What is DragonForce Ransomware?
Your files now have a .dragonforce_encrypted extension, there’s a readme.txt ransom note in every affected folder, and your business systems are down. You need to act fast and act smart — read this article right now to understand exactly what you’re dealing with, and then follow the removal and recovery guide below immediately. Do not restart systems, do not pay yet, and do not attempt self-recovery without reading this first.
DragonForce is one of the most active and dangerous ransomware operations in the world as of 2026. First observed in August 2023, it rapidly evolved from a standard ransomware family into a full ransomware “cartel” — a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) platform built on leaked LockBit 3.0 and Conti V3 source code that allows affiliates to launch attacks using DragonForce’s infrastructure while branding them under their own names. In May 2025, DragonForce made international headlines after its affiliates attacked UK retail giants Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods in a coordinated spree that caused widespread operational disruption. By 2026, DragonForce absorbed the RansomHub infrastructure, dramatically expanding its reach. A working decryptor for both Windows and ESXi systems was obtained by S2W researchers — but it is not publicly released and does not apply to all variants.
![Dragonforce Ransomware - Remove + Restore Files [2026]](https://cdn.sensorstechforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Dragonforce-Ransomware-Remove-Restore-Files-1024x683.png)
Dragonforce Ransomware Short Overview
| Type | Ransomware-as-a-Service cartel / Double extortion ransomware targeting Windows, Linux, ESXi, BSD, and NAS environments. |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with random string and .dragonforce_encrypted or .df_win extension. Ransom note named readme.txt in every affected folder. Volume Shadow Copies deleted. Security tools and antivirus disabled. Unusual SMB network scanning activity prior to encryption. Systems possibly rebooted into Safe Mode during attack. |
| Removal Time | Approximately 15 minutes for a full-system scan |
| Removal Tool |
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How Did I Get DragonForce Ransomware?
DragonForce affiliates are patient, methodical attackers who spend days or weeks inside a network before triggering the encryption. Here’s how they typically gain initial access:
- Phishing and spear-phishing — Targeted phishing emails carrying malicious attachments — typically Microsoft Office documents with malicious macros — are the most common initial access vector. DragonForce affiliates also use malspam campaigns targeting specific employees at organizations with $15M+ annual revenue.
- Exposed RDP and VPN endpoints — Affiliates heavily target internet-facing Remote Desktop Protocol servers and unpatched VPN appliances (particularly Fortinet and Citrix) using brute-forced or stolen credentials. Unusual SMB activity across the network is one of the first indicators of a DragonForce intrusion.
- Social engineering — The M&S and Co-op attacks used techniques associated with the Scattered Spider affiliate group — convincing IT helpdesks to reset credentials and bypass multi-factor authentication through social engineering calls, then using those credentials to deploy the ransomware.
- Exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities — DragonForce affiliates actively scan for and exploit known vulnerabilities in internet-facing systems. Every unpatched zero-day vulnerability is a potential entry point for their reconnaissance tools including Cobalt Strike and SystemBC.
What Does DragonForce Ransomware Do?
DragonForce is a double-extortion operation that attacks your systems and your data simultaneously. Here’s the full attack chain:
- Reconnaissance and lateral movement — After gaining initial access, operators spend days mapping the network, harvesting credentials using Mimikatz and similar tools, identifying backup servers, ESXi hosts, and domain controllers. Cobalt Strike and SystemBC are used for lateral movement and maintaining persistent access via a C&C server.
- Data exfiltration — Before deploying any ransomware, operators silently exfiltrate gigabytes of sensitive business data to external servers using tools like Rclone. This stolen data becomes the second extortion lever — pay or it gets published on their dark web leak site.
- File encryption — The ransomware uses ChaCha8 plus RSA encryption (RSA-4096) to encrypt files. Each encrypted file gets a random Base32-encoded filename with the .dragonforce_encrypted extension appended. A ransom note (readme.txt) is placed in every affected directory. For large virtual disk images, partial encryption of chunks is used to speed up the attack.
- Defense evasion and backup destruction — DragonForce uses Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) techniques to disable EDR and antivirus. It deletes Volume Shadow Copies via WMIC commands, disables Windows recovery measures, modifies registry key entries for persistence, and erases event logs to hinder forensic analysis. Backup servers, NAS devices, and connected storage are specifically targeted and encrypted or wiped.
DragonForce’s “data analysis service” — launched in August 2025 — takes double extortion further by generating tailored extortion materials including scripts for calling your management and pseudo-legal analysis to maximize psychological pressure on your organization to pay. Ransom demands range from $100,000 to over $1,000,000 depending on organization size. There is no publicly available universal decryptor for all DragonForce variants.
What Should You Do?
Isolate all affected systems from the network immediately, preserve all forensic evidence, and do not attempt self-remediation — it can trigger further encryption or destroy recovery points. Do not negotiate directly with the attackers without professional guidance. Check nomoreransom.org for any available decryptors for your specific variant. Follow the complete removal and recovery guide below this article and engage professional incident response specialists if your organization lacks the internal capability to manage this safely.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Step 1: Scan for Dragonforce Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall Dragonforce Ransomware and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Dragonforce Ransomware on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Dragonforce Ransomware there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Dragonforce Ransomware
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Dragonforce Ransomware.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and Dragonforce Ransomware aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Dragonforce Ransomware-FAQ
What is Dragonforce Ransomware Ransomware?
Dragonforce Ransomware is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does Dragonforce Ransomware Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does Dragonforce Ransomware Infect?
Via several ways.Dragonforce Ransomware Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, containing virus attachment. This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
Another way you may become a victim of Dragonforce Ransomware is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open .Dragonforce Ransomware files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .Dragonforce Ransomware files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Dragonforce Ransomware files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".Dragonforce Ransomware" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Dragonforce Ransomware files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of Dragonforce Ransomware Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate Dragonforce Ransomware ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Dragonforce Ransomware files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can Dragonforce Ransomware Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the Dragonforce Ransomware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Dragonforce Ransomware how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Dragonforce Ransomware ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
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