This article has been created to display how to remove .xncrypt file ransomware and restore your files If they have been coded by this infection.
A ransomware infection, known as .xncrypt has been reported to cause infections and encrypt files on infected computers. The virus is known as .xncrypt filecoder and demands victims to pay a ransom fee of 0.25 BTC to restore the files back to normal. The virus also leaves behind a ransom note where full instructions on how to create a Bitcoin wallet have been provided by the cyber-criminals. In case you have been infected by the .xncrypt ransomware, we advise you to read this article in order to learn how to remove this virus completely, protect your PC and try to get the encrypted files back.
Threat Summary
Name |
.xncrypt Virus |
|
Type | Ransomware | |
Short Description | Encrypts files on the computers it infects asking a hefty ransom fee to be paid – 0.25 BTC. | |
Symptoms | The victim may not be able to open the files. The .xncrypt extension is added. Displaying of error messages. Dipslaying of the virus wallpaper and ransom note.. | |
Distribution Method | Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner. | |
Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
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User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss .xncrypt Virus. | |
Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
.xncrypt Ransomware – Distribution
The .xncrypt file virus contains a malicious file, detected in VirusTotal, known as xncrypt v.1.exe:
This file may be spread via intermediary malware that usually may be connected to:
- Exploit kits.
- JavaScript.
- Documents with malicious macros.
- Trojan.Downloaders and Droppers.
- Other malicious files.
These files may be spread via multiple different methods:
- As malicious attachments sent in spam e-mails that present them as legitimate files.
- As files uploaded in cloud-sharing sites, like Dropbox, for example. Such files are uploaded on web links that can also be sent via social media, spam mails and other user-content sites.
- As fake Java or Adobe flash player updates.
- As fake key generators, license activators or other type of fraudulent software uploaded on suspicious websites or via torrent sites.
.xncrypt File Virus – Activity
Once this ransomware infection has already infected a computer system, it may begin to perform various malicious activities. One of them may be to drop multiple support modules responsible for uninterrupted infection and file encryption. Usually the virus does this with the assistance of file obfuscation software. The modules may be of the following file types:
They may be located in the following Windows folders:
%Roaming%
%Local%
%LocalLow%
%Windows%
The files may exist under different names, but in most cases when they are not randomly named, they may have the same names as legitimate Windows processes, such as svchost.exe, for example.
After dropping the malicious files on the user’s computer, this ransomware infection may begin to perform different system modifications on the compromised devices. These modifications include several different value strings that may be added to the following Windows registry sub-keys:
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
After modifying the Windows Registry Editor, the .xncrypt ransomware virus may also delete the shadow volume copies on the infected computer by executing variations of the bcedit and vssadmin commands, for example:
→ process call create “cmd.exe /c
vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet
bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no
bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
In addition to this activity is the ransom note and the wallpaper which the .xncrypt ransomware also drops on the victim’s computer. It has the following contents:
“Your computer has been infected
This is Ransomware , Your all files Encrypted and can’t to open again
You Can not perform activities as usual on your computer because your screen will always be locked before this is fixed
You must have a password to encrypt all your files back And Unlock your screen
To get a password, You must send me a ransom of 0.25 BTC to the following Bitcoin address
You can contact me by this email : xncryptgprotonmail.com
while attaching the transfer receipt from your Bitcoin address
For more details, see the steps below
1. Create Your Bitcoin wallet.
2. Increase your Bitcoin Balance
3. Send Bitcoin with the amount of bitcoin I have requested to the Bitcoin address above
4. Contact me by email above while attaching proof of transfer from your Bitcoin address.
5. And I give the password”
After this procedure has finished, the virus may also display an error message with the following statement:
“Invalid Path or Filename
Please check to make sure the path and filenameare correct and if the file exists.”
