Akira (.akira) ransomware virus - removal and decryption options

What kind of malware is Akira?

Akira is the name of ransomware designed to encrypt data, modify the filenames of all affected files (by appending the ".akira" extension), and create a ransom note ("akira_readme.txt"). Also, upon execution, Akira runs a PowerShell command to delete Windows Shadow Volume Copies on the device.

An example of how Akira changes filenames: it renames "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.akira", "2.png" to "2.png.akira", and so forth.

Screenshot of files encrypted by this ransomware:

Akira ransom note overview

The ransom note states that the company's internal infrastructure is partially or fully dead and that all backups have been removed. It also claims the attackers have taken a significant amount of corporate data prior to encryption. The note offers a negotiation process with reasonable demands, promising not to ruin the company financially.

It provides instructions on how to reach out to cybercriminals through a Tor browser to access their chat room and a code to log in, emphasizing that the quicker the company responds, the less damage it will cause.

More details about ransomware

Akira ransomware, similar to other types of ransomware, spreads within a corporate network and targets multiple devices once it gains access. However, before encrypting files, the ransomware avoids certain folders, including Recycle Bin, System Volume Information, Boot, ProgramData, and Windows, as well as specific Windows system files with .exe, .lnk, .dll, .msi, and .sys extensions.

The attackers also steal sensitive corporate data before encrypting files and use it as leverage in their extortion attempts, threatening to publicly release it if the ransom is not paid.

Ransomware in general

Most ransomware types aim to restrict access to files or the entire operating system by encrypting data and appending file extensions to filenames. Ransom notes containing payment and contact details are also displayed or created. Antoni, Qopz, and GAZPROM are a few examples of different ransomware strains.

It is recommended to keep backups of data on a remote server or disconnected storage device to minimize the impact of ransomware attacks.

How did ransomware infect my computer?

Cybercriminals employ various tactics to deliver ransomware, such as malicious attachments or links in emails, pirated software websites, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks, free file hosting sites, and third-party downloaders. They also use fake software updates and Trojans to infect computers with malware.

Users unwittingly download and execute malicious files that infect their computers with ransomware. Malicious files come in various forms, including executables, JavaScript files, MS Office documents, PDF files, archives, and ISO files.

How to protect yourself from ransomware infections?

Refrain from opening suspicious or unexpected email attachments or clicking on links from unknown senders. Verify the email's legitimacy before accessing its contents. It is crucial to download files and programs from reputable sources, such as verified stores and official websites, and avoid clicking on ads on untrustworthy pages.

Regularly updating both the operating system and installed programs is also vital for preserving security. If your computer is already infected with Akira, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this ransomware.

Screenshot of Akira's text file ("akira_readme.txt"):

Text in the ransom note:

Hi friends,

Whatever who you are and what your title is if you're reading this it means the internal infrastructure of your company is fully or partially dead, all your backups - virtual, physical - everything that we managed to reach - are completely removed. Moreover, we have taken a great amount of your corporate data prior to encryption.

Well, for now let's keep all the tears and resentment to ourselves and try to build a constructive dialogue. We're fully aware of what damage we caused by locking your internal sources. At the moment, you have to know:

1. Dealing with us you will save A LOT due to we are not interested in ruining your financially. We will study in depth your finance, bank & income statements, your savings, investments etc. and present our reasonable demand to you. If you have an active cyber insurance, let us know and we will guide you how to properly use it. Also, dragging out the negotiation process will lead to failing of a deal.
2. Paying us you save your TIME, MONEY, EFFORTS and be back on track within 24 hours approximately. Our decryptor works properly on any files or systems, so you will be able to check it by requesting a test decryption service from the beginning of our conversation. If you decide to recover on your own, keep in mind that you can permanently lose access to some files or accidently corrupt them - in this case we won't be able to help.
3. The security report or the exclusive first-hand information that you will receive upon reaching an agreement is of a great value, since NO full audit of your network will show you the vulnerabilities that we've managed to detect and used in order to get into, identify backup solutions and upload your data.
4. As for your data, if we fail to agree, we will try to sell personal information/trade secrets/databases/source codes - generally speaking, everything that has a value on the darkmarket - to multiple threat actors at ones. Then all of this will be published in our blog -.
5. We're more than negotiable and will definitely find the way to settle this quickly and reach an agreement which will satisfy both of us.

If you're indeed interested in our assistance and the services we provide you can reach out to us following simple instructions:

1. Install TOR Browser to get access to our chat room - hxxps://www.torproject.org/download/.
2. Paste this link - -.
3. Use this code - - - to log into our chat.

Keep in mind that the faster you will get in touch, the less damage we cause.

Screenshot of Akira's data leaking website:

Update July 3rd, 2023 - Avast has recently released a decryption tool (for Windows) capable of restoring data encrypted by Akira ransomware for free. You can download the tool and find its user manual in Avast's website.

Screenshot of Avast decryptor for Akira ransomware:

Update July 28, 2023 - new Akira variant has been discovered. It is a cross-platform version capable of infecting and encrypting the data stored on Linux operating systems.

