The Xorist ransomware family has been known to security researchers for a while now. A new variant of this family has just emerged and it has been identified as Team XRat, or just XRat. For now, the crypto virus specifically targets Portuguese speaking victims, encrypting their files and appending a .C0rp0r@c@0Xr@ to them. As for the ransom note, research indicates that it’s called “Como descriptografar seus arquivos.txt“.
Threat Summary
| Name | XRat, Team XRat |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts all important files and displays a ransom note. |
| Symptoms | The ransomware will encrypt files with and put the .C0rp0r@c@0Xr@ extension to each encrypted file. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, File Sharing Networks, .Exe Files |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool |
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss XRat, Team XRat. |
| 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. |
XRat Ransomware Distribution Methods
To infect users, this ransomware may spread via several different methods, such as:
- Through malicious URLs, sent out in spam campaigns, that cause drive-by-downloads or the execution of .js(JavaScript) files.
- Via malicious executables, like Windows activators, game key generators, and others, pretending to be virus-free applications.
- Via infected USB drives or other external drives.
Technical Overview of Team XRat Xorist Ransomware
Like we already said, the ransomware will encrypt the user’s files and will add a .C0rp0r@c@0Xr@ extension. The victim’s wallpaper will also be changed to a picture of Anonymous. The picture contains instructions telling the victim to send an email to corporacaoxrat@protonmail.com for further payment instructions.
The XRat Xorist ransomware may modify the registry entries of the victim’s computer, so that the malicious executables run every time Windows starts. This can happen by adding values and data in the following subkey:
After this is done and the victim’s PC is rebooted, the ransomware begins to scan for the files to encrypt. Previous Xorist variants are known to target the following files for encryption:
The files are most likely encrypted by using either XOR or TEA encryption algorithms, which is fortunate, because a decryption method has already been outlined by security experts. See below.
After all data has been encrypted, the ransomware displays the ransom message either as a wallpaper. The message is titled “Como descriptografar seus arquivos.txt“.
How to Remove XRat Ransomware and Restore the .C0rp0r@c@0Xr@ Encrypted Files
The very first thing to do is remove the ransomware from the system. The easiest way to do so is by using an automatic anti-malware program. To remove XRat, you should follow the step-by-step instructions bellow the article. In addition, we strongly advise you to be cautious while removing the ransomware and back up your encrypted files in case the system crashes.
Regarding file restoration, there is a special decrypter for this ransomware developed by Emsisoft – Emsisoft Xorist Decrypter.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the beginning. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove XRat, Team XRat from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of XRat, Team XRat from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove XRat, Team XRat from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase XRat, Team XRat from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall XRat, Team XRat from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove XRat, Team XRat from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate XRat, Team XRat from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove XRat, Team XRat from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove XRat, Team XRat
Step 2: Uninstall XRat, Team XRat and related software 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 uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by XRat, Team XRat 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 XRat, Team XRat 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of XRat, Team XRat from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall XRat, Team XRat and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove XRat, Team XRat via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove XRat, Team XRat from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase XRat, Team XRat from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall XRat, Team XRat from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove XRat, Team XRat from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the XRat, Team XRat will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate XRat, Team XRat from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
