DarkSide ransomware virus - removal and decryption options

What kind of malware is DarkSide?

DarkSide was discovered by MalwareHunterTeam. Malware of this type makes files inaccessible to victims by encryption, modifies filenames, and generates ransom messages. DarkSide renames encrypted files by appending the victim's ID as an extension.

For example, it would rename "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.d0ac7d95", "2.jpg" to "2.jpg.d0ac7d95", and so on. It drops the "README.[victim's_ID].TXT" file (the ransom message) in every folder that contains encrypted data.

Screenshot of files encrypted by DarkSide (with victim's ID as an extension):

Ransom note overview

The ransom message states that DarkSide ransomware encrypts data with strong encryption algorithms so that victims are unable to decrypt their files without software that can only be purchased from the cyber criminals behind this malware. Victims are warned that their data will be published on a certain website, unless they pay a ransom (purchase decryption software).

The data will be stored on the site for at least six months. Instructions about how to pay the ransom and other details such as cost of decryption software are provided on the Tor website, which can be accessed through a link in the ransom message ("README.[victim's_ID].TXT" text file).

It is very likely that cyber criminals behind DarkSide target large companies and organizations, since their decryption software costs 194.105 BTC plus 10% of this amount, or 23220.713 XMR.

Furthermore, victims are encouraged to purchase the software within three days, otherwise the cost is doubled (it will then cost 388.209 Bitcoins plus 10% of this amount, or 46441.426 Moneros). Only the cyber criminals behind the ransomware have valid tools that can decrypt files.

Unfortunately, there are no other tools that can decrypt files compromised by DarkSide. Despite this, do not pay any ransoms to cyber criminals - they do not send any decryption tools/keys even after payment. Victims who pay are scammed. Generally, the only way to avoid data loss is to restore files from a backup.

Further encryption of any unaffected files can be prevented by uninstalling the ransomware, however, already compromised files remain encrypted even after removal of the rogue software.

Examples of other ransomware variants

Some more examples of ransomware include FIXI, Protomolecule and AW46. In most cases, this malware encrypts files and displays and/or creates a ransom message. Common differences are cost of decryption and cryptographic algorithm (symmetric or asymmetric) that is used for data encryption.

Unfortunately, victims cannot decrypt files without valid tools held only by the cyber criminals behind the ransomware, unless the ransomware contains bugs/flaws or other vulnerabilities. The only free way to avoid data loss caused by ransomware is to restore files from a backup on remote server (e.g., Cloud) and/or unplugged storage device.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

Cyber criminals often send emails that contain malicious attachments or website links, and attempt to trick recipients into opening the malicious file. If opened, the file causes installation of malware.

Examples of files that cyber criminals attach to their emails are malicious Microsoft Office, PDF documents, executable files such as .exe, archive files such as ZIP, RAR and JavaScript files. Attempts to activate licensed software with 'cracking' tools can also cause installation of malicious software.

Commonly, these tools infect systems with malware and do not bypass activation of any installed software. Trojans are malicious programs that can cause chain infections by installing other software of this kind. Malware is spread in this way only when the computer is already infected with a Trojan.

Users are often tricked into infecting their computers via Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, installers, freeware download websites, free file hosting websites and other tools of this kind. Computers become infected when users download and execute malicious files.

In most cases, cyber criminals disguise the files as legitimate and harmless. Additionally, malware is often installed inadvertently via fake software updaters, which exploit bugs or flaws of outdated software, or they simply install malicious programs rather than updates and fixes.

How to protect yourself from ransomware infections

Software and files should NOT be downloaded or installed through third party downloaders/installers, unofficial websites or other channels/tools (mentioned above). Use official websites and direct links. Installed software must be updated via tools and functions that are designed by official software developers.

The same applies to activation. Furthermore, it is illegal to bypass activation of licensed software using unofficial, third party ('cracking') tools. Irrelevant emails that contain attachments and are received from unknown/suspicious addresses should not be trusted (do not open files or website links within them).

Regularly scan the system with reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software, keep it up to date, and remove detected threats immediately. If your computer is already infected with DarkSide, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this ransomware.

