Babyk ransomware virus - removal and decryption options

What is Babyk?

Babyk is a type of malware that encrypts files, appends the ".babyk" extension to their filenames, and creates ransom notes (text files named "How To Restore Your Files.txt") in all folders containing encrypted files. Its ransom notes contain payment information. Babyk modifies filenames like this: it renames a file named "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.babyk", "2.jpg" to "2.jpg.babyk", and so on. This ransomware is another variant of the Babuk Locker ransomware.

There are multiple variants of Babyk ransomware (".babuk", ".doydo", etc.), and some of them can be decrypted using a decrypted developed by Avast (more information below).

Screenshot of files encrypted by Babyk ransomware:

Babyk ransomware in detail

As written in the "How To Restore Your Files.txt" ransom note, Babyk encrypts files and deletes backups. It encrypts files with strong encryption algorithms, and there is no way to decrypt them without the help of attackers.

Encrypted files can be decrypted with a universal decoder that can be purchased for 0,006 BTC (Bitcoin). Victims have to pay a ransom to the provided BTC wallet and then send the transaction ID to babuckransom@tutanota.com.

After the payment, victims will receive a file named decryptor.exe (a decryption tool). It is also mentioned that victims should not try to recover files by themselves because it may damage them irreversibly.

As a rule, victims cannot decrypt files encrypted by ransomware unless they have the right decryption tool. In most cases, cybercriminals behind ransomware attacks are the only ones who can help victims to decrypt their files.

Fortunately, some versions of Babyk can be decrypted with Avast's decryptor (more information below). However in cases where there are no third-party tools available, the only free way to recover files without paying a ransom is to restore them from a backup that has been created before the attack.

It is strongly recommended not to pay a ransom to the attackers behind Babyk - they may never send a decryption tool even if they would be paid. In fact, it is common for victims who paid a ransom to get scammed.

Additionally, it is recommended to remove ransomware from the affected computer as soon as possible. Otherwise, that ransomware may encrypt new files or infect other computers connected to the same network as the already infected computer.

Similarities with other ransomware variants

There are lots of different ransomware variants, but most of them are pretty similar. A couple of examples are F1, Hive, and Miis.

In most cases, they are designed to encrypt files and generate a message demanding payment. Two main differences between ransomware variants are the prices of data decryption and cryptographic algorithms (symmetric or asymmetric) they use to encrypt files.

It is possible to recover files without a decryption tool purchased from the attackers when installed ransomware has some vulnerabilities, or a free decryption tool is available on the Internet. However, victims of most ransomware attacks can recover files for free only if they have a data backup.

Therefore, it is highly advisable to create data backups regularly and store them on a remote server (for example, Cloud), or unplugged storage device. Keeping backups not a computer helps to prevent them from being encrypted during ransomware attacks.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

Typically, users infect computers with malware via emails, fake software updaters, files downloaded via questionable, unreliable sources, trojans, and software cracking tools/cracked software. In order to trick users into installing malware via email, cybercriminals send emails containing malicious attachments or links.

Examples of files that cybercriminals can use to trick recipients into installing malware via emails are malicious Microsoft Office or PDF documents, ZIP, RAR or other archive files, executable files (like .exe), JavaScript files. Typically, emails used to deliver malware are disguised as important, urgent letters from legitimate entities.

Fake software updaters can infect computers by exploiting flaws, bugs, or other vulnerabilities of installed programs or installing malware instead of updates or fixes. Either way, fake updaters do not fix or update any legitimate software.

Examples of questionable channels that can be used to distribute malware are Peer-to-peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), various third-party downloaders and installers, freeware download sites, free file hosting websites. Users infect computers through them by executing downloaded malicious files.

Trojans are malicious programs that can be designed to do different things. Trojans of a certain type install additional malware (infect computers with other malware). Typically, they look like legitimate programs.

Software cracking tools illegally activate legitimate, licensed programs. Although, it is very common for these tools (and cracked programs) to have some malware hidden in them.

Therefore, by installing cracked software or using cracking tools, users often install malware on their computers. It is important to know that it is not legal to use cracked software.

How to protect yourself from ransomware infections?

Files or programs should be downloaded from official, trustworthy websites and through direct links. It is not safe to open files downloaded via Peer-to-Peer networks, third-party downloaders, unofficial pages, etc., or install programs via third party installers.

