Team XRat ransomware virus: what it is and how to remove it
Team XRat virus belongs to Xorist virus family, and these viruses fall into ransomware category. They are programmed to encrypt victim's files on a computer that has been infected, and also on all drives that are plugged in the PC at the time of the infection.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Team XRat ransomware virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Contact | corporacaoxrat@protonmail.com, xRatTeam@mail2tor.com, xRatTam@mail2tor.com |
| Encrypted file extension | .c0rp0r |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 9 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | Team XRat ransomware virus |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension |
| Evidence | One write-up by a security site; details still limited |
| Encrypted files | .c0rp0r |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 30 September 2016 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Traces of Team XRat ransomware virus you can check
- File extension:
.c0rp0r
How Team XRat ransomware virus behaves
From our report of Sep 2016 · not reviewed since
Team XRat ransomware evolves: new version has been released
Team XRat virus belongs to Xorist virus family, and these viruses fall into ransomware category.
They are programmed to encrypt victim's files on a computer that has been infected, and also on all drives that are plugged in the PC at the time of the infection. The Team XRat ransomware goes through the computer system and thoroughly scans it for particular file types, and then encrypts them with RSA-2048 encryption.
After encrypting one file, the virus adds .C0rp0r@c@0Xr@ extension to the filename, hence a file that was previously named EXAMPLE.TXT becomes EXAMPLE.TXT.C0rp0r@c@0Xr@. However, the latest version of this ransomware dubbed Xpan virus appends .____xratteamLucked file extension to encrypted data.
Once the ransomware finishes the encryption process, it creates and saves a text file on user's desktop, changes desktop wallpaper with a picture showing people with Anonymous masks. Both text file, which is named Como descriptografar seus arquivos.txt, and the desktop background image contain a message that informs the victim about the encryption and that the only way to decrypt all data is to pay a ransom.
The victim is asked to get in touch with criminals by sending an email to corporacaoxrat@protonmail.com or xRatTeam@mail2tor.com. Then the victim is promised to get instructions on how to pay the ransom and then receive a unique decryption key. The victim is supposed to enter the decryption key into decryption software (if the victim enters an incorrect key more than five times, the virus promises to destroy victim's files).
The ransom note also warns the victim not to use antivirus programs to remove Team XRat malware, as this supposedly would ruin encrypted data in an irreversible way. As we can see, the entire ransom note is written in the Portuguese language, which gives a hint that Portuguese computer users might be primary targets of this virus.
Good news is that Team XRat decryption tool has been already released, and victims who have their files encrypted with the initial version of this ransomware can recover their data for free. The virus must be removed in a correct way, and for that, you need to use a professional malware removal software.
We suggest using program for Team XRat removal. Sadly, victims of the newer version of the virus, known as Xpan ransomware, still have to be patient because the decryption tool hasn't been released publicly yet.
From our report of Sep 2016 · not reviewed since
Distribution methods used to spread these viruses
Methods used to spread this particular malware variant slightly differ from traditional ransomware distribution techniques.
Besides traditional malware distribution techniques, such as malicious email campaigns and malware-laden advertisements, the authors of Team XRat virus use another and not so popular technique to reach target systems. The latest version of TeamXRat ransomware - Xpan can be installed manually only, and this can be done by using remote administration tools.
Reportedly, the TeamXRat ransomware is delivered by a ransomware gang known as CorporacaoXRat or TeamXRAT. This gang attacks computer that have Remote Desktop Services running on them, and tries to brute-force the login details to take control over the computer. After a successful attempt to encrypt data, the gang installs the Xpan ransomware and sets it to encrypt data stored on the compromised PC.
How to remove Team XRat ransomware virus
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove Team XRat ransomware virus and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Team XRat ransomware virus encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and identify the family
Find the ransom note, usually a
.txt,.htmlor .hta file in every folder or on the desktop, and copy it with one or two encrypted files to a USB stick.From another device, upload them to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note and the file extension. Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note for the report.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
For Team XRat ransomware virus, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Team XRat ransomware virus still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
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
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
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:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
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:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- 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).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- 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.
From our report of Sep 2016 · not reviewed since
Ransomware prevention tips
As usually, ransomware prevention tips are the same:
Most of the time, cyber criminals send ransomware executive files via email, precisely concealed as safe-looking records. They typically write a basic message for the victim, inviting to open the attachment and see "important information" that it carries. Once the victim downloads and launches such file, ransomware gets executed immediately.
You can also install this ransomware by clicking on bogus ads on insecure websites, typically the ones that aggressively demand to install software updates and similar pieces of software. In general, if you see that someone is actively trying to convince you download a particular file or install a certain program, step back. Chances are, someone is trying to make you install a malicious file!
- Enable a decent computer security program to protect your computer;
- Create data backups;
- Do not open suspicious emails and especially files attached to them;
- Avoid carelessly clicking on ads on the Internet.
From our report of Sep 2016 · not reviewed since
Versions of TeamXrat ransomware
XPan ransomware.
This