Aurora Ransomware
Aurora is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on May 1, 2018, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: OneKeyLocker.
Quick facts
How Aurora ransomware works
File encryption patterns
Aurora modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, Aurora displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
notes/#RECOVERY-PC#.txt
notes/#RECOVERY_FILES#.txt
notes/CRYPTOID_BLOCKED.txt
notes/@@_TAKE_A_LOOK_@@.txt
notes/@@_TAKE_A_LOOK_@@.txt
notes/@@_TAKE_A_LOOK_@@.txt
notes/@@_FILES_ARE_ENCRYPTED_@@.txt
notes/@@_HOW_TO_RETURN_DATA_@@.txt
notes/@@_RECOVERY_INSTRUCTIONS_@@.txt
notes/#DECRYPT_MY_FILES#.txt
notes/@@_ATTENTION_@@.txt
notes/@@_README_@@.txt
notes/@@_RECOVERY_@@.txt
notes/@_FILES_WERE_ENCRYPTED_@.TXT
notes/@@_OpenTheBrowserTOR_@@.html
notes/@@_Открыть_В_Браузере_TOR_@@.html
notes/@_FILES_WERE ENCRYPTED_@.TXT
notes/@_FILES_WERE ENCRYPTED_@.TXT
notes/@_FILES_WERE ENCRYPTED_@.TXT
Technical indicators
Associated executable files
The following executable files are associated with Aurora ransomware:
- myfile.exe
- a.exe
- List.exe
- RegAsm.exe
- Sample_5bb53d72b5bce37484b76bd9.exe
- RegAsm3.exe
- tree.exe
- RICKROLL.exe
- 2.jpg
- cfe5a746.gxe
- 6C92EJ6A.exe
- java.exe
- pl.exe
- 2.exe
- 1.exe
- QC17GKO3.exe
- R.exe
- loker.exe
- Masked (Aurora)
- svchost.exe
- EffectivelyCloneable
- 01-03_185.222.202.213_33B1F895B3905D4591207565EBFEFEF4_mtx777.exe
- 945.tmp.exe
- ljfnub.exe
- mtx777.exe
About this analysis
This Aurora 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 Aurora.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
Elastio detects Aurora inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Aurora 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