TurkStatik ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
TurkStatik ransomware is the threat that infects the system and encrypts files to demand the ransom for alleged data recovery. This crypto infection disrupts the system and security of the computer to reach personal data of the victim and encodes photos, documents, videos, audio files, and even databases or archives.
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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TurkStatik ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Files with infectious script get attached to spam emails appearing as legitimate messages from known companies or services. Torrent sites, pirated software distributors also deliver pre-packed payload droppers to unexpected users. Encryption starts immediately after the payload drop and infiltration |
|---|---|
| Name | TurkStatik ransomware |
| File marker | .cipher is the extension that appears at the end of every file after the file type extension and marks encrypted data on the machine |
| Ransom note | README_DONT_DELETE.txt is the file that shows a ransom demand message and provides further instructions, contact information |
| Targets | Turkish-speaking victims |
| Contact emails | decservice@mail.ru and recoverydbservice@protonmail.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 14 more facts
| Related file | JavaEmbededLibrary.exe is the executable containing a malicious script for the ransomware infection |
|---|---|
| Decryption | You can recover your files using Emsisoft Decryptor for TurkStatik virus |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .ciphered |
| 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 | .ciphered |
| Attacker contacts | decservice@mail.ru |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 26 November 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.ciphered - Note file:
README_DONT_DELETE.txt - Contact:
decservice@mail.ru
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on TurkStatik ransomware
- TurkStatik ransomware removal requires professional anti-malware tools, so all the associated programs and malicious files can get deleted
- As for the proper system cleaning before your data recovery, you should repair the affected parts of the machine, including registry, directories, and other settings.
- The best way to do that is PC optimization tools like that might find, indicate and fix the issues with your computer
The TurkStatik ransomware note
Sisteminizde önemli gördügümüz datalarinizi sifreledik. Bilindik veri kurtarma yöntemleri ile verilerinizi geri getiremeyeceginizi bilmenizi isteriz.
Bu yöntemler sadece sizin zaman kaybetmenize sebep olacaktir.
Yinede veri kurtarma firmalari yada programlari kullanmak isterseniz lütfen asil dosyalariniz üzerinde degil,
bunlarin kopyalari üzerinde islem yapiniz ve/veya yaptiriniz.
Asil dosyalarin bozulmasi verilerinizin geri dönülemez sekilde zarar görmesine sebep olabilir.
Sifrelenen dosyalarinizin asillari, üzerine rast gele veri yazma teknigi kullanilarak silinmistir.
48 saat içerisinde dönüs yapilmadigi taktirde, sistemede kullanilan sifre silinecektir ve verileriniz asla geri döndürülemeyecektir.
Diskleriniz Full disk encryption ile sifrelenmistir yetkisiz müdahale kalici veri kaybina neden olur!
Para Verseniz Daha Açmazlar Diyen Bilgisayarcilara veya Parani Alir Dosyalarini Vermez Diyen
Etrafinizdaki insanlara inanmayin
Size Güven Verecek Yeterli Referansa Sahibim
Sizi tanimiyorum, dolayisi ile size karsi kötü duygular beslememin size kötülük yapmamin bir anlami da yok,
amacim sadece bu isten bir gelir elde etmek. Yaptiginiz ödeme sonrasinda
en kisa zamanda verilerinizi eski haline getirmek için sunucunuza baglanacagim.
24 saat içerisinde dönüs yapilmadigi taktirde, sistemede kullanilan sifre silinecektir ve verileriniz asla geri döndürülemeyecektir.
Verilerinizin sifresini çözdürmek için asagidaki iletisim kanalindan bizlere ulasabilirsiniz.
Ulasmak istediginide mutlaka asagida size özel üretilen kodu eklemeyi unutmayiniz.
SITE_CODE:
e-mail : decservice@mail.ru
recoverydbservice@protonmail.com
How to remove TurkStatik 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 TurkStatik 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 TurkStatik 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
.cipheredand the instructions are inREADME_DONT_DELETE.txt. 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 TurkStatik 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 TurkStatik 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 TurkStatik 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 Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
TurkStatik ransomware is the Turkish victims targeting virus that is now decryptable
TurkStatik ransomware is the threat that infects the system and encrypts files to demand the ransom for alleged data recovery.
This crypto infection disrupts the system and security of the computer to reach personal data of the victim and encodes photos, documents, videos, audio files, and even databases or archives. Once that is done with the help of Rijndael 256 algorithm, files that get affected also get marked using .ciphered extension added to each file.
Next in the queue - ransom note file README_DONT_DELETE.txt that gets dropped on the desktop and in other folders containing encrypted data. This text file contains the message from cryptovirus developers and is written in Turkish since Turkey is the main target.
Luckily for those people in Turkey and other Turkish-speaking victims, TurkStatik ransomware virus is decryptable thanks to Emsisoft Decryptor for TurkStatik virus that is free and can help you get those files recovered. You need to remove malware from the system first because it can repeatedly encrypt files on the system, so you will need to recover files over and over again that may not be even possible.
