Ransomware Research

MEDUSA Ransomware

MEDUSA is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on February 1, 2023, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
MEDUSA
First Seen
February 1, 2023

How MEDUSA Ransomware Works

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..MEDUSA

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

file!!!READ_ME_MEDUSA!!!.txt

Ransom message:

notes/!!!READ_ME_MEDUSA!!!.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with MEDUSA ransomware:

  • MEDUSA
  • gaze.exe

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About This Analysis

This MEDUSA 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 MEDUSA.

Last updated: July 30, 2025