Sage (.sage) ransomware virus - removal and decryption options

What kind of malware is Sage?

Sage is a ransomware-type virus discovered by Karsten Hahn and is a variant of CryLocker ransomware. Following infiltration, Sage encrypts various files and appends the ".sage" extension to the name of each encrypted file (e.g., "sample.jpg" is renamed to "sample.jpg.sage").

Following successful encryption, Sage creates two files ("!Recovery_[6_random_characters]_.txt" and "!Recovery_[6_random_characters].html"), placing them in each folder containing encrypted files. It also changes the desktop wallpaper.

Screenshot of files encrypted by Sage ransomware (".sage" extension):

Ransom note overview

The txt and HTML files contain identical ransom-demand messages stating that files are encrypted using asymmetric cryptography and that they can only be restored using a private key. To receive this key, victims must pay a ransom of $150 in Bitcoins.

If payment is not submitted within the given time frame (timer is displayed within Sage's website), the ransom will double to $300. To pay, victims must visit a Tor website (link provided in the message) and follow detailed instructions. Sage employs an asymmetric encryption algorithm and, thus, claims that decryption without a private key is impossible are unfortunately accurate.

Sage's developers store the key on a remote server - victims are blackmailed and encouraged to pay a ransom to receive it. Cyber criminals often ignore victims, despite submitted payments. Therefore, you should never risk paying, since there is a high probability that you will be scammed.

More about ransomware

We strongly advise you to ignore all requests to pay or contact these people. There are currently no tools capable of restoring files encrypted by Sage ransomware. This problem can only be addressed by restoring files/system from a backup.

There are dozens of ransomware-type viruses that share similarities with Sage. Examples include ASN1, Cerber, Dharma, and many others. Research shows that all of these viruses have identical behavior - they encrypt files and make ransom demands. There are just two major differences: 1) type of encryption algorithm (symmetric/asymmetric), and; 2) price of decryption.

Ransomware-type viruses are often distributed using spam emails (malicious attachments), peer-to-peer networks and other third party software download sources (freeware download websites, free file hosting websites, etc.), fake software update tools, and trojans.

Therefore, be very cautious when opening files received from suspicious emails, and when downloading software from unofficial sources. Furthermore, keep your installed software up-to-date and never use third party updaters. Using a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite is also paramount. The key to computer safety is caution.

Screenshot of a message (desktop wallpaper) encouraging users to pay a ransom to decrypt their compromised data:

Ransom-demand message (presented within desktop wallpaper):

ATTENTION!
Sage encrypted all your files!
All your files, images, videos, and databases were encrypted and made inaccessible by software known as Sage.
You have no chance to restore the files without our help. But if you follow our instructions files can be restored easily. Instructions on how to get your files back are stored on every disk, in your documents and on your desktop. Look for files !Recovery_47UdPQ.txt and !Recovery_47UdPQ.html If you can’t find files, use the program “Tor Browser” (you can find it in Google) to access to (onion) web site http://qbxeaekvg7o3lxnn.onion to get your instructions.

Screenshot of Sage's text file:

Screenshot of Sage HTML file:

Ransom-demand message (presented within "!Recovery_[6_random_characters]_.txt" and "!Recovery_[6_random_characters].html" files):

Not your language? Use hxxps://translate.google.com
WARNING!
YOUR DOCUMENTS, DATABASES, PROJECT FILES, AUDIO AND VIDEO CONTENT AND OTHER CRITICAL FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED WITH A PERSISTENT MILITARY-GRADE CRYPTO ALGORITHM
How did this happen?
Specially for your PC was generated personal 4096 bit RSA key, both public and private. All your files have been encrypted with the public key. Decrypting of your files is only possible with the help of the private key and de-crypt program.....
What do I do?...
Don't wait for a miracle and the price doubled!Start obtaining Bitcoin now and restore your data easy way! If you HAVE REALLY VALUABLE DATA, you better NOT WASTE YOUR TIME, because there is NO OTHER WAY to get your files, EXCEPT MAKE A PAYMENT.Your personal ID:..
For more specific instructions, please visit your personal home page, there are a few different addresses pointing to your page below:
1 - hxxp://qbxeaekvg7o3lxnn.onion.to
2 - hxxp://qbxeaekvg7o3lxnn.onion.cab
3 - hxxp://qbxeaekvg7o3lxnn.onion.city
What should you do with these addresses?

