Vari ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Vari ransomware is a computer virus that is designed for money extortion purposes - it locks all personal data on the host machine and then demands a ransom to be paid for its return. Suchlike modified documents, pictures, videos, databases, and other files are encrypted with a sophisticated RSA cipher and marked with .vari extension.
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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Vari ransomware: summary
| Name | Vari ransomware |
|---|---|
| Type | File locking virus, crypto-malware |
| Malware family | Djvu/STOP |
| Related | A515.exe |
| Encryption | Malware uses RSA encryption algorithm to lock all personal files on the infected machine |
| File extension | Each of the non-system and non-executable files is appended with .vari extension, e.g., a "picture.jpg" is transformed into "picture.jpg.vari" and is no longer accessible |
| 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 17 more facts
| Ransom note | _readme.txt |
|---|---|
| Contact | helpmanager@mail.ch or restoremanager@airmail.cc |
| File recovery | Without backups, data recovery might be impossible. However, in some cases, Emsisoft's decyption tool or third-party programs can be useful |
| Malware removal | Delete the infection by scanning your machine with powerful anti-malware app |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Encrypted file extension | .vari |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| 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 | .vari |
| Attacker contacts | helpmanager@mail.ch |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 20 August 2020 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:Win32/Zenpak.DEH!MTB |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What antivirus programs call Vari ransomware
Microsoft Defender reports Vari ransomware as Trojan:Win32/Zenpak.DEH!MTB.
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:
.vari - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
helpmanager@mail.ch
How Vari ransomware behaves
From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since
Vari ransomware - a Djvu virus variant that seeks to extort money by locking users' files
Vari ransomware is a computer virus that is designed for money extortion purposes - it locks all personal data on the host machine and then demands a ransom to be paid for its return. Suchlike modified documents, pictures, videos, databases, and other files are encrypted with a sophisticated RSA cipher and marked with .vari extension.
Additionally, Vari ransomware would drop a ransom note _readme.txt into each of the folders where the locked files are located. This way, victims can find out what happened to their computers and what they need to do in order to regain access to their files. According to malware authors, users need to send an email via helpmanager@mail.ch or restoremanager@airmail.cc and then pay $980 or $490 worth of bitcoins.
Vari file virus is yet another version of the infamous Djvu ransomware family. Malware developers release several versions a month (most recent ones include Oonn, Nile, Kook, Erif, and others), and it is by far the most successful data-encrypting malware that targets regular consumers.
Vari ransomware was first spotted by security researcher Michael Gillespie in mid-August 2020. While many other cybercriminal groups choose several distribution methods for the payload delivery, this infection is mainly spread via software cracks/keygens and repacked/pirated installers that can be downloaded on various torrent and similar websites. Thus, if you do not want to deal ransomware infection in the future, stay away from high-risk websites that distribute software cracks.
The malicious executables can be named as anything and, while they typically attempt to disguise under legitimate names, they can also be named as something random as A515.exe or 48cc.pe32. Keep in mind that these malicious files are usually stopped by security programs, but users ignore the warnings and allow them to be executed, infecting them with the Vari file virus.
The infected file 48cc.pe32, which causes the detection, can be detected by various security applications under the following names:
Once inside the system, the Vari file virus begins to perform various changes in order to prepare the system for a successful file encryption process. For example, it modifies the Windows registry for persistence purposes, drops a variety of malicious files, deletes Shadow Copies to prevent easy data recovery, etc.
With the preparations complete, Vari ransomware will begin file encryption process - it usually lasts just a brief moment, although this also depends on the amount of data present on the machine. During this time, malware will show a popup message that closely resembles Windows update prompt. As evident, it is fake and is shown to victims only to prevent them from interrupting the .vari virus file encryption process.
After the data locking process, Vari ransomware will deliver a ransom note _readme.txt, which will explain the situation to users. In the note, it is claimed that there is no other way to recover files besides paying cybercriminals $980 ransom. However, they also offer a 50% discount if the payment is made within 72 hours of the infection. Here is the full message from the malware authors:
However, security researchers do not recommend contacting cybercriminals even if they claim to provide "proof" of decryption possibility. Keep in mind that malicious actors might fail to deliver Vari ransomware decryptor after paying the ransom. Besides, they might ask for further payments and keep you in mind as a victim who is willing to pay.
- Win32:BankerX-gen
- TR/AD.InstaBot.AR
- Mal/Generic-S
- Trojan:Win32/Zenpak.DEH!MTB
- Malware-Cryptor.Limpopo
- Trojan.Ransom.Stop
The Vari ransomware note
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-ceT7wn7Ioe
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
helpmanager@mail.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
restoremanager@airmail.cc
Your personal ID:
How to remove Vari 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 Vari 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 Vari 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
.variand the instructions are in_readme.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 Vari 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 Vari 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 Vari 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 Aug 2020 · not reviewed since
Vari files recovery options
Djvu ransomware strain is one of the most prominent file-locking malware that is targeting regular computer users instead of organizations.
Therefore, experts have been putting great effort into helping the infected users to recover .vari files for free. Prior to August 2019, STOPDecrypter could help some victims to recover their data for free, so malware authors were quick to change the encryption method from symmetric AES to asymmetric RSA, which made the file locking much more secure, making the decryption tool obsolete.
