Ransomware Research

XerXes Ransomware

XerXes is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on March 1, 2020, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide. Security researchers also track this malware under the aliases: Android Xerxes bot.

Quick facts

Ransomware Family
XerXes
First Seen
March 1, 2020
Known Aliases
  • Android Xerxes bot

How XerXes ransomware works

File modification behavior

How XerXes alters file modification timestamps is not known.

Ransom note and payment demands

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

message
notes/note.txt

Technical indicators

Associated executable files

The following executable files are associated with XerXes ransomware:

  • CoronaVirus-apps.apk
  • Xerxes.apk
  • CoronaVirus.apk

About this analysis

This XerXes 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 XerXes.

Last updated: November 17, 2022

Detection coverage

Elastio detects XerXes inside your data and backups.

The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify XerXes 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.