Taargo ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Taargo ransomware is a cryptovirus that adds _aro.exe file, for example, that runs in the background of the device and manages to affect functions or program performance. This is the extortion based virus that makes chosen files reachable and demands money from victims via the ransom note pop-up window.
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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Taargo ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Sending emails with malicious files attached to notifications is the main method used by ransomware creators because it is not requiring to directly contact people. Victims need to enable malicious macros[4] on the file once it is downloaded on the computer and opened, so ransomware payload is dropped on the machine and can run all the needed process, starting with file-locking |
|---|---|
| Name | Taargo ransomware |
| File marker | .[taargo@olszyn.com].taargo is the full patter of the extension that is marking all the encrypted files after their original code gets altered using the army-grade encryption algorithm[2] |
| Family | GlobeImposter ransomware is the main version that was released back in 2017, and now has many altered, updated and improved versions of the ransomware-type intruders |
| Ransom note | how_to_back_files.html – the file that contains information about encryption process and instructions on payment transfers and further actions the victim needs to take and contact information needed to get more details or the particular amount of ransom needed |
| Contact emails | taargo@iran.ir, taargo@feecca.com, taargo@olszyn.com |
| 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 13 more facts
| Associated process | _aro.exe is one of the payload files that got analyzed.[3] Other malicious processes may also appear on the machine in various file types and names in Task Manager |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .taargo |
| 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 | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .taargo |
| Attacker contacts | taargo@olszyn.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 1 April 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.taargo - Note file:
how_to_back_files.html - Contact:
taargo@olszyn.com
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Taargo ransomware
- Taargo ransomware termination should involve professional anti-malware tools for the best results because AV detection engines can find and remove all malicious files and programs
- You need to still remember that cryptovirus runs all the damaging processes in the background, so your device is as affected as possible, so check system files for virus damage with or a different PC repair or optimization program
The Taargo ransomware note
YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
----------------------------------------------------------
To start the recovery process:
Register email box to protonmail.com or cock.li (do not waste time sending letters from your standard email address, they will all be blocked).
Send a email from your new email address to: taargo@iran.ir with your personal ID.
In response, we will send you further instructions on decrypting your files.
-----------------
Your personal ID:
-
----------------- P.S. -----------------
It is in your interest to respond as soon as possible to ensure the recovery of your files, because we will not store your decryption keys on our server for a long time.
Сheck the folder "Spam" when waiting for an email from us.
If we do not respond to your message for more than 48 hours, write to the backup email : taargo@feecca.com and taargo@olszyn.com
-----------
Q: Did not receive an answer?
A: Check the SPAM folder.
Q: My spam folder is empty, what should I do?
A: Register email box to protonmail.com or cock.li and do the steps above.
How to remove Taargo 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 Taargo 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 Taargo 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
.taargoand the instructions are inhow_to_back_files.html. 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 Taargo ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing Taargo 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 Taargo 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.
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
Taargo ransomware is the widespread malware that runs various processes in the background to affect virus termination and data recovery procedures
Taargo ransomware is a cryptovirus that adds _aro.exe file, for example, that runs in the background of the device and manages to affect functions or program performance.
This is the extortion based virus that makes chosen files reachable and demands money from victims via the ransom note pop-up window. Criminals behind this ransomware promise to deliver a decryption tool or key needed for data restoring once the payment is transferred, but there is no guarantee that this would happen, especially when the virus belongs to a known cryptovirus family.
Taargo ransomware virus is the version of GlobeImposter ransomware that releases variants with slight alterations in code and encryption methods. The particular version is named and can be identified from the file marker .[taargo@olszyn.com].taargo that comes right after the original file code on the data that is encrypted by the malware. This full pattern with an email and brackets is a common appendix that malware creators use.
Besides this method of forming the extension, another typical ransomware family feature is a ransom note delivered as an HTML window. In this virus campaign, previously used by other versions, a pop-up with how_to_back_files.html name is the Taargo ransom note. There are many claims and offers, but none of them should be taken seriously as these virus creators, in general.
Taargo ransomware is the infection that comes on the system and can silently affect all the chosen files without causing any additional symptoms, so you only know what happened when the ransom note is delivered and files get all the markers at the end of the original name.
People cannot use such files, so the virus is coded to alter images, documents, archives, databases, and other files that are indicated as commonly used and updated a few times.
This is not the only function that the Taargo virus has because as soon as the encryption process is finished, malware places the message on the desktop, opens the file directly on the screen, and informs people what to do next.
In the meantime, while the victim decides to pay or not, malware can run all the other processes on the machine and install other viruses and program to control the virus elimination options and data recovery.
Since there are no tools capable of decrypting Taargo ransomware affected files, you have fewer options for the file restoring. Those include your data backups on external devices or cloud services and third-party programs or system functions. The latter ones can get easily disabled and affected by the malware because the virus tends to delete Shadow Volume Copies, block security tools and AV products.
Once the code of the virus ends up in the Windows registry, any processes set to run by the virus can significantly affect the process of Taargo ransomware removal and results of the elimination. This threat can get especially persistent over time, so you need to react as soon as you can and clean the machine fully from any traces of this infection or any associated programs.
