X HAMSTER Virus Ransomware
The X HAMSTER mean a ransomware-type infection. The virus comes from the Phobos ransomware family. X HAMSTER was elaborated particularly to encrypt all major file types. As soon as the file is encrypted people are not able to use them. X HAMSTER adds the “.XHAMSTER” extension for each file encrypted by it. For example, the file “myphoto.jpg“, once encrypted by X HAMSTER, will be renamed into “myphoto.jpg.XHAMSTER“. As soon as the encryption is finished, X HAMSTER places a special text file into every folder containing the encrypted data.The message given by X HAMSTER text file requesting for the ransom is definitely the like the statements given by other ransomware virus representatives coming from the Phobos family. It actually mentions that the information is encrypted which the only way to bring back it is to use a a special decryption key. Sadly, this is absolutely true. The sort of cryptography mechanism used by X HAMSTER is still not correctly examined. Still, it is absolutely specific that each victim might be given the specific decryption key, which is completely distinct. It is impossible to bring back the files without the key available.
Another technique of X HAMSTER is that the victims cannot gain access to the key. The key is stored on a specific server run by the frauds associated with X HAMSTER ransomware. To get the key and recover the important information people need to pay the ransom.
X HAMSTER encrypted your documents, but that might not be the only damage done to you. The ransomware might still be hidingon your computer. To identify whether this holds true, we suggest downloading GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
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Nonetheless, regardless of the requested quantity, people need to stay away from paying the ransom virus. Cyber frauds are unfair, so they tend to entirely ignore what their victims feel about the problem, even when the payment reaches their pockets. This is why paying the ransom usually does not give any positive outcome and people just waste their money for nothing.
We highly encourage that you do not contact these crooks and absolutely do not transfer money into their accounts. It is said to admit that there are no utilities able to crack X HAMSTER ransomware and to recover the information data free of charge. Hence, the just best decision is to recover the lost information from the available backup.
Virus Summary
| Name | X HAMSTER Ransomware |
| File Extension | .XHAMSTER |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Family | Phobos |
| Short Description | The ransomware encrypts all the data stored on your system and requires a ransom to be paid on your part supposedly to recover your important files. |
| Symptoms | File encryption by the ransomware is performed by means of the AES and RSA encryption algorithms. Once the encryption is completed, the ransomware adds its special XHAMSTER extension to all the files modified by it. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments |
| Removal Tool | GridinSoft Anti-Malware |
Bear in mind that the world wide web is now overwhelmed with threats that look similar to X HAMSTER ransomware. Destructive programs of such kind are usually elaborated to encrypt important information and to set forth the need before the user pays the ransom. The peculiarity of all such ransomware threats is that all apply a similar algorithm to produce the special decryption key for files decryption.
Thus, as long as the ransomware is still being developed or has some hidden bugs, hand recovering the information is simply not feasible. The only method to avoid the loss of your crucial files is to regularly create backups of your important information.
Keep in mind that even if you create such backups, they should be put into a special storage utility not connected to your main PC. You may use the Memory Stick or external hard disk for this purpose, or refer to the help of the cloud storage. If you save your backup files on your common system they may be encrypted in addition to other files, so it’s definitely not a good storage place.
How did ransomware infect my PC?
There are numerous ways used by online scams to distribute X HAMSTER ransomware. Despite the fact that it doubts how precisely X HAMSTER injects your PC, there are some leaks through which it may penetrate the system:
- integration with third-party software application, especially freeware;
- spam emails from unknown senders;
- websites rendering free hosting services;
- pirated peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads.
Frequently X HAMSTER virus might exist as some legitimate software, for example, in the pop-ups advising users to implement some important software application updates. This is the typical technique used by online scams to persuade people into downloading and installing X HAMSTER infection manually, by means of their direct participation in the installation process.
Furthermore, the criminals may describe different e-mail spam methods to inject harmful codes into systems. So, they may describe to sending unsolicited spam e-mails with tricky notices promoting users to download the attachments or click on certain download links, for example, the ones encouraging users to open some video, files, tax reports or invoices.
Needless to mention, opening such documents or clicking on such dangerous links may significantly harm the PC. Fictitious Adobe Flash Player upgrade informs may result in X HAMSTER ransom injection. As for the cracked software, these illegally downloaded programs may also include harmful codes leading to X HAMSTER secret installation. Finally, injection of X HAMSTER may happen by methods of Trojans that covertly get injected into the system and set up malicious tools without the user’s authorization.
Is there any method to prevent the injection of X HAMSTER ransom virus?
Although there is no 100% guarantee to prevent your PC from getting infected, there are some pieces of suggestions we wish to share with with you. To start with, be very careful when you surf the web and particularly while downloading complimentary apps. Keep away from opening suspicious email attachments, especially when the sender of the email is not familiar to you.
Remember that some freeware installers may contain other unwanted utilities in the bundle, so they may be harmful. Ensure that your current antivirus software and your entire operating system is always appropriately updated.
Naturally, downloading pirated software is unlawful and may lead to important damage to be made for your PC. Thus, stay away from downloading cracked software. You are also highly advised to reconsider your existing security software and possibly change to another security solution that can render far better services of defending your system.
Below please find the quotation from the X HAMSTER text 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.
Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove X HAMSTER ransomware from your computer
1.Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
2. Double-click on the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-ag.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your computer.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
3. Press Install button for run GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
3.Once installed, GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically run.
4. Wait for the GridinSoft Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your computer for Win Speedup 2018 and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so we suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
5. Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has completed, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
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