Is xHIlEgqxx ransomware a dangerous ransomware
xHIlEgqxx ransomware will lock your files and request that you pay for a decryption key. Infecting a computer with ransomware can lead to permanent data encryption, which is why it’s considered to be such a dangerous infection. As soon as the ransomware launches, it searches for specific files to encrypt. Victims will find that photos, videos and documents will be targeted because of their value to victims. A decryption key is needed to decode the files but unfortunately, it is in the possession of criminals who infected your PC in the first place. If the ransomware is decryptable, malware specialists may be able to release a free decryption program. If you don’t have backup for your files and do not intend to give into the cyber crooks’ demands, that free decryptor may be your only choice.
Once file encryption has been completed, a ransom note will be found either on your desktop or in folders which have encrypted files in them. If it has not been clear enough, the note should explain that your files have been encrypted, and offer a decryption program for a price. You will not be surprised to know that interacting with criminals isn’t encouraged. Hackers simply taking your money while not helping you with file recovery is not an unlikely scenario. They may guarantee you a decryption application but who will guarantee that promise will be kept. A wiser investment would be backup. You can just eliminate xHIlEgqxx ransomware if you had taken the time to make backup.
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You opened a dangerous email or fell for a false update. These are the most commonly used ransomware spread methods.
How does ransomware spread
You could acquire ransomware in a variety of ways, but as we have mentioned above, spam email and bogus updates are possibly the way you got the infection. If you opened an attachment that came with a spam email, you have to be more careful. When dealing with senders you’re not familiar with, do not immediately open the attached file and carefully check the email first. So as to make you less careful, criminals will pretend to be from companies you’re likely to be familiar with. The sender could claim to come from Amazon, and that they have attached a receipt for a purchase you didn’t make. You could check whether the sender is actually who they say they are rather easily. Look into the email address and see if it’s among the ones used by the company, and if there are no records of the address used by someone legitimate, best not to engage. What we also recommend you use is a reliable utility to scan the attached file before you open it.
If you are sure spam email is not to blame, fake software updates might also be responsible. Oftentimes you may encounter fake update alerts when visiting dubious web pages, forcing you to install something pretty forcefully. False updates promoted via ads or banners are also rather frequent. However, for those who knows that no real updates will ever be offered this way, such false notifications will be obvious. If you continually download from questionable sources, you will end up with all kinds of junk on your system. The application itself will alert you when an update is necessary, or updates might be automatic.
How does this malware behave
Your files have been locked, as you’ve likely noticed by now. While you might not have necessarily noticed this happening, but the ransomware began encrypting your files soon after the malicious file was opened. All locked files will have a strange extension, so it’ll be clear which files have been affected. Since a powerful encryption algorithm was used for file encryption, don’t even try to open files. If you check your desktop or folders that contain files that have been encrypted, you will find a ransom note, which should contain information on what you can do about your files. If you’ve encountered ransomware before, you’ll notice a certain pattern in ransom notes, crooks will first try to intimidate you into believing your only choice is to pay and then threaten with file removal if you refuse. It is possible that crooks behind this ransomware have the only way to recover files but even if that’s true, it isn’t recommended to pay the ransom. Even after you make a payment, it’s unlikely that crooks will feel obligated to aid you. If you pay one time, you might be willing to pay a second time, or that is what criminals might believe.
Before even considering paying, check if you’ve stored some of your files anywhere. If you’re out of options, back up the locked files and keep them for the future, it is not impossible that a malicious software researcher will release a free decryptor and you could restore files. In any case, you have to delete xHIlEgqxx ransomware from your computer.
While we hope you successfully get your files back, we also hope this will be a lesson to you about how critical regular backups are. If you do not make backups, you could end up in the same kind of situation again. In order to keep your files secure, you will have to obtain backup, and there are various options available, some more costly than others.
Ways to eliminate xHIlEgqxx ransomware
It isn’t recommended to attempt manual elimination, unless you’re an advanced user. Obtain anti-malware to delete the threat, instead. Usually, people have to reboot their devices in Safe Mode so as to launch anti-malware program successfully. After you run malicious software removal program in Safe Mode, you should not come across problems when you attempt to remove xHIlEgqxx ransomware. Malicious software removal program is not able to help you with file decryption, however.
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Learn how to remove xHIlEgqxx ransomware from your computer
- Step 1. Remove xHIlEgqxx ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.
- Step 2. Remove xHIlEgqxx ransomware using System Restore
- Step 3. Recover your data
Step 1. Remove xHIlEgqxx ransomware using Safe Mode with Networking.
a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking.
For Windows 7/Vista/XP
- Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
- Choose Safe Mode with Networking
For Windows 8/10 users
- Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
- Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
- Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
b) Step 2. Remove xHIlEgqxx ransomware.
You will now need to open your browser and download some kind of anti-malware software. Choose a trustworthy one, install it and have it scan your computer for malicious threats. When the ransomware is found, remove it. If, for some reason, you can't access Safe Mode with Networking, go with another option.Step 2. Remove xHIlEgqxx ransomware using System Restore
a) Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
For Windows 7/Vista/XP
- Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- Press and keep pressing F8 until Advanced Boot Options appears.
- Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
For Windows 8/10 users
- Press the power button that appears at the Windows login screen. Press and hold Shift. Click Restart.
- Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
- Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
b) Step 2. Restore files and settings.
- You will need to type in cd restore in the window that appears. Press Enter.
- Type in rstrui.exe and again, press Enter.
- A window will pop-up and you should press Next. Choose a restore point and press Next again.
- Press Yes.
Step 3. Recover your data
While backup is essential, there is still quite a few users who do not have it. If you are one of them, you can try the below provided methods and you just might be able to recover files.a) Using Data Recovery Pro to recover encrypted files.
- Download Data Recovery Pro, preferably from a trustworthy website.
- Scan your device for recoverable files.
- Recover them.
b) Restore files through Windows Previous Versions
If you had System Restore enabled, you can recover files through Windows Previous Versions.- Find a file you want to recover.
- Right-click on it.
- Select Properties and then Previous versions.
- Pick the version of the file you want to recover and press Restore.
c) Using Shadow Explorer to recover files
If you are lucky, the ransomware did not delete your shadow copies. They are made by your system automatically for when system crashes.- Go to the official website (shadowexplorer.com) and acquire the Shadow Explorer application.
- Set up and open it.
- Press on the drop down menu and pick the disk you want.
- If folders are recoverable, they will appear there. Press on the folder and then Export.
* SpyHunter scanner, published on this site, is intended to be used only as a detection tool. More info on SpyHunter. To use the removal functionality, you will need to purchase the full version of SpyHunter. If you wish to uninstall SpyHunter, click here.