‘.xxx File Extension’ Ransomware

Posted: January 15, 2016

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	8/10
Infected PCs:	124

First Seen:	January 15, 2016
Last Seen:	January 2, 2021
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware is one of two variants of TeslaCrypt: a file encryptor noted for attacking data associated with gaming software. Although its file-ransoming tactics remain broadly similar to its predecessor, the '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware also includes under-the-hood changes that can prevent you from recovering your files as easily as previously. Malware experts still recommend using secure file backups for preventing any damage from the '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware's attacks, and anti-malware tools for deleting the '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware.

The Natural Extension of Old Threat Problems

The '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware is a new threat based on a past version of TeslaCrypt, which, in turn, most likely bases itself on the CryptoWall Ransomware. Like those file encryptors, the '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware scans the infected machine's hard drive for specific file types, encrypts them (a process that makes associated programs unable to read them) and plants instructions for purchasing the decryption solution from a con artist. Relatives of the '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware have focused on video and computer game components, although other threats of the same format have been seen modifying image files, audio files, spreadsheets and documents.

The '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware is one of two upgrades to TeslaCrypt, along with the '.ttt File Extension' Ransomware. Neither the '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware nor its partner include any changes to the basic encryption algorithm. However, malware researchers have found signs of these threats changing the acquisition method for their decryption keys. The latest changes clearly are meant to block free decryption tools provided by third-party security researchers, which leaves victims with limited options for recovering their files. The encryption attacks also include changes to the file names: the addition of a '.xxx' extension, purely for identification purposes.

Saving Your Files from a Trojan's Ransom

File encryptors of most types, including the '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware, make their profits from the poor backup strategies of their victims. Thorough backup protocols, such as using cloud servers and removable devices, you can keep your files out of reach of the '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware's payload. Con artists have no way of guaranteeing that any ransom transactions they offer will be followed up on with a real decryption solution, and malware researchers never can recommend paying their fees.

The '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware includes randomly-named files in non-standard locations of the Windows system, as well as various Registry changes. You can remove all of the '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware's files and settings most easily through the comprehensive systems scans of dedicated anti-malware products.

However, anti-malware scanners don't include decryption features ordinarily, and a third-party decryptor is not yet available to the public. Prevention is, therefore, more important than ever for stopping threats like the '.xxx File Extension' Ransomware from locking down essential data for good.

‘.xxx File Extension’ Ransomware

Threat Metric

The Natural Extension of Old Threat Problems

Saving Your Files from a Trojan's Ransom

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