CheckMate Ransomware
CheckMate is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on May 1, 2022, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.
Quick facts
How CheckMate ransomware works
File encryption patterns
CheckMate modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, CheckMate displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
notes/!CHECKMATE_DECRYPTION_README
About this analysis
This CheckMate 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 CheckMate.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
Elastio detects CheckMate inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify CheckMate 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