Ransomware Research

Minotaur Ransomware

Minotaur is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on October 1, 2018, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Minotaur
First Seen
October 1, 2018

How Minotaur Ransomware Works

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..Lock

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

fileHow To Decrypt Files.txt

Ransom message:

notes/How To Decrypt Files.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Minotaur ransomware:

  • Minotaur.exe
  • 2018-07-26 MINOTAUR.exe
  • MINOTAUR.exe
  • 2018-10-12-1st-run-Hookads-campaign-payload-Minotaur-ransomware.exe
  • 1984df86.gxe
  • out

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About This Analysis

This Minotaur 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 Minotaur.

Last updated: October 30, 2025

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