Ransomware Research

BlackHeart Ransomware

BlackHeart is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on April 1, 2018, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: BlackHeart, BlackRouter, Pay2me, M@r1a, BlackHat, Prodecryptor, Tor+, Tsar, Badboy, Alix1011RVA.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
BlackHeart
First Seen
April 1, 2018
Known Aliases
BlackHeartBlackRouterPay2meM@r1aBlackHatProdecryptorTor+TsarBadboyAlix1011RVA

How BlackHeart Ransomware Works

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..BlackHat..BlackRouter..Prodecryptor..Tor+..Tsar..Badboy..Alix1011RVA

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

fileReadME-BLackHeart.txt

Ransom message:

notes/ReadME-BLackHeart.txt
fileReadME-BlackRouter.txt

Ransom message:

notes/ReadME-BlackRouter.txt

Note locations:

DesktopRootDiscs
fileReadME-Prodecryptor@gmail.com.txt

Ransom message:

notes/ReadME-Prodecryptor@gmail.com.txt

Note locations:

Desktop
fileReadME-Unlockme501@protonmail.ch.txt

Ransom message:

notes/ReadME-Unlockme501@protonmail.ch.txt

Note locations:

Desktop
fileReadME-Tsar.txt

Ransom message:

notes/ReadME-Tsar.txt

Note locations:

Desktop
filereadme.txt

Ransom message:

notes/readme.txt
fileReadME-BadboyEncryption.txt

Ransom message:

notes/ReadME-BadboyEncryption.txt

Note locations:

DesktopRootDiscs
fileReadME-Decrypt.txt
fileReadME-Alix1011RVAEncryption

Note locations:

DesktopRootDiscs

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with BlackHeart ransomware:

  • TR.exe
  • SF.exe
  • BlackHeart.exe
  • BLACKROUTER.EXE
  • blackrouter.exe
  • BlackHeart Rasomware.bin
  • sparta.exe
  • blackheart.exe
  • ransom.exe
  • BlackHat.exe
  • 1.exe
  • Psycho.exe
  • BlackRouter.exe
  • Psycho.bin
  • Psycho.ex_
  • Prodecryptor.exe
  • $R3CHUP2.EXE
  • lio.exe
  • Badboymnb.exe
  • Drheshi@protonmail.com.exe
  • chaos@gmail.com.exe
  • support@lzt.design.exe.exe
  • Alix1011RVA.exe

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About This Analysis

This BlackHeart 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 BlackHeart.

Last updated: October 30, 2025

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