How to remove Xash Ransomware and decrypt .xash files

What is Xash Ransomware

Being part of the Djvu/STOP family, Xash is a new ransomware infection targeting data encryption. It was released in the middle of May 2023. Just like other malware of this type, STOP Ransomware of this version appends its own .xash extension to encrypted files. In the vast majority of cases, data becomes undecryptable with conventional methods. Only 1-2% of occasions can be decrypted by designated decryption tool. However, with instructions we provide on this page, there is high chance you’ll recover some important files. To illustrate, an innocent file like 1.mp4 will change to 1.pdf.xash, and similarly with other files. Developers of ransomware infections pursue monetary benefits – this is why there are providing paid instructions to decrypt your data. This information can be found in a text note (_readme.txt) created in each folder with the encrypted files.

Inside of it, developers give a condensed summary of what happened to your PC. It is said that all of your pictures, databases, documents and other valuable data were encrypted with strong algorithms, but can be returned. To do this, victims should purchase the decryption tool along with a unique key held by cybercriminals. The original price equals 980$, however, it can be decreased by 50% if you contact swindlers during the first 72 hours. Before doing so, you can also get a video overview of the decryption tool and send 1 random file (that does not contain valuable intel) to test whether developers can decrypt your files for free. Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to decrypt files without the involvement of cybercriminals themselves. No other software provided by anti-malware companies can match the necessary ciphers to unlock data affected by Xash. The only 100% solution is to delete Xash Ransomware and restore your data from cloud or external devices. If you do not have a backup copy of files, more likely you will not be able to access your data without paying the ransom. This is why it is always important to create regular backups of data on cloud or USB devices. Even if you do not possess a copy of files, you should still try some third-party tools to recover your files. Below, you will find both removal and decryption instructions for Xash Ransomware and .xash files.

How Xash Ransomware infected your computer

Xash Ransomware is a malicious computer virus that encrypts valuable files and holds them hostage until the user pays a hefty ransom. It can be distributed through phishing emails, malicious websites, and other online sources. By following the right steps, you can remove Xash Ransomware from your computer and then attempt to decrypt your .xash files. In this guide, we will discuss how to stop/djvu ransomware infection on your system and how to decrypt .xash files after it has been removed.

1. Download Xash Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .xash files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. Restore media files with Media Repair
7. How to protect from threats like Xash Ransomware

Virus modifies “hosts” file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. Xash Ransomware comes along with AZORult trojan, which was initially created to steal logins and passwords. The process of infection also looks like installing Windows updates, the malware shows a fake window, that mimics the update process.

It uses rdpclip.exe to replace a legal Windows file and to launch an attack on a computer network. After encrypting the files, the encrypter is deleted using the delself.bat command file. Xash Ransomware virus is propagated via spam attack with malicious e-mail attachments and using manual PC hacking. Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged, and infected installers. The virus assigns a certain ID to the victims, which is used to name those files and supposedly to send a decryption key. Great tools to protect against Xash Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

How to remove Xash Ransomware manually

It is not recommended to remove Xash Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.

Xash Ransomware files:

_readme.txt
rdpclip.exe
delself.bat
{randomname}.exe

Xash Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .xash files

Use automated decryptors

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor from EmsiSoft (.xash variations)

IMPORTANT: Read this detailed guide on using STOP Djvu Decryptor to avoid file corruption and time wasting.

STOP Djvu Decryptor is able to decrypt .xash files, encrypted by Xash Ransomware. This tool was developed by EmsiSoft. It works in automatic mode, but in most cases works only for files encrypted with offline keys. Download it here:

Download STOP Djvu Decryptor

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .xash files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analysis of files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with Xash Ransomware and removed it from your computer, you can try decrypting your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .xash files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

Use Media Repair to decrypt media files encrypted with .xash

1. Download Media Repair tool.
2. Right-click on the downloaded archive, and select Extract to Media_Repair\.
3. Then double-click on the extracted .exe file to launch the utility.
4. At first, you have to choose which file type you want to decrypt. You can do it from the drop-down menu in the utility.
5. Next, browser the folder with encrypted or reference files. Choose any of them and click on the Test icon located in the top right corner.
6. Media Repair will display a pop-up message with information on whether it can repair the selected file or not.
7. After checking if it is possible or not, select your reference file and click on the icon right under the Test button we used in step #5.
8. If the file pair is properly matched, you can move on and hit the Play button to start repairing. You can also stop the process anytime by clicking on the Stop button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Xash Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Xash Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

Download iDrive

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro