fileHOW TO BACK YOUR FILES.txt
notes/HOW TO BACK YOUR FILES.txt
Location: EveryFolder
Ransomware Research
Alco Ransomware
Alco is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on September 1, 2018, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Maoloa-Alco, X_Mister, 4444, 666, 865.
Quick facts
- Ransomware Family
- Alco
- First Seen
- September 1, 2018
- Known Aliases
- Maoloa-Alco
- X_Mister
- 4444
- 666
- 865
How Alco ransomware works
File modification behavior
Alco updates file modification timestamps after encryption.
File encryption patterns
Alco modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Extensions added after encryption
- .Alco4444
- .Ox4444
- .Mr-X666
- .Tiger4444
- .Pig4444
- .Horse4444
- .TROLL
- .Ares666
- .Persephone666
- .haka
- .Rabbit4444
- .Hades666
- .Hermes666
- .Apollon865
- .Ares865
- .Artemis865-20
- .Artemis865
- .Athena865
- .Rooster865qq
- .Rooster865
- .Rooster865qqZ
- .Monkey865qqZ
- .Monkey865
- .Encrypted
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, Alco displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
fileHOW_TO_BACK_FILES.txt
notes/HOW_TO_BACK_FILES.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileHOW TO BACK YOUR FILES.exe
Location: EveryFolder
Technical indicators
Associated executable files
The following executable files are associated with Alco ransomware:
- GlobeImposter.exe
- test_v.doc
- svhost.exe
- Tiger4444.exe
- Persephone666.exe
- Rabbit4444.exe
- Hades666.exe
- Athena865.exe
- WINLOGON_PROTECTED.EXE
- winlogon.exe
- Hakbdyww7.exe
- cia.exe
- bfsv.exe
- Data Recovery.bin
- Apollon865.exe
- winlogon_protected.exe
About this analysis
This Alco 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 Alco.
Detection coverage
Elastio detects Alco inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Alco across live data, replicated data, and backups. If this family is in your environment, Elastio finds it before encryption completes. Run a hunt against your recovery points to confirm.