How to remove 0xxx Ransomware and decrypt .0xxx files

What is 0xxx Ransowmare

0xxx is a ransomware infection that encrypts various data using AES+RSA algorithms on NAS devices (Western Digital My Book). This measure is done to force victims into paying the so-called ransom in exchange for the blocked data. Just like other malware of this type, 0xxx uses its own extension (.0xxx) to rename the data. For example, a file piece titled as 1.pdf will change its look to 1.pdf.0xxx after encryption. All of these changes indicate that your data is no longer accessible. In other words, there is no way to open it anymore. In order to fix it, victims are called into following ransom instructions inside of the !0XXX_DECRYPTION_README.TXT text note. This note is dropped into each folder containing encrypted files.

It is said that victims can decrypt their data by paying a 300 USD ransom in Bitcoin. At first, users are instructed to contact cyber criminals via e-mail. It is necessary to include your unique ID along with 3 files to test free decryption. As soon as contact with cybercriminals becomes established, victims will get the payment details to perform a transfer of money. Although extortionists claim they have no intention to fool you, there have been multiple cases when users did not receive the decryption tools even after the payment. This proves that trusting cyber criminals is always a risk to be decided by each person individually. Note that there are no third-party tools that could guarantee decryption of files affected by 0xxx. Cybercriminals are the only holders of keys necessary to decipher the locked data. The only free and secure way to return your files is using backup copies. After deleting the virus, you can use them to recover the data without a problem. If you do not have this option available, we advise you to wipe the 0xxx virus nonetheless. Otherwise, it may continue running further encryption or sometimes spread onto neighboring networks.

How 0xxx Ransomware infected your computer

Ransomware infections are usually quite sneaky, which makes them proliferate systems without users’ consent. The most abused distribution channels are deemed to be trojans, malicious spam letters, hijacked RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, untrustworthy downloads, and other suspicious content that may deliver infections. Malicious spam is a popular way of distributing malware via legitimate-looking attachments. Cybercriminals tend to disguise their messages as delivery companies that send updated information about your parcel. They can attach a malicious link leading to fake applications meant to track down your parcel. Sometimes they choose to attach MS Office documents, PDFs, executable, or Javascript files reconfigured for storing malware, instead. Trojan is a type of program that may be hidden inside of fake software updaters or installers claiming to fix various problems. Instead of doing so, the installer will simply transform into a trojan, which will deliver other infections into the mix. Whatever the distribution method is, most of them capitalize on unattentive and inexperienced users that download dubious content without caution. Our guide below will help you get more educated on how to be protected against such threats in the future.

1. Download 0xxx Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .0xxx files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like 0xxx Ransomware

0xxx Ransomware files:


!0XXX_DECRYPTION_README.TXT
{randomname}.exe


0xxx Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .0xxx files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .0xxx files. Download it here:

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .0xxx files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing of files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with 0xxx Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .0xxx files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like 0xxx Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. 0xxx Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.