Ransomware Research
Defender Ransomware
Defender is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on February 1, 2018, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.
Quick Facts
- Ransomware Family
- Defender
- First Seen
- February 1, 2018
How Defender Ransomware Works
Targeted Files
Downloads ransom note from zippyshare https://app.any.run/tasks/3b86265a-037e-4b9f-84fc-402046570424/
File Encryption Patterns
Defender modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
File extensions added after encryption:
..defenderRansom Note and Payment Demands
After encrypting files, Defender displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
Defender_Ransomware.txtRansom message:
notes/Defender_Ransomware.txt
Note locations:
UserFoldersTechnical Indicators
Associated Executable Files
The following executable files are associated with Defender ransomware:
mpcmdrun.exeMpCmdRun.exe5dcc449d51c864eeb657c54679eb9d20_MpCmdRun.exe.binDefender.exe
Elastio Can Help You
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About This Analysis
This Defender 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 Defender.
Last updated: July 30, 2025