1. Take a look at the first address (in this case it is
hxxp://qbxeaekvg7o3lxnn.onion.to);
2. Select it with the mouse cursor holding the left mouse button and
moving the cursor to the right;
3. Release the left mouse button and press the right one;
4. Select "Copy" in the appeared menu;
5. Run your Internet browser (if you do not know what it is run the
Internet Explorer);
6. Move the mouse cursor to the address bar of the browser (this is the place where the site address is written);
7. Click the right mouse button in the field where the site address is written;
8. Select the button "Insert" in the appeared menu;
9. Then you will see the address hxxp://qbxeaekvg7o3lxnn.onion.to appeared there;
10. Press ENTER;

11. The site should be loaded; if it is not loaded repeat the same instructions with the second address and continue until the last address if falling.If for some reason the site cannot be opened check the connection to the Internet. Unfortunately these sites are short-term since the antivirus companies are interested in you do not have a chance to restore your files but continue to buy their products. Unlike them we are ready to help you always. If you need our help but the temporary sites are not available:
1. Run your Internet browser (if you do not know what it is run the Internet Explorer);
2. Enter or copy the address hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/download-easy.html.en into the address bar of your browser and press ENTER;
3. Wait for the site loading;
4. On the site you will be offered to download Tor Browser; download and run it, follow the installation instructions, wait until the installation is completed;
5. Run Tor Browser;
6. Connect with the button "Connect" (if you use the English version);
7. A normal Internet browser window will be opened after the initialization;
8. type or copy the address hxxp://qbxeaekvg7o3lxnn.onion in this browser address bar;
9. Press ENTER;
10. The site should be loaded; if for some reason the site is not loading wait for a moment and try again
!!! IMPORTANT !!!
Be sure to copy your personal ID and the instruction link to your notepad not to lose them.

Screenshot of Sage Tor website (Home page):

Text presented within this page:

Important Information! Please read very carefully!
Attention!
Sage encrypted all your files!
All your files, images, videos and databases where have been encrypted and no longer accessible by software known as Sage!
To restore all your files you need to pay $150 (≈ BTC 0.20357) for the decryption.
The after full payment, you will be able to download the software to restore your data.
In the case of non-payment of the full commission within 06 d 06 h 49 m 39 s,
the amount of commission will be raised to $300 (≈0.40713)
You have no chance to restore the files without our help!
The files will restored easily if you will follow our instructions!
In case of the repeated non-payment of the increased commission during the - period,
the unique decryption code for your files will be blocked
and its recovery will be absolutely impossible!

Screenshot of Sage website (Payment page):

Text presented within this page:

Payment procedure How to pay?
Payment can only be made using the BitCoin system.
BitCoin is the new generation of the decentralized cyber currency that has been created on the Internet and is operating on the Internet only. Emission of the BitCoin currency (BTC) is performed by the work of millions of computers around the world using a program for calculation of mathematical algorithms. Due to this fact, all the payments within the system are open payments but at the same time are completely anonymous for the whole world. So you can be sure that in the case of full payment of the commission, all your files will be decrypted. Please note that BTC currency rate as any other currency rate in the world is not fixed. It tends to increase, therefore we advise you not to delay the BTC currency purchase and payment. How to pay within the BitCoin system?
Don't worry, the payment process in the BitCoin system is not difficult and requires few simple steps.
1. BTC wallet you need to transfer the payment to has been set up specially for you and the amount paid can not be lost! You will be able to check all the information about the payments made. Your BTC wallet: 1EpwuEdnMRaWs75WwKBHuQkiPcyVyb7GdM
2. Around the world there is a wide variety of services (see the full list below) allowing to buy BTC currency with cash, classic bank cards (Visa/Mastercard), PayPal, bank transfers and other payment methods.
3. Below you can find the list of trusted BitCoin purchase services. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that these services are not affiliated with us! Most of them are designed for beginners and have prompt support services. Some of these services will set up a personal BTC wallet for you, while others can make a direct transfer to the wallet that has been set up for you on our system. It should be noted that some of the services mentioned can require you to confirm your identity before the BitCoins purchase.
4. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHILE MAKING PAYMENTS WITHIN THE BITCOIN SYSTEM!
If you need to save, copy, etc your BTC wallet number do not try to write it down by hand! If while making a transaction you type the wrong BTC wallet number, the money will be lost. Therefore, if necessary, print out the BTC wallet number you need or use the QR-code scanner on your smartphone.
5. If you are not confident that you are able to do everything correctly the first time, you can split the full amount of payment in several BTC transactions. As was mentioned above, the BTC wallet you need to make payment to has been set up specially for you. That is why at any time you may see the current balance and the reminder to be paid.
6. Keep in mind that some BTC purchase services have a delay in payment processing. The delay may last from 24 to 36 hours. We therefore recommend you not to put aside the decision of payment until the last moment. Failure to pay on time may result in the increase of the commission amount!!!
THE FULL LIST OF SERVICES WHERE YOU MAY BUY BitCoin Currency (BTC)

