Possible Ransomware Note or Encrypted File Extension Creation

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Category
file_event
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-09-08
Updated
2026-09-08

ATT&CK techniques

Impact
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

What it detects

This rule detects creation of ransom note files or files renamed with encrypted extensions used by the ransomware families compared in this research. The specific note names and extensions appear only after data has been encrypted on the victim host. Detecting them confirms an active encryption event so responders can isolate the machine.

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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 WeaXor Ransomware Encryption Artifacts on Disk (via file_event)
Possible Ransomware Note or Encrypted File Extension 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.