Ransomware Research

PewPew Ransomware

PewPew is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on September 1, 2020, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Abkir, Artemis, Optimus.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
PewPew
First Seen
September 1, 2020
Known Aliases
AbkirArtemisOptimus

How PewPew Ransomware Works

Targeted Files

Full extension of encrypted files -> .id-9C354B42.[khalate@tutanota.com].artemis ->.[badlamadec@gmail.com][MJ-CU9728041536].Lama

File Encryption Patterns

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

File extensions added after encryption:

..abkir..artemis..optimus..lama

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

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

fileinfo-decrypt.hta

Ransom message:

notes/info-decrypt.hta

Note locations:

EveryFolder
fileDecrypt-info.txt

Ransom message:

notes/Decrypt-info.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder
file/^ReadMe-\[[A-Z0-9]{8}\]\.txt$/

Ransom message:

notes/ReadMe-[C63F241F].txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with PewPew ransomware:

  • pewpew.exe
  • pewpew_p.exe_
  • pewpew_p.exe
  • Artemis.exe
  • file.exe
  • badlamadec@gmail.com.vexe
  • badlamadecgmail.com.exe
  • badlamadec@gmail.com.exe

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About This Analysis

This PewPew 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 PewPew.

Last updated: July 30, 2025

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