MarraCrypt ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
MarraCrypt ransomware is crypto-malware that was developed in order to make users pay ransom after locking personal files on the host computer. First spotted by dnwls0719 cybersecurity researcher in late February 2020, this virus seems to be a variant of Hermes and HildaCrypt families.
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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MarraCrypt ransomware: summary
| Distribution | While this ransomware was spotted being distributed via contaminated external drives or malware droppers, malicious actors may also employ spam emails, drive-by downloads, software cracks, and other methods to deliver malware to victims |
|---|---|
| Damage | Permanent loss of access to personal files located on the infected computer Loss of money in case ransomware developers do not send the decryption tool after cryptocurrency transfer Other malware infection Sensitive information disclosure to cybercriminals Damage to Windows operating system |
| Name | MarraCrypt ransomware |
| Type | File locking virus, crypto-malware |
| Related files | svchosta.exe (not signed), sys.bat |
| Malware family | Hermes and HildaCrypt ransomware |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 15 more facts
| File extension | Most of the files on the host systems are appended with .MARRA file extension, although an email is also added before the file marker. For example, a "picture.jpg" is transformed into "picture.jpg[newpatek@cock.li].MARRA |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | MARRACRYPT_INFORMATION.HTML ransom note is placed on the desktop and all folders where encrypted files are located |
| Contact information | Cybercriminals provide two contact emails (newpatek@cock.li or onmywrist@cock.li) for the negotiation purposes |
| File recovery | Without paying the ransom or backups, recovering the encrypted files is difficult, although you could try alternative methods listen in the recovery section below |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .marra |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension, a ransom note left in folders and a Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .marra |
| Attacker contacts | newpatek@cock.li |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 4 March 2020 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:Win32/Occamy.C |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What antivirus programs call MarraCrypt ransomware
Microsoft Defender reports MarraCrypt ransomware as Trojan:Win32/Occamy.C.
In a Defender name, the part before the colon is the category, the part after it is the platform, and the part after the slash is the family Microsoft assigned. A suffix after ! is an internal Microsoft marker, not a different threat.
Generic labels such as Agent, GenericKD or Malware.AI only say that a file looks malicious, not what it does; our guide to antivirus detection names shows how to read them.
- File extension:
.marra - Note file:
MARRACRYPT_INFORMATION.HTML - Contact:
newpatek@cock.li
From our report of Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on MarraCrypt ransomware
- In case your operating system starts malfunctioning after you get rid of the infection, repair the damage done to it with to regain normal Windows functions
How MarraCrypt ransomware behaves
From our report of Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
MarraCrypt ransomware is a file locking malware that spreads like a worm
MarraCrypt ransomware is crypto-malware that was developed in order to make users pay ransom after locking personal files on the host computer.
First spotted by dnwls0719 cybersecurity researcher in late February 2020, this virus seems to be a variant of Hermes and HildaCrypt families. Unlike many other crypto-lockers, however, MarraCrypt virus spreads like a worm via flash drives, logical drives, and other external devices.
Once inside the system, the MarraCrypt virus uses AES + RSA cipher to encrypt personal files and appends .MARRA extension to each. The malware also drops a ransom note MARRACRYPT_INFORMATION.HTML in which victims are prompted to contact the attackers via newpatek@cock.li or onmywrist@cock.li emails and pay the ransom for MarraCrypt ransomware decryptor using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency.
While MarraCrypt ransomware authors propagate malware as a worm via infected external drives or malware that is already present on the system, that does not mean that you can not get infected with it in other ways. Hackers often change their distribution tactics in order to infect as many victims around the world as possible. Some of the most popular distribution methods include:
Regardless of how MarraCrypt virus gains access, however, the result is always the same - all the pictures, videos, music, databases, MS Office documents, and other files get encrypted so that the attackers would have the reason to ask for money. This illegal business has become extremely lucrative, and security researchers are observing more new ransomware variants (Rezm, Tsar), as well as new families (PwndLocker, SepSys) - just like MarraCrypt ransomware is.
However, before scanning the machine for files to encrypt, MarraCrypt ransomware first performs multiple preparations within Windows system. For example, it deletes Shadow Volume Copies to prevent an easy recovery, modifies Windows registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\Run\ to retain persistence, etc.
In some cases, these changes can hinder MarraCrypt ransomware removal or even corrupt vital Windows system files. To bypass this, you can access Safe Mode with Networking and fix virus damage with tools like .
Once the computer is modified and vital recovery systems disabled - this is typical ransomware behavior - MarraCrypt ransomware begins to look for data to encrypt. Typically, the most commonly-used file types are targeted, such as .doc, .zip, .mp4, .jpg, .pdf, and others. After this process, users can see each of the files marked with [newpatek@cock.li].MARRA appendix.
MarraCrypt ransomware then presents a message from the attackers in the HTML format - it can be opened via any browser. It reads:
While the attackers do not mention what the size of the ransom is, paying them is highly discouraged by security researchers, as MarraCrypt virus authors can simply ignore you after.
Besides, this action will only fuel criminals to infect more victims and develop new versions of malware. Despite this, it is understandable that some users might not have another choice and risk their money to retrieve the MarraCrypt ransomware decryption tool.
However, before you take on such dangerous tasks, we suggest you try alternative methods first. Before that, you have to remove MarraCrypt ransomware infection from your system, as, if you succeed in file recovery, all of the data will be encrypted once again.
