Ransomware Research

Xorist-XWZ Ransomware

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

Quick Facts

Ransomware Family
Xorist-XWZ
First Seen
March 1, 2018

How Xorist-XWZ Ransomware Works

File Encryption Patterns

Xorist-XWZ modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:

File extensions added after encryption:

..xwz

Ransom Note and Payment Demands

After encrypting files, Xorist-XWZ displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:

fileREAD ME FOR DECRYPT.txt

Ransom message:

notes/READ ME FOR DECRYPT.txt

Note locations:

EveryFolder
message

Ransom message:

notes/note.txt

Note locations:

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About This Analysis

This Xorist-XWZ 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 Xorist-XWZ.

Last updated: September 30, 2025

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