NEMTY PROJECT ransomware virus – removal and decryption options

What is NEMTY PROJECT?

NEMTY PROJECT is a high-risk ransomware-type infection discovered by malware researcher, S!Ri. The purpose of this ransomware is to encrypt data stored on the system so that developers can make ransom demands by offering paid recovery of files.

NEMTY PROJECT also appends each filename with the ".nemty" extension (e.g., "sample.jpg" becomes "sample.jpg.nemty"). Additionally, NEMTY PROJECT stores a text file named "NEMTY-DECRYPT.txt" in most existing folders.

An updated variant of NEMTY Project ransomware appends filenames with the "._NEMTY_[random_characters]_" extension (e.g., "1.jpg" -> "1.jpg._NEMTY_huWhN62_") and creates another text file "_NEMTY_[random_characters]_-DECRYPT.txt" (e.g., "_NEMTY_huWhN62_-DECRYPT.txt") containing an identical message.

Screenshot of files encrypted by NEMTY PROJECT ransomware:

NEMTY PROJECT ransomware overview

The messages state that data is encrypted and that victims must visit NEMTY PROJECT's website (located in the Tor network) to find decryption instructions. NEMTY PROJECT encrypts data using an AES-256 encryption algorithm that generates a unique decryption key individually for each victim.

NEMTY PROJECT uses a number of additional encryption layers (RSA-2048 and RSA-8192) to protect the generated key (i.e., it uses 3-layer encryption). All decryption keys are stored on a remote server controlled by NEMTY PROJECT's developers.

Therefore, after visiting the site, victims are presented with a ransom-demand message and encouraged to pay for decryption of their files. The sum is $1000 and payment must be submitted using the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Even if you can afford to pay, never be tempted.

Cyber criminals often ignore victims once payments are submitted. Therefore, all requests to submit payments should be ignored. Unfortunately, typically the sole solution is to recover the files from a backup.

Ransomware examples

There are dozens of ransomware-type infections virtually identical to NEMTY PROJECT. The list of examples includes Vesrato, Dragon, Grethen, Nacro, and many others. Although the developers are different, all of these infections are virtually identical. They encrypt data and make ransom demands.

In most cases, the only major differences are size of ransom and type of encryption algorithm used. Unfortunately, encryptions are often performed using high-end algorithms such as RSA, AES, and others, that generate unique decryption keys.

Therefore, unless the data was encrypted by ransomware that has bugs/flaws, restoring data manually (without developers' involvement) is impossible.

Therefore, maintain regular backups and store them on a remote server (e.g., Cloud) or unplugged storage device, since locally stored backups are encrypted together with regular data. In fact, have multiple backup copies stored in different locations, since there is always chance that servers/storage devices can be damaged.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

The way developers proliferate NEMTY PROJECT is currently unknown, however, many ransomware infections are proliferated using spam emails, third party software download sources, fake software updaters and 'cracks', and trojans.

Spam campaigns are used to send hundreds of thousands of deceptive emails that contain malicious attachments (links and/or files), and messages encouraging recipients to open them. To give the impression of legitimacy and increase the chance of tricking users, criminals present attachments as invoices, bills, receipts, or other important documents.

Freeware download websites, free file hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks (e.g., torrents, eMule, etc.) present malicious executables as legitimate software.

In doing so, criminals trick users into manual download/installation of malware. Fake updaters and 'cracks' inject malware rather than serving any useful purpose (i.e., updating software or providing free access to paid features). Trojans are malicious lightweight applications designed to infiltrate systems to inject additional malware.

How to protect yourself from ransomware infections?

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge of these threats and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay attention when browsing the Internet and downloading, installing, and updating software. Handle all email attachments with care.

Files/links received from suspicious/unrecognizable email addresses should never be opened. The same applies to attachments that are irrelevant or do not concern you. Your software should be downloaded from official sources only, preferably using direct download links.

Keep installed applications up-to-date, however, use only implemented functions or tools provided by the official developer. Be aware that third party downloaders, installers and updaters often include rogue applications, and thus such tools should never be used.

Cracking installed applications should also not be considered, since software piracy is a cyber crime and the risk of infections is extremely high (many cracks are fake).

Have a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and running at all times - this will detect and eliminate malware before it does any harm. If your computer is already infected with NEMTY PROJECT, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this ransomware.

Screenshot of NEMTY PROJECT ransomware's text file ("NEMTY-DECRYPT.txt"):

Text presented in this message:

---=== NEMTY PROJECT ===---

[+] Whats Happen? [+]

Your files are encrypted, and currently unavailable. You can check it: all files on you computer has extension .nemty
By the way, everything is possible to restore, but you need to follow our instructions. Otherwise, you cant return your data (NEVER).

[+] What guarantees? [+]

It's just a business. We absolutely do not care about you and your deals, except getting benefits.
If we do not do our work and liabilities - nobody will not cooperate with us.
It's not in our interests.
If you will not cooperate with our service - for us, its does not matter. But you will lose your time and data, cause just we have the private key.
In practise - time is much more valuable than money.

[+] How to get access on website? [+]

  1) Download and install TOR browser from this site: hxxps://torproject.org/
  2) Open our website: -

When you open our website, follow the instructions and you will get your files back.

