Exerwa Ransomware
Exerwa is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on November 1, 2020, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Exerwa CTF.
Quick facts
How Exerwa ransomware works
File encryption patterns
Exerwa modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Technical indicators
Associated executable files
The following executable files are associated with Exerwa ransomware:
- Patent_656419797_as-of-27thJune2020.doc
About this analysis
This Exerwa 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 Exerwa.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
Elastio detects Exerwa inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Exerwa 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.
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