Ransomware Research
Cancer Ransomware
Cancer is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on February 1, 2017, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.
Quick Facts
- Ransomware Family
- Cancer
- First Seen
- February 1, 2017
How Cancer Ransomware Works
Targeted Files
Fake Only renames files, removes files ewwwwww~cancer.png in %LOCALAPPDATA%
File Encryption Patterns
Cancer modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
File extensions added after encryption:
..cancerRansom Note and Payment Demands
After encrypting files, Cancer displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
Ransom message:
notes/ewwwwww~cancer.png
Note locations:
DesktopTechnical Indicators
Associated Executable Files
The following executable files are associated with Cancer ransomware:
VirusTotal.execancer.execancer ransom.exeVirusTotal.com .exeCancer Malware.exe
Elastio Can Help You
Don't let Cancer ransomware take over your data
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About This Analysis
This Cancer 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 Cancer.
Last updated: July 30, 2025