Ransomware Research

Amnesia Ransomware

Amnesia is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on May 1, 2017, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
Amnesia
First Seen
May 1, 2017

How Amnesia ransomware works

File encryption patterns

Amnesia modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:

Extensions added after encryption
.amnesia.@decrypt2017.[Help244@Ya.RU].LOCKED.CTB-Locker.protomolecule@gmx.us.@decrypt_files2017.01.02.[byd@india.com].SON.onion

Ransom note and payment demands

After encrypting files, Amnesia displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:

fileHOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT
notes/HOW TO RECOVER ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT
Location: EveryFolder
fileRECOVER-FILES.HTML
notes/RECOVER-FILES.HTML
Location: EveryFolder
file!__П_Р_О_Ч_Т_И__CTB-Locker__ПРОЧТИ__ПРОЧТИ.TXT

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with Amnesia ransomware:

About this analysis

This Amnesia ransomware analysis is part of Elastio's comprehensive ransomware detection database. Elastio provides advanced ransomware protection and recovery, helping organizations defend against and recover from ransomware attacks like Amnesia.

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Detection coverage

Elastio detects Amnesia inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Amnesia across live data, replicated data, and backups. If this family is in your environment, Elastio finds it before encryption completes. Run a scan against your recovery points to confirm.

See How the Hunt Engine WorksRequest a Demo

Recent ransomware

Explore other threats in our database

Wxlongda2025VeilCrypt2025TitanLabooboo2025SolidBit2022SnapHackLocker2024PySystemUpdate2025PySimCrypt2025Monkey2025Lol2025HWID2025
View all ransomware →
What is Amnesia Ransomware? | Elastio