Screenshot of Sage website (Test decryption page):

Text presented within this page:

Test decryption Upload file to test decryption. You can upload one file up to 15 KB to test decryption

Screenshot of Sage website (Instructions page):

Text presented within this page:

InstructionsWhat to do after the payment is made? How to decrypt all your data?
After payment you can download the decryption software from the home page. We guarantee that all your files will be decrypted.
Just follow these simple steps:
1. Login to your personal page
2. Copy the decryption key from field on the home page
3. Click "Download decryption software" button and save Sage_Decryptor.exe to your hard disk
4. Run Sage_Decryptor.exe
5. Paste the decryption key into field in the decryption software window
6. Click "Run decryption" and wait for successfull completion of the decryption process
7. IMPORTANT: Don't turn off or reboot your PC before the process is completed!
8. Congratulations! Now all your files are restored!

Screenshot of Sage website (Support page):

Text presented within this page:

Support requests Ask your questions. If you still have some questions on the work of our service, please use the special form to contact our support service. We will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Sage ransomware removal:

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Removal and file recovery procedure

If your files are encrypted with a new extension and a ransom note has appeared, you've been hit by ransomware. Don't pay. The procedure below works in order: contain the infection, identify the variant, remove the ransomware itself (so anything you restore doesn't get re-encrypted), and try to recover files using free decryption tools, Windows Volume Shadow Copies, or backups. Run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner to remove the infection - then move on to file recovery.

Common ransomware behaviors

VisibleEncrypts your files and renames them

The ransomware reads each file, encrypts the contents with the attacker's public key, and writes the encrypted bytes back to disk. Most variants also rename the file by appending a new extension - .net, .locked, .crypt, .lockbit, .djvu, etc. Without the matching private key, the encrypted files cannot be opened normally. Recovery depends on a free decryption tool, a recoverable Volume Shadow Copy, or a clean backup.

VisibleDrops a ransom note in every encrypted folder

A text or HTML file (usually named HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt, README.txt, _readme.txt, or similar) is placed in every folder that contains encrypted files. The note explains the situation, lists a payment amount in cryptocurrency, gives a deadline, and provides a contact email or .onion site. Save the note - don't delete it. Its exact wording, the email address, and the bitcoin wallet are how you identify the variant in the next phase.

VisibleReplaces the desktop wallpaper

Many ransomware variants change the Windows wallpaper to a black or red image with the ransom message and instructions. The wallpaper is just a visual scare tactic - it doesn't add any actual capability and reverts to normal once the ransomware is removed. Photograph it before removal in case the contact details are useful for variant identification or for reporting to authorities.

HiddenDeletes Volume Shadow Copies

One of the first things modern ransomware does after launching is run vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet to wipe Windows' built-in Volume Shadow Copies - the snapshots that Previous Versions and System Restore rely on. Some ransomware doesn't fully succeed (especially on systems where the user lacks full admin rights), leaving partial shadow copies recoverable. Phase 4 step 11 covers how to check what survived.

HiddenDisables Windows Defender and other security tools

Before encrypting, the ransomware tries to silence anything that could alert you or block it - Windows Defender real-time protection, third-party antivirus services, backup agents (Veeam, Acronis), and sometimes the Windows Event Log service. It often modifies Group Policy or registry keys to keep these off after reboot. Phase 3 step 9 explicitly turns Tamper Protection back on so the next ransomware attempt can't repeat the trick.

HiddenSpreads laterally to other PCs on the network

Network-aware ransomware (LockBit, Conti, BlackCat, Akira families) doesn't stop at the first machine. It scans for SMB shares, mapped drives, and other PCs on the same network, then encrypts whatever it can reach. On Windows domains, a single compromised user with admin rights can lead to all-domain encryption. This is why Phase 1 step 2 disconnects the network as the very first action - it stops the spread immediately.

HiddenSteals data before encrypting (double extortion)

Modern ransomware (LockBit, BlackCat / ALPHV, Akira, Cl0p, Royal) almost always exfiltrates data before encrypting. The attacker then runs a "double extortion" play: pay the ransom for decryption, plus pay again to prevent the stolen data from being leaked on the group's leak site. Paying the first ransom does not get the leaked data back - assume that anything the ransomware could read was uploaded. This is one more reason not to pay: the data is already out.

