Ransomware Research

Guster Ransomware

Guster is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on December 1, 2016, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
Guster
First Seen
December 1, 2016

How Guster ransomware works

File encryption patterns

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

Extensions added after encryption
.locked

Ransom note and payment demands

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

fileInstructions_HERE!.txt
notes/Instructions_HERE!.txt
Location: Desktop
message
notes/note.txt
Location: OnceOnCompletion

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with Guster ransomware:

About this analysis

This Guster 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 Guster.

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Detection coverage

Elastio detects Guster inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Guster 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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