- Home
- Detectable Ransomware
- BigBossHorse
Ransomware Research
BigBossHorse Ransomware
BigBossHorse is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on January 1, 2020, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Heronpiston, Horsedeal, HorseLeader, XHamster, InHorseWeTrust.
Quick Facts
- Ransomware Family
- BigBossHorse
- First Seen
- January 1, 2020
- Known Aliases
- HeronpistonHorsedealHorseLeaderXHamsterInHorseWeTrust
How BigBossHorse Ransomware Works
Targeted Files
Encrypts first 0x2800 bytes
File Encryption Patterns
BigBossHorse modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
File extensions added after encryption:
..heronpiston
..horsedeal
..horseleader
..XHAMSTER
..zipzipulya
..Zhirinovsky
..WhiteHorse
..file.decrypt
..NUNCATARDE
..LIKEAHORSE
Ransom Note and Payment Demands
After encrypting files, BigBossHorse displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
#Decryption#.txt
Ransom message:
notes/#Decryption#.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
#Decrypt#.txt
Ransom message:
notes/#Decrypt#.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
#File.decrypt#.txt
Ransom message:
notes/#File.decrypt#.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
#RECOVERY#.txt
Ransom message:
notes/#RECOVERY#.txt
Note locations:
EveryFolder
Ransom message:
notes/41D2.tmp.jpg
Note locations:
Desktop
Technical Indicators
Associated Executable Files
The following executable files are associated with BigBossHorse ransomware:
avgdiagex.exe
AVGDIAGEX.EXE
RedDrip_test_signed
Wmiprvse.exe
Trojan.Ransom.HorseLeader.exe
Trojan.Ransom.GarrantyDecrypt.exe
WMIAPSRVR.EXE
svchosts.exe
encryptor.exe
and.ex_
like_a_horse.bin
Elastio Can Help You
Don't let BigBossHorse ransomware take over your data
Elastio provides advanced ransomware protection and recovery solutions to keep your organization safe.
About This Analysis
This BigBossHorse 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 BigBossHorse.
Last updated: July 30, 2025