Ransomware Research

Erica Ransomware

Erica is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on January 1, 2020, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Erica-2, Erica2020.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Erica
First Seen
January 1, 2020
Known Aliases
Erica-2Erica2020

How Erica Ransomware Works

Targeted Files

df3324cbcf38361e7adc7de2c40c922c22b21ea8d815d96af194a894a3dcecbe -> transform encrypted filenames (without ext) to hex -> Biblio.mdb -> 4269626C696F.mdb

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

./\.[a-z0-9]{4}$/./\.[a-z0-9]{6}$/./\.[a-z0-9]{8}$/./\.[a-z0-9]{3}-[a-z0-9]{3}-[a-z0-9]{3}$/

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

fileHOW TO RESTORE ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT

Ransom message:

notes/HOW TO RESTORE ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT

Note locations:

EveryFolder
fileREAD_THIS_FILE.TXT

Ransom message:

notes/READ_THIS_FILE.TXT
file[#]Erica - HOW TO DECRYPT MY FILES[#].txt

Ransom message:

notes/[#]Erica - HOW TO DECRYPT MY FILES[#].txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/^Readme \.[a-z0-9]{3}-[a-z0-9]{3}-[a-z0-9]{3}\.txt$/

Note locations:

EveryFolder

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Erica ransomware:

  • aqv33d4b.exe
  • scr.exe
  • wgjihfbx.exe
  • decrypter.exe
  • ywb3frg1.exe
  • fabian_sosarc.exe
  • ILK4MXYN.exe
  • 7XICISPV.exe
  • UD91LM8Z.exe
  • girl.scr
  • ptsgu4o1.exe
  • girl.exe
  • Erica.exe
  • inbox.pe
  • kis-kis.exe
  • unpacked.exe
  • zsywqjjw.exe
  • rocket.exe
  • 6777.exe
  • B78KUQ70.exe
  • 305ER91N.exe
  • KYDXAX20.exe
  • bot.exe
  • 1233.exe

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About This Analysis

This Erica 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 Erica.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

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