V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker: what it is and how to remove it

V3JS ransomware is a virus that locks victims' personal data and requests a specified amount (40 euros) to be forwarded in Bitcoins to receive a decryption tool. Unlike most ransomware , the V3JS virus doesn't append any extensions to the encrypted files.

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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V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker: v3js ransomwarefile locking virus
V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker as our 2020 report showed it.

V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker: summary

DistributionTorrent websites, spam email hyperlinks, and attachments
nameV3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker
typeRansomware, Cryptovirus
ransom noteA pop-up window with brief instructions appear after successful encryption; the text is quoted in full below
ransom amountHackers are asking for 40 Euros for the decryption tool/key
criminal cryptocurrency wallet[payment address omitted]
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
virus removalV3JS virus removal should be done with reputable anti-malware software
Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
ContactNot recorded in our earlier report
Encrypted file extensionNot recorded in our earlier report
DecryptorNo free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates
DamageNot recorded in the old report
NameV3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker
TypeFile-encrypting ransomware
SymptomsAn unknown program in Installed apps and a ransom note left in folders
Evidence4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet
Ransom notethe ransom note
Free decryptorNo free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026)
First seen5 November 2020
Facts checked7 October 2026
  • Note file: the ransom note

From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker

  • Use system tune-up tool to automatically locate and repair any damage done to system files and setting by the V3JS ransomware

How V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker behaves

From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since

V3JS ransomware - file locker that requests 40 Euros as a ransom

V3JS ransomware is a virus that locks victims' personal data and requests a specified amount (40 euros) to be forwarded in Bitcoins to receive a decryption tool.

Unlike most ransomware , the V3JS virus doesn't append any extensions to the encrypted files. After getting entry to a targeted computer and successfully encoding the users' data, a ransom message in a pop-up window abruptly appears.

The ransom note is written in two languages - English and Polish. That might either mean that the developers are Polish or that the targeted nation is Poland. The message itself is very brief - V3JS ransomware virus developers warn the victims not to delete the program or shutdown/restart their infected devices.

Otherwise, the users will be punished, although the punishment isn't specified. A specific Bitcoin wallet ([payment address omitted]) is provided, and the cybercriminals are expecting the victims to forward 40 euros worth of the cryptocurrency to it.

If owners of the contaminated device don't know how to acquire or send Bitcoins, the perpetrators are helpful enough and present a link for it. There is also a timer running out on the bottom of the pop-up window, but its purpose is unknown. If it's anything like the v315 ransomware, when the timer runs out, either some encrypted files might get deleted or the price increased.

In most cases, paying the ransom might be the only way to regain data because no available public decoding tools are present when new ransomware appears. Only the creators of such mischievous malware have the required software. Having that in mind, that doesn't mean that victims should give in to the hacker demands. There are numerous cases , that even after payment was made, no promised key or tool was delivered.

Victims should save their money and restore their data from backups. That is after they remove V3JS ransomware, of course. To find, isolate, and eliminate the virus from infected devices automatically, use dependable anti-malware or software.

When users are finished with V3JS virus removal, it's time to think about how to rebuild the system. A robust system tweaking software, like the , should be used to locate and fix any system files or setting that the malware has altered.

The whole bilingual ransom note reads:

V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker: v3js ransomwarefile locking virus
V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker in our 2020 report.
V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker: v3js ransomware virus
V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker in our 2020 report.

From our report of Nov 2020 · not reviewed since

Methods of infections used by the hackers

Cybercriminals upload their creations in various places and wait for unsuspecting computer users to click on them.

An innocently looking email from your bank or shipping company, desired cheat codes for a game you want to thrive in, software crack that you didn't want to spend money on - these are just a few examples of what malware could be camouflaged as.

Ransomware could get in your device disguised as almost any file format - Microsoft Word or any other MS Office document, PDF file, a compressed archive (RAR, ZIP, or any other), Windows application (.exe), and many more. Always remember to scan every incoming file with a reliable anti-malware software to evade any dealings with the cyberthieves.

