Esexz ransomware (Removal Instructions) - 2021 update

Esexz virus Removal Guide

What is Esexz ransomware?

Esexz ransomware – a cryptovirus claiming that it has stolen data in addition to encrypting it

Esexz ransomwareRansomware that demands payment in the file that shows up added in various folders on the desktop.

Esexz ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts non-system data on an infected computer with strong coding algorithms, renames the files by appending .esexz extension to original filenames, and generates a ransom note, titled readme.txt, which is placed directly on the desktop so it can be easily found. You can also find the text file in folders with data that got encoded. Once this is done files are inaccessible and cannot be opened.

If you've spotted any of these symptoms, that means your computer is infected with Esexz ransomware virus. This article contains the infection summary, its distribution techniques, and ways to remove it. You can find the alternatives for the decryption since there are no official tools below the article where the virus removal guide is placed. The best way to restore files after such infection – data backups and copies of those files that got encoded.

First and foremost, ransomware victims shouldn't contact its developers by the provided emails (costestu@cock.li, setestco@protonmail.com, zetterlow@tutanota.com). Paying is not the solution since you might end up without money and with locked or even permanently damaged files. Although data recovery might be impossible without their key, ransomware attacks can be stopped only if the victims stop paying their assailants.

name Esexz ransomware
type Ransomware
Appended file extension .esexz
Ransom note readme.txt
Distribution Spam emails, deceptive ads, torrent websites
additional info Cybercriminals claim that they have stolen data, and it might be leaked if the ransom isn't paid
Criminal contact details costestu@cock.li, setestco@protonmail.com, zetterlow@tutanota.com
Virus removal To properly eliminate a virus, it has to be removed with trustworthy anti-malware tools. It might be difficult due to ransomware damage, so rely on the guide below
System repair Victims should use the FortectIntego tool or other powerful system repair app to restore their devices system files and settings back to normal

Ransomware has been floating on the internet for a while now. There various ransomware families, and new variations are detected every day. Some of it targets big corporations, while others like DeroHe, Dis, Wbxd, are meant to infect everyday users' computers.

The best way to protect yourself from ransomware and malware alike is to acquire professional anti-malware software, such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. If their virus databases are frequently updated, then these types of apps could prevent such nightmares. The tool detects and removes pieces of the cryptovirus, so the encryption cannot be launched again.

With its ransom note, readme.txt, developers of Esexz ransomware virus try to scare their victims using different techniques. They claim that files were stolen and can be made public if the ransom isn't paid and that the only way to retrieve the encrypted files is by purchasing their decryption tool.

Both threats might be true, but also, criminals are criminals for a reason, and thus they can be bluffing. Whatever the case is, victims of this cyber attack should remove Esexz ransomware from their encrypted devices as soon as possible. The best way to do it is by using trustworthy anti-malware software.

Esexz ransomware virusA cryptovirus that encrypts files using an army-grade algorithm and marks them using a random character appendix.

And since file-locking parasites often make various alterations to system files and settings, such as the registry, we highly advise the users to use the FortectIntego tool or similar system repair apps right after ransomware removal to take care of the issues. When left unattended, they might result in freezing, crashing, and other system performance problems.

This message is delivered within readme.txt ransom note:

Your ID:

Congrats! I have a bad news for you. All of yours data has been encrypted&stollen_!_

Also there is a good news – there is the one and the only who can help you to restore

yours Data ( u need to write here about restoring yours data, and write in the subject

of the letter yours ID : costestu@cock.li, setestco@protonmail.com, zetterlow@tutanota.com)

As faster you are – depends on discount of price. As slower

you are – depends on higher price. Don't forget about stollen data its can become public_!_(depends on also on you)

Also dear, you must know that it's impossible to restore infected computers by

yourself\somebody else_!_

As a proof for test, in a letter u can upload 3 files not bigger than 10 mb not contains important or secure info.

Spam emails and torrent sites – leaders of ransomware distribution

Ransomware is just one type of malware that can infect computers without proper security. Cybercriminals use many techniques to distribute their creations, from Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) attacks[1] to drive-by downloads.[2] But our research suggests that the two most popular methods are spam emails and torrent sites.

Esexz file virusRansomware asks for a ransom when the encoding procedure is done.

Spam emails can look like legitimate letters from your bank, shipping/shopping company, etc., but actually, they might contain virus payload files in their attachments or hyperlinks. Check for any inconsistencies, such as grammatical errors, pushing to do something urgently, not addressing you by your full name, and others. If any of these are spotted, please refrain from downloading any attachments or opening any provided links.

File-sharing platforms, especially torrent sites, have become a hothouse for ransomware. Cybercriminals prefer this spreading technique because it doesn't require much effort. Created malware is named as something that would attract attention, e.g., crack for the latest game, unlocked commercial software, and uploaded. We advise our readers to refrain from visiting these types of sites, or they could download much more than they expected.

Guidelines for Esexz ransomware virus removal and system repair

There's no place for malware in anyone's computer. If you've got infected with ransomware, thank you for trusting us as your removal experts. You have to start by copying all essential encrypted files to offline storage. There's no decryption tool available at the moment, but it could be created sooner or later.

Then download and install any of these two professional anti-malware tools – SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes. Launch the application and run a full system scan. Remove ransomware and all other suspicious files that the software detects. It is worth to mention that sometimes malware can prevent anti-malware tools from opening.

If that happened to you, then reboot Windows in Safe Mode with Networking. Then you can launch the antivirus program without interruptions and eliminate Esexz file virus yourself. If you're not sure how to do that, see our detailed guide below this chapter.

Once Esexz ransomware removal is finished, users should take care of the overall system's health since file-locking viruses tend to corrupt them. Cybersecurity experts at Virusi.hr[3] suggest all ransomware victims to use the FortectIntego system repair application to fix any system irregularities that the infection might have done.

Offer
do it now!
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Fortect Happiness
Guarantee
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Intego Happiness
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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Esexz virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Run Safe Mode with Networking to eliminate malware

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove Esexz using System Restore

Eliminating threats with System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Esexz. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that Esexz removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Esexz from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by Esexz, you can use several methods to restore them:

Use Data Recovery Pro to restore encrypted files

This third party app might be able to restore .esexz extension files.

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Esexz ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Files could also be restored with Windows Previous Version feature

This feature allows people to restore files individually.

  • Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
  • Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
  • Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

Shadow Explorer might be able to recover .esexz extension files

If Shadow Volume Copies are intact, Shadow Explorer might help with data recovery.

  • Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
  • Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
  • Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
  • Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

No decryption tools are currently available

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Esexz and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Jake Doevan
Jake Doevan - Computer technology expert

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