Ransomware Research
ELDER Ransomware
ELDER is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on March 1, 2025, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Beast.
Quick Facts
- Ransomware Family
- ELDER
- First Seen
- March 1, 2025
- Known Aliases
- Beast
How ELDER Ransomware Works
Targeted Files
Full extension -> .{820C5DC5-88C7-7C71-0715-AC2B93C0CBA3}.ELDER
File Encryption Patterns
ELDER modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
File extensions added after encryption:
..ELDERRansom Note and Payment Demands
After encrypting files, ELDER displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
README.TXTRansom message:
notes/README.TXT
Note locations:
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About This Analysis
This ELDER 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 ELDER.
Last updated: July 30, 2025