This article has been created with the purpose to help explain what is the 2.0 version of Xiaoba ransomware virus and how to remove it from your computer plus how you can restore .XIAOBA files.
A new variant of the Xiaoba ransomware virus has been detected by security researcher Rony. The ransomware infection’s primary purpose is to encrypt the files of importance on the PC’s infected by it and then add the .XIAOBA suffix to them plus drop a “File Recovery Guide” decryption instructions. Their goal is to get the victim to pay a hefty ransom of 0.5 BitCoin in order to get their important files to open again. If your computer system has been victimized by XIAOBA 2.0 ransomware, we advise that you read this article as it will help you to remove this malware from your computer and try restoring your files.
Threat Summary
| Name | XIAOBA 2.0 |
| Type | Ransomware, Cryptovirus |
| Short Description | New variant of Xiaoba ransomware. Encrypts files and then asks for 0.5 BTC to be paid as ransom to see your files working again. |
| Symptoms | The XIAOBA 2.0 Ransomware ads the .XIAOBA extension to the encrypted files and drops a “File Recovery Guide”. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss XIAOBA 2.0. |
| 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. |
XIAOBA 2.0 Ransoware – Infection Methods
The main infection that is conducted by this infection has been reported to be related to the main malicious dropper of Xiaoba, which has the following characteristics according to VirusTotal upload:
→ SHA-256”b9f76d3201fea0b0df3e10782deb9b8d377f50a46eb7e01e17372acb5b54ed5e
Name:Uninstaller 30.0
Size:418.5 KB
The name “Uninstaller” suggests that this virus may have come embedded in a legitimate program that users have downloaded, thinking it is a program that they will install and use often. Such programs can be anything, ranging from a helper program that asists with the uninstallation of different programs that are hard to delete to media player and any other type of software, that only seems to be legitimate at first glance. Either way, it is strongly reccomended not to open, download or install programs you cannot guarantee are legitimate.
XIAOBA 2.0 Ransomware – More Information
Once XIAOBA 2.0 has already infected your computer, the malware will drop it’s payload files and check if it has previously infected your computer. If so, XIAOBA 2.0 ransomware may self-delete to prevent itself from encrypting your files. But if the virus has infected your PC for the first time, it begins by dropping it’s payload files on your computer. Among those files, which are likely located somewhere on your system drive, is the ransom note file of XIAOBA 2.0 ransomware. It is named HELP_SOS.hta and has the following ransom instructions:
File Recovery Gunde
You may have noticed that your file could not be opened and some software is not working properly.
This is not wrong. Your file content still exists, but it is encrypted using “XIAOBA 2.0 Ransomware”.
The contents of your files are not lost and can be restored to their normal state by decryption.
The only way to decrypt a file is to get our ”RSA 4096 decryption key” and decrypt it using the key.
Please enter 0.5 bitcoin into this address: lDveXPhdwz69ttF822keJT2uxl onaDrzyb
Please contact E-Mail after completing the transaction: xiaoba_666@163.com
Send the file that needs to be decrypted to complete the decryption work
Using any other software that claims to recover your files may result in file corruption or destruction.
You can decrypt a file for free to ensure that the software can recover all your files.
In addition to simply showing that yur files are compromised the malware likely makes sure you can no longer recover them. This may happen by executing the following Windows Command Prompt commands in the background:
→ sc stop VVS
sc stop wscsvc
sc stop WinDefend
sc stop wuauserv
sc stop BITS
sc stop ERSvc
sc stop WerSvc
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
cmd.exe /C bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe” /C vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /All /Quiet
In addition to this, the ransomware virus may also create Windows Registry entries in the sub-keys that are resposnible for running programs on Windows log-in. For all Windows versions, these sub-keys have the following locations:
→ 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
XIAOBA 2.0 Ransomware – Encryption Process
Once the XIAOBA 2.0 Ransomware has infected your computer, the virus does not waste time in encrypting your data. The malware may scan for often used files and detect them based on their file extensions. For XIAOBA 2.0 Ransomware those types of files are likely the following:
→ .3gp, .7z, .apk, .avi, .bmp, .cdr, .cer, .chm, .conf, .css, .csv, .dat, .db, .dbf, .djvu, .dbx,
.docm, ,doc, .epub, .docx .fb2, .flv, .gif, .gz, .iso .ibooks,.jpeg, .jpg, .key, .mdb .md2, .mdf,
.mht, .mobi .mhtm, .mkv, .mov, .mp3, .mp4, .mpg .mpeg, .pict, .pdf, .pps, .pkg, .png, .ppt .pptx,
.ppsx, .psd, .rar, .rtf, .scr, .swf, .sav, .tiff, .tif, .tbl, .torrent, .txt, .vsd, .wmv, .xls, .xlsx,
.xps, .xml, .ckp, .zip, .java, .py, .asm, .c, .cpp, .cs, .js, .php, .dacpac, .rbw, .rb, .mrg, .dcx,
.db3, .sql, .sqlite3, .sqlite, .sqlitedb, .psd, .psp, .pdb, .dxf, .dwg, .drw, .casb, .ccp, .cal, .cmx,
.cr2.
Once the virus detects that those files are present outside Windows system folders, they are immediately encrypted with what researchers believe to be RSA-4096 encryption algorithm, although this specific cipher is highly unstable. After encryption has finished, XIAOBA ransoware leaves the files looking like the image below shows:
Remove XIAOBA 2.0 Ransomware and Restore .XIAOBA Files
If you want to make sure that this version of .XIAOBA ransomware is permanently gone from your computer system, we advise that you follow the removal instructions below. They have been created to help you isolate and remove all files, related and belonging to XIOBA 2.0 from your PC. Be advised that for maximum effectiveness, secuirity researchers do advise users to download and install an anti-malware software, which will automatically scan for and remove all malicious files, related to XIAOBA 2.0 ransomware from their computers.
If you want to restore files, encrypted by this version of XIAOBA ransomware, you can try the alternative methods for file recovery in step “2. Restore files, encrypted by XIAOBA 2.0” underneath. They have been created to help recover as many files as possible without paying ransom, but be advised that they are not a 100% solution to your problem.
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 XIAOBA 2.0 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide
Step 2: Uninstall XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0
Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by XIAOBA 2.0.
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 XIAOBA 2.0 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.
XIAOBA 2.0-FAQ
What is XIAOBA 2.0 Ransomware?
XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0 Infect?
Via several ways.XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0 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 .XIAOBA 2.0 files?
You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the .XIAOBA 2.0 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 .XIAOBA 2.0 files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
Can I Restore ".XIAOBA 2.0" Files?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0 ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0 Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this XIAOBA 2.0 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 XIAOBA 2.0 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.
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