SilentShade Ransomware
SilentShade is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on May 1, 2016, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: BlackShades.
Quick facts
How SilentShade ransomware works
File encryption patterns
SilentShade modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, SilentShade displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
notes/Hacked.txt
About this analysis
This SilentShade 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 SilentShade.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
Elastio detects SilentShade inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify SilentShade 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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