Tools you'll need

Combo Cleaner Antivirus 7-days free trial

Recommended primary scanner. VB100 certified. Removes the ransomware infection so file recovery doesn't get re-encrypted.

Microsoft Defender Offline Free · built-in

Built into Windows. Scans before Windows fully loads to catch persistence the running scanners miss.

Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT) Free

Microsoft's free on-demand scanner. Always-current signatures - the binary expires every 10 days.

ID Ransomware Free · web

Upload a ransom note and a sample encrypted file - identifies the variant family and tells you whether a free decryptor exists.

No More Ransom Project Free · web

Joint project of Europol, Dutch Police, and security vendors. Free decryption tools indexed by ransomware family.

Shadow Explorer Free

Browse Windows Volume Shadow Copies as a normal file tree - useful when ransomware partially failed to delete them.

Recuva Free

Deleted-file recovery. Long-shot for ransomware - only helps if the variant deleted unencrypted originals before encrypting copies.

Phase 1~ 5 min

Don't pay & contain

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1

Don't pay the ransom

1 min · read⚠ Do not skip

Paying the ransom does not guarantee you'll get your files back. Major ransomware response studies consistently show that a meaningful percentage of paying victims either receive a non-working decryptor, only partial decryption, or no decryptor at all. Beyond that:

• Paying confirms you as a willing target - re-attack rates within 12 months are high
• Several ransomware groups have been sanctioned (US OFAC, UK OFSI). Paying these groups may be illegal under sanctions law in your country
• The ransom funds the next attack - on you or someone else
• Modern ransomware almost always exfiltrates data first, so paying doesn't get the leaked data back. Assume anything the malware could read was uploaded
• Decryptors, even when they work, often leave files corrupted because the encryption itself was buggy or rushed

The path below tries every legal, free recovery option first. Pay only as an absolute last resort, after consulting a lawyer and your country's cyber crime authority.

2

Disconnect from the network and log out of cloud storage

2 minNo tool needed

Pull the Ethernet cable and turn off Wi-Fi on the affected PC. If multiple computers share the network, do the same on every machine you suspect could be affected, including any servers and NAS units.

Then sign out of cloud storage clients (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud) from their app settings. If you can, pause the sync. Some ransomware uses the running sync client to push encrypted versions over your clean cloud copies.

Why this matters

Modern ransomware spreads laterally across SMB shares, mapped drives, RDP, and reachable network neighbors. Disconnecting stops the spread the moment you do it. Logging out of cloud sync clients prevents the ransomware from encrypting the cloud copies of your files via the sync API.

3

Unplug external drives and USB storage

1 minNo tool needed

Safely eject any external drives, USB sticks, SD cards, and network-attached storage shares - then unplug them. If a drive was connected when the ransomware ran, the files on it may already be encrypted, but unplugging stops further damage.

Critically: don't reconnect any drive (including your most recent backup) to this PC until the ransomware is removed in Phase 3. Reconnecting an external backup to an actively-infected PC is the most common way that backup gets encrypted too.

Phase 2~ 5 min

Identify the variant

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4

Save the ransom note and a sample encrypted file

2 min

Copy the ransom note and one small encrypted file (under 1 MB) to a USB stick, or photograph the note with your phone. You'll need both for the variant identification step.

The ransom note is usually one of:

• A .txt file in every encrypted folder (typically HOW_TO_DECRYPT.txt, README.txt, or _readme.txt)
• An .html file with the same purpose
• A changed desktop wallpaper - photograph it
• A lock-screen interrupt that runs at startup - rarer

Important

Don't delete the note. Variant identification depends on its exact wording, the contact email, and the bitcoin wallet address. The note is also evidence if you report to authorities.

5

Identify the variant with ID Ransomware

Tool: ID Ransomware3 min

From a clean device (your phone is fine, or another PC that wasn't on the affected network), visit id-ransomware.malwarehunterteam.com. Upload the ransom note and the sample encrypted file. The site identifies the variant family and tells you whether a free decryptor exists.

Pro tip

ID Ransomware is run by the Malware Hunter Team. Files you upload are kept private - they're used for analysis, not published. If you're concerned about uploading data anyway, you can paste the contact email and bitcoin wallet from the note - those are often enough for identification.