The V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker ransom note

Text of the ransom note

EN:

OJ YOUR PRIVATE FILES WERE SUBJECTED TO AN ENCRYPTION PROGRAM. TO RESTORE YOUR FILES YOU HAVE TO PAY 40 EURO IN BITCOINS. IF YOU NEED HELP, VISIT THE WEBSITE: hxxps://www.bitcoin.com/get-started/how-do-i-send-and-receive-bitcoin/. REMEMBER THAT EVERY ATTEMPT TO DELETE THE PROGRAM WILL BE PUNISHED. ALSO BE SURE NOT TO TURN OFF OR RESTART YOUR COMPUTER BECAUSE THIS RISK OF DATA DELETION.

PL:

OJ TWOJE PRYWATNE PLIKI SOSTAŁY PODDANE PROGRAMOWI SZYFRUJĄCEMU. ABY PRZYWRUCIĆ TWOJE PLIKI MUSISZ ZAPŁACIĆ 40 EURO W BITCOINACH. JEŚI POTRZEBUJESZ POMOCY WEJDŹ NA STRONE: hxxps://www.bitcoin.com/get-started/how-do-i-send-and-receive-bitcoin/. PAMIĘTAJ ZE KAŻDA PRÓBA USUNIĘĆA PROGRAMU BĘDZIE KARANA. PAMIĘTAJ RÓWNIEŻ ABY NIE WYŁĄCZAĆ ANI RESTARTOWAĆ KOMPUTERA PONIEWAŻ GROZI TO USUNIĘCIEM DANYCH.

BITCOIN WALLET

[payment address omitted]

How to remove V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker

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 V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker 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.

  1. 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 V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker 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 quick settings with Wi-Fi turned off
    Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  2. Step 2: Save the ransom note and identify the family

    The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.

    Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.

    A ransom note text file next to encrypted files in File Explorer
    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

  3. Step 3: Check for a free decryptor

    Our last check found that for V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 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

  4. Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt

    Removing V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker 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 Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

  5. 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 shadows in 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.

    Command Prompt running vssadmin list shadows
    Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files

  6. 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 V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker 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

  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. 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.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.Windows 7/XP

Windows 10 / Windows 8

  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot.Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options.Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings.Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.Enable safe mode

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:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

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:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. 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).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following: Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files
  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. 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

Suggestions for V3JS ransomware removal

Ransomware isn't a joke and should be dealt with swiftly.

The longer any malware stays on a device, the worse the victim's situation might get. Experts advise using a trustworthy anti-malware software like or to automatically remove V3JS virus and defend your device from now on.

Immediately after V3JS ransomware removal, users should truly consider doing a system tune-up. Cryptoviruses tend to edit infected systems' files and its settings, what causes computers to indicate strange behavior. To eradicate any altercations done to your device, use the system tune-up tool, and bring back your PC to its normal condition.

[GI=method-1]Use Safe Mode with Networking if required:

[GI=method-2]System Restore is a useful tool when dealing with malware infection:

Data recovery applications are not originally designed to decrypt ransomware-affected files. However, they could, in some cases, retrieve at least some working copies from the hard drive.

Windows Previous Versions can be useful

If the V3JS virus failed to delete Shadow Copies, you could use Windows Previous Versions to restore individual files.

ShadowExplorer might sometimes retrieve all your data

In case malware did not operate as planned and left Shadow Copies, you can automate the recovery process with ShadowExplorer.

No decryptor is currently available

V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker: v3js ransomware detection rate
V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker in our 2020 report.

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

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.

Make the next attack harmless

V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker in the list of installed apps) showed exactly which ones those were. The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:

  • three copies
  • two media
  • one disconnected

A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.

Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.

More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.

Questions about V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker

Is there a free V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker decryptor?

We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker 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 "V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker 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.

Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?

Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.

Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.

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.

How did V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker get on my computer?

The way V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker 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 V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker in the list of installed apps, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.

Did V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker steal my files or passwords?

We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker, but the only confirmed sign is V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker in the list of installed apps, 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 V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker 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 delete the ransom note?

Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. the ransom note contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.

Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.

How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by V3JS?

You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that V3JS adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.

No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.

Will Fortect remove V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker?

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 V3JS virus, V3JS ransomware, V3JS file locker, 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

More removal guides

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