Ransomware Research
Aurora Ransomware
Aurora is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on May 1, 2018, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: OneKeyLocker.
Quick Facts
- Ransomware Family
- Aurora
- First Seen
- May 1, 2018
- Known Aliases
- OneKeyLocker
How Aurora Ransomware Works
Targeted Files
https://app.any.run/tasks/12e39ec5-9e2c-482d-975a-66848197f592/ https://app.any.run/tasks/ee8b6db9-3dd5-4447-991f-de33335cb1a4/ https://app.any.run/tasks/1dc0b4c1-d4e0-4d86-83d4-4b354799e68f/ https://app.any.run/tasks/10fcf75a-a4db-478e-9dbc-c171f1fcc0b6/ https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/716603/new-ransomware-returndata-extension/ https://app.any.run/tasks/c71e73b2-a990-4028-990b-e225d0d28beb/ https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/aurora-zorro-ransomware-actively-being-distributed/ Requires C&C -> e8e995787549117aacb30b3d4896c058a8bfc8d0aab312b726d34e6ab85d819d
File Encryption Patterns
Aurora modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
File extensions added after encryption:
..Aurora
..Nano
..cryptoid
..peekaboo
..isolated
..infected
..locked
..veracrypt
..returndata
..masked
..crypton
Ransom Note and Payment Demands
After encrypting files, Aurora displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
#RECOVERY-PC#.txt
Ransom message:
notes/#RECOVERY-PC#.txt
#RECOVERY_FILES#.txt
Ransom message:
notes/#RECOVERY_FILES#.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
CRYPTOID_BLOCKED.txt
Ransom message:
notes/CRYPTOID_BLOCKED.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@@_READ_ME_@@.txt
Ransom message:
notes/@@_TAKE_A_LOOK_@@.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@@_TAKE_A_LOOK_@@.txt
Ransom message:
notes/@@_TAKE_A_LOOK_@@.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@@_HELPER_@@.txt
Ransom message:
notes/@@_TAKE_A_LOOK_@@.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@@_FILES_ARE_ENCRYPTED_@@.txt
Ransom message:
notes/@@_FILES_ARE_ENCRYPTED_@@.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@@_HOW_TO_RETURN_DATA_@@.txt
Ransom message:
notes/@@_HOW_TO_RETURN_DATA_@@.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@@_RECOVERY_INSTRUCTIONS_@@.txt
Ransom message:
notes/@@_RECOVERY_INSTRUCTIONS_@@.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
#DECRYPT_MY_FILES#.txt
Ransom message:
notes/#DECRYPT_MY_FILES#.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@@_ATTENTION_@@.txt
Ransom message:
notes/@@_ATTENTION_@@.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@@_README_@@.txt
Ransom message:
notes/@@_README_@@.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@@_RECOVERY_@@.txt
Ransom message:
notes/@@_RECOVERY_@@.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@_FILES_WERE_ENCRYPTED_@.TXT
Ransom message:
notes/@_FILES_WERE_ENCRYPTED_@.TXT
@@_OpenTheBrowserTOR_@@.html
Ransom message:
notes/@@_OpenTheBrowserTOR_@@.html
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@@_Открыть_В_Браузере_TOR_@@.html
Ransom message:
notes/@@_Открыть_В_Браузере_TOR_@@.html
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@_FILES_WERE ENCRYPTED_@.TXT
Ransom message:
notes/@_FILES_WERE ENCRYPTED_@.TXT
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@_HOW_TO_DECRYPT_FILES_@.TXT
Ransom message:
notes/@_FILES_WERE ENCRYPTED_@.TXT
Note locations:
EveryFolder
@_HOW_TO_PAY_THE_RANSOM_@.TXT
Ransom message:
notes/@_FILES_WERE ENCRYPTED_@.TXT
Note locations:
EveryFolder
Technical Indicators
Associated Executable Files
The following executable files are associated with Aurora ransomware:
myfile.exe
a.exe
List.exe
RegAsm.exe
Sample_5bb53d72b5bce37484b76bd9.exe
RegAsm3.exe
tree.exe
RICKROLL.exe
2.jpg
cfe5a746.gxe
6C92EJ6A.exe
java.exe
pl.exe
2.exe
1.exe
QC17GKO3.exe
R.exe
loker.exe
Masked (Aurora)
svchost.exe
EffectivelyCloneable
01-03_185.222.202.213_33B1F895B3905D4591207565EBFEFEF4_mtx777.exe
945.tmp.exe
ljfnub.exe
mtx777.exe
Elastio Can Help You
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About This Analysis
This Aurora ransomware analysis is part of Elastio's comprehensive ransomware detection database. Elastio provides advanced ransomware protection and recovery solutions, helping organizations defend against and recover from ransomware attacks like Aurora.
Last updated: July 30, 2025