Phase 3~ 30-45 min

Remove the ransomware

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The ransomware itself must be removed before any file recovery. If it's still active, anything you restore in Phase 4 gets re-encrypted within minutes.

6

Boot to Safe Mode with Networking and download the scanners

5 min

Safe Mode loads only the minimal Windows drivers, which prevents most ransomware from auto-running while you set up the scanners.

Windows 11: open Settings → System → Recovery, click Restart now next to Advanced startup. After the restart, click Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart, then press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: click the Windows logo, hold Shift, click the Power icon and choose Restart. From the Choose-an-option screen, click Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart, then press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in step 8) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in step 9). Save both installers to your Desktop, then disconnect Wi-Fi again before scanning.

7

Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Tool: Built into Windows15 min

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads.

Why this comes first

Some ransomware variants drop bootkit components or kernel hooks that hide from any scanner running on the same Windows session that's already infected. A pre-boot offline scan sees the disk before the malware can load itself.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8

Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Tool: Combo Cleaner20-40 min

Run the installer you downloaded in step 6 and start a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete, review what it detected, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner quarantines the ransomware executable and the registry / scheduled-task entries that re-launch it on reboot.

9

Run Microsoft Safety Scanner and re-enable Defender

Tool: MSERT15 min

Run Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe) as a second-opinion full scan. The binary expires every 10 days so the copy you downloaded has the latest signatures.

Once it finishes, open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Many ransomware variants disable Defender during the attack - this is where you switch it back on so the next attempt can't repeat the trick.

Why a second scan

Different scanning engines catch different threats. Running an additional Microsoft scan after Combo Cleaner is the most underused verification step in malware removal - and free.

Phase 4~ 30-60 min · results vary

Try to recover files

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Try the steps in order. The first decryptor that works ends the recovery process - no need to do all four.

10

Check the No More Ransom Project for a free decryptor

Tool: nomoreransom.org★ Cleanest path if listed5 min

Visit nomoreransom.org and search the Decryption Tools list for the variant name returned by ID Ransomware. The project is run by Europol, the Dutch Police, and security vendors - everything listed is legitimate and free.

If a decryptor exists, download it onto a clean PC, copy it across, and follow its instructions exactly. Decryptors usually want you to point them at a sample encrypted file plus its known unencrypted version (sometimes any image you previously had a backup of works).

Free decryptors exist for parts of the STOP/Djvu, GandCrab, REvil, Avaddon, Conti and Hive families, among others. Most modern variants don't have public decryptors - if yours isn't listed, that's expected; move to the next step.

11

Try Windows Volume Shadow Copies

Tool: Shadow Explorer / vssadmin15 min

Windows automatically creates Volume Shadow Copies of files when System Restore points are made or scheduled backups run. Most ransomware tries to wipe these (vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet), but the deletion sometimes fails partially - especially if the running user doesn't have full admin rights. When it does fail, snapshots survive that contain pre-encryption versions of your files.

First, check what's there. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

vssadmin list shadows

If you see entries listed, shadow copies survived. To restore from them:

• Built-in: right-click any folder → Properties → Previous Versions tab. Pick a snapshot dated before the infection and restore.
• Better tool for browsing: install Shadow Explorer (free). It shows all snapshots as a normal file tree and lets you copy out only the files you want.

Why check this even when there's a decryptor

Shadow Copies recover the original files exactly, with no risk of decryption errors. If they survived, this is faster and cleaner than running a decryptor on the encrypted set.

12

Restore from cloud or external backup

Tool: your backup software30 min

If you have a backup that pre-dates the infection, this is the cleanest recovery available. Important precautions:

• Don't reconnect a backup drive until Phase 3 is complete. If the ransomware is still active, plugging in the backup encrypts it too.
• For cloud backups (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud), use the Version History feature to roll individual files back to pre-encryption versions.
• OneDrive specifically has a "Restore your OneDrive" feature: if it detected mass file changes, you can roll back the entire account up to 30 days. Sign in at OneDrive on the web, click the Settings gear, and choose Restore your OneDrive. Microsoft 365 subscribers also get ransomware detection alerts; non-subscribers get one free recovery.
• Verify the restored files open correctly before you delete the encrypted set. Test a few documents, photos, and any database / project files.

13

Try Recuva as a last-resort recovery

Tool: Recuva30 min

Recuva is a long shot, not a primary recovery tool. Most modern ransomware encrypts files in place - it reads the original, encrypts the data, and writes the encrypted bytes back to the same disk location. In that case, the original isn't deleted, just rewritten - and Recuva has nothing to find.