The decryptor requires access to a file pair consisting of one encrypted file and the original that is not encrypted so the keys of the affected file can be reconstructed, and the rest of those files can be decrypted this way.
As any other data-locker TurkStatik ransomware aims to blackmail victims into paying for the decryption and file recovery that is useless, in this case, since the malware is decryptable. We never recommend paying the hackers because cybercriminals are not trustworthy, and instead of decryption keys, people often get additional malware after contacting virus developers.
TurkStatik ransomware ransom note file README_DONT_DELETE.txt appears on the Desktop after file encryption and contact emails, given time for the ransom payment, additional information get delivered. The message from the malicious actors states the following (in the original language):
The note can appear scary or even legitimate enough, so you consider paying the ransom. This is not a good option, even when the threat is not decryptable because malware creators are focused on money, they don't care about your belongings. You need to remove TurkStatik ransomware as soon as possible instead and rely on file recovery using data backups or the official decryption tool.
Such file-locking malware starts with encryption and targets audio files, videos, photos, images, documents and backup files, databases. However, additional scripts can run in the background during the encrypting process, so your machine gets significantly damaged and affected by the threat. The more time you give the TurkStatik ransomware on your machine, the more persistent it gets.
React as soon as you get the ransom message and clean the system. TurkStatik ransomware is the malware that targets large amounts of people at the time because massive spam email campaigns mostly get employed for the distribution of the virus. This is an indication that many victims may contact the Emsisoft for decryption services. Take this into consideration, and don't panic.
You need to thoroughly clean the machine and make sure that TurkStatik ransomware is deleted completely from your machine to avoid any possible damage to the machine or losing your files permanently. File recovery can be useless when the virus runs the encryption again.
Getting the anti-malware tool, removing the threat, repairing system files with a tool like , ensuring that the virus is terminated. These are the most important steps you need to take when dealing with TurkStatik ransomware. Only then file recovery can be achieved.
Possible TurkStatik ransomware detection names that should help you determine what anti-malware tool to use for elimination process:
You need to rely on the professional anti-malware tool, but every engine uses different virus database, so these names can vary from tool to tool. However, experts can also recommend checking a few times with multiple tools during TurkStatik ransomware removal, to be sure that the machine is virus-free and prepared for the data recovery.
- Trojan.Agent.EGYV;
- TR/Ransom.qtrbx;
- TrojanRansom.Crypren;
- Win32.Trojan.Agent.0ZH7EH;
- Win32.Malware!Drop.
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
Malspam techniques allow hackers to spread their malware on a large scale
Email campaigns, when document attachments include files with malicious codes, enables hackers to deliver direct ransomware payload or the virus itself on the system in a matter of seconds or minutes. Commonly used types of files get injected with scripts and once the person opens and downloads the file code triggers the execution of virus:
The email itself looks legitimate, and people who receive similar notifications often don't think twice before opening such an email and downloading the file directly. Unfortunately, the only way to avoid infection is to delete suspicious emails, clean the email box more often, and stay away from anything raising questions online like pirated software delivering services, torrent sites.
- receipts of purchases;
- invoices;
- order details;
- documents with financial information.
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
Get rid of TurkStatik ransomware cryptovirus and decrypt your files
TurkStatik ransomware virus is a serious threat that needs to be terminated no matter if you choose to decrypt files or replace them with copies from the backup device.
Malware also runs in the background, and even though the encryption might be done, your machine is still infected.
To remove TurkStatik ransomware completely, get an anti-malware tool, and run a scan to indicate malicious files and delete them fully. Then, you should try , , or and look for damaged or corrupted system files, which can affect the performance further.
After the proper TurkStatik ransomware removal, you can go through the decryption process. Run the tool and select the file pair that is needed for the data recovery. Decryptor should start the reconstruction. This may take time, so prepare to be patient if you want to get your files back.
[GI=method-1]Reboot the infected machine in Safe Mode with Networking, so your AV tool can run on the system as it supposed to
[GI=method-2]System Restore is the feature that can be used to recover the device in a previous state when the virus is not affecting the PC
Windows Previous Versions can help with files individualy
When you want to use Windows Previous Versions for encrypted files, you should enable System restore before hand
ShadowExplorer is the method for file restoring
When your files get encrypted, but TurkStatik ransomware leaves Shadow Volume Copies untouched, ShadowExplorer can get restored
TurkStatik ransomware can be decrypted with a tool released for free
Try Emsisoft Decryptor for TurkStatik virus
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 .ciphered 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 TurkStatik ransomware
How do I open .ciphered files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .ciphered ending shows that TurkStatik 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 TurkStatik ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did TurkStatik ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by TurkStatik ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .ciphered 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 there a free TurkStatik ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for TurkStatik 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 "TurkStatik 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 TurkStatik ransomware get on my computer?
The way TurkStatik 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 .ciphered 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 TurkStatik 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 .ciphered from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .ciphered 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 README_DONT_DELETE.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text README_DONT_DELETE.txt 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 TurkStatik 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 TurkStatik 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
- Virsuai: Virusai (read October 6, 2026)
- Virustotal: JavaEmbededLibrary.exe detection rate (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)