Currently, there is no reliable way to decrypt .vari files without backups or paying threat actors. However, as advised before, paying ransomware authors is not recommended due to various reasons.
Thus, if you are asking how to recover .vari files without paying the ransom, there are a few methods that might help some users.
Note that anti-malware software will not be able to recover files encrypted by ransomware.
- Use the Emsisoft decryption tool. In case malware failed to contact its Command & Control server, it will use an offline (static) ID to encrypt data. In case somebody retrieves this key after paying criminals and shares with security researchers, it can be added to the database. Thus, if your files were encrypted with an offline ID, there is a chance that this decryption tool will work for you.
- Try built-in backups. Windows stores Shadow Volume Copies which are designed to help you recover data in unexpected circumstances. Unfortunately, malware is almost always programmed to delete these automatic backups, so options such as Windows Previous Versions feature can only work in rare circumstances when Vari ransomware fails to perform as intended.
- Third-party recovery software might sometimes help. In some rare cases, third-party recovery tools might be helpful when trying to recover ransomware-locked files.
From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since
Vari virus is operated by high-profile cybercriminal gang
The gang behind Vari ransomware is one of the prominent ones currently on the scene, as it infects thousands of users daily.
It has been performing operations since at least December 2017, when the infamous STOP ransomware was released. Since then, more than 200 versions of the malware have emerged, although some of them can now be decrypted.
Prior to August 2019, threat actors were using a weaker encryption algorithm AES, which allowed security researchers to sometimes help users with the help of tools such as STOPDecrypter.
However, hackers obviously do not want that to happen, so they improved the encryption method (all the versions released after the date use asymmetric RSA encryption). Unfortunately, this improvement caused most of the infected users not to be able to retrieve their data for free.
Cybercriminals who own major ransomware strains launch giant distribution campaigns and quite often collaborate with other malware authors. Therefore, once the system is infected with one type of a virus (for example, Vari ransomware), there is a chance that underlying malware is present as well.
Previously, Djvu variants were spotted being spread along with AZORult banking trojan. Thus it is vital to delete the ransomware along with other underlying infections from the system as soon as possible.
To increase the success of the strain, malware authors also attempt to prevent users from accessing security-focused websites by modifying Windows "hosts" file - malware inserts all the URLs the attackers do not wish victims to visit into the files. Hence, when trying to search for a Vari virus removal guide, users will simply fail to do so via the web browser.
To prevent this from happening in the future, you can delete the "hosts" file, as it will be recreated automatically, and restrictions will be lifted. Simply navigate to the following location to find it (note that you might be asked for administrator's permissions for the action to be successful):
From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since
Remove .Vari virus from your files
Many users believe that they can recover their data as soon as they perform Vari ransomware removal from the system.
However, this is a major misconception, as anti-malware software only terminates the infection itself, preventing the encryption of the incoming files. In other words, scanning the machine with anti-malware software will not provide access to Vari virus files.
Despite this, it is extremely important to remove Vari ransomware with the help of powerful anti-malware software like or . Since there are many Djvu variants available, not all security tools will be able to eliminate the infection. Thus, a scan with several different security programs might be needed. Besides, if malware is tampering with your security app, you can access Safe Mode with Networking and perform a scan from there.
Keep in mind that you can stop Vari ransomware before it manages to enter your machine - do not ignore security software warnings.
[GI=method-1]Use Safe Mode with Networking if malware tampered with your security software:
[GI=method-2]System Restore might sometimes be useful when trying to eliminate the infection:
Windows Previous Version Feature might be useful
If the virus failed to remove Shadow Volume Copies, you might be able to recover files one-by-one.
ShadowExplorer might sometimes be the answer
If you would like to automate the data recovery process (in case malware did not delete automatic Windows backups), use ShadowExplorer.
Make use of Emsisoft's decryption tool
This method might only work under special circumstances, although you should try using Emsisoft's decryptor regardless.
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.
Make the next attack harmless
Vari ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .vari and no longer open) 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.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about Vari ransomware
Is there a decryptor for .vari files?
That depends on the family behind the .vari 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 .vari files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .vari ending shows that Vari 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 Vari 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.
How did Vari ransomware get on my computer?
The way Vari 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 .vari 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.
Did Vari ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Vari ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .vari 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 Vari 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.
Should I open _readme.txt?
Reading it is fine if you open it in Notepad. A plain text _readme.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.
Is Trojan:Win32/Zenpak.DEH!MTB a false positive?
Sometimes. Names ending in !ml or describing behaviour are generated by machine learning and occasionally flag cracked tools, game mods or small unsigned utilities. A false positive is likely only when the file is a program you installed from its official developer, it is signed by that developer and other scanners do not flag it.
Files from cracks, cheats, fake updates or unknown downloads are rarely false positives, whatever the detection name. If you are sure the file is genuine, you can report it to Microsoft as a false positive; never add an exclusion for Trojan:Win32/Zenpak.DEH!MTB just to make the alert stop.
Will Fortect remove Vari 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 Vari 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
- Twitter: #STOP #Djvu #Ransomware w/ extension ".vari" (read October 6, 2026)
- Virus Total: 48cc.pe32 (read October 6, 2026)
- Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 6, 2026)
- Precisely: AES vs. RSA Encryption: What Are the Differences? (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)