Configuration file path: -

Screenshot of NEMTY PROJECT website homepage:

Screenshot of NEMTY PROJECT website offering free decryption of one file:

Screenshot of NEMTY PROJECT website delivering a ransom-demand message (English variant):

Text presented within this web page:

What do you need to do?
In order to get the decryptor you need to send btc to our wallet. The amount and wallet are specified below. Hurry up! After timer will end, your ransom price will be doubled. If you want more information on how to buy Bitcoin, you can read it here
Amount 0.09817 BTC (1000$)
Wallet 388crtat7DXKc5rWhvBqEVpWM5k9BDtEWo
Time left: 11:58:22

Screenshot of NEMTY PROJECT website delivering a ransom-demand message (Russian variant):

Text presented within this web page:

Что тебе надо сделать?
Чтобы получить декриптор, тебе необходимо заплатить определденную сумму в биткоинах. Сумма и кошелек указаны внизу. Поторопись! Как таймер закончится, сумма удвоится! Узнать, как купить биткоин ты можешь тут
Сумма 0.09817 BTC (1000$)
Адресс биткоин кошелька 388crtat7DXKc5rWhvBqEVpWM5k9BDtEWo
Осталось времени : 11:58:00

Updated NEMTY PROJECT ransomware process in Windows Task Manager:

Files encrypted by updated NEMTY PROJECT ransomware ("._NEMTY_[random_characters]_" extension):

Update September 4th, 2019 - Cyber criminals have recently started spreading NEMTY PROJECT ransomware via Rig Exploit Kit (RigEK).

Update September 9th, 2019 - Cyber criminals have started proliferating NEMTY PROJECT ransomware by using a fake PayPal website - pp-back[.]info.

The site claims that users will receive a 3-5% cashback if they use this payment application. To start using it, users are encouraged to download an executable named "cashback.exe". In fact, this is deceptive - the downloaded executable is NEMTY PROJECT ransomware and, once opened, immediately starts encrypting data.

Screenshot of the fake PayPal website (pp-back[.]info) used to spread NEMTY PROJECT ransomware:

Update September 16, 2019 - Cyber criminals are continually updating this ransomware and this time it was implemented with a feature allowing it to terminate various running processes and services. NEMTY PROJECT does this so it can encrypt files that are currently being used by various applications or system processes/services.

Another implemented (or rather updated) feature is a location check. NEMTY PROJECT gathers data and determines the location of the infiltrated machine. If the machine is located in one of the countries (full list below) within NEMTY PROJECT's whitelist, data will not be encrypted.

List of processes/services targeted by NEMTY PROJECT ransomware:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird Email Clients
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft WordPad
• SQL
• VirtualBox

List of countries in NEMTY PROJECT ransomware's whitelist:

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Moldova
• Russia
• Tajikistan
• Ukraine

Update October 15, 2019 - Cyber criminals have recently released an updated variant of this ransomware called NEMTY PROJECT V 1.6. Although the file extension remains the same, the ransom-demanding message is completely different.

Screenshot of NEMTY PROJECT V 1.6 ransom note ("_NEMTY_[random_characters]_-DECRYPT.txt"):

Text presented within this file:

NEMTY PROJECT V1.6

Don't worry, all your encrypted files can be restored.
It's a business, if we can't provide full decryption, other people won't trust us.

In confirmation, that we have decryption key, we can provide you test decryption.
On our website you can upload 1 encrypted picture (png,bmp,jpg,gif) and get it decrypted.

There is no way to decrypt your files without our help.
Don't trust anyone. Even your dog.

There is 1 way how to get to the website:

1) Any browser
  a) Open your browser
  b) Type this url: nemty.hk/pay
  c) Upload this note

NEMTY DECRYPTION KEY:

-

Screenshot of files encrypted by NEMTY PROJECT V 1.6 ransomware ("._NEMTY_[random_characters]_" extension):

IMPORTANT NOTE! Researchers from cyber security company Tesorion have recently released a decrypter capable of restoring files encrypted by NEMTY PROJECT ransomware for free. To download this decrypter and restore data victims have to contact Tesorion CSIRT requesting for help regarding this ransomware.

Screenshot of NEMTY PROJECT's decrypter by Tesorion company's researchers:

Update November 5, 2019 - Cyber criminals have recently started distributing NEMTY PROJECT ransomware by using a Phorpiex (Trik) trojan infection which sends spam emails with malicious attachments designed to inject NEMTY PROJECT into the system.

NEMTY PROJECT 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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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?

In many cases, victims themselves open ransomware executables since they are typically presented as ordinary software/media files. This malware is primarily distributed via drive-by downloads, spam mail, untrustworthy download sources (e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), illegal software activation tools ("cracks"), fake updaters, online scams, and malvertising.

How to open files encrypted by NEMTY PROJECT ransomware?

Encrypted files can neither be opened nor otherwise used – unless they are decrypted.

Where should I look for free decryption tools for NEMTY PROJECT ransomware?

Tesorion has released a free decrypter for NEMTY PROJECT ransomware (more information above). In other instances, we recommend checking out the No More Ransom project website (more information above).

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove NEMTY PROJECT ransomware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate active ransomware infections. It must be emphasize that while using anti-virus software is the first step in ransomware recovery, security programs are incapable of restoring encrypted files.