What is XHAMSTER Ransomware
Developed by Phobos family, XHAMSTER is a ransomware-type infection, which runs data encryption. Such does not perform one-way encryption, instead, it offers to unblock the infected data in exchange for the money ransom. When it comes to data encryption, cybercriminals are usually the only figures being able to unlock your data. This is why they offer to buy their software that will help you regain access to data. Before getting deep into details, it is important that we mention how XHAMSTER encrypts your data. Apart from blocking the access, it also appends a string of symbols consisting of victims’ ID, ICQ Messenger username, and .XHAMSTER extension at the end of each file. To illustrate, a piece of data like 1.pdf will be changed to something like this 1.pdf.id[C279F237-2797].[ICQ@xhamster2020].XHAMSTER at the end of encryption. Finally, once this process is done, the virus gets to creating two files containing ransom instructions. Whilst one of them called info.hta is displayed as a window right in front of the users, the other named info.txt resides on victim’s desktop.
All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC.
If you want to restore them, install ICQ software on your PC here hxxps://icq.com/windows/
or on mobile phone from Appstore/Google Play Market search for "ICQ"
Write to our ICQ @xhamster2020 hxxps://icq.im/xhamster2020
Write this ID in the title of your message -
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 3Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
Be assured we are the only people who can recover your files and there is no free tool.
ATTENTION!!!
Unfortunately for you, a major IT security weakness left you open to attack.
All your files have been encrypted with ciphers more advanced than those used for diplomatic communications.
You can spend days and months searching for a magical way to decrypt your files, but rest assured we are the only people who can help you recover your files, there is no free tool.
If you want to restore files, install ICQ software on your PC here hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on your mobile phone search in Appstore / Google play market "ICQ"
Write to our ICQ @xhamster2020 hxxps://icq.im/xhamster2020
Write file ID in the title of your message
Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 3Mb and files should not contain valuable information.
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
Inside of these notes, cybercriminals say that all files have been encrypted. To recover access to them, victims are given the guidelines to download ICQ (for Windows, IOS, or Android) which is a legitimate messenger used by cybercriminals for anonymous chatting. Once the application is downloaded, victims have to contact extortionists through the given address, which is stated as part of the string applied to each file (@xhamster2020). The price of file decryption remains unknown until victims contact swindlers via the messenger. Only then, they will give further instructions to pay for the data decryption in Bitcoins. In addition to that, developers also offer to test free file decryption as you are allowed to send up to 5 files prior to paying the ransom. Sadly, it is impossible to avoid interaction with cybercriminals if you are willing to recover all of your data. This is because they are the only figures having the keys to unlock the data. There is no third-party software that could be able to decipher the keys generated by XHAMSTER Ransomware at this moment. They can fool you and do not send any decryption tools even after meeting their requests. The best option unless you are ready to purchase the software is deleting XHAMSTER Ransomware and recovering data from backup storage. Otherwise, you are convicted to lose the data almost forever. Whatever the case, it is necessary to delete the virus from your system to prevent further encryption of data.
How XHAMSTER Ransomware infected your computer
The main source of ransomware infections usually comes from trojans, fake software cracking tools, unprotected RDP configuration, backdoors, keyloggers, unreliable file-sharing pages, and e-mail spam. As a rule, all of these distribution channels find success thanks to inexperienced and unattentive users. For example, whenever it comes to spreading malware via e-mail messages, cybercriminals send a number of letters that are bundled with malicious attachments. These attachments often look innocent to most users. This is because cybercriminals take legitimate file formats (MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, JavaScript files) and reconfigure them to store malicious programs. After downloading them directly from a message or via attached links, you will more likely become a victim of malicious software. To be more protected against such threats in the future, it is vital to be self-aware and careful whilst dealing with unknown content. It is better to remove or close suspicious content to prevent accident clicks on potentially dangerous things. Below, we will show you a list of security tips that will help you feel safer whilst surfing the web.
- Download XHAMSTER Ransomware Removal Tool
- Get decryption tool for .XHAMSTER files
- Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
- Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
- Restore files with Shadow Explorer
- How to protect from threats like XHAMSTER Ransomware
Download Removal Tool
To remove XHAMSTER Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of XHAMSTER Ransomware. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove XHAMSTER Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use Norton Antivirus from Symantec. It detects and removes all files, folders, and registry keys of XHAMSTER Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.
XHAMSTER Ransomware files:
!!!READ_ME.txt
{randomname}.exe
XHAMSTER Ransomware registry keys:
no information
How to decrypt and restore .XHAMSTER files
Use automated decryptors
Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor
Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .XHAMSTER 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 .XHAMSTER 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 XHAMSTER 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 .XHAMSTER files
- Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
- Click Recover Data button.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
- Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
- Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.
Using Windows Previous Versions option:
- Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
- Select Previous Versions tab.
- Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
- To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
- In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.
Using Shadow Explorer:
- Download Shadow Explorer program.
- Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
- Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
- Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
- In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.
If you are using Dropbox:
- Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
- Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
- Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.
How to protect computer from viruses, like XHAMSTER 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.
2. Back up your files
As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storages, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storages can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. XHAMSTER 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.
