What is XRat Ransomware?
XRat Ransomware comes from the same family as the infamous Xorist Ransomware. According to the tests conducted in the Anti-Spyware-101.com internal lab, this infection encrypts files using the Tiny Encryption Algorithm (TEA) cipher, which is rarely used by ransomware infections. The encryption is performed silently, and the infection has to be executed on your PC for this process to be initiated. It appears that this threat is usually spread via spam email attachments, and the victim has to open the corrupted attachment to execute the infection. Needless to say, the email containing the launcher is misleading, and you are likely to be made believe that the attachment represents an important document or a fun image. Once the threat is executed, you are likely to recognize its existence only after your files are encrypted. If that happens, you should not rush to remove XRat Ransomware or follow the demands introduced to you by cyber criminals. The first thing you should do is read this report.
How does XRat Ransomware work?
The files encrypted by XRat Ransomware will gain the ".C0rp0r@c@0Xr@t" extension at the end of their names, which will make it very easy for you to see which files were hit. According to our research, the types of files that this ransomware targets include .zip, .rar, .jpg, .gif, .ppt, .txt, .pdf, .html, .torrent, .mov, .flv, and .avi. Clearly, this infection is after your personal files, and this is not surprising as the majority of ransomware infections affect personal files. The thing is that unless these files are backed up, you cannot replace them, and this is what can be used to push you into a corner and force you into paying a ransom. After encrypting your files, XRat Ransomware creates a TXT file called “Como descriptografar seus arquivos.txt”, and it represents the demands in Portuguese. According to the ransom note, you need to email your “private key” (it is attached to the note) at corporacaoxrat@protonmail.com to get a file decryptor. Of course, if you contact cyber criminals, they will provide you with a ransom request instead of a decryptor. The TXT file will be copied to every folder, even the ones that do not contain encrypted files. Additionally, your Desktop wallpaper will be changed to represent the same ransom note.
There is no doubt that XRat Ransomware was created to take your money, and it does not need to work hard to force you into paying the ransom. Once the files are encrypted, it relies on your wish to decrypt them, and, unfortunately, many users succumb to this demand. Are you thinking about paying the ransom as well? If you are, you must not have backed up your files. Let us take the opportunity to remind you that backing up your personal files is exceptionally important. Whether you use flash drives, online cloud storage, or another backup system, you need to back up all sensitive files because you do not want to lose them or have them used when extorting money from you. If you find that the files corrupted by XRat Ransomware are, in fact, backed up, you should remove the ransomware without further postponement. If you have not backed up your files, you should not rush to pay the ransom anyway. First of all, cyber criminals cannot be trusted with your money, and it is possible that the files will remain locked after you fulfill all of the demands. Second, you might be able to decrypt your files in another way.
How to remove XRat Ransomware
According to our researchers, the files encrypted by XRat Ransomware could be unlocked using legitimate file decryption tools. Make sure you install a legitimate tool, and maybe it will provide you with a working decryption key. Once your files are unlocked, immediately delete the ransomware before it initiates malicious activity again. Even users who pay the ransom cannot skip this step! If you want our advice, we support using automated anti-malware software. Not only because it can reliably clean your operating system but also because it can ensure protection against all kinds of infections that you might come across in the future. Should you choose to delete XRat Ransomware manually, do not forget to use a malware scanner to check your PC for malicious leftovers. Note that the steps below are quite vague because the names of the malicious files are random, and we cannot guess which ones will appear on your system. The original location of the launcher might be different in every case as well.
Removal Instructions
- Right-click and Delete the malicious launcher file. This could be the malicious attachment you downloaded after receiving a misleading spam email.
- Tap Win+E keys simultaneously to launch Explorer.
- Enter %TEMP% into the address bar to access this directory.
- Right-click and Delete the copy of the malicious launcher (the name will be different).
- Right-click and Delete the Como descriptografar seus arquivos.txt file in every folder it is located in.
tested removal of XRat Ransomware*
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