Ransomware Research
FakeWU Ransomware
FakeWU is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on April 1, 2017, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Fake WindowsUpdater.
Quick Facts
- Ransomware Family
- FakeWU
- First Seen
- April 1, 2017
- Known Aliases
- Fake WindowsUpdater
How FakeWU Ransomware Works
Targeted Files
Requires C&C to receive parameters for encryption Base-64 encoded content
File Encryption Patterns
FakeWU modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
File extensions added after encryption:
..encryptedRansom Note and Payment Demands
After encrypting files, FakeWU displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
Ransom message:
notes/note.txt
Note locations:
OnceOnCompletionTechnical Indicators
Associated Executable Files
The following executable files are associated with FakeWU ransomware:
WindowsUpdater.exeTransaction-Report.docx.exeTRANSACTION-REPORT.EXETransaction-Report.exe
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About This Analysis
This FakeWU 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 FakeWU.
Last updated: July 30, 2025