Ransomware Research

Outsider Ransomware

Outsider is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on December 1, 2018, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
Outsider
First Seen
December 1, 2018

How Outsider ransomware works

File encryption patterns

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

Extensions added after encryption
.protected.crypt.popotic1.popoticus.sguard.guarded.mapo.sivo.dante.mbit.gomer.edab.assist

Ransom note and payment demands

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

fileHOW_TO_RESTORE_FILES.txt
notes/HOW_TO_RESTORE_FILES.txt
fileRESTORE_FILES.txt
notes/RESTORE_FILES.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileHOW_TO_RESTORE_YOUR_FILES.txt
notes/HOW_TO_RESTORE_YOUR_FILES.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileSECURITY-ISSUE-INFO.txt
notes/SECURITY-ISSUE-INFO.txt
fileHOW-TO-RESTORE-FILES.txt
fileSGUARD-README.txt
notes/SGUARD-README.txt
fileGUARDED-README.txt
notes/GUARDED-README.txt
fileMAPO-Readme.txt
notes/MAPO-Readme.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileSivo-README.txt
notes/Sivo-README.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileDANTE-INFO.txt
notes/DANTE-INFO.txt
fileMBIT-INFO.txt
notes/MBIT-INFO.txt
fileGOMER-README.txt
notes/GOMER-README.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileEDAB-README.txt
Location: EveryFolder
fileASSIST-README.txt
notes/ASSIST-README.txt
Location: EveryFolder

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with Outsider ransomware:

About this analysis

This Outsider 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 Outsider.

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Detection coverage

Elastio detects Outsider inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Outsider 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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