Article created to show how to remove the XData ransomware infection and restore files encrypted with added .~xdata~ file extension.
Update May 2017! A ransomware virus detected in mid May 2017 has been reported to cause massive infections, predominantly in Ukraine. The ransomware, named XData uses AES encryption algorithms to encrypt the file on the compromised system and then add the .~xdata~ file suffix to them. After the encryption, XData ransomware drops a ransom note, named HOW_CAN_I_DECRYPT_MY_FILES.txt in which it has demands to pay a hefty ransom fee in order to get back the encrypted files. If you have become a victim of the XData file virus, we strongly recommend you to read this article thoroughly.
Threat Summary
| Name |
XData |
|
| Type | Ransomware | |
| Short Description | Encrypts files on the infected computers, demanding victims to pay a hefty ransom fee to retrieve them. | |
| Symptoms | Slow computer performance, files no longer openable with an added .~xdata~ file extension. A ransom note file, named HOW_CAN_I_DECRYPT_MY_FILES.txt. | |
| 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
|
|
| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss XData. | |
| 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. |
.~xdata~ File Virus – How Did I Get Infected
There are two main methods my which you could become a victim of this ransomware infection
- Via malicious web links.
- Via malicious files.
Such files or links may be uploaded on e-mails that are sent as a part of spam e-mail campaign which is massive. The e-mails have a deceitful message in them which aims to trick the future victim of XData ransomware to open the malicious files and become infected, for example:
In addition to via e-mails, XData ransomware can also be spread if it is uploaded on suspicious websites as a fake license activator, setup, key generator or any other software that is often downloaded. The ransomware can also arrive on your computer as a result of having a potentially unwanted program (PUP) which causes browser redirects on your computer.
XData Ransomware – Analysis
As soon as the victim of the XData virus opens the loader (infection) file, it is already too late. The virus immediately drops the malicious files of XData on the compromised computer:
- msaddc.exe
- mscomrpc.exe
- msdcom.exe
- msdns.exe
- mssecsvc.exe
- mssql.exe
The malicious files of XData virus may be located in numerous often-targeted Windows folders, which are:
- %ProgramData%
- %AppData%
- %Roaming%
- %LocalLow%
- %Local%
- %Temp%
As soon as XData ransomware drops it’s malicious files, the ransomware infection immediately begins to modify the settings on the infected computer. One of the modifications that may be performed by this ransomware virus are to modify the Windows Registry editor, more specifically the Run and RunOnce registry sub-keys, located in the following places:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
This modification s done so that XData ransomware can begin encrypting your files on System Startup or run other programs when you boot Windows, which may interfere with the operating system.
After the XData file virus has done this, it may execute the bcedit and vssadmin commands as administrator in Windows Command prompt. This usually happens in the background so that the user cannot notice:
→ process call create “cmd.exe /c
vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet
bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no
bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
By inserting these commands, the XData virus aims to delete all the local backups on your computer.
Last but not least important, XData ransomware also drops It’s ransom note, which has the following message to the victims of the virus:
“Your important files were encrypted on this computer: documents, databases, photos, videos, etc.
Encryption was prodused using unique public key for this computer.
To decrypt files, you need to obtain private key and special tool.
To retrieve the private key and tool find your pc key file with ‘.key.~xdata~’ extension.
Depending on your operation system version and personal settings, you can find it in:
‘C:/’,
‘C:/ProgramData’,
‘C:/Documents and settings/All Users/Application Data’,
‘Your Desktop’
folders (eg.).
Then send it to one of following email addresses:
beqins@colocasia.org
bilbo@colocasia.org
frodo@colocasia.org
trevor@thwonderfulday.com
bob@thwonderfulday.com
bil@thwonderfulday.com
Your ID:
Do not worry if you did not find key file, anyway contact for support.”
XData Ransomware – How Does It Encrypt Files
In order to make files no longer openable and yet recoverable, XData ransomware infection begins to employ encryption mode via the AES (advanced encryption standard) cipher. This mode includes replacing data from the original files with data from the cipher. The affected files by XData ransomware are believed to be the following:
→ “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 XData ransomware encrypts the files on your computer, you will notice it, by the .~xdata~ file extension, which this ransomware virus sets as a suffix to the seemingly corrupted files:
How to Remove XData Ransomware and Restore Your Files
Despite that you may feel the urge to pay the ransom, it is very important not to do it, primarily because this may aid the cyber-crooks to spread their virus and develop it and more so, you may not get your files back even if you pay.
This is why, it is recommended to first backup the encrypted files and then remove XData ransomware infection by following the instructions bellow. Security experts are looking into this threat in the moment and it is strongly advisable to remove it automatically by using an advanced anti-malware software. It will swiftly scan fro XData virus files and remove them to secure and protect your computer in the future as well.
At the moment files encrypted by XData ransomware cannot be decrypted. However, there are still methods by which you can restore a big portion of your files. We have posted some of those below in step “2. Restore files encrypted by XData Virus” below.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Step 1: Scan for XData with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall XData 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by XData 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 XData there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
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 XData
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by XData.
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 XData 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.
XData-FAQ
What is XData Ransomware?
XData 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 XData 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 XData Infect?
Via several ways.XData 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 XData 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 .XData files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .XData 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 .XData files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".XData" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .XData 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 XData 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 XData ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .XData 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 XData 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 XData Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this XData 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 XData 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.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.