Vurten ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Vurten is a crypto-virus that has been revealed at the beginning of April 2018. The malware employs AES cryptography to lock files on a targeted system.
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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Vurten ransomware: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | README.txt; the text is quoted in full below |
| Contact | vurten_knyert@protonmail.com |
| Encrypted file extension | .improved |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| 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 10 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | Vurten 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 | .improved |
| Attacker contacts | vurten_knyert@protonmail.com |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 4 April 2018 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
- File extension:
.improved - Note file:
README.txt - Contact:
vurten_knyert@protonmail.com
From our report of Apr 2018 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Vurten ransomware
- Corrupts core system's components and locks personal data
- .Png, .psd, .pspimage, .tga, .thm, .tif, .tiff, .yuv, .ai, .eps, .ps, .svg, .indd, .pct, .pdf, .xlr, .xls, .xlsx, .accdb, .db, .dbf, .mdb, .pdb, .sql, .apk, .app, .bat, .cgi, .com, .exe, .gadget, .jar, .pif, .wsf, .dem, .gam, .nes, .rom, .sav, .dwg, .dxf, .gpx, .kml, .kmz, .asp, .aspx, .cer, .cfm, .csr, .css, .htm, .html, .js, .jsp, .php, .rss, .xhtml, .doc, .docx, .log, .msg, .odt, .pages, .rtf, .tex, .txt, .wpd, .wps, .csv, .dat, .ged, .key, .keychain, .pps, .ppt, .pptx, .ini, .prf, .hqx, .mim, .uue, .7z, .cbr, .deb, .gz, .pkg, .rar, .rpm, .sitx, .tar.gz, .zip, .zipx, .bin, .cue, .dmg, .iso, .mdf, .toast, .vcd, .sdf, .tar, .tax2014, .tax2015, .vcf, .xml, .aif, .iff, .m3u, .m4a, .mid, .mp3, .mpa, .wav, .wma, .3g2, .3gp, .asf, .avi, .flv, .m4v, .mov, .mp4, .mpg, .rm, .srt, .swf, .vob, .wmv, .3d, .3dm, .3ds, .max, .obj, .r.bmp, .dds, .gif, .jpg, .crx, .plugin, .fnt, .fon, .otf, .ttf, .cab, .cpl, .cur, .deskthemepack, .dll, .dmp, .drv, .icns, .ico, .lnk, .sys, .cfg.
The Vurten ransomware note
Your entire network is sensible data encrypted with our strong algorithm.
To recover your data send $ 10000 to the bitcoin address: [payment address omitted]
If you do not send money within 7 days, payment will be increased double.
After payment you will receive decryption software.
Contact email: vurten_knyert@protonmail.com
How to remove Vurten 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 Vurten 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 Vurten 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
.improvedand the instructions are inREADME.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 Vurten ransomware, 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
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing Vurten 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 Vurten 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 Apr 2018 · not reviewed since
Vurten is a ransomware virus that demands $ 10,000 for a decryptor
Vurten is a crypto-virus that has been revealed at the beginning of April 2018.
The malware employs AES cryptography to lock files on a targeted system. Encrypted files are distinguished from the others by .improved file extension. Upon successful encryption, Vurten ransomware creates a ransom note called UNCRYPT.README.txt, which demands the victim to pay $ 10,000 in Bitcoins for a unique decryptor.
The ransomware hasn't yet been translated into languages. Its original version is written in English, so experts warn English-speaking users to mind the rules of safe web browsing.
Experts from NoVirus.uk stress the important to filter suspicious email messages out. Vurten ransomware is distributed via malicious spam email attachments (DOC and DOCX files) most actively. However, it can also be transmitted via exploit kits and fake software updates.
As soon as the payload is executed, Vurten virus starts scanning the system for targeted files. Using Administrative privileges, it runs scripts via Command Prompt to root into the OS and enable AES-256 cipher. Consequently, most of the personal files are appended with .improved file extension and cannot be read.
The information provided for the victim is not explicit, though it's sufficient for making the payment. The UNCRYPT.README.txt file says:
Developers of the Vurten ransomware virus are quite immodest. The decryptor they offer costs $ 10,000, which is by far the highest ransom demanded this year. The deadline for payment is seven days, which is supposed to be sufficient to collect a required sum.
