Ransomware Research

Nefilim Ransomware

Nefilim is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on March 1, 2020, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Nefilim, Nefilim Doxware, Nephilim, Offwhite, Sigareta, Telegram, Nef1lim, Mefilin, Trapget, Merin, Fusion, Infection, Milihpen, Derzko, Gangbang, Kiano, Mansory.

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
Nefilim
First Seen
March 1, 2020
Known Aliases
NefilimNefilim DoxwareNephilimOffwhiteSigaretaTelegramNef1limMefilinTrapgetMerinFusionInfectionMilihpenDerzkoGangbangKianoMansory

How Nefilim ransomware works

File encryption patterns

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

Extensions added after encryption
.NEFILIM.NEPHILIM.OFFWHITE.SIGARETA.TELEGRAM.NEF1LIM.MEFILIN.TRAPGET.MERIN.FUSION.INFECTION.MILIHPEN.DERZKO.GANGBANG.BENTLEY.KIANO.MANSORY.f1.LEAKS.PUSSY

Ransom note and payment demands

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

fileNEFILIM-DECRYPT.txt
notes/NEFILIM-DECRYPT.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileNEPHILIM-DECRYPT.txt
notes/NEPHILIM-DECRYPT.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileOFFWHITE-MANUAL.txt
notes/OFFWHITE-MANUAL.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileSIGARETA-RESTORE.txt
notes/SIGARETA-RESTORE.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileTELEGRAM-RECOVER.txt
notes/TELEGRAM-RECOVER.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileNEF1LIM-DECRYPT.txt
notes/NEF1LIM-DECRYPT.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileMEFILIN-README.txt
fileTRAPGET-INSTRUCTION.txt
notes/TRAPGET-INSTRUCTION.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileMERIN-DECRYPTING.txt
notes/MERIN-DECRYPTING.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileFUSION-README.txt
notes/FUSION-README.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileINFECTION-HELP.txt
fileMILIHPEN-INSTRUCT.txt
notes/MILIHPEN-INSTRUCT.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileDERZKO-HELP.txt
fileGANGBANG-NOTE.txt
fileBENTLEY-HELP.txt
fileNEFILIM-HELP.txt
fileKIANO-HELP.txt
fileMANSORY-MESSAGE.txt
filef1-HELP.txt
fileLEAKS!!!DANGER.txt
filePUSSY!!!DANGER.txt

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with Nefilim ransomware:

About this analysis

This Nefilim 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 Nefilim.

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Detection coverage

Elastio detects Nefilim inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Nefilim 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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What is Nefilim Ransomware? | Elastio