XRTN is a ransomware virus reported by researchers to belong to the VaultCrypt family of ransomware viruses. It uses the same .xrtn file extension which it adds on the encrypted files after it has successfully encrypted them via the RSA-1024 encryption algorithm. In addition to this algorithm, the ransomware uses other mechanisms which sophisticate the brute force decryption, making it even more impossible. Despite the fact that the creators of XRTN ransomware do not say what amount is requested as a payoff to decrypt the files, users believe it is in the range of 1 – 5 BitCoins. It is strongly advisable not to pay any ransom money to the cyber-criminals because there is no full guarantee the files will be restored and you help their cyber-crime syndicate further spread this ransomware virus. We recommend removing the ransomware and attempting to restore your files using alternative file-restoration methods such as the ones in this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | XRTN |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts files with the RSA 1024 cipher and asks to contact cyber-criminals for decryption. |
| Symptoms | Files are encrypted and become inaccessible with a .xrtn extension added. A ransom note with instructions is added as a wallpaper asking to contact xrtnhelp@yandex.ru e-mail. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks. |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss XRTN Ransomware. |
| 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. |
XRTN Ransomware – Distribution Ways
To infect users globally, XRTN Ransomware uses a malicious.JS (JavaScript) file disguised as a Word document and featured in spam e-mail messages. Once the user opens the document, the script may connect to the following remote host:
From this host, a malicious file, that may carry the name “GnuPG.exe” may be downloaded onto the victim’s computer. The file may contain the so-called obfuscators to make it run while being concealed from standard antivirus programs.
How Does XRTN Ransomware Work
After the malicious executable has been dropped, the following files are reported by malware researchers to be created on the infected device’s %Temp% folder:
- 3cnq8256w5rxxavz.hta
- 4077430c_xrtn.KEY
- CONFIRMATION.KEY
- Do_88u.docx
- dsfsdghd.bat
- ez3x7je8.cmd
- xrtn.KEY
- xrtn.txt
Source: Infected Users
In addition to those, files XRTN is reported to be associated with other malicious files in the %AppData% directory:
xrtn.KEY
XRTN Crypto-virus is also reported to create a “Run” type of registry entries – something rather typical for such a virus. The key aims to run an .hta type of file when Windows starts, pointing out to this file being the same encryptor used with VaultCrypt ransomware:
Most of the files created by XRTN ransomware contain alpha numerical identifications, suggesting their filenames may be automatically generated with each infection.
Once stealthily activated on the computer, XRTN begins to look for the following types of documents, photos and others to encrypt them:
The encrypted files are appended the .xrtn file extension, for example:
Regarding encryption, XRTN Ransom virus uses a very strong RSA-1024 encryption algorithm. Also, it uses the so-called GNU Privacy Guard which as its exit code. Finally after encryption, the XRTN.key file containing the decryption information is created either in %TEMP% or %APPDATA% folders.
The ransomware changes the wallpaper of the user with ransom payoff instructions, which are the following:
All important files and information on this computer(documents, databases, etc.) will be decrypted using a RSA cryptographic algorithm
Without special software decoding a single file with the help of the most powerful computers will take about a 20 years.
contact an expert on email: xrtnhelp@yandex.ru
Remove XRTN Ransomware and Try to Revert The Files
XRTN Ransomware is most likely believed to be a virus which is “assembled” from other ransom-demanding cyber threats, like VaultCrypt. So far direct decryption of its files is impossible, but we will update this article as soon as one is released. Until then DO NOT pay the ransom and try to use alternative methods to restore your files, like the suggestions in step “3. Restore files encrypted by XRTN” below after removing the ransomware. For the removal of XRTN, it is also recommended to use an advanced anti-malware program, because the XRTN virus may create randomly named files in different Windows directories and an automatic approach may be more appropriate.
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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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
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.
How to Remove XRTN from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove XRTN
Step 2: Uninstall XRTN 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 XRTN 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 XRTN 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: Scan for XRTN with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by XRTN.
Ransomware infections and XRTN 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of XRTN from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall XRTN 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 XRTN 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 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by XRTN.
Ransomware infections and XRTN 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 top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
XRTN FAQ
What is XRTN ransomware and how does it work?
XRTN 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 algorithm how 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.
How does XRTN ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.XRTN Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, 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.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of XRTN 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 .XRTN files?
You can't. At this point the .XRTN files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .XRTN files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by XRTN ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".XRTN" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .XRTN files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of XRTN ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate XRTN ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .XRTN files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like XRTN ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
