Ransomware Research

BTCWare-PayDay Ransomware

BTCWare-PayDay is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on October 1, 2017, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
BTCWare-PayDay
First Seen
October 1, 2017

How BTCWare-PayDay ransomware works

File encryption patterns

BTCWare-PayDay modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:

Extensions added after encryption
.payday.shadow.wallet

Ransom note and payment demands

After encrypting files, BTCWare-PayDay displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:

file!! RETURN FILES !!.txt
notes/!! RETURN FILES !!.txt
Location: RootDiscs
filepayday.hta
notes/payday.hta
Location: Roaming
file! FILES ENCRYPTED.txt
notes/! FILES ENCRYPTED.txt
Location: RootDiscs
file! How Decrypt Files.txt
notes/! How Decrypt Files.txt

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with BTCWare-PayDay ransomware:

About this analysis

This BTCWare-PayDay 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 BTCWare-PayDay.

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Detection coverage

Elastio detects BTCWare-PayDay inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify BTCWare-PayDay 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.

See How the Hunt Engine WorksRequest a Demo

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What is BTCWare-PayDay Ransomware? | Elastio