How to remove XHAMSTER Ransomware and restore encrypted files

Easy tips to delete XHAMSTER Ransomware and retrieve data

XHAMSTER Ransomware is a ransomware type infection and a part of Phobos ransomware group. The malware is designed to encrypt s stored data and then demand ransom payment for the decryption. During the encryption process, it appends the filenames of each of the encrypted files with this pattern: victim’s ID, ICQ username, and “.XHAMSTER” extension. For example, a file named 1.jpg becomes “1.jpg.id[C279F237-2797].[ICQ@xhamster2020].XHAMSTER”, “2.jpg” becomes “2.jpg.id[C279F237-2797].[ICQ@xhamster2020].XHAMSTER”, and so on.

Following to that, the ransomware displays a pop-up window (info.hta) and creates a text file (info.txt) file. They contain the ransom demanding message. According to this, all files have been encrypted and cannot be decrypted without paying to the crooks. The victims are instructed to contact them via @xhamster2020 user on ICQ for the payment details. Also, they are asked to send up to five encrypted files for the decryption before the payment. They are warned not to decrypt the files using third party tools and not rename the filenames of the encrypted files –as this may result into permanent data loss.

In most of the cases with system infections with ransomware infection, files recovery is not possible without the involvement of the crooks behind them. These people have unique decryption tool that must be used for decoding the code used during the files encryption. The only free way to recover the files is to use the existing backup, although Volume Shadow Copies are other data recovery option available for unless the virus did not delete it by any commands such as PowerShell commands.

Paying/ contacting the crooks is highly not recommended. These people are not reliable – they will never provide you the decryption tool even if you fulfill all their demands. If you pay, you will suffer financial loss and have your files remain encrypted. In such a case, the best way is to remove XHAMSTER Ransomware and use the stated, reliable data recovery option. Follow our data recovery guide below the post for more detailed data recovery instruction. There, you will find also find the complete guide to perform XHAMSTER Ransomware removal. The malware removal is necessary to avoid further files encryption and prevent various possible issues to the system.

How did XHAMSTER Ransomware infiltrate my system?

It is common that ransomware and other malicious malware are distributed through Trojans, emails, unreliable sources for downloading files and programs, fake software updaters and unofficial software activation tools. Trojans are the type of malware that are designed to cause chain infections on the system. Mal spam is used to spread malware through spam emails via malicious attachments files or links. The malicious files are often Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, JavaScript, archives, executables. The recipients infect their systems when they execute the malicious files.

Furthermore, crooks may spread malware through p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/ installers. As a rule, the files or programs are presented as legitimate. Users who download and open them lead to the malware download at the end. Fake software updaters infect systems by installing malware instead of updates, fixes for installed or by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software. To trick users into using them, crooks design as legit installers for updates, fixes. Unofficial software activation tools infect systems when they are bundled with malware. Crooks take the advantage of the users who want to avoid paying for licensed programs.

Full text presented in the info.hta file:

All your files have been encrypted!

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC.

If you want to restore them, install ICQ software on your PC here hxxps://icq.com/windows/

or on mobile phone from Appstore/Google Play Market search for “ICQ”

Write to our ICQ @xhamster2020 hxxps://icq.im/xhamster2020

Write this ID in the title of your message –

You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us.

Free decryption as guarantee

Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 3Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

Attention!

Do not rename encrypted files.

Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Be assured we are the only people who can recover your files and there is no free tool.

Full text presented in XHAMSTER Ransomware’s created info.txt file:

ATTENTION!!!

Unfortunately for you, a major IT security weakness left you open to attack.

All your files have been encrypted with ciphers more advanced than those used for diplomatic communications.

You can spend days and months searching for a magical way to decrypt your files, but rest assured we are the only people who can help you recover your files, there is no free tool.

If you want to restore files, install ICQ software on your PC here hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on your mobile phone search in Appstore / Google play market “ICQ”

Write to our ICQ @xhamster2020 hxxps://icq.im/xhamster2020

Write file ID in the title of your message

Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 3Mb and files should not contain valuable information.

Attention!

Do not rename encrypted files.

Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Emails with suspicious links and attachments in them should be given more attention, especially if they are not from relevant addresses. Usually, these emails are used to deliver malware through the malicious files or links. Installed apps should have to be updated/ activated using tools/ functions from official software developers. Third party, unofficial tools can be bundled with malware. Also, it is illegal to use such tools to bypass software activation or use cracked software. Files and programs should have to be downloaded from official websites and direct links. Third party downloaders/ installers, unofficial websites and p2p networks are often used to spread malware by presenting it as legit software.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove XHAMSTER Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete XHAMSTER Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove XHAMSTER Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button.  In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete XHAMSTER Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with XHAMSTER Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to XHAMSTER Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove XHAMSTER Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of XHAMSTER Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by XHAMSTER Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like XHAMSTER Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by XHAMSTER Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with XHAMSTER Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove XHAMSTER Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.