After the pop-up is displayed, the computer may restart and after reboot, the victim sees the screenlock messages of .xncrypt file virus:
.xncrypt File Virus – Encryption Process
The encryption activity of this ransomware virus includes scanning your computer for important documents, images, audio and video files, archives and other data and encrypt them. The .xncrypt virus may look for matches with the following file extensions:
→ “PNG .PSD .PSPIMAGE .TGA .THM .TIF .TIFF .YUV .AI .EPS .PS .SVG .INDD .PCT .PDF .XLR .XLS .XLSX .ACCDB .DB .DBF .MDB .PDB .SQL .APK .APP .BAT .CGI .COM .EXE .GADGET .JAR .PIF .WSF .DEM .GAM .NES .ROM .SAV CAD Files .DWG .DXF GIS Files .GPX .KML .KMZ .ASP .ASPX .CER .CFM .CSR .CSS .HTM .HTML .JS .JSP .PHP .RSS .XHTML. DOC .DOCX .LOG .MSG .ODT .PAGES .RTF .TEX .TXT .WPD .WPS .CSV .DAT .GED .KEY .KEYCHAIN .PPS .PPT .PPTX ..INI .PRF Encoded Files .HQX .MIM .UUE .7Z .CBR .DEB .GZ .PKG .RAR .RPM .SITX .TAR.GZ .ZIP .ZIPX .BIN .CUE .DMG .ISO .MDF .TOAST .VCD SDF .TAR .TAX2014 .TAX2015 .VCF .XML Audio Files .AIF .IFF .M3U .M4A .MID .MP3 .MPA .WAV .WMA Video Files .3G2 .3GP .ASF .AVI .FLV .M4V .MOV .MP4 .MPG .RM .SRT .SWF .VOB .WMV 3D .3DM .3DS .MAX .OBJ R.BMP .DDS .GIF .JPG ..CRX .PLUGIN .FNT .FON .OTF .TTF .CAB .CPL .CUR .DESKTHEMEPACK .DLL .DMP .DRV .ICNS .ICO .LNK .SYS .CFG”Source:fileinfo.com
After the files have been located, .xncrypt ransomware encrypts them and may leave behind the files appearing the following way:
Remove .xncrypt File Ransomware and Restore Data
Before beginning to remove the files encrypted by this ransomware infection, recommendations are to always backup your important data. Then, it is recommended to remove the malicious files of the .xncrupt ransomware. One of the ways to do it is if you follow the removal instructions below. In case you feel unsure that all the related files and objects to .xncrypt ransomware are going to be removed manually, it is advisable to take the automatic approach. For maximum effectiveness of removal and future protection, security experts strongly recommend downloading an advanced anti-malware program and scanning your computer with it.
If you want to restore files encrypted by the .xncrypt ranomware virus, we have suggested several alternative methods that can help you with that. These methods are located below in step “2. Restore files encrypted by .xncrypt Virus”.
- Step 1
- Step 2
- Step 3
- Step 4
- Step 5
Step 1: Scan for .xncrypt Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall .xncrypt Virus and related malware from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .xncrypt Virus on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by .xncrypt Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .xncrypt Virus
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .xncrypt Virus.
Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.
Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.
Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:
1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:
2. Agree with the license terms:
3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:
4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.
Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.
Method 2: Use data recovery software
Ransomware infections and .xncrypt Virus aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
.xncrypt Virus-FAQ
What is .xncrypt Virus Ransomware?
.xncrypt Virus is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithms to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
What Does .xncrypt Virus Ransomware Do?
Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.
Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.
How Does .xncrypt Virus Infect?
Via several ways..xncrypt Virus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, containing virus attachment. This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
Another way you may become a victim of .xncrypt Virus is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to Open ..xncrypt Virus files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..xncrypt Virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.
What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?
Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your ..xncrypt Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore "..xncrypt Virus" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..xncrypt Virus files.
These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How To Get Rid of .xncrypt Virus Virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.
It will scan for and locate .xncrypt Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..xncrypt Virus files.
Can I Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer.
Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
Italy - Polizia Di Stato
Spain - Policía Nacional
Netherlands - Politie
Poland - Policja
Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.
Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?
Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.
Can .xncrypt Virus Ransomware Steal Your Data?
Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.
In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.
Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?
Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.
Should I Pay Ransomware?
No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.
What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?
If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.
Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?
Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.
It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.
Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?
Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.
About the .xncrypt Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .xncrypt Virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the .xncrypt Virus ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
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- Always check "About Us" web page.
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