Xollam Ransomware: File Decryption Instructions

Mallox Ransomware Develops A New Strain Xollam

While checking through new malware identities submitted by users globally, the security team has discovered a new ransomware named as Xollam. Through its attributes, it can easily be said to be a new strain derived from Mallox ransomware family, and even the new name is just the reverse of previous strain. Once executed, will encrypt the files and obviously ask users to pay off a certain ransom fee. let’s discuss more about Xollam Ransomware and how it should be sorted out on a compromised system, through this post.

Summary About Xollam Ransomware

Name: Xollam Ransomware
Type: Ransomware, cryptovirus, file locking virus
Symptoms: Files turning to be inaccessible, File extensions appended as .xollam, and a ransom note striking screen on attempt to access files.
Distribution: Bundled software installers, malicious links, intrusive advert campaigns, email campaigns, and so on.
Removal: Use a trusted malware removal tool to delete Xollam Ransomware and restore encrypted files using backups or other file recovery alternatives.

What is Xollam Ransomware: Detailed Information

The term Xollam Ransomware is basically a vicious malware term that can be classified as a ransomware, and most probably it belongs to group of Mallox ransomware family. So, once the malware gets installed on compromised computers, it use to encrypt all files present on targeted machine and demand the victims to pay off a specified ransom fee to seek decryption of files. In other words, the ransomware will turn all stored files on machine to be inaccessible and enforce the victims to pay off a ransom fee to seek decryption of files.

During the encryption is being processed, all affected files are appended with a new extension that appears to users as .xollam. Means, the file names are expected to be somehow modified in such a manner that it’s really impossible for normal applications to read, thus become inaccessible. After the encryption is successfully processed over all targeted files on computer, the ransomware also drops a text file based ransom note on computer which is named as FILE RECOVERY.txt.

This text file includes information for users that reads like all files have been locked and in order to restore those, it’s mandatory to establish connection with criminals through provided email addresses. Also the ransom pop up warns users against tampering with appended files or try out third party decryption options as this may damage the files completely, even the criminals may get notified and they will destroy the valid decryption key. Means, the one and only option which Xollam Ransomware suggest users to restore their files is to get criminals’ help, and that’s too after paying a certain ransom fee.

Expert’s overview regarding recovery of files

Unfortunately, the recovery of files once encrypted by Xollam Ransomware is hardly possible without a valid decryption key, but choosing to contact hackers or paying them with their demands just encourage them to do more cyber crimes. According to expert’s point of view, the criminals should never try contacting hackers, rather the victims should find and try out some alternative solutions or methods to remove Xollam Ransomware and all associated files, after which the user’s own lately created backups or other file recovery alternatives may be easily helpful to restore the lost files back. For more information, read through recommended guidelines.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Xollam Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Xollam 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 Xollam Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Xollam 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 Xollam 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 Xollam 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 Xollam 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 Xollam 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 Xollam 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 Xollam 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 Xollam 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 Xollam 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.