Ransomware Research

Snake-Ekans Ransomware

Snake-Ekans is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on December 1, 2019, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Snake-Ekans
First Seen
December 1, 2019

How Snake-Ekans Ransomware Works

File Encryption Patterns

Snake-Ekans modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:

File extensions added after encryption:

./[a-zA-z0-9]{5}$/./[a-zA-z0-9]{8}$/

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

After encrypting files, Snake-Ekans displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:

fileFix-Your-Files.txt

Ransom message:

notes/Fix-Your-Files.txt

Note locations:

DesktopRootDirectory
fileDecrypt-Your-Files.txt

Ransom message:

notes/Decrypt-Your-Files.txt

Note locations:

DesktopRootDirectory

Technical Indicators

Associated Executable Files

The following executable files are associated with Snake-Ekans ransomware:

  • update.bin
  • 4YEvhu3rEEGCvmLSE.exe
  • bdxp8MyapfGlxZy.exe
  • efxbmTFZE1HPyUMwnZY.exe
  • update.exe
  • nmon.exe
  • EKANS.exe
  • gstart.exe

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About This Analysis

This Snake-Ekans 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 Snake-Ekans.

Last updated: September 30, 2025

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