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Ransomware Research

Phobos Ransomware

Phobos is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on January 1, 2019, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Phobos 2.0, Phobos NextGen, Phobos NotDharma.

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
Phobos
First Seen
January 1, 2019
Known Aliases
  • Phobos 2.0
  • Phobos NextGen
  • Phobos NotDharma

How Phobos ransomware works

File modification behavior

Phobos updates file modification timestamps after encryption.

File encryption patterns

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

Extensions added after encryption
  • .phobos
  • .Frendi
  • .phoenix
  • .actor
  • .mamba
  • .actin
  • .KARLOS
  • .help
  • .com
  • .Acton
  • .adage
  • .blend
  • .WALLET
  • .acute
  • .1500dollars
  • .Acuna
  • .Adame
  • .banjo
  • .BORISHORSE
  • .Banta
  • .BANKS
  • .Adair
  • .zax
  • .HORSELIKER
  • .barak
  • .Barak
  • .Caley
  • .Caleb
  • .deal
  • .Cales
  • .calix
  • .elder
  • .octopus
  • .age
  • .deuce
  • .angus
  • .Calum
  • .Dever
  • .Devon
  • .devil
  • .Devos
  • .bablo
  • .dewar
  • .eight
  • .revon
  • .eject
  • .iso
  • .eking
  • .isos
  • .Acuff
  • .ELDAOSLA
  • .Antivirus
  • .DLL
  • .WIN
  • .PERDAK
  • .XIII
  • .Drik
  • .Elbie
  • .LOWPRICE
  • .MONETA
  • .BOOM
  • .Lookfornewitguy
  • .PAYMENT
  • .[MerlinWebster@aol.com].com
  • .[DonovanTudor@aol.com].com
  • .XHAMSTER
  • .DIKE
  • .faust

Ransom note and payment demands

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

fileData.hta
notes/Data.hta
fileEncrypted.txt
notes/Encrypted.txt
fileencrypted.txt
notes/encrypted.txt
fileinfo.txt
notes/info.txt

Location: Desktop, RootDiscs

fileinfo.hta
notes/info.hta

Location: Desktop, RootDiscs

file##-IMPORTANT_NOTICE-##.Txt
notes/##-IMPORTANT_NOTICE-##.Txt

Location: Desktop, RootDiscs

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with Phobos ransomware:

  • V.zip
  • phobos
  • file.exe
  • myfile.exe
  • dexec.exe
  • exec.exe
  • program.exe
  • Absonkaine.exe
  • ph_exec.exe
  • costelloh.exe
  • 2ph_decrypt.exe
  • software.exe
  • 2ph.exe
  • 2ph_exec.exe
  • ph_exec.bin
  • shaofao.exe
  • greencrypt_crypt.exe
  • 123.exe
  • 0t_2806_ph_exec_1cr13.exe
  • 1.exe
  • 1ph_exec.exe
  • executable.exe
  • Pp3
  • lsaa.exe
  • AppResolver
  • rfds354hfg45.exe
  • 1H41ZDD3.exe
  • phobos.exe
  • phobos.bin
  • Phobos.exe
  • Trojan.Ransom.Phobos.exe
  • Microsoft_Office_ExcelUpdate_KB3216755p.msi++
  • e.exe
  • yIV8ARvwUUZ6.exe
  • 1saas.bin
  • 1saas.exe
  • 1saas.exe12
  • antirecuvaanddb.exe
  • svhost.bin
  • svhost.exe
  • AntiRecuvaAndDB_.exe
  • zax.exe
  • rsfd234df.pe32
  • rsfd234df.exe
  • testing.exe
  • AntiRecuvaAndDB.exe
  • svchost.exe
  • huntress_eRV6KXMW.dll
  • 8KZM4TOR.exe
  • rdgf324dgf23.exe
  • QHLJG22Z.exe
  • E0VKEF63.exe
  • 41ZT0QX3.exe
  • dedolence.exe
  • somnambular.exe
  • UTAKGI.exe
  • rvckjhg.exe
  • XTO4MHH6.exe
  • rbvcvbne.exe
  • NCXWTUXX.exe
  • AntiRecuvaAndDB.ex_
  • 5.10.2019Taskmgr.exe
  • GASAS
  • GASAS.exe
  • gasas.pe32
  • semimonthly.exe
  • portholes.exe
  • rsdf54refsd.exe
  • 3A6K0YNM.exe
  • Fast.exe
  • a1.exe
  • 1sass.exe1
  • 1SASS.EXE.exe
  • 1sass.exe
  • AntiRecuvaAndDB.bin
  • 22.12.19Taskmngr.exe
  • test.exe
  • 3.2.20TASKMNGR.EXE.exe
  • out
  • 3.2.20taskmngr.exe1
  • 3.2.20taskmngr.exe
  • ACMD.exe
  • system.exe
  • 2.exe.v
  • Fast.exeXX.exe
  • Fast.exeXX
  • exec.exe.bak.exe
  • exec.exe.bak
  • fast.exe
  • cusersnextadminappdatalocalfast.exe
  • 2.exe
  • 3.exe
  • unS.exe
  • 626444.dat
  • winrar.exe
  • 375476.dat
  • 262375.dat
  • 416121.dat
  • 46522.dat
  • 378314.dat
  • 27098.dat
  • 497051.dat
  • 834619.dat
  • 1001478.dat
  • 654949.dat
  • 667376.dat
  • 344560.dat
  • db_exec.exe
  • db_exec.exe.old
  • ItFoV.exe
  • AntiRecuvaAndDB.ex_.exe
  • svchostBADSTARTUP.exe
  • KryP.exe
  • dsern.exe
  • 08.12.2019Taskmgr.exe
  • ucesal.exe
  • csrss.exe
  • 10.07.2019taskmgr.exe
  • 1500dollarsAntirecucaFullDB.exe

About this analysis

This Phobos 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 Phobos.

Last updated: September 9, 2026

Detection coverage

Elastio detects Phobos inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Phobos across live data, replicated data, and backups. If this family is in your environment, Elastio finds it before encryption completes. Run a hunt against your recovery points to confirm.

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