Update October 23, 2024 - Akira ransomware is evolving, with affiliates actively exploiting new vulnerabilities to gain initial network access and establish footholds for rapid data exfiltration and encryption. Once inside, they conduct credential harvesting using PowerShell and often delete system shadow copies to hinder recovery.

The group behind Akira is returning to older tactics, transitioning from Rust-based variants to more stable C++ encryptors for cross-platform compatibility. Recent samples indicate the use of certain techniques, including the adoption of the ChaCha8 stream cipher for faster encryption, underscoring their focus on quick exfiltration in ongoing attacks.

Update March 18, 2025 - Cyber security researcher Yohanes Nugroho has recently released a decryption tool for Akira ransomware's Linux variant. The decryption tool (including the user manual) is available on GitHub. You can also find more details regarding the tool's development in BleepingComputer's article.

Update August 7, 2025 - Akira ransomware operators are exploiting a legitimate Intel CPU tuning driver ("rwdrv.sys") to disable Microsoft Defender on targeted systems. The attackers register this driver as a service to obtain kernel-level privileges. Using these privileges, they load a second, malicious driver named "hlpdrv.sys".

This driver modifies Windows Defender's configuration, allowing cybercriminals to disable the security tool. Simply put, threat actors use a trusted (but flawed) driver to disable Microsoft Defender so their ransomware can run without being stopped.

Additionally, Akira ransomware has recently been linked to attacks targeting SonicWall VPN, exploiting what is believed to be an unknown vulnerability. These attacks involve SEO poisoning, a malicious site, and the Bumblebee loader.

Update September 30, 2025 - In earlier attacks, cybercriminals behind the Akira ransomware exploited SonicWall SSL VPN devices to compromise corporate networks. At first, it was suspected that the attacks were accomplished by exploiting a zero-day vulnerability, but SonicWall later confirmed the issue was with an access control flaw (CVE-2024-40766).

Although the flaw was fixed in August 2024, it seems that the attackers keep using credentials stolen before the fix. Cybercriminals are currently targeting SonicWall firewalls and logging into accounts even with one-time password (OTP) multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled.

However, it is still unclear how Akira ransomware affiliates are bypassing MFAs. After breaking in, the attackers scan the network and use hacking tools to map out accounts and systems. They focus on backup servers, where they run scripts to steal saved passwords.

To avoid being stopped by security software, they exploit weak drivers by tricking Windows into loading them through a legitimate program (consent.exe). These drivers let them shut down antivirus protections so the ransomware can run without interruptions.

Update June 30, 2026 - According to The DFIR Report, attackers distributing Akira have been using fake search ads and look-alike software download pages (such as opmanager[.]pro) to target IT administrators searching for legitimate network monitoring tools on Bing. The fake installer also quietly installed the real program to avoid raising suspicion.

Behind the scenes, the installer secretly loaded a hidden malware program known as BumbleBee, which contacted a server controlled by the attackers and later installed a second hacking tool, AdaptixC2, to give them remote access to the infected computer.

From there, the attackers used the Remote Desktop Protocol and remote-access tools such as RustDesk to spread across the network, created new administrator accounts, and stole passwords and other sensitive data before deploying Akira.

The entire intrusion, from the initial fake download to file encryption, reportedly took about 44 hours, with roughly 77GB of data copied off the network beforehand. (source: thedfirreport.com).

Update August 18, 2026 - Huntress researchers have documented Akira affiliates using a new tactic to bypass security software: forcing the target computer to reboot into Safe Mode with networking enabled before deploying the ransomware. Safe Mode loads only essential Windows components, which disables most third-party security tools and endpoint protection agents - while preserving the network connection the attackers need to continue operating. This is the first time this technique has been observed from Akira affiliates.

In the documented incident, attackers also registered AnyDesk to run in Safe Mode so they could maintain remote access during the attack. However, the attempt ultimately failed - Safe Mode's constrained environment caused the ransomware to crash before it could encrypt any files, and Windows Defender successfully quarantined the payload once the machine returned to normal mode. (source: huntress.com).

Akira 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?

Ransomware is often disguised to appear as legitimate content, which results in victims unknowingly executing the malware themselves. Cybercriminals primarily distribute this type of malware through various methods, including drive-by downloads, spam emails and messages, online scans, third-party download sources, P2P sharing networks, illegal program activation tools, fake updaters, and malvertising.

How to open ".akira" files?

Decryption is required to access or use encrypted files.

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

Avast has released a free decryptor capable of restoring data encrypted by Akira ransomware (more information above). Generally, in case of a ransomware attack, we recommend checking out the No More Ransom project website (more information above).

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

We do not offer decryption services. It is important to note that in most cases, decryption without the intervention of cyber criminals is unlikely, except for cases where the ransomware is flawed. Hence, third-party services that offer decryption for a fee are often fraudulent or act as intermediaries between victims and criminals.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Akira ransomware?

Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning computers and removing active ransomware infections. However, it is important to note that using an antivirus program is the first step in recovering from a ransomware attack. Security software cannot decrypt files.