigns that involve malicious macros on Microsoft files pined to emails as normal attachments. Unfortunately, the opened document triggers macros and malware delivery automatically, so your machine gets infected in a matter of minutes or even seconds.
From our report of Oct 2019 · not reviewed since
Get rid of the malicious [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM files virus
[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware virus belongs to a known malware family that shows a program window JSWRM-DECRYPT.hta with a brief message about test decryption and possible outcome when you skip the paying.
However, the version is possibly decryptable and paying shouldn't be considered.
You need to remove [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware instead and rely on file recovery when the system gets thoroughly cleaned. You need to take into consideration that the infected machine is not a good place for newly restored files, so make sure to delete all traces.
You can achieve the best results by performing an automatic [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware removal process with programs like , , . You can choose the alternate antivirus program but select the provider wisely.
[GI=method-1]Make sure to eliminate [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware completely, so reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking and then run the AV tool
[GI=method-2]Rely on System Restore feature because it can recover the system in a previous state when malware was not present
Windows Previous Versions is capable of recovering your individual files
When you recover the system with System Restore, Windows Previous Versions can be used to recover encoded files
ShadowExplorer is the feature that can work for encrypted files
When JSWRM ransomware leaves Shadow Volume Copies in good condition, you can rely on ShadowExplorer as file restoring tool
Try Emsisoft decrypter for JSWRM 4.0.2
This version uses a modified AES algorithm and, you can try using the Decrypter for affected 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 .jswrm 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.
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 [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware
How do I open .jswrm files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .jswrm ending shows that [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM 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 [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Is there a free [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM 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 "[symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM 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.
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.
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 [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware get on my computer?
The way [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM 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 .jswrm 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 [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .jswrm 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 [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM 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 .jswrm from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .jswrm 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 JSWRM-DECRYPT.hta?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text JSWRM-DECRYPT.hta 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 [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM 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 [symmetries@tutamail.com].JSWRM ransomware, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Advanced Encryption Standard (read October 7, 2026)
- Virustotal: Malware process MANWARD6 detection rate (read October 7, 2026)
- Lesvirus: Lesvirus (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)