Kirk Ransomware
Kirk is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on March 1, 2017, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Spock.
Quick facts
How Kirk ransomware works
File encryption patterns
Kirk modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, Kirk displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
notes/RANSOM_NOTE.txt
notes/note.txt
Technical indicators
Associated executable files
The following executable files are associated with Kirk ransomware:
- Trojan.Ransom.Kirk.exe
- kirk ransom
- loic_win32.exe
- kirk.ex
- Kirk.exe
- data
- startrek.bin
- nice
- fb990c5cc.exe
- MAL1V1.exe
About this analysis
This Kirk 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 Kirk.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
Elastio detects Kirk inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Kirk 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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