XOLLAM Virus File 🔐 Ransomware Removal Guide

The Xollam virus represents one of the variants of the Mallox ransomware. This type of malware employs encryption to lock all the data stored on your computer, including photos, documents, excel sheets, audio files, videos, and more. It appends a distinct extension to each encrypted file and generates FILE RECOVERY.txt text files in every directory that contains the encrypted files.

The Xollam virus, a variant of the Mallox ransomware, highly damages users’ personal data. It targets computer systems, encrypting files of various formats using a sophisticated encryption algorithm. This action renders the files inaccessible to the user, including important documents, photos, videos, audio files, spreadsheets, and more.

When the Xollam virus encrypts files, it adds a specific extension to each file to indicate compromise. This extension is typically unique to the virus variant and acts as an identifier for the attackers. Moreover, the Xollam virus generates a text file named “FILE RECOVERY.txt” in every directory where encrypted files are located. Usually, this file contains a ransom note that provides instructions on paying a ransom to obtain the decryption key required for restoring the encrypted files.

It is crucial to note that paying the ransom does not guarantee file recovery or removal of the Xollam virus from your system. Cybercriminals responsible for ransomware attacks are often untrustworthy. There have been cases where victims paid the ransom but did not receive the promised decryption key or faced further extortion attempts.

To safeguard against the Xollam virus and other ransomware threats, it is important to regularly back up your data on separate storage devices or cloud services. Additionally, keeping your operating system and security software up to date with the latest patches and updates can help mitigate the risk of infection. Furthermore, exercising caution when opening email attachments or downloading files from unknown sources can prevent the initial entry of such malware into your system.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

When we talk about the intrusion of unfamiliar programs into your computer’s work, the proverb “Forewarned is forearmed” describes the situation as accurately as possible. Gridinsoft Anti-Malware is exactly the tool that is always useful to have in your armory: fast, efficient, up-to-date. It is appropriate to use it as an emergency help at the slightest suspicion of infection.

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What is Xollam virus?

☝️ A scientifically accurate denomination for the Xollam would be “a Mallox family ransomware malicious agent”.

Xollam will append its extra .xollam extension to every file’s name. For example, an image entitled “photo.jpg” will be changed to “photo.jpg.xollam”. Just like the Excel sheet named “table.xlsx” will be altered to “table.xlsx.xollam”, and so forth.

In every directory with the encoded files, a FILE RECOVERY.txt text document will be created. It is a ransom money memo. It contains information on the ways of paying the ransom and some other information. The ransom note most probably contains a description of how to buy the decryption tool from the Xollam developers. That is it.

Xollam summary:

In the screenshot below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Xollam looks like. Each filename has the “.xollam” extension added to it.

An example of encrypted .xollam files.

How did my machine catch Xollam ransomware?

There are many possible ways of ransomware infiltration.

There are currently three most exploited methods for tamperers to have ransomware acting in your system. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer-to-peer file transfer.

If you open your inbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services providers, postal agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose “from” field is strange to you, beware of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a viral item attached to them. Therefore, it is even riskier to open any attachments that come with letters like these.

Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan file model². A Trojan is an object that gets into your machine pretending to be something else. For example, you download an installer of some program you need or an update for some software. However, what is unboxed turns out to be a harmful program that corrupts your data. Since the installation package can have any title and any icon, you have to make sure that you can trust the source of the files you’re downloading. The best thing is to use the software companies’ official websites.

As for the peer networks like torrents or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Web. You can never guess what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy resources. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded objects with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is complete.

How do I get rid of the Xollam virus?

It is crucial to note that besides encrypting your data, the Xollam virus will most likely install the Azorult Spyware on your machine to get access to credentials to different accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). The mentioned spyware³ can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.

Sometimes racketeers would unblock several of your files so you know that they do have the decryption tool. As Xollam virus is a relatively recent ransomware, anti-malware designers have not yet found a method to reverse its work. Nevertheless, the decryption instruments are frequently upgraded, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available.

