.v315 virus, v315 ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
v315 ransomware is a new member of the JigSaw virus family that shows an informative ransom note after encryption. Jigsaw family ransomware was first detected in March of 2016.
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.
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.v315 virus, v315 ransomware: summary
| Distribution | Torrent websites, spam emails |
|---|---|
| name | .v315 virus, v315 ransomware |
| type | Cryptovirus |
| family | Jigsaw ransomware family |
| Appended extension | All encrypted files receive an .v315 extension |
| Ransom note | Complex 5 part pop-up window appears after successful encryption of victims personal data; the text is quoted in full below |
| 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 16 more facts
| Ransom amout | $70 is requested to be paid in Bitcoins |
|---|---|
| Criminal Bitcoin wallet | [payment address omitted] |
| virus removal | .v315 virus removal should be trusted to professional anti-malware software |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .v315 |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | .v315 virus, v315 ransomware |
| 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 | .v315 |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 5 November 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.v315 - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on .v315 virus, v315 ransomware
- DO NOT TRY TO CLOSE THE APP 3.
- DON'T TRY TO SEEK HELP ON WEBSITES 5.
- DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHEAT THE APP 6.
- DURING DECRYPTION, DO NOT OPEN ANY DAMAGED FILE 7.
- DO NOT SHARE DAMAGED FILES WITH ANYONE 8.
- DO NOT TRY TO DECRYPT FILES WITH ANOTHER PROGRAM 9.
- DO NOT CHANGE THE EXTENSION OF ENCRYPTED FILES
- Bitcoin is a digital currency created in January 2009 following the housing market crash.
- It follows the ideas set out in a whitepaper by the mysterious and pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto.1 The identity of the person or persons who created the technology is still a mystery.
- Bitcoin offers the promise of lower transaction fees than traditional onliny payment mechanisms and is operatedby a decentralized authority, unlike government-issued currencies.
- There are no physical bitcoins, only balances kept on a public ledger that everyone has transparent access to, that - along with all Bitcoin transactions - is verified by a massive amount of computing power.
- Bitcoins are not issued or backed by any banks or governments, nor are individual bitcoins valuable as a commodity.
- Despite it not being legal tender, Bitcoin charts high on popularity, and has triggered the launch of hundreds of other virtual currencies collectively referred to as Altcoins.
- Please, send at least $70 worth of Bitcoin here: 1Hd3tU8MDmuVotMgGJTJ7svzvPey6bfUgm
How .v315 virus, v315 ransomware behaves
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
v315 ransomware - new Jigsaw family member that encrypts users data
v315 ransomware is a new member of the JigSaw virus family that shows an informative ransom note after encryption.
Jigsaw family ransomware was first detected in March of 2016. This is a cryptoworm which, after gaining entry to a targeted computer system, encrypts all of its non-system files. All personal data is appended with .v315 extension and becomes inaccessible. Once the files are locked, a ransom demanding pop-up window appears with a lot of instructions.
Since the discovery of the Jigsaw family ransomware, a decryption tool has been available to the public for free by Micheal Gillespie. But since this software was last updated on 05/18/20 01:24:58 PM EDT, and the v315 virus is brand new, this software might not do the trick.
Whether to use it or not is up to the victim. You should remove the virus and clear the system - prepare the computer for file recovery. Especially, when decryption is not guaranteed.
Unlike most ransomware blackmailing notes, the particular message from v315 virus creators is long, informative, and consists of 5 parts. In the first part of the ransom note, the cybercriminals explain that the victims' files were encrypted and the only way to regain access to the locked data is by paying them 70 USD in Bitcoins.
The perpetrators also urge the victims not to delete or disable the v315 ransomware virus, otherwise, the perps will delete 1000 files from the infected device. To avoid punishment, users should comply with all the rules given in the second part of the ransom note:
- do not turn off or restart the computer
- do not run any anti-virus program
- do not connect USB devices
- so on (see the whole list of rules below this article)
The third part is an explanation of what Bitcoin is, who created this cryptocurrency, how it works, and so on. Forth part is unlike anything seen before. There's a timer running backward. When time runs out - one encrypted file is deleted from the computer.
In the last part of the ransom demand, the victims can find a Bitcoin wallet address ([payment address omitted]) into which they should forward 70 USD worth of the cryptocurrency to receive a v315 file virus decryption tool.
To evade dealings with cybercriminals, computer users should always use powerful anti-malware software. Trustworthy apps like and should be trusted to remove v315 ransomware. These programs can detect incoming malware and prevent devices from infections.
