Clay Ransomware
Clay is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on October 1, 2020, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Clay 2.0, Clay "CryptoToys".
Quick facts
How Clay ransomware works
File encryption patterns
Clay modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, Clay displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
notes/___RECOVER__FILES__.clay.txt
notes/OPEN ME!!!!!!.txt
notes/README.txt
Technical indicators
Associated executable files
The following executable files are associated with Clay ransomware:
- Rasomware2.0.exe
- 123.exe
- clean.exe
- Clean.exe
- Minegames.ransom.exe
- rasomware2.0.exe
- ransomware2.0.exe
- SubmitSoftware.exe
- ExciteRAN.exe
- exciteran.exe
- GABRIXHUB.exe
- KoheX_injector.exe
- Alo Minegames ransomware.exe
- Alo_Minegames_ransomware.exe
- 1.exe
- Alo%20Minegames%20ransomware.exe
- alo minegames ransomware.exe
- fancybearsmessage.exe
- T6bmcuFkl0hlvw4V.exe
- Mionoho.exe
- ⠀.exe
- Prueba.exe
- Ransom.exe
- 333.exe
- WindowsFormsApp1.exe
- Ip_Booter.exe
- patch.exe
- [Inject].exe
- File1.exe
- File1
- NewRanSmWare.exe
- Ransomeware2.0.exe
- WannaMad2.0.exe
- Clownic1.0.exe
- 08-03_140.82.121.3_711486A19E8B011528DEE34A5D25776E_Clownic1.0.exe.exe
- qZbCXzSH.exe
- 711486a1_qDA1LxC4yJ
- clownic1.0.exe
- Ulitsa Crypter.exe
- NTT総合システムチェックソフトウェア(Ver1.0).exe
- Ransomware2.0.exe
- Argos.exe
- WindowsWorker.exe
- rnsm.exe
- txt_to_rtf_converter.exe
- Argos 2.0.exe
- SusLocker.exe
- sus.exe
About this analysis
This Clay 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 Clay.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
Elastio detects Clay inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Clay 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