Snake-Ekans Ransomware
Snake-Ekans is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on December 1, 2019, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.
Quick facts
How Snake-Ekans ransomware works
File encryption patterns
Snake-Ekans modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, Snake-Ekans displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
notes/Fix-Your-Files.txt
notes/Decrypt-Your-Files.txt
Technical indicators
Associated executable files
The following executable files are associated with Snake-Ekans ransomware:
- update.bin
- 4YEvhu3rEEGCvmLSE.exe
- bdxp8MyapfGlxZy.exe
- efxbmTFZE1HPyUMwnZY.exe
- update.exe
- nmon.exe
- EKANS.exe
- gstart.exe
About this analysis
This Snake-Ekans 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 Snake-Ekans.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
Elastio detects Snake-Ekans inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Snake-Ekans 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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