Once the user computer is virus-free, experts advise, using a system tune-up tool or an optimizer like to automatically scan and fix what the v315 ransomware did to computer system files and prevent the device from displaying any anomalous performance, such as crashing, overheating, etc.
Below is text extracted from all parts of the ransom note (4th part is not included, as it consists of a timer that's running out):
From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
Ways cybercriminals infect computer users' devices
People usually don't think about consequences when pressing the mouse button on some innocent-looking ad or email attachment.
Well, in this day and age, they should, because malware is hidden everywhere on the internet, and it's waiting for oblivious soon to be a victim to click on it.
Infectious email attachments, bogus software installers, or illegal activation toolkits on torrent websites, these are just a few sure ways to contaminate a computer. Always be sure that the content that's about to be opened is genuine, legitimate.
Never open phony looking hyperlinks in emails received from unknown senders. Please don't open any email attachments without scanning them first. To be safe while browsing, use trustworthy anti-malware software to have your back.
The .v315 virus, v315 ransomware note
Welcome. If you are reading this you are probably wondering what happened to your computer, so let me explain. All your private .png .doc .txt... files have been encrypted and there is no way to get them back other than by paying the relatively small price of 70 USD. Also remember that any attempt to disable or delete the virus will be punished with the removal of 1000 encrypted files from your device.
Of course, if you want to avoid punished, I would advise you to enter the RULES tab which will appear after finishing the dialogue
Remember also that after a limited time, a specific number of files will be deleted automatically. If you want to see how much time you have (The number of files deleted will gradually increase over time),enter the tab that will appear after completing the dialogue.
You can rest assured that the program does not spread to other devices, it only attacks those who launch the fake application.
Summing up, remember to not to turn off or restart your computer, your files can be decrypted by our program, the maximum number of deleted files can be 1000, payment can only be in bitcoins and remember to load the RULES tab, that's all about it.
So now let's start the real destruction.
How to remove .v315 virus, v315 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 .v315 virus, v315 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
.v315 virus, v315 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
the ransom noteand one or two files ending in.v315to 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 .v315 virus, v315 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 .v315 virus, v315 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 Nov 2020 · not reviewed since
Guidelines to remove .v315 file virus and restore system files
Having your computer infected can ruin anyone's day.
Especially when you lose important files. The first and foremost thing to do is to eliminate the contamination because the longer the malware stays in a computer, the more damage it could do. To automatically remove v315 ransomware, use or ; these apps will locate the ransomware and all its files and delete them. Furthermore, your device will be protected from future attacks.
Viruses from the Jigsaw ransomware family are known to modify infected computer system files so that they could operate more efficiently. v315 ransomware virus isn't an exception, hence after removal of the malware, use a reliable system tweak tool .
It will instantly find and restore any changes that have been made to your system settings and its files so that you could enjoy your device anew. Remember that it is safe to recover files only after the proper v315 ransomware removal process.
[GI=method-1]Try rebooting the machine in Safe Mode with Networking, so you can run the AV tool and remove v315 ransomware
[GI=method-2]System Restore is the feature that recovers machine to a previous state and helps get rid of v315 ransomware
Windows Previous Versions - individual file repair solution
Windows Previous Versions works when you enable System Restore in the first place
ShadowExplorer - solution for encoded files when data backups are lacking
Shadow Volume Copies should be untouched before you can use ShadowExplorer as a solution
v315 ransomware cannot be decrypted yet
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 .v315 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 .v315 virus, v315 ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .v315 files?
That depends on the family behind the .v315 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 .v315 files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .v315 ending shows that .v315 virus, v315 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 .v315 virus, v315 ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did .v315 virus, v315 ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by .v315 virus, v315 ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .v315 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.
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 .v315 virus, v315 ransomware get on my computer?
The way .v315 virus, v315 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 .v315 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 .v315 virus, v315 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 the ransom note tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name the ransom note, 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.
Will .v315 spread to my other drives?
It can. Ransomware encrypts every drive and network share it can reach while it runs, so external disks, USB sticks and shared folders connected during the attack may also have files ending in .v315. Disconnect everything now, then check each device from a clean computer.
Do not plug a backup drive into the infected PC until the ransomware has been removed with an offline scan. Cloud folders such as OneDrive sync the encrypted versions, but they keep earlier versions you can usually restore.
Will Fortect remove .v315 virus, v315 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 .v315 virus, v315 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: Bitcoin (read October 7, 2026)
- Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 7, 2026)
- Reddit: Why do keygens and cracks get flagged as malware when they're probably not? (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)