Ransomware Research

Starcat Ransomware

Starcat is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on December 1, 2024, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
Starcat
First Seen
December 1, 2024

How Starcat ransomware works

File encryption patterns

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

Extensions added after encryption
.starcat

Ransom note and payment demands

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

filerecover files,view here.txt
notes/recover files,view here.txt
Location: Desktop
filestar_cat.txt
notes/star_cat.txt
Location: RootDirectory
screenshot
notes/temp.jpg
Location: Desktop

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with Starcat ransomware:

About this analysis

This Starcat 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 Starcat.

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Detection coverage

Elastio detects Starcat inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Starcat 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 Starcat Ransomware? | Elastio