Ransomware Research

Kirk Ransomware

Kirk is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on March 1, 2017, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Spock.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Kirk
First Seen
March 1, 2017
Known Aliases
Spock

How Kirk Ransomware Works

Targeted Files

Written in Python 2.7 (PyInstaller) 55422ec212818cba3a6f8c8a95f6b49ff21e73235c3ae645b0d47ef2064b62fc -> Python 3.13

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..kirked

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

fileRANSOM_NOTE.txt

Ransom message:

notes/RANSOM_NOTE.txt

Note locations:

RansomPayloadStartFolder
message

Ransom message:

notes/note.txt

Note locations:

OnceOnCompletion

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Kirk ransomware:

  • Trojan.Ransom.Kirk.exe
  • kirk ransom
  • loic_win32.exe
  • kirk.ex
  • Kirk.exe
  • data
  • startrek.bin
  • nice
  • fb990c5cc.exe
  • MAL1V1.exe

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About This Analysis

This Kirk 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 Kirk.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

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