Ransomware Research
Nightmare Ransomware
Nightmare is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on September 1, 2016, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.
Quick Facts
- Ransomware Family
- Nightmare
- First Seen
- September 1, 2016
How Nightmare Ransomware Works
Targeted Files
NOSAMPLE
File Encryption Patterns
Nightmare modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
File extensions added after encryption:
..2xx9Ransom Note and Payment Demands
After encrypting files, Nightmare displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
READ_ME.txtRansom message:
notes/READ_ME.txt
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About This Analysis
This Nightmare 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 Nightmare.
Last updated: July 30, 2025