Ransomware Research
Unit09 Ransomware
Unit09 is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on January 1, 2019, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: MewWare.
Quick Facts
- Ransomware Family
- Unit09
- First Seen
- January 1, 2019
- Known Aliases
- MewWare
How Unit09 Ransomware Works
Targeted Files
Destructor (fills the content of files with random bytes)
File Encryption Patterns
Unit09 modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
File extensions added after encryption:
..UNIT09Ransom Note and Payment Demands
After encrypting files, Unit09 displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
$!READ ME.txtRansom message:
notes/$!READ ME.txt
Note locations:
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About This Analysis
This Unit09 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 Unit09.
Last updated: July 30, 2025