Xoza File Extension Virus - How to remove

Xoza is a file-encrypting virus that holds files for ransom. It’s a new addition to the Djvu family and shares most of its features with its latest siblings, including Reco, Kuub, and Nesa.

Xoza is recognized by its renaming of the encrypted files: it attaches “.xoza” to their names. The files marked by this suffix can’t be opened or viewed, even though they still exist. It’s possible that Xoza left a few files unaffected, so make sure to check.

Another symptom is the _readme files dotted about, mostly in the folders that also have encrypted files in them. These files include a message form the extortionists – they say to pay a few hundred dollars if you want to get your files back. Unfortunately, some victims are still paying, because new versions of this family of ransomware continue to be released.

Xoza does more harm than locking the files: it blocks some websites (including this one) from being viewed on the infected computer, deletes shadow volume copies, installs a spyware trojan which steals passwords and could later download even more malware, and it tries to break the installed antivirus program to avoid being detected and stopped.

Xoza is a dangerous file-encrypting virus that can have very negative consequences if you don’t have file backups:

Xoza symptoms	Files renamed to add the “.xoza” suffix Files can’t be opened multiple _readme files in various folders Email addresses – [email protected], [email protected]
Sources of the infection	Pirated files and programs Cracks and activators Free programs downloaded from unofficial websites
How to remove Xoza and other malware	Use anti-malware programs (SpyHunter)
How to restore the files	Restore from backups System restore Shadow volume copies Data recovery

Xoza uses cryptography

Xoza is a file-encrypting virus. This type of malware is popular because it allows criminals to make money in a very straightforward way, by just denying you access to your own files and asking you to pay money to restore it. Don’t do that, by the way – do not trust the extortionists, since they often fail to keep their promises and do not restore the files after they get the money. Even if they do, technical difficulties are common and the hundreds of dollars sent to the criminals will not come back – there is no way to recall a payment in most cryptocurrencies, which is great for the criminals.

Speaking of crypto, Xoza uses cryptography – a method for hiding information in plain sight – to lock your files. The files still exist, but they are corrupted. For example, an image file “pic.jpg” that Xoza encrypts still exists, but it can’t be viewed anymore. And though there is a way to reverse encryption – called decryption – you need the unique decryption key, which is only known to the extortionists.

When Xoza starts running in your computer, it is very fast to lock your files. This malware can lock hundreds of Gigabytes in minutes, so you’re unlikely to notice it before it deals significant damage. This is achieved by Xoza only locking the most important parts of your files without which most of them can’t be read. So a few files might still be readable, even after the Xoza infection, just missing a few sections.

This ransomware does not have a free decrypter available right now, but it’s possible that it will have a partial decrypter released in the future. This is based on the previous Djvu infections – for example, some of the Kuub files are decryptable, but only if they were locked when the ransomware couldn’t get an internet connection with the extortionists’ server. So it’s helpful for a few victims, at least. I’ll update this article if there is any news.

How to avoid ransomware

Ransomware spreads in a few different ways, so the single best thing you can do to avoid it is to have a backup of your files. Xoza may lock your files but that doesn’t matter to you if you have backups – copies of your files saved on separate storage. If this storage device is disconnected from your computer, no ransomware can reach it. A lot of ransomware victims that were hit the worst either didn’t have file backups, or kept them connected to the network, which does not stop sophisticated ransomware.

But dealing with Xoza and fixing all the damage that it did still takes time, so it’s worth it to avoid getting infected in the first place. While most ransomware is distributed using malicious email spam or by hacking remote desktop connections that weren’t protected by a VPN, Xoza is a bit different: it is downloaded from the internet by the victim while it’s disguised as a useful program or file.

Victims of Xoza and previous Djvu versions say that they were hit by ransomware right after they downloaded for free (in many cases, pirated) a program or a file. The specific programs vary and include the KMSpico activator, activated Office suites, free software from unofficial sites, PDF files, cracks – but there’s no limit to how the distributors of Xoza will decide to hide it next. The point is, scan every file you download and consider using first-party websites and legal software instead of pirating. There are often good-quality free alternatives to expensive commercial software. Pirating sites and pirated programs provide an easy way for malware distributors to spread their infections, so using legal alternatives could help you avoid a lot of malware.

Remove Xoza and fix the files

Xoza needs to be removed so that it doesn’t encrypt any more of your files. This won’t fix the files, however, it will stop new ones from being encrypted. You can delete Xoza using a competent anti-malware program, for example, SpyHunter. SpyHunter is good because you might need to run the anti-malware tool in Safe Mode (to stop malicious processes from interfering). You might be unable to download some security programs because Xoza edited your hosts file. To fix it, follow the guide below.

Important -- edit the hosts file to unblock security websites

TL DR : The hosts file is edited to block security sites Before the virus can be removed, it's necessary to fix the hosts file (the file which controls which addresses connect to which IPs). That is the reason the majority of security websites is inaccessible when infected with this particular parasite. This infection edits this file to stop certain websites, including anti-malware download sites, from being accessed from the infected computer, making browsers return the "This site can't be reached" error. Luckily, it's trivial to fix the file and remove the edits that were made to it.

Find and edit the hosts file

The hosts file can be found on C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/etc/hosts. If you don't see it, change the settings to see hidden files.

1. In the Start Menu, search for Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, find Appearance and Personalization.
3. Select Folder Options.
4. Open the View tab.
5. Open Advanced settings.
6. Select "Show hidden files...".
7. Select OK.

Open this file with administrator privileges.

1. Open the Start Menu and enter "notepad".
2. When Notepad shows up in the result, right-click on it.
3. In the menu, choose "Run as administrator"
4. File->Open and browse for the hosts file.

The hosts file should look like this: Delete additional lines that they connect various domain names to the wrong IP address. Save the file.

Download and run the antivirus program

After that, download antivirus programs and use them to remove the ransomware, the trojan, and other malware. Spyhunter (https://www.2-viruses.com/reviews/spyhunter/dwnld/).

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to recover Xoza File Extension Virus encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Xoza File Extension Virus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Xoza File Extension Virus

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Xoza File Extension Virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Xoza File Extension Virus affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Xoza File Extension Virus tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Xoza File Extension Virus encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.