Ransomware Research

Clay Ransomware

Clay is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on October 1, 2020, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Clay 2.0, Clay "CryptoToys".

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Clay
First Seen
October 1, 2020
Known Aliases
Clay 2.0Clay "CryptoToys"

How Clay Ransomware Works

Targeted Files

Most of samples don't add any suffixes and encrypt Desktop only

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..kfuald..clay

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

file___RECOVER__FILES__.clay.txt

Ransom message:

notes/___RECOVER__FILES__.clay.txt
fileOPEN ME!!!!!!.txt

Ransom message:

notes/OPEN ME!!!!!!.txt
fileREADME.txt

Ransom message:

notes/README.txt

Note locations:

Desktop

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Clay ransomware:

  • Rasomware2.0.exe
  • 123.exe
  • clean.exe
  • Clean.exe
  • Minegames.ransom.exe
  • rasomware2.0.exe
  • ransomware2.0.exe
  • SubmitSoftware.exe
  • ExciteRAN.exe
  • exciteran.exe
  • GABRIXHUB.exe
  • KoheX_injector.exe
  • Alo Minegames ransomware.exe
  • Alo_Minegames_ransomware.exe
  • 1.exe
  • Alo%20Minegames%20ransomware.exe
  • alo minegames ransomware.exe
  • fancybearsmessage.exe
  • T6bmcuFkl0hlvw4V.exe
  • Mionoho.exe
  • ⠀.exe
  • Prueba.exe
  • Ransom.exe
  • 333.exe
  • WindowsFormsApp1.exe
  • Ip_Booter.exe
  • patch.exe
  • [Inject].exe
  • File1.exe
  • File1
  • NewRanSmWare.exe
  • Ransomeware2.0.exe
  • WannaMad2.0.exe
  • Clownic1.0.exe
  • 08-03_140.82.121.3_711486A19E8B011528DEE34A5D25776E_Clownic1.0.exe.exe
  • qZbCXzSH.exe
  • 711486a1_qDA1LxC4yJ
  • clownic1.0.exe
  • Ulitsa Crypter.exe
  • NTT総合システムチェックソフトウェア(Ver1.0).exe
  • Ransomware2.0.exe
  • Argos.exe
  • WindowsWorker.exe
  • rnsm.exe
  • txt_to_rtf_converter.exe
  • Argos 2.0.exe
  • SusLocker.exe
  • sus.exe

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About This Analysis

This Clay 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 Clay.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

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Clay Ransomware - Detectable by Elastio