Unfortunately, the more time it has on the machine, the more difficult it becomes to remove Taargo ransomware fully without causing additional damage to the system or parts of the device because anything left behind can trigger other processes or even the second round of encryption.
You need a professional anti-malware tool that can find and remove all possibly related programs and PC repair tools like which can have needed OS data for the repair and virus damage fixing purpose. When the message with requests for the cryptocurrency appears, Taargo ransomware is done with encryption and may delete itself from the system leaving only those additional processes running.
Anything can still happen, and your files may get damaged permanently. Even when you pay the requested amount of bitcoin or another cryptocurrency that is stated as the preferred one of the particular criminal group.
The ransom message that is delivered after the Taargo ransomware attack is not much changed from previous versions of the GlobeImposter cryptovirus, so the behavior of virus creators shouldn't be different. This is why no expert in cybersecurity ever recommend to pay and recover files this way. There is nothing positive that could come out after the payment or communication with criminals.
Even though the ransom message seems promising and the creators ensure that there is no other way to get your files back unless you pay up, this message should be ignored entirely, and Taargo ransomware terminated ASAP.
Decryption tools that researchers can develop, in most cases, are based on offline encryption keys and victim IDs that are the same for one version of the ransomware. This is the easier method because one ID can help develop the decrypt tool for thousands of people.
Unfortunately, Taargo ransomware generates unique IDs for each victim and can even do that with different files. It is impossible to gather all these keys and other information, so decryption for this variant is barely possible.
You may store some of the files related to the virus and wait for later options, but you need to terminate Taargo ransomware no matter what if you want to get back to using this computer normally again.
When the malware is deleted from your device and virus damage is repaired, you can add the external device with data backups and replace affected files with safe copies. Also, other options include third-party programs and other features that OS can offer, so go through additional tips below the article.
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Stay away from any suspicious content to avoid damaging cyber infections
The most popular way of spreading ransomware and other more severe threats involve malicious files delivered via malicious or hacked sites, with pirated or cracked software and spam email campaigns.
Sending emails that contain attachments or website links is quick because malicious factors can have many recipients at once.
Also, people who get those emails need to open the file and execute the file on the machine, and the infiltration is complete. Some of the users cannot even notice what they agree too, especially when they are not paying close attention to particular red flags:
If you notice anything suspicious on the email, you were not expecting to get - delete the email without reading, opening, or downloading any of the files. There can be various malicious files attached, so cleaning the email box gives you a big advantage of avoiding cyber threats.
- grammar mistakes in the letter;
- typos;
- the unknown sender or unfamiliar company;
- links and files attached to the email;
- financial information from random sources.
From our report of Apr 2020 · not reviewed since
Guide for eliminating Taargo ransomware
Taargo ransomware virus can have many additional features besides being a file-encryption and blackmail-based threat.
There are some functions that can be noticed from symptoms like affected speed or performance of the machine, but other issues that create more damage to the system itself are not that obvious.
Automatic security tools that are based on malware databases and work as AV detection tools can indicate various malicious programs, files ant the main infection file containing the cryptovirus. Then you need to terminate all the detected threats with the same program. For such Taargo ransomware removal procedure or can be used.
However, terminating the main virus application and the payload file is not enough to remove Taargo ransomware completely. Virus damage can affect the performance and interfere with data recovery, as well as the corrupted system functions. Run , repair needed files. Then your files can be safely recovered with backups or third-party tools.
[GI=method-1]Reboot the system in Safe Mode with Networking and then run the AV tool on the machine to remove Taargo ransomware safely
[GI=method-2]System Restore feature can repair machine in the previous state when the infection was not running
Windows Previous Versions is the feature useful for the recovery of your encrypted data
If you enable System restore, the Windows Previous Versions method can act as alternate data backup and replace individual files
ShadoExplorer - a method for data repair after Taargo ransomware attack
When threats like Taargo ransomware are not affecting Shadow Volume ~Copies, you can use this function and restore all the encoded files
Decryption for Taargo ransomware is not possible
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 .taargo 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.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
Questions about Taargo ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .taargo files?
That depends on the family behind the .taargo extension, which this guide cannot confirm yet from the reports alone. Check No More Ransom and ID Ransomware with your ransom note and one encrypted file; they list families with free tools.
If none exists today, keep the encrypted files and a copy of the note on a separate drive, because decryptors are sometimes published months later after flaws are found or servers are seized. Never buy a decryptor from a website that is not the security company that made it.
How do I open .taargo files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .taargo ending shows that Taargo 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 Taargo ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Taargo ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Taargo ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .taargo 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.
How did Taargo ransomware get on my computer?
The way Taargo 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 .taargo 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.
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.
Is Taargo 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 how_to_back_files.html tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name how_to_back_files.html, 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 .taargo attack?
Reinstalling removes the ransomware but not the encryption: your files ending in .taargo 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 Taargo 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 Taargo 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: Cryptovirology (read October 6, 2026)
- Medium: Ransomware encryption techniques (read October 6, 2026)
- VirusTotal: Virus analysis (read October 6, 2026)
- Techtarget: macro virus (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)