AESMew Ransomware
AESMew 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: AESMewLocker.
Quick facts
How AESMew ransomware works
File encryption patterns
AESMew modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, AESMew displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
notes/READ_IT.txt
About this analysis
This AESMew ransomware analysis is part of Elastio's comprehensive ransomware detection database. Elastio provides advanced ransomware protection and recovery, helping organizations defend against and recover from ransomware attacks like AESMew.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
Elastio detects AESMew inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify AESMew across live data, replicated data, and backups. If this family is in your environment, Elastio finds it before encryption completes. Run a scan against your recovery points to confirm.
Recent ransomware
Explore other threats in our database