What is XData Ransomware?
What have you done to let in XData Ransomware? Have you executed an unreliable installer? Have you downloaded a corrupted spam email attachments? Unfortunately, at the time of research, it was still unknown how the malicious ransomware is spread, but we know that it is spreading quite aggressively, with 150 operating systems infected within 24 hours. According to the research of Anti-Spyware-101.com malware analysts, this threat mainly targets users in Ukraine, but it has been found to affect operating systems in Germany, the United States, and other countries, so no one is safe. All in all, if this threat has invaded your PC, it is most likely that it is not protected appropriately. With such malicious threats as Kee Ransomware and Darkodercrypt0r Ransomware emerging nearly every day, it is a crime not to take care of your operating system’s protection. Hopefully, you fix this problem once you remove XData Ransomware from your operating system. While we can promise you that you will delete this threat, we, unfortunately, cannot promise that you will be able to restore your files.
How does XData Ransomware work?
When XData Ransomware slithers into your operating system, it immediately starts the encryption process. This ransomware uses the AES encryption key to corrupt your files, and you can identify them by the “.~xdata~” extension that is attached to their names. Unfortunately, at the time of research, it was impossible to decrypt these files for free, and only a special decryption key could help. Well, how do you get your hands on this key? That might be impossible because it is kept by the creator of the malicious XData Ransomware, and it is up to them whether or not to give it to you. Of course, that is exactly how the ransomware is meant to operate because the main goal is to make you pay money to get the key/decryptor. A file called “HOW_CAN_I_DECRYPT_MY_FILES.txt” is created to introduce you to the demands, and you should find a copy of this file in every folder containing the encrypted files. The main message of the ransom note is that you need to send a special “pc key file” and your personal ID to one of the listed emails, which include begins@colocasia.org, bilbo@colocasia.org, frodo@colocasia.org, trevor@thwonderfulday.com, bob@thwonderfulday.com, and bil@thwonderfulday.com.
The “pc key file” is called “[computer name].[unique ID].key.~xdata~”, and you are likely to find it on the Desktop or in %HOMEDRIVE%, %APPDATA%, and %ALLUSERSPROFILE% directories. The ID number is represented via the ransom note, with your computer name attached to it. According to our research, XData Ransomware can block Chrome and Firefox browsers, and if those are installed on your PC, you might have trouble researching the threat or even communicating with cyber criminals in the way they want you to. Of course, you can restore your browser by reinstalling it after you delete the ransomware, but recovering your personal files might be impossible, unless they are backed up on an external drive or a virtual cloud. If files are not backed up, following the demands of cyber criminals might seem like the only option, but remember that there is a huge chance that once you pay the ransom (which is something you are likely to be asked to do once you initiate communication), a decryption key will not be given to you.
How to remove XData Ransomware
You have to decide what you are going to do fast because XData Ransomware is a malicious infection that must be removed from your operating system as soon as possible. If your files are very important, but you do not have backups, you might decide to contact cyber criminals and follow their instructions to pay the ransom. In this case, remember that you are more likely to waste your money for no good reason. After you delete XData Ransomware from your operating system, you need to make sure that you take measures to guard your operating system and your personal files. When it comes to files, it is best to store copies on an external drive. When it comes to the protection of your operating system, we suggest installing anti-malware software, especially because it can automatically erase the ransomware as well.
Removal Guide
- Identify the launcher file (this is the most important task, and if you cannot identify it, it is best to employ anti-malware software right away).
- Launch Task Manager by tapping keys Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
- Move to the Processes tab.
- Terminate processes linked to mssql.exe and the malicious launcher file.
- Exit Task Manager and then immediately Delete the malicious launcher file.
- Launch Windows Explorer by tapping Win+E keys.
- Enter %APPDATA% into the bar at the tip and then Delete the file named mssql.exe.
- Delete all copies of the ransom note file named HOW_CAN_I_DECRYPT_MY_FILES.txt.
- Delete the [computer name].[unique ID].key.~xdata~file in these directories:
- Desktop
- %APPDATA%
- %ALLUSERSPROFILE%
- %HOMEDRIVE%
- Empty Recycle Bin to get rid of the erased components.
- Perform a full system scan to check for any malicious leftovers.
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