Ransomware Research

Vurten Ransomware

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

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
Vurten
First Seen
April 1, 2018

How Vurten ransomware works

File encryption patterns

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

Extensions added after encryption
.improved

Ransom note and payment demands

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

fileUNCRYPT.README.txt
notes/UNCRYPT.README.txt

About this analysis

This Vurten 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 Vurten.

Last updated: December 30, 2025

Detection coverage

Elastio detects Vurten inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Vurten 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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What is Vurten Ransomware? | Elastio