What is Xaro Ransomware

Xaro is the name of a new file-encryptor virus recently developed by the STOP/Djvu ransomware genealogy. This ransomware variant appeared in May 2023 and shares generally identical traits with other versions released by this group of cybercriminals. The only thing that makes it unique is the .xaro extension that gets appended to targeted files during encryption. Once encrypted, files will no longer be accessible and look something like 1.pdf.xaro without the original shortcut icon. Following this, Xaro Ransomware creates a text note called _readme.txt to feature decryption guidelines.

STOP Ransomware (.xaro extensions)
ATTENTION!
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-67n37yZLXk
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
support@freshmail.top
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
datarestorehelp@airmail.cc
Your personal ID:
{alphanumeric sequence}

Overall, it is said victims have to pay for the unique decryption key (and tool) in order to recover the data. The price for decryption accounts for $490 within the first 72 hours and is claimed to double to $980 unless victims fit in the given timeframe. To make this demanded payment, victims have to initiate communication with swindlers (via e-mail) and get further instructions on paying the ransom. In addition, cybercriminals also offer to send 1 file in the message attachment and get it decrypted for free. Many cybercriminals tend to use such a “promotion” to prove their decryption abilities and incline victims towards making the payment. Please note that cybercriminals are usually the only figures capable of full file decryption. You can give a try to third-party tools in our guide, however, it should be mentioned that such a decryption may not be successful if data exchange with the ransomware’s command server was established correctly and generated an online key. Online keys are unique for each victim, which is the main reason, making decryption practically impossible without original developers. It is only “offline” keys that have significantly more chances to get decrypted by third-party tools. While some older STOP/Djvu versions can be officially decrypted, Xaro Ransomware is less likely to fall under this category. The only two ways victims can recover their data is either to pay cybercriminals or recover files from an available backup. Backups are copies of files stored on external storage (e.g., cloud, USB pen drives, etc.) that were not affected at the time of infection. Recovering data from backups is always a safer and preferred option, as many cybercriminals tend to fool their victims and not send any decryption keys/tools eventually. Before trying to restore data without the involvement of cybercriminals, it is essential to remove the infection from your computer – thus, prevent its malicious activity. Read carefully our guide below to do so and explore various recovery alternatives to return your files.

xaro ransomware

How Xaro Ransomware infected your computer

Main distribution channels used by various ransomware are e-mail spam letters, trojans, deceptive third-party downloads, pirated/cracked downloads, fake software cracking tools, fake software updates/installers, backdoors, keyloggers, botnets, system exploits, and more. The most typical infection scenario is when inexperienced users get tricked into opening some malicious content (e.g., attachments or links). Quite often ransomware is disguised as some legitimate file (.DOCX, .XLSX, .PDF, .EXE, .ZIP, .RAR, or .JS extensions) and distributed through e-mail letters. Such letters usually imitate names of legal companies/entities (e.g., delivery companies, tax authorities, banks, and so forth). By naming files in click-bait ways, cybercriminals make users curious and increase the chances of getting the malicious file eventually opened. As a result, the contained infection will be deployed for installation on the targeted system. To prevent such and similar drive-by (stealth) installations of malware, you should avoid downloading software from unofficial resources (Peer-to-Peer websites, torrent pages, landing pages, etc.) and beware of opening content that looks suspicious. Read our guide below and learn how one can protect his PC against threats like ransomware (and other possible malware) in the future.

  1. Download Xaro Ransomware Removal Tool
  2. Get decryption tool for .xaro 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. Restore media files with Media Repair
  7. How to protect from threats like Xaro Ransomware

Virus modifies “hosts” file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. Xaro Ransomware comes along with AZORult trojan, which was initially created to steal logins and passwords. The process of infection also looks like installing Windows updates, the malware shows a fake window, that mimics the update process.

fake windows update from Xaro Ransomware

It uses rdpclip.exe to replace a legal Windows file and to launch an attack on a computer network. After encrypting the files, the encrypter is deleted using the delself.bat command file. Xaro Ransomware virus is propagated via spam attack with malicious e-mail attachments and using manual PC hacking. Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged, and infected installers. The virus assigns a certain ID to the victims, which is used to name those files and supposedly to send a decryption key. Great tools to protect against Xaro Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Download Xaro Ransomware Removal Tool

Download Removal Tool

To remove Xaro Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Xaro Ransomware. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.

Alternative Removal Tool

Download Norton Antivirus

To remove Xaro Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of Xaro Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.

How to remove Xaro Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Xaro Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Xaro Ransomware files:

_readme.txt
rdpclip.exe
delself.bat
{randomname}.exe

Xaro Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .xaro files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.xaro variations)

IMPORTANT: Read this detailed guide on using STOP Djvu Decryptor to avoid file corruption and time wasting.

STOP djvu ransomware decryptor from emsisoft

STOP Djvu Decryptor is able to decrypt .xaro files, encrypted by Xaro Ransomware. This tool was developed by EmsiSoft. It works in automatic mode, but in most cases works only for files encrypted with offline keys. Download it here:

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor

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 .xaro files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analysis 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 Xaro Ransomware and removed it from your computer, you can try decrypting 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 .xaro files

stellar data recovery professional

  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.
Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

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.

Use Media Repair to decrypt media files encrypted with .xaro

media repair tool

  1. Download Media Repair tool.
  2. Right-click on the downloaded archive, and select Extract to Media_Repair\.
  3. Then double-click on the extracted .exe file to launch the utility.
  4. At first, you have to choose which file type you want to decrypt. You can do it from the drop-down menu in the utility.
  5. Next, browser the folder with encrypted or reference files. Choose any of them and click on the Test icon located in the top right corner.
  6. Media Repair will display a pop-up message with information on whether it can repair the selected file or not.
  7. After checking if it is possible or not, select your reference file and click on the icon right under the Test button we used in step #5.
  8. If the file pair is properly matched, you can move on and hit the Play button to start repairing. You can also stop the process anytime by clicking on the Stop button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Xaro Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

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.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

idrive backup

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. Xaro 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.

Download iDrive

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

mailwasher pro

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.

Download MailWasher Pro
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