Ransomware Research

Hades Locker Ransomware

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

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
Hades Locker
First Seen
October 1, 2016

How Hades Locker ransomware works

File encryption patterns

Hades Locker modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:

Extensions added after encryption
./\.~HL[A-Z]{5}\b/

Ransom note and payment demands

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

file/^README_RECOVER_FILES_[A-F0-9]{16}\.txt$/
notes/README_RECOVER_FILES_DAB2B998E89D4034.txt

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with Hades Locker ransomware:

About this analysis

This Hades Locker 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 Hades Locker.

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Detection coverage

Elastio detects Hades Locker inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Hades Locker 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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