Ransomware Research

Erica Ransomware

Erica is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on January 1, 2020, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Erica-2, Erica2020.

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
Erica
First Seen
January 1, 2020
Known Aliases
Erica-2Erica2020

How Erica ransomware works

File encryption patterns

Erica modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:

Extensions added after encryption
./\.[a-z0-9]{4}$/./\.[a-z0-9]{6}$/./\.[a-z0-9]{8}$/./\.[a-z0-9]{3}-[a-z0-9]{3}-[a-z0-9]{3}$/

Ransom note and payment demands

After encrypting files, Erica displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:

fileHOW TO RESTORE ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT
notes/HOW TO RESTORE ENCRYPTED FILES.TXT
Location: EveryFolder
fileREAD_THIS_FILE.TXT
notes/READ_THIS_FILE.TXT
file[#]Erica - HOW TO DECRYPT MY FILES[#].txt
notes/[#]Erica - HOW TO DECRYPT MY FILES[#].txt
Location: EveryFolder
file/^Readme \.[a-z0-9]{3}-[a-z0-9]{3}-[a-z0-9]{3}\.txt$/
Location: EveryFolder

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with Erica ransomware:

About this analysis

This Erica 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 Erica.

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Detection coverage

Elastio detects Erica inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Erica 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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