Sure thing, if the evildoers succeed in encoding someone’s essential data, the desperate person will probably fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying a ransom gives no guarantee that you’re getting your files back. It is still risky. After obtaining the ransom, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption code to the injured party. There were reports of ransomware developers simply disappearing after getting the money without even writing back.

The best safety measure against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your critical files in the cloud disk or at least on an external drive. Obviously, that might be insufficient. Your most crucial thing could be that file you were working on when it all went down. Nevertheless, it is something. It is also advisable to scan your drives with the anti-malware utility after the system restoration.

There are other ransomware products, besides Xollam, that work similarly. For instance, Isal, Bpws, Znto, and some others. The two main differences between them and the Xollam are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is the same: files become encoded, their extensions changed, ransom notes are found in each folder containing encoded files.

Some lucky people were able to decode the arrested files with the help of the free software provided by anti-ransomware developers. Sometimes the criminals mistakenly send the decoding code to the wronged in the ransom readme. Such an epic fail allows the injured part to restore the files. But naturally, one should never expect such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a bandits’ instrument to lay their hands on the money of their victims.

How to avoid ransomware attack?

Xollam ransomware doesn’t have a endless power, so as any similar malware.

You can protect your system from its attack taking several easy steps:

• Never open any letters from unknown senders with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (can you win in a lottery without even taking part in it?). In case the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the questionable letter with caution. A hoax letter will always contain mistakes.
• Never use cracked or untrusted software. Trojan viruses are often spreaded as an element of cracked products, most likely as a “patch” which prevents the license check. But dubious programs are difficult to distinguish from trustworthy software, because trojans sometimes have the functionality you need. You can try searching for information about this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the best solution is not to use such software.
• And to be sure about the safety of the files you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a powerful armor for your personal computer.

Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft⁴

There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft⁵.

Download Removal Tool.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

Run the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your system.

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

Press “Install” button.

Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.

Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your PC for Xollam infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has finished, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.

FAQ

🤔 How can I open “.xollam” files?Can I somehow access “.xollam” files?

Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode the “.xollam” files you will not be able to access them.

🤔 I really need to decrypt those “.xollam” files ASAP. How can I do that?

Hopefully, you have made a copy of those important files. Otherwise, you might try to employ System Restore. The only question is whether you have saved any Restore Points that would be helpful now. The rest of the methods require patience.

🤔 Will GridinSoft Anti-Malware remove all the encrypted files alongside the Xollam virus?

Of course not. Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will delete active infections from your PC. The malware that has infiltrated your computer is probably still active and running scans from time to time to arrest any new files you might create on your computer after the infection. As it has been mentioned above, the Xollam malware does not come alone. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide hackers with easy access to your computer in the future.

🤔 What to do if the Xollam virus has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation code.

In such an unfortunate situation, you need to prepare a flash memory drive with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to do the cleaning. You see, the ransomware starts automatically as the system launches and encodes any new files created or brought into your computer. To stop this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the essential programs to run automatically. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.

🤔 What could help the situation right now?

Many of the encrypted files might still be at your disposal

• If you exchanged your critical files through email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
• You might have shared images or videos with your friends or family members. Simply ask them to send those images back to you.
• If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Web, you can try doing it again.
• Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud drives might have all those files as well.
• It might be that you still have the needed files on your old PC, a portable device, mobile, flash memory, etc.

USEFUL TIP: You can employ data recovery utilities⁶ to retrieve your lost information since ransomware arrests the copies of your files, deleting the original ones. In the tutorial below, you can learn how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but remember: you won’t be able to do it before you kill the virus with an anti-malware program.

Also, you can contact the following official fraud and scam sites to report this attack:

• In the United States: On Guard Online;
• In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
• In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
• In Australia: SCAMwatch;
• In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
• In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
• In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
• In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;

To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.

1. My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
2. You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
3. You can read more on spyware variants and nature in the respective section of GridinSoft official website.
4. GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
5. More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
6. Here are Top 10 Data Recovery Software Of 2023.