Do you know what Xzzx Ransomware is?
Finding Xzzx Ransomware on your system means that a new variant in the notorious CryptoMix Ransomware family has slithered onto your computer without your knowledge. This could also mean that you will have to say goodbye to all your important files if you do not have a recent backup somewhere safe. This vicious program can encrypt all your personal files to hurt you enough to make you want to pay the ransom fee for the unique decryption key. Although this may seem like your only hope to get your files back and this may not even be far from the truth, we still believe that it is way too risky to pay ransom to cyber criminals. In fact, we suggest that you remove Xzzx Ransomware from your system as soon as possible. If you would like to find out more about this devastating malware infection, read our full report below.
As we have mentioned, this ransomware comes from the CryptoMix family that also includes Mole03 Ransomware, Zayka Ransomware, and X1881 Ransomware. This infection is most likely to spread via spamming campaigns since cyber criminals can reach lots of potential victims this way. You may think that you can easily recognize such a spam mail and you would never open one. But we have bad news for you: If you are infected with this threat, there is a good chance that you not only opened a spam but you also viewed its attachment. While this may come as a shocker, you need to know that this spam can be very convincing.
Since it appears to have come from an authentic, well-known, or authoritative sender, you may not even doubt that it is important for you to see its content right away. Opening this mail will not reveal much about the subject this spam claims to regard. This is why victims feel the need to view the attachment, which is the main goal of this spam from the first details (sender and subject). Please note that you cannot delete Xzzx Ransomware without losing your files. In other words, even if you remove this dangerous ransomware program, this will not recover your encrypted files, which means that you need to do everything to prevent such a malicious attack from happening.
After you activate this ransomware infection, it starts looking for the file extensions in your directories that it targets. In this attack you may lose all your personal files, such as images, videos, music files, documents, archives, and databases as well. The encrypted files will not only have a new extension (".xzzx") added but the original file name also changes into a 32-character random-looking string, for example, "0AE2C47210495B46345CAE8D130F3F8E.xzzx." After the damage is done, this threat drops its ransom note possibly only on your desktop, which is called "_HELP_INSTRUCTION.TXT." This infection does not replace your desktop background or lock your screen either.
As per the ransom note, you have to send an e-mail to four addresses (xzzx@tuta.io, xzzx1@protonmail.com, xzzx10@yandex.com, and xzzx101@yandex.com) with your "Decrypt-ID" so that these criminals can identify you and your PC. This note does not really contain any useful information about the payment itself but we can assume that you have to pay in Bitcoins and the fee could be hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But whatever this amount is, we do not encourage you to pay at all. You are dealing with cyber criminals who may not be as well-intentioned as you may think. They can simply disappear the moment you transfer the money and you will never see them again. Or, even worse, they can demand further amounts from you or infect your computer with other dangerous threats. All in all, our researchers say that it is best to remove Xzzx Ransomware from your computer right now.
Since this ransomware program creates Run registry entries, it can start up automatically every time you log in to your Windows account. This means that it can encrypt all your new files every time you log in. Therefore, you should delete those entries and all the related files on your system. Please follow our guide below if you are ready to take action. If you would like to feel safe in your virtual world, we recommend that you install a reliable anti-malware program like SpyHunter as soon as possible.
Remove Xzzx Ransomware from Windows
- Tap Win+E.
- Delete the following random-name malicious executables:
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\BC0EBCF2F2.exe
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\BC0EBCF2F2.exe - Locate and delete all suspicious files you can find in your download folders.
- Bin the ransom note file ("_HELP_INSTRUCTION.TXT").
- Tap Win+R and type in regedit. Hit Enter.
- Delete the following registry entries (PoEs):
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run | *BC0EBCF2F2 | "C:\ProgramData\*BC0EBCF2F2.exe" (* random name)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce | *BC0EBCF2F2 | "C:\ProgramData\*BC0EBCF2F2.exe" (* random name) - Close the editor.
- Empty the Recycle Bin.
- Reboot your computer.
In non-techie terms:
Xzzx Ransomware means a severe threat to your system and to your files stored on your hard disk. This ransomware program belongs to the well-known CryptoMix Ransomware family that has already shocked us with several similar threats. The main differences between the members of this family are the file extensions and contact e-mail addresses used. We do not advise you to contact your attackers or to pay the ransom fee either. In fact, there it is more likely that you will be attacked again or more money will be demanded from you than receiving the decryption key. We advise you to remove Xzzx Ransomware right away and transfer your backed up files back onto your hard disk, if you have any. If you would like to feel secure, it may be the right time, it is never too late, to install a powerful anti-malware program.