But for older or simpler variants that deleted originals before creating encrypted copies (rather than encrypting in place), Recuva can sometimes pull the originals from unallocated disk space. Worth trying as a last resort, especially before you use the disk much further.

If you try it:

• Stop using the disk as much as possible - every disk write reduces recovery odds
• Run Recuva from a USB stick, not from the affected disk
• Use Deep Scan mode (slower but the only mode worth running for this scenario)

Don't skip the steps above expecting Recuva to bail you out. It works in maybe 5-20% of cases, depending on the variant and how soon you try.

Phase 5~ 20 min + ongoing

Report & prevent re-infection

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14

Report the attack to authorities

10-20 min

Even if your files aren't recovered, your report helps authorities track variants, attribute groups, and warn future victims. In some jurisdictions (especially the US and UK) early reporting can sometimes help recall a wired ransom payment via banking partners.

United States: ic3.gov (FBI) + stopransomware.gov (CISA)

United Kingdom: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud) + NCSC

Canada: antifraudcentre.ca

Australia: ReportCyber

Spain: Policía Nacional (Oficina Virtual de Denuncias)

France: cybermalveillance.gouv.fr

Germany: BKA

Italy: Polizia Postale

Netherlands: Politie

Poland: CERT Polska

Portugal: CNCS

EU (other): your national CERT

Save the report number - banks, insurers, and credit bureaus will ask for it. If you operate a business, you may also have legal disclosure obligations (GDPR in the EU, state breach laws in the US) that run on a 72-hour clock.

15

Plan 3-2-1 backups going forward

30 min initial

The single best defense against ransomware is a tested backup. Use the 3-2-1 rule:

• 3 copies of your data
• 2 different storage media (e.g., internal drive + external drive)
• 1 offline / air-gapped copy (an external drive that isn't always connected)

Recommended cadence:

• Daily: cloud sync (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive) - convenient, but vulnerable if the ransomware reaches the sync folder. The Version History feature is what saves you
• Weekly: external drive that you connect briefly, then disconnect - the air-gap is what protects against ransomware
• Monthly: a second external drive stored off-site (different physical location) - protects against fire, theft, flood

Important

Test the backup at least once. Open a few files from it, check sizes match, restore one to a different folder. An untested backup isn't a backup - it's a hope.

16

Patch the entry point and monitor for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most reinfections happen via the same vector that worked the first time. Until you've patched the entry point, watch for:

• Unusual disk activity, unexpected file modifications, or unfamiliar processes in Task Manager
• Unexpected reboots or new accounts you didn't create
• Defender or your antivirus turning itself off again

Common entry vectors and what to do about each:

• Phishing email with a malicious attachment - review email filters and train yourself / staff to recognise the patterns - see pcrisk's Phishing/Scam reference
• Exposed RDP with weak passwords - disable Remote Desktop from Settings → System → Remote Desktop if you don't need it. If you do, put it behind a VPN and require a long password plus MFA
• Unpatched VPN appliances or public-facing apps - check the vendor's advisories page and apply the latest firmware
• Cracked / pirated software - was the most common vector for STOP/Djvu in particular. Don't run software from torrent sites

Run a Combo Cleaner scan weekly for the first month. Update Windows, browsers, and applications aggressively.

Important: Removing a ransomware infection requires a full system scan, not a manual file delete. If you're not confident with the manual procedure, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there - that combination removes the vast majority of consumer ransomware variants. Then move to Phase 4 for file recovery, or to Phase 5 if your files are unrecoverable and you need to start fresh from a clean Windows install.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How was my computer hacked and how did hackers encrypt my files?

To dupe users into downloading and executing malware on their own, cyber criminals frequently conceal ransomware executables on cracked software distribution websites, use malspam, drive-by downloads, and other ways.

How to open ".sage" files?

Your files have been encrypted due to a ransomware infection. In order to regain access and use your files, decryption is required.

Where should I look for free decryption tools for Sage ransomware?

In case of a ransomware attack you should check the No More Ransom project website (more information above).

I can pay you a lot of money, can you decrypt files for me?

We do not offer decryption services for files encrypted by ransomware. Typically, such files can only be decrypted through the intervention of cybercriminals unless there is a flaw in the ransomware itself. It is important to note that third-party services offering paid decryption may be fraudulent or act as intermediaries.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Sage ransomware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will detect and eliminate active ransomware infections. Security software does not decrypt encrypted files. However, it helps to prevent further encryptions.