Nevertheless, we do not recommend paying the ransom. Not only because it's abnormally high, but because there's a risk that hackers will send you a useless decryptor or a severe cyber infection (rootkit, spyware, worm, etc.).
The malware initiates multiple system's changes, including Windows Registry, boot options, and other system's parameters. Thus, Vurten removal is a must if you want to use your PC normally.
The ransomware hasn't yet spread widely, though experts specultate that it may be targetting large companies. That may be the reason why extortionists require for $ 10,000 . The ransomware targets the most popular file types, including but not limited to:
Even though .improved file extension virus might lock most of the files on the system, do not rush to pay the ransom. Instead of that, remove Vurten virus and try to recover your files with the help of third-party software. You can find explicit recovery instructions at the end of this article.
From our report of Apr 2018 · not reviewed since
Distribution campaigns do not change
In general, ransomware viruses are known for the employment of extr4emelly misleading distribution techniques, such as:
The listy is not definitive, but other methods are less commonly used. Anyway, it's important to keep OS updated and download software updates regularly to patch system's vulnerabilities. Besides, keep a reputable antivirus installed and update its definitions as frequently as possible.
Finally, do not fall for opening suspicious emails. If the sender is unknown, the message contains grammar or typo mistakes; it's better to report the email as spam and delete it.
- Malspam. Hackers rely on spam bots to spread deceptive emails from well-known companies reporting parcel shipment problems, debts, and similar. The messages contain an attachment (dox, doc, pdf, png, and other formats that disguise a malicious .exe file).
- Fake software updates. Pop-up ads or new tab URL ads warning about updated software or critical vulnerabilities that can supposedly be patched by installing the update.
- Exploit kits. Hackers employ a specific toolkit to reveal system's vulnerabilities and attack them to inject ransomware payload.
- Illegal websites. Pornographic or gambling sites, as well as fake domains, can be infected with JavaScript code. They can contain malicious ads or download ransomware by default.
From our report of Apr 2018 · not reviewed since
Instructions on how to delete Vurten ransomware virus
Even though you have $ 10, 000 in your pocket, we do not recommend paying the ransom.
Cybercriminals cannot be trusted since no one knows whether they have a working Vurten decryptor or not.
You should remove Vurten from the system entirely using , or , but many other tools can help you as well. Manual removal is not possible since the virus corrupts core system's components, such as Registry Entries.
Once the Vurten removal is finished, you can retrieve locked data from backups or rely on third-party software. There's a variety of methods that can help you to get the access to your data back.
[GI=method-1]Boot the system into Safe Mode with Networking. This is necessary to bypass ransomware helper objects that can hinder antivirus performance.
We do not recommend paying the ransom demanded by this ransomware. There's no guarantee that the paid decryptor will work. Besides, hackers may trick you into downloading another virus.
This powerful tool is primarily oriented to recover accidentally deleted files, but it can be useful for extracting data corrupted by virus.
Previous Windows Version
If you need to recover separate files, Previous Windows versions might help. For this purpose, you have to check if you have created a System Restore Point before the ransomware attack.
Extract Volume Shadow Copies
ShadowExplorer is a tool that searches for Volume Shadow Copies on the system and restores data from them. Unfortunately, malware often runs scripts to delete these copies, but you can never know whether Vuren virus does that or not without trying:
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.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like Vurten ransomware together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .improved and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
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 Vurten ransomware
How do I open .improved files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .improved ending shows that Vurten 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 Vurten ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Is there a free Vurten ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Vurten ransomware no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "Vurten ransomware decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did Vurten ransomware get on my computer?
The way Vurten 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 .improved 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 Vurten ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Vurten ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .improved 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 Vurten ransomware the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I just remove .improved from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .improved 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 Vurten 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 Vurten 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
- Medium: Encrypted client-server communication (protection of privacy and integrity with AES and RSA in details) (read October 7, 2026)
- CyberScoop: Ransomware demands now average about $1,000 because so many victims decide to pay up (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)