Vawe cryptovirus: what it is and how to remove it
Vawe ransomware is the cryptovirus that creates issues with the machine since it is focusing on file encoding and ransom demands. There is nothing about the threat that couldn't cause frustration and issues with the machine.
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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Vawe cryptovirus: summary
| Distribution | Pirated software, files from malicious emails, hacked sites, cracks, cheats, malware that spreads the payload directly |
|---|---|
| Name | Vawe cryptovirus |
| Family | Djvu ransomware |
| Ransom note | _readme.txt |
| Contact emails | helpmanager@mail.ch, restoremanager@firemail.cc |
| Danger | This malware involves money demands and blackmailing techniques, it can lead to permanent data and money losses when you pay, but files didn't get recovered that easily. The threat can also release other malware on the machine as a secondary payload |
| 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 13 more facts
| Amount of the ransom | From $490 to $980 (in Bitcoins) |
|---|---|
| Detections | TR/AD.InstaBot.kzg; PossibleThreat.PALLAS.H; Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Stop.oh; ML.Attribute.HighConfidence; etc.[3]; no Microsoft detection name is known for this name |
| Encrypted file extension | .vawe |
| 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 | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .vawe |
| Attacker contacts | helpmanager@mail.ch |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 18 June 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.vawe - Note file:
_readme.txt - Contact:
helpmanager@mail.ch
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Vawe cryptovirus
- Vawe ransomware removal is not the easiest process, so rely on professional anti-malware tools and run the AV program that can find and delete this threat for you
- the system is affected when such a threat runs for a longer period, so you need to ensure that all the functions get repaired and affected files restored.
How Vawe cryptovirus behaves
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Vawe encryption malware is the version of the malicious ransomware family that spreads since 2016
Vawe ransomware is the cryptovirus that creates issues with the machine since it is focusing on file encoding and ransom demands.
There is nothing about the threat that couldn't cause frustration and issues with the machine. This malware runs on the machine, affects data using encryption algorithm like AES or RSA, and then marks files using .vawe extension that indicates which data is encrypted on the system.
It mainly affects files that are commonly used, on an everyday basis, but it can also alter settings and functions of the OS itself to ensure the persistency. There are many features that this Djvu virus /STOP version has that are not changed for a year now.
Vawe ransomware virus belongs to the family that was previously decrypted but is no longer due to changes in the general coding functions encryption key usage. There are no official tools that could get these affected files back to normal because this is the newest version that comes 235th on the list.
This number means nothing, but all the versions released after August 2019 are more powerful and less vulnerable to researchers' methods, so even those malware experts who are focused on this family of cryptovirus cannot decrypt your affected data.
.vawe files virus falls into the category of ransomware - one the most dangerous and stealthy types of malware. It spread using pirated files or software cracks, game cheats mainly, so you cannot find any files or programs related to this virus that could indicate infection.
However, once the _readme.txt file appears on your screen, you can be sure that the virus is done with encryption because ransom is already demanded for those encoded files.
In this particular text file, malware creators state about contact information (helpmanager@mail.ch, restoremanager@firemail.cc) and ransom amounts ($980 or $490 with a discount) and encourage you to pay up. DO NOT even consider the payment. Cybercriminals are not trustworthy, especially when they create ransomware threats.
Vawe ransomware virus is nothing that people would like to get installed on their machines because this threat affects the work by encoding files, damaging functions, and even gathering information or accessing sensitive files. It is a new technique when cryptovirus developers code the additional function of gathering data, so once the victim is refusing to pay the direct blackmail email comes to their email box.
Even though this sounds awful paying the ransom for these threat actors is not a solution. You need to ignore any messages from criminals and remove Vawe ransomware instead.
Once the system is virus-free, you can run all the data recovery programs or use the proper backups to recover data affected by the shady cryptovirus. These people are not concerned about your belongings, so there is no way to get their mercy on your side.
The typical Djvu ransomware developers' message that is sent for all the victims of this Vawe ransomware virus version states the following:
If you react to this message and the whole encryption process that Vawe ransomware runs once it gets on the system and send you the text file, you can avoid additional damage. It is a matter of time, so experts recommend getting a proper anti-malware tool and running that on the PC when anything similar to such extortion-based threat occurs.
The proper Vawe ransomware removal can ensure that your system is clear, and you can safely restore those files that malware affected. Using a professional anti-malware program saves you some time, and you have more options for the file recovery.
However, some functions that this threat can damage like Shadow Volume Copies, and so on, can affect the results. Make sure to run additionally to AV engine, so these functions and system files get repaired in time.
The Vawe cryptovirus ransom 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:
https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku
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.
