Ransomware Research

Exotic Ransomware

Exotic is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on October 1, 2016, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Exotic
First Seen
October 1, 2016

How Exotic Ransomware Works

Targeted Files

Random encrypted filenames

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..exotic

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

message

Ransom message:

notes/note.txt

Note locations:

OnceOnCompletion

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Exotic ransomware:

  • Crypto.exe
  • exotic.exe.dontrun
  • Module.exe
  • EXOTIC Ransomware.exe
  • Microsoft Audiodriver.exe

Elastio Can Help You

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About This Analysis

This Exotic 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 Exotic.

Last updated: July 30, 2025