Operating system and installed software has to be updated and activated with implemented functions or tools provided by its official developers. Software cracking tools and third-party updaters often are used to distribute malware (also, it is not legal to use cracked software).

Attachments and links in irrelevant emails received from suspicious, unknown addresses should not be opened. It common that emails of this kind are used to deliver malware - they contain malicious files or links to malicious pages.

The operating system should be scanned for threats on a regular basis. It is recommended to scan it with a reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software. If your computer is already infected with Babyk, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this ransomware.

Screenshot of Babyk ransomware's text file ("How To Restore Your Files.txt"):

Text presented in this message:

--------------- Hello ---------------

 *** By BABUCK LOCKER ***

Your computers and servers are encrypted, and backups are deleted.
We use strong encryption algorithms, so no one has yet been able to decrypt their files without our participation.

The only way to decrypt your files is to purchase a universal decoder from us, which will restore all the encrypted data and your network.

Follow our instructions below, and you will recover all your data:

1) Pay 0,006 bitcoin to 1E6cvG6iEbufvYspsDa3XQ3WJgEMvRTm9i
2) Send us message with transaction id to babuckransom@tutanota.com
3) Launch decryptor.exe, which our support will send you  through email

 

What guarantees?
------------------
We value our reputation. If we will not do our work and liabilities, nobody will pay us. This is not in our interests.
All our decryption software is tested by time and will decrypt all your data.
------------------

!!! DO NOT TRY TO RECOVER ANY FILES YOURSELF. WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTORE THEM!!!

Ransom note delivered by another variant of Babyk ransomware ("How To Restore Your Files.txt"):

Text presented within:

If you need your files Send 0.1 etherium to 0xb9E0e99cF7F0A8e7e82D5B48251A88d25ce82BAb and send transaction confirmation on NRKZ@DNMX.ORG

 

hxxps://www.binance.com/ru/buy-Ethereum
hxxps://www.coinbase.com/ru/buy-ethereum
hxxps://ethereum.org/en/get-eth/

Screenshot of files encrypted by Doydo ransomware (".doydo" extension):

Screenshot of a ransom note dropped by another Babyk ransomware variant called Lovely ransomware ("How To Restore Your Files.txt"):

Text presented within:

############## [ Lovely ransomware ] ##############

* What happend?
---------------------------------------------
Your computers and servers are encrypted, backups are deleted from your network and copied.
We use strong encryption algorithms, so you cannot decrypt your data without us.
But you can restore everything by purchasing a special program from us - a universal decoder.
This program will restore your entire network. Follow our instructions below and you will recover all your data.
If you continue to ignore this for a long time, we will start reporting the hack to mainstream media and posting
your data to the dark web.

* 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.

* What information compromised?
---------------------------------------------
We copied many data from your internal network.
For additional confirmations, please chat with us.
In cases of ignoring us, the information will be released to the public

* How to contact us?
---------------------------------------------
1) Download for browser: hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/
2) Open this url on browser > -
3. register your account on CryptBB and open this link > -

You can send message there

or here is my email : bigcrunch7@mail2tor.com

Update November 3rd, 2021 - The source code of Babuk ransomware has been recently leaked in a forum, which gave cyber security experts an opportunity to release a decryptor for this ransomware. The tool developed by Avast is capable of restoring data encrypted Babuk ransomware with ".babuk", ".babyk" and ".doydo" extensions. You can download this tool and find more information in Avast's official website.

Screenshot of Avast's decryptor for Babuk ransomware:

Babyk ransomware removal:

Instant automatic malware removal:

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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

---

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?

Ransomware executables are usually disguised as regular content - therefore, in many cases, victims themselves open these files. This malware is widely proliferated via drive-by downloads, spam emails/messages, online scams, malvertising, dubious download channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), fake updaters, illegal program activation ("cracking") tools, and so on.

How to open files encrypted by Babyk ransomware?

Continued file usage requires decryption. In other words, ransomware-encrypted files can neither be opened nor otherwise used - unless they are decrypted.

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

Some variants of Babyk ransomware - those appending files with ".babuk", ".babyk" and ".doydo" extensions - can be decrypted using a decryption tool developed by Avast (more information above). However, if this decryptor is incompatible, we recommend checking out the No More Ransom project website (more information).

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Babyk ransomware?

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