How to remove Vawe cryptovirus
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 Vawe cryptovirus 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
Vawe cryptovirus 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
_readme.txtand one or two files ending in.vaweto 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 Vawe cryptovirus, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Vawe cryptovirus 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 Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
The explanation of .Vawe file recovery
When the Vawe ransomware virus appears on the machine it starts with the encryption process, so your data is affected first, and criminals can demand payment.
However, this is the biggest issue too. You can sometimes restore functions and system files that threat alters, but data that is affected by the encryption remains damage after the virus removal process. Anti-malware tools will not recover your encoded files because there is a need of additional software, decryption tool, or the ID key that is needed for the decryption pool to work.
Offline IDs that were previously used by other versions in this family provided the opportunity of decoding files without particular IDs. It was fortunate for many people when developers used the same keys for many versions of the threat. Every victim of the same release got their data restored. However, .Vawe ransomware virus uses online IDs when data gets encoded, so decryption is no longer an option.
Vawe ransomware affected data can get restored when the creator provides a tool and the unique victims' ID that was employed during the encoding. Since each computer has its own key, you can't use a key from another computer to decrypt your files, unless developers release them all publicly. That happens rarely.
Your options for the .Vawe files are limited since this is the newer, more complex, and persistent version of the DJVU ransomware. You can either rely on your file backups that are stored on the cloud service or on the external backup device. Onc the threat is cleared off of the machine, you run these files and add them instead of the encoded data.
When backups are not available, you can go for the proper Vawe ransomware virus termination using the proper AV tool, then a system file recovery with , or another PC repair application. Once the machine is repaired and virus-free, you can rely on third-party programs designed for file restoring purposes. We have a few below for you.
Remember that when you release files on the affected system, you can experience secondary encryption and loose files or even money, when you decide to pay up. Vawe ransomware is dangerous, so do not consider contacting those people and make the machine secure again, then repair damage and recover files.
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
A full guide on Vawe ransomware virus removal
In most of the cases, ransomware victims believe that Vawe ransomware removal is equal to the recovery of .vawe files.
However, these two procedures are different and have to be performed using software tools for either virus elimination or data recovery.
Unfortunately, none of the Djvu versions that emerged since September 2019 and later can be decrypted for free. The only reliable way to decrypt the files is to use backups. However, before doing that, it's a must to remove Vawe ransomware from the system completely. Otherwise, all files extracted from backups will be re-encrypted.
Even if you don't have backups, paying the ransom is not the best solution. No one can guarantee that hackers store a fully functional decryptor for .vawe files. Or even a PC repair program like .
Before Vawe removal, restart Windows into Safe Mode with Networking and render a robust security tool. This particular Djvu version is a new threat, which is currently detected by 35 AV engines out of 73. Thus, if you want to ensure a successful detection, quarantine, and removal of file-encrypting virus, update the security software that is installed on your machine or download the latest variants of or tools.
[GI=method-1]If Vawe file virus runs malicious files via an elevated PowerShell, bypass the restriction by booting Windows into Safe Mode with Networking:
[GI=method-2]If Safe Mode did not work or AV engines fail to detect this threat, try using System Restore:
The success of Vawe file recovery depends on the encryption model that the virus relies on and on the capabilities of the data recovery software.
Windows Previous Versions feature might help to unlock most valuable personal files
If you had System Restore function enabled before the ransomware attack, you may succeed in unlocking some of the Vawe files.
This software works based on Shadow Volume Copies located on Windows. If these backups were not deleted by the Vawe virus, you might be able to recover all your data.
No free Vawe decryptor available
The versions launched before August 2019 can be decrypted with the help of Emsisoft's STOPdecrypter. However, this version cannot be decrypted for free, so you can choose either to pay the ransom or try alternative methods listed below.
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 .vawe 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.
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 Vawe cryptovirus
Should I pay the ransom in _readme.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from _readme.txt and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
How do I open .vawe files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .vawe ending shows that Vawe cryptovirus 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 Vawe cryptovirus. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
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.
Is there a free Vawe cryptovirus decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Vawe cryptovirus 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 "Vawe cryptovirus 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.
How did Vawe cryptovirus get on my computer?
The way Vawe cryptovirus 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 .vawe 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 Vawe cryptovirus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Vawe cryptovirus, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .vawe 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 Vawe cryptovirus 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 .vawe from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .vawe 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.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.
Will Fortect remove Vawe cryptovirus?
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 Vawe cryptovirus, 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: Ransomware w/ extension ".vawe" (read October 6, 2026)
- Welivesecurity: Russia hit by new wave of ransomware spam (read October 6, 2026)
- VirusTotal: Virus detectionrate of the .vawe file (read October 6, 2026)
- Dieviren: Dieviren (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)