It is also important to note that you should make a copy of the encrypted data before you try recovery software listed below, as such tries might permanently corrupt your files otherwise.
- Spam email attachments and embedded hyperlinks
- Exploit kits in conjunction with software vulnerabilities
- Software cracks/keygens/loaders and repacked or pirated application installers
- Poorly protected Remote Desktop (RDP) connections
- Fake updates or other scams found on malicious sites, etc.
The MarraCrypt ransomware note
MARRACRYPT 1.0 RANSOMWARE
Your files has been encrypted using RSA-4096 algorithm with unique public-key stored on your PC.
There is only one way to get your files back: contact with us, pay, and get decryptor software.
We accept Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies, you can find exchangers on bestbitcoinexchange.io
You have unique idkey (in a yellow frame), write it in letter when contact with us.
Also you can decrypt 2 files as a test, its a guarantee we can decrypt your files.
!!! IDKEY !!!
:: CONTACT INFORMATION ::
E-mail #1: newpatek@cock.li
E-mail #2: onmywrist@cock.li
How to remove MarraCrypt 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 MarraCrypt 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
MarraCrypt 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
MARRACRYPT_INFORMATION.HTMLand one or two files ending in.marrato 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 MarraCrypt 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 MarraCrypt 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 Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
Best ransomware recovery method - avoiding the infection
There are many things that impact how the situation will turn out in your particular case when it comes to ransomware infection.
For example, malware might fail to encrypt all files, or bug out when trying to delete Shadow Volume Copies, making a recovery so much easier. Additionally, you can almost completely negate the negative effects of ransomware infection by holding backups of your most important files.
However, keep in mind that, even if you do have backups, the threat might also use additional modules that steal sensitive information or proliferate other malware. Personal information that you might input via your keyboard on online banking or other websites might be harvested and sold on the dark web, increasing profits for the attackers.
Therefore, the best defense against ransomware is the prevention of its infiltration in the first place, and there are many things you can do to reduce the risk. While comprehensive security software is a good start, it is definitely not enough to prevent malicious files from accessing your system.
For example, you should always make sure that your Windows/installed programs are running the latest versions, never download software cracks/pirated installers, enable ad-block and Firewall, never reuse passwords, disallow email attachments to run macros, etc. In other words, be more careful when browsing the web, accessing your emails, or doing practically anything on your computer.
From our report of Mar 2020 · not reviewed since
MarraCrypt ransomware removal steps
Many ransomware victims mistakenly believe that they can regain access to their files as soon as MarraCrypt ransomware removal is executed.
Unfortunately, this is not the case, as there are multiple anti-malware programs that can successfully detect and get rid of the infection. For example, MarraCrypt virus executable is detected by 55 different AV applications under the following names:
Along with the main executable, anti-malware tools can ensure that all the malicious files and other infections are eliminated from your system - so install one of the tools and perform a full system scan (in Safe Mode if required). As mentioned, this will remove MarraCrypt ransomware but will not restore the encrypted data.
If you had no backups, you could rely on, make a copy of all the encrypted files and then apply the methods we provide below. Keep in mind that they have a low success rate, and paying the attackers might be your only choice at saving your data.
[GI=method-1]If MarraCrypt file virus has disabled your anti-virus, access Safe Mode with Networking:
[GI=method-2]In some cases, you can eliminate malware by employing System Restore:
Data recovery software may be successful in retrieving working copies of files from the hard drive. However, the more you use your computer after the infection, the more chances of success diminish.
Windows Previous Versions feature might be useful for separate files
If you had System Restore function enable prior to ransomware attack, Windows Previous Versions Feature might help you to recover files one-by-one.
Make use of ShadowExplorer
This software works based on Shadow Volume Copies located on Windows. If these backups were not deleted by the MarraCrypt virus, you might be able to recover all your data.
No decryptor is currently available
- Trojan.GenericKD.33362147
- Generic.ml
- Trojan:Win32/Occamy.C
- Trojan.Win32.MALREP.THBBDBO
- Heuristic
- Trojan.MSIL.DOTHETUK.wds, etc.
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 .marra 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.
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 MarraCrypt ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .marra files?
That depends on the family behind the .marra 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 did MarraCrypt ransomware get on my computer?
The way MarraCrypt 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 .marra 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.
How do I open .marra files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .marra ending shows that MarraCrypt 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 MarraCrypt ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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.
Did MarraCrypt ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by MarraCrypt ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .marra 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 MarraCrypt 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 MARRACRYPT_INFORMATION.HTML tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name MARRACRYPT_INFORMATION.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.
What does the name Trojan:Win32/Occamy.C tell me?
Microsoft builds names in a fixed order:
- category
- then platform
- then family
- sometimes followed by a variant letter
- a suffix
The category is the most useful part for you. Trojan, Backdoor and PWS mean real malware that can download more, give remote access or steal passwords. PUA means unwanted software.
Ransom means ransomware. Suffixes such as !ml or !MTB mean the detection came from machine learning or behaviour analysis. Search for the family part of Trojan:Win32/Occamy.C together with the word Microsoft to find its entry in Microsoft's security encyclopedia.
Will Fortect remove MarraCrypt 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 MarraCrypt 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
- UpGuard: What is a Computer Worm? (read October 6, 2026)
- Kaspersky: Era of exploits: number of attacks using software vulnerabilities on the rise (read October 6, 2026)
- Virus Total: svchosta.exe (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)