This article aims to help you on how to remove XData ransomware and try to decrypt the files encrypted with .~xdata~ file extension.
HOW_CAN_I_DECRYPT_MY_FILES.txt is the ransom note by which the XData malware string could be recognized. The malware is from the file-encryption type, meaning that it uses the AES encryption algorithm to render the important files on the computer of the user no longer openable. The files are also appended the .xdata file suffix after their original extension as a signature your computer has been infected. In case your computer has been infected by the .xdata file virus, we advise you to read the following 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 XDATA 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 Ransomware – Distribution
Ransomware viruses like the XData infection can be spread with the aid of e-mail spam messages which contain:
- Malicious web links.
- Malicious e-mail attachments.
These e-mail messages usually contain deceitful instructions to open the attachment or click on the web link, making it seem to the user that it is a legitimate document of some sort.
Other methods by which XData ransomware could infect computer systems are via fake updates, malicious browser redirects as a result of adware on the computer, infected installers of software or fake key generators or license activators uploaded online.
XData Ransomware – More Information
The ransomware virus drops the following malicious files after an infection by it has occurred:
- msaddc.exe
- mscomrpc.exe
- msdcom.exe
- msdns.exe
- mssecsvc.exe
- mssql.exe
After the files are dropped, the virus may execute them in an obfuscated manner without being detected by any antivirus program. This may result in XData ransomware leaving behind malicious registry values on the user’s computer. The registry value strings which are attacked are the Run and RunOnce sub-keys that are responsible for the running of the malicious executable on system boot:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
After the registry entries are created, the XData ransomware infection may execute Windows Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following commands to delete the shadow copies:
→ process call create “cmd.exe /c
vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet
bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no
bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
Finally, the ransomware may drop it’s ransom note, named HOW_CAN_I_DECRYPT_MY_FILES.txt:
“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 – Encryption Process
For the encryption process, XData ransomware uses the AES encryption algorithm which generates a symmetric key of the files encrypted encrypting them. This key can be used to decode the files back to their working state. The bad news is that only the cyber-criminals become the ones in possession of the key. The virus targets multiple important file types, such as 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 the encryption process is complete, the XData ransomware infection appends the .~xdata~ file extension to the encrypted files. This results in the files looking like the following:
Remove XData Ransomware and Restore Encrypted Files
Even though it may seem like a tempting action to pay the ransom requested by the crooks, it is advisable not to for obvious reasons:
- You aid the cyber-criminals in further developing and spreading their malware.
- You may got get your files back after paying them.
This is why experts recommend following these steps:
1. Backup your data, despite it being encrypted.
2. Remove XData ransomware by following the instructions below. Experts strongly advise using an advanced anti-malware tool for this purpose.
3. Try to restore the files by using the alternative methods for file recovery in step “3. Restore files encrypted by XData” below.
Ventsislav Krastev
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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove XDATA from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of XDATA from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove XDATA from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase XDATA from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall XDATA from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Delete XDATA from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate XDATA from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove XDATA from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove XDATA
Step 2: Uninstall XDATA 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 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of XDATA from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall XDATA 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 XDATA 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 XDATA files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as XDATA, 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 XDATA 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 XDATA 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 XDATA 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
Delete XDATA 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 XDATA will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate XDATA 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.
