Ransomware Research

Locky Ransomware

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

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Locky
First Seen
March 1, 2016

How Locky Ransomware Works

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..locky..loptr..thor..zzzzz..shit..lukitus..aesir

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

file/^loptr-\w{4}\.htm$/
file/^lukitus-\w{4}\.htm$/

Ransom message:

notes/lukitus-1df8.htm

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/^.\d{1,3}-INSTRUCTION\.html$/

Ransom message:

notes/_180-INSTRUCTION.html

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/^_\d_WHAT_is\.html$/

Ransom message:

notes/_0_WHAT_is.html

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file_Locky_recover_instructions.txt

Ransom message:

notes/_Locky_recover_instructions.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder
screenshot

Ransom message:

notes/_Locky_recover_instructions.bmp

Note locations:

Desktop

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Locky ransomware:

  • 20160301_b9fabd8fb7ec620295c232fa978b88f8.js
  • myfile.js
  • report.226915422.js
  • 8.png
  • 5.exe
  • content
  • 61f87e94f[1].png
  • a1.exe
  • 123.exe
  • Danger.exe
  • 793322-1-5e8b9_svchost.exe
  • svchost.exe
  • eiasus.exe

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About This Analysis

This Locky 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 Locky.

Last updated: September 30, 2025

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