Malicious Ransomware Ransom Note README-RECOVER File Creation

ATT&CK techniques

Impact

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
- T1486Data Encrypted for Impact

What it detects

This rule detects creation of README-RECOVER ransom note text files, the note naming convention dropped during the Qilin ransomware encryption stage. These notes appear across directories once mass file encryption completes. Their creation is a definitive indicator that ransomware impact has already occurred and requires immediate response.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1486 — drag to rearrange

Possible Akira Ransomware Note or Encrypted Extension Creation

Malicious Storm-2603 Ransom Note File Creation

Possible Ransomware Note or Encrypted File Extension Creation

BitLocker Feature Activation on Multiple Hosts - Native (via bitlocker)

FunkSec Ransomware Encryption Artifacts via funksec Extension and Markdown Ransom Note (via file_event)

INC Ransomware Ransom Note INC-README Written to Disk (via file_event)

Malicious DEVMAN Ransomware Encrypted File and Note Artifacts

Malicious Akira Ransomware Encrypted File Extension via File Event

Malicious BitLocker Abuse for Ransomware via PowerShell (via ps_script)

Malicious Ransomware Ransom Note README-RECOVER File Creation

Pivot detection · T1486 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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