Remove Xoza Ransomware Virus

How to Remove Xoza Ransomware?

Readers recently started to report the following message being displayed when they boot their computer:

ATTENTION!

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The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
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You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
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Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
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If your files have the .xoza extension, you are in trouble. Your computer is infected with Xoza – a nasty virus of the ransomware category. You are stuck with a parasite that corrupts everything. The ransomware alters your settings, modifies the registry, drops malicious files, and starts encrypting processes. This, of course, happens in complete silence. You can’t notice the ransomware in time to prevent its infiltration. Xoza is designed to work in the background and to corrupt the user-generated data without triggering any alarms. Pictures, music, databases, archives, documents – the ransomware detects your files and puts them under lock and key. It encrypts your data with strong algorithms and makes it inaccessible. You can distinguish these files by the .xoza expansion which the virus attaches at the end of the corrupted files. Everything with this extension is unavailable. You can still see the icons of your files, but you can’t view or edit them. The virus, of course, promises a solution. Xoza drops a ransom note which briefly explains your situation, as well as lists the hackers’ demands. The criminals want $980 worth of Bitcoin. To make you swing into action, they give you a 50% discount if you pay within 72 hours. That’s a trick, of course! The criminals push you into impulsive actions. Don’t make their job easier! Slow things down! Consider your options. Bear in mind that you are dealing with criminals that tend to double-cross their victims.

How did I get infected with?

Fake updates, corrupted links, malvertising, spam messages, pirated software – there are myriads of malware distribution methods. And Xoza uses all known tricks. This virus uses trickery to reach your computer. It preys on your recklessness and naivety. Don’t throw caution to the wind! No anti-virus app can protect you if you do. The key to a secure and infection-free computer is diligence. Only your actions can prevent infections. So, make the right decision. Choose caution over carelessness. Don’t visit questionable websites. Download software and updates from reliable sources only. And, of course, be careful with your inbox. Whether it’s an instant message or an email, treat all unexpected messages as potential threats. Always take a minute to verify their senders. If, for example, an organization sends you an unexpected email, go to their official website. Compare the email addresses listed there to the questionable one. If they don’t match, delete the pretender immediately. You can also enter the suspicious addresses into a search engine. Someone might have complained online if the email was used for shady business. Even a little extra attention can spare you an avalanche of problems!

Why is Xoza dangerous?

Xoza is a nasty virus. It corrupts your data and makes your PC as good as useless. You can’t access your documents. You can’t create new files, either. Everything you download or save gets corrupted. The virus pushes you into paying the ransom. Don’t give in! You are dealing with cyber-criminals. They promise a lot but they rarely deliver. The Xoza’s operators promise one free decryption as proof of their abilities. Practice, however, shows that the crooks tend to ignore the victims once they receive the payment. There are cases when the victims paid, just to be blackmailed for more. There are also instances when the victims received nonfunctional and partly-functional decryption tools. What will you do if this happens to you? You can’t ask for a refund if something goes wrong. The hackers know what they are doing. These experiences criminals want Bitcoin – an untraceable currency. No one can help you get your money back once you complete the transaction. So, don’t make mistakes! Don’t pay the ransom! Such actions will only encourage the hackers to continue with their criminal activities. Consider discarding your files. If you have backups saved on external devices, you can use them to restore your files. Just make sure that the virus is completely removed before you attempt any such operations!

Xoza Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Xoza Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with Xoza encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate Xoza encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.