Ransomware Research

Ishtar Ransomware

Ishtar 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
Ishtar
First Seen
October 1, 2016

How Ishtar Ransomware Works

File Encryption Patterns

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

Prefixes added to encrypted files:

ISHTAR-

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

fileREADME-ISHTAR.txt

Ransom message:

notes/README-ISHTAR.txt

Note locations:

DesktopRoaming

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Ishtar ransomware:

  • tju4viswirt.exe
  • Ishtar Ransomware.exe
  • Ishtar ransomware
  • Счет_отправлено_контрагенту_22_11.exe
  • ajd1bxIVnP3.exe
  • wK85Z70Bh15.exe
  • Ishtar Ransomware...exe
  • ransomware (7).exe
  • sn521.exe
  • O9aQLgI.exe
  • GU4kZ1T1.exe
  • AFLg36GT3.exe
  • 4q9H71Rr.exe
  • n141p5WjWP.exe
  • NuuDyf17T.exe
  • Anketa sotrudnikov pretend na povushenie.exe
  • troj.exe.ee
  • 2016_37.doc.exe
  • 2016_37.doc.exe
  • 4J0p7nrtE.exe

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About This Analysis

This Ishtar 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 Ishtar.

Last updated: October 30, 2025

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