Appearance of the "README.[victim's_ID].TXT" ransom message (GIF):

Screenshot of a message encouraging users to pay a ransom to decrypt their compromised data:

Text presented in DarkSide ransomware text file:

----------- [ Welcome to Dark ] ------------->

 

What happend?
----------------------------------------------
Your computers and servers are encrypted, backups are deleted. We use strong encryption algorithms, so you cannot decrypt your data.
But you can restore everything by purchasing a special program from us - universal decryptor. This program will restore all your network.
Follow our instructions below and you will recover all your data.

 

Data leak
----------------------------------------------

 

First of all we have uploaded more then 100 GB data.

Example of data:
 - Accounting data
 - Executive data
 - Sales data
 - Customer Support data
 - Marketing data
 - Quality data
 - And more other...

 

Your personal leak page: hxxp://darksidedxcftmqa.onion/blog/article/id/6/ dQDclB_6Kg-c-6fJesONyHoaKh9BtI8j9Wkw2inG8O72jWaOcKbrxMWbPfKrUbHC
The data is preloaded and will be automatically published if you do not pay.
After publication, your data will be available for at least 6 months on our tor cdn servers.

 

We are ready:
- To provide you the evidence of stolen data
- To give you universal decrypting tool for all encrypted files.
- To delete all the stolen data.

 

What guarantees?
----------------------------------------------
We value our reputation. If we do not do our work and liabilities, nobody will pay us. This is not in our interests.
All our decryption software is perfectly tested and will decrypt your data. We will also provide support in case of problems.
We guarantee to decrypt one file for free. Go to the site and contact us.

 

How to get access on website?
----------------------------------------------
Using a TOR browser:
1) Download and install TOR browser from this site: hxxps://torproject.org/
2) Open our website: hxxp://darksidfqzcuhtk2.onion/ K71D6P88YTX04R3ISCJZHMD5IYV55V9247QHJY0HJYUXX68H2P05XPRIR5SP2U68

 

When you open our website, put the following data in the input form:
Key:
-

!!! DANGER !!!
DO NOT MODIFY or try to RECOVER any files yourself. We WILL NOT be able to RESTORE them.
!!! DANGER !!!

The appearance of the Tor website (GIF):

Text in the Tor website:

Your network has been locked!
You need pay $ 2,000,000
194.105 BTC (+10%) - 23220.713 XMR now, or $ 4,000,000
388.209 BTC (+10%) - 46441.426 XMR after doubled.

 

After payment we will provide you universal decryptor for all network.

 

Don't worry, we are good decryption specialists.
How to decrypt files ?

   

    Buy the required amount of XMR (Monero): 23220.713 XMR or BTC (Bitcoin): 194.105 BTC (+10%)
    Send 23220.713 XMR or 194.105 BTC (+10%) to the following address:
    Monero: 86R5YKD3DbMTJ1mgqiYjjsVULxwcxN5h5Yy Jt7Sz4B2oZEpZCnGBDZY4DG293xeeZSeF6iaDJqAoRVMeQXgUNM5x3fzyZru
    BTC: bc1qena2vfl7xhc5ad7q06eeuyd563ykxmwardnt2d
    * This receiving address was created for you, to identify your transactions.
    Wait for 10 confirmations for XMR or 3 confirmations of BTC.
    Reload current page after, and get a link download Decryptor.

 

Time left
03 days, 00:45:03
Time ends on 15 Aug 2020, 10:52
* The price will be doubled if you do not pay.
Data leak
Your data stolen. Read our blog.
Next publication:
03 days, 13:50:07
Transactions
TXID     Sum     Confirmations     Status     Date
Transactions not found

Screenshot of DarkSide data-leaking website:

Update 23 October 2020 - The cyber criminals behind DarkSide ransomware claim to have donated part of their illegal profits (from paid ransoms) to charity organizations. Donation proof was provided for two organizations: Children International and The Water Project.

At the time of donation, the sums were equivalent ot approximately US$10,000 (USD) each. Note that it is highly unlikely that the charity organizations will be able to keep these donations, as it is illegal to receive and/or utilize funds generated through criminal activity. More information about this can be found in an article by Catalin Cimpanu on the Zero Day blog (ZDNet).

Update 26 November 2020 - We've recently discovered a new variant of DarkSide ransomware, which delivers a slightly different ransom message. It also changes the desktop wallpaper and the icons of encrypted files.

Appearance of the ransom message from this DarkSide variant - README.[victim's_ID].TXT (GIF):

Text presented within:

----------- [ Welcome to DarkSide ] ------------->
 
 What happend?
 ----------------------------------------------
 Your computers and servers are encrypted, backups are deleted. We use strong encryption algorithms, so you cannot decrypt your data.
 But you can restore everything by purchasing a special program from us - universal decryptor. This program will restore all your network.
 Follow our instructions below and you will recover all your data.
 
 Data leak
 ----------------------------------------------
 First of all we have uploaded more then 260 GB data.
 
 Example of data:
 - Contracts
 - Customers data
 - Finance
 - HR
 - Leadarea data
 - Logistics data
 - Cards data
 - Gitlab backups
 
 Your personal leak page: hxxp://darksidedxcftmqa.onion/blog/article/ id/10/9t357riZiE6o5q_CaQX0E3AF3kFELw-2_rbsbi7J9Ye226-2RM7ELc59bc0JvxUu
 The data is preloaded and will be automatically published if you do not pay.
 After publication, your data will be available for at least 6 months on our tor cdn servers.
 
 We are ready:
 - To provide you the evidence of stolen data
 - To give you universal decrypting tool for all encrypted files.
 - To delete all the stolen data.
 
 What guarantees?
 ----------------------------------------------
 We value our reputation. If we do not do our work and liabilities, nobody will pay us. This is not in our interests.
 All our decryption software is perfectly tested and will decrypt your data. We will also provide support in case of problems.
 We guarantee to decrypt one file for free. Go to the site and contact us.
 
 How to get access on website?  
 ----------------------------------------------
 Using a TOR browser:
 1) Download and install TOR browser from this site: hxxps://torproject.org/
 2) Open our website: hxxp://darksidfqzcuhtk2.onion/ N0V4UBROF6PNA5OQXVOAYUY712Z1MRRLN5KX57JYC1ZJYUBXGWY996BIH9OMDLGT
 
 When you open our website, put the following data in the input form:
 Key:
 
-
 
 !!! DANGER !!!
 DO NOT MODIFY or try to RECOVER any files yourself. We WILL NOT be able to RESTORE them.  
 !!! DANGER !!!

Screenshot of the desktop wallpaper set by this DarkSide variant:

Text presented within:

All of your files are encrypted!

Find README.[victim's_ID].TXT and Follow Instructions!

Screenshot of the encrypted files (the extension remains the same: victim's ID):

Update 11 January 2021 - Bitdefender has recently released a decryption tool capable of restoring data encrypted by DarkSide ransomware. You can download this tool and find more information on Bitdefender's website.

Update 23 April 2021 - It is known that cybercriminals behind Darkside plan to target companies that are listed NASDAQ or other stock markets. Their plan is to notify attacked companies that their names will appear on a public list of targets so the companies would short their stock prices.

In other words, their goal is to push victims into paying a ransom by threatening them that their stock prices might fall after their names are added to the list of attacked companies. Although, it is unknown whether this extortion technique is going to be successful.

Screenshot of the announcement written by cybercriminals behind DarkSide:

Screenshot of DarkSide ransomware decryption tool by Bitdefender:

DarkSide 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?

Users commonly introduce ransomware to computers by engaging in actions like clicking on malicious links or attachments in emails, visiting compromised websites, and downloading infected or pirated software or files from the internet. Using outdated software can also make a computer vulnerable to ransomware infections.

Can I open encrypted files?

Your files have been encrypted as a result of a ransomware infection, requiring decryption to regain file access.

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

In case of a ransomware attack you should check the No More Ransom project website (more information above). It is also known that files encrypted by the DarkSide ransomware can be decrypted with this tool.

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

Our services do not include decryption for ransomware-encrypted files. Generally, files encrypted by ransomware cannot be decrypted without intervention from the developers or operators unless there are inherent flaws in the ransomware. Thus, any third party offering paid decryption is likely to either act as an intermediary or engage in fraudulent activity.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove DarkSide ransomware?

Combo Cleaner has the capability to scan your computer and remove active ransomware infections. It is crucial to note that while antivirus software is a vital initial step in recovering from a ransomware attack, security tools cannot decrypt encrypted files.