Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Note! Your computer might be affected by [email protected] Ransomware and other threats.
Threats such as [email protected] Ransomware may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Malware researchers have identified a string associated with the XTBL viruses, dubbing it [email protected] ransomware virus. It uses the .xtbl file extension and similar to other XTBL viruses may use the AES and RSA ciphers to encrypt files of affected users and then ask them to contact a specific e-mail address to restore these files. Since the cyber-criminals behind this virus are interesting in getting users to pay BitCoins as a ransom payoff, malware researchers are currently working on a decryptor for the files that can unlock them for free. For more information on how to remove [email protected] ransomware and how to restore your files, it is strongly advisable to read this article thoroughly.
UPDATE! Kaspersky malware researchers have released a Shade decryptor which can decode files encoded by the the Shade ransomware variants. Since this includes the .xtbl file extension, we have created instructions on how to decrypt your .xtbl files. The instructions can be found on the link below: Decrypt Files Encrypted by Shade Ransowmare
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.
To be successfully in the systems of it’s victims, the ones who are behind [email protected] virus may undertake spam campaigns that may redistribute an exploit kit hidden as a malicious e-mail attachment. The e-mails sent out with the virus may pretend to be legitimate e-mails sent from various institutions, like banks or online retailer stores. They may contain convincing subjects, like “Your account is closed” to get users to download and open such attachments.
In addition to this, the attachments of [email protected] ransomware themselves may also be concealed. Cyber-criminals use exploit kits and malware obfuscators to hide these files from any security software. They may also use file joiners to make the files appear as if they were a legitimate Microsoft Excel, Adobe Reader or other documents, for instance.
After having opened the malicious payload carrying file, it may connect remotely to the cyber-criminals’ command and control server only to download the actual payload without any hic-ups. As soon as it downloads it, the [email protected] Virus may drop the files in various Windows locations:
%Roaming%
%SystemDrive%
%AppData%
%Local%
%Temp%
Also, typically to the .XTBL ransomware viruses, the [email protected] Ransomware may drop a ransom note file under .HTML and .hta file formats.
The [email protected] virus also creates copies and shortcuts of those files in the %Startup% folder to make them run everytime Windows boots up:
When it starts encrypting the files, [email protected] may be very choosy. It looks for most files that are widely used to encode them, making them permanently unopenable. The virus may also be configured to skip specific folders to encrypt, such as:
%System Drive%
%AppData%
%Windows%
%Temp%
%System32%
The [email protected] may skip those folders for one and only purpose – to avoid crashing Windows OS while encrypting the files.
In addition to this, the [email protected] virus may also delete all the backups of the compromised computer using the powerful vssadmin command in “quiet” mode.
After having encrypted your files, just like many other XTBL ransomware variants out there, the [email protected] virus ads a unique identifier, it’s e-mail address, and the .xtbl file extension to encrypted files, for example:
If you wish to delete this ransomware from your computer, it is advisable not to take it to an expert. They will only overcharge you for something you can do on your own. Instead, we advise you to simply follow the instructions after this article as they are going to help you delete the malicious files associated with [email protected] ransomware. For maximum effectiveness, malware researchers also strongly advise users to download and install an advanced anti-malware program which will surely take care of the threat and protect you in the future as well.
To try and restore your files you may attempt using the methods illustrated in step “3. Restore files encrypted by [email protected]” ransomware below. However, we also advise you not to try direct decryption using Kaspersky’s methods because this virus may also have a defensive mechanism, called CBC (cipher block chaining) that may break the files irreversibly if you try to decode them.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by [email protected] Ransomware and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as [email protected] Ransomware. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove [email protected] Ransomware files and objects
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 2:
Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
Step 3:
Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC’s screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be “fileextension:exe”. After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 2:
After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
Step 3:
After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove [email protected] Ransomware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for [email protected] Ransomware and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove [email protected] Ransomware. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
Ransomware infections and [email protected] Ransomware aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested several alternative methods that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that these methods may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Method 1: Scanning your drive’s sectors by using Data Recovery software. Another method for restoring your files is by trying to bring back your files via data recovery software. Here are some suggestions for preferred data recovery software solutions:
Method 2: Trying Kaspersky and EmsiSoft’s decryptors. If the first method does not work, we suggest trying to use decryptors for other ransomware viruses, in case your virus is a variant of them. The two primary developers of decryptors are Kaspersky and EmsiSoft, links to which we have provided below:
To restore your data in case you have backup set up, it is important to check for Volume Shadow Copies, if ransomware has not deleted them, in Windows using the below software:
Method 4: Finding the decryption key while the cryptovirus sends it over a network via a sniffing tool.
Another way to decrypt the files is by using a Network Sniffer to get the encryption key, while files are encrypted on your system. A Network Sniffer is a program and/or device monitoring data traveling over a network, such as its internet traffic and internet packets. If you have a sniffer set before the attack happened you might get information about the decryption key. See how-to instructions below:
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Malware researchers have identified a string associated with the XTBL viruses, dubbing it [email protected] ransomware virus. It uses the .xtbl file extension and similar to other XTBL viruses may use the AES and RSA ciphers to encrypt files of affected users and then ask them to contact a specific e-mail address to restore these files. Since the cyber-criminals behind this virus are interesting in getting users to pay BitCoins as a ransom payoff, malware researchers are currently working on a decryptor for the files that can unlock them for free. For more information on how to remove [email protected] ransomware and how to restore your files, it is strongly advisable to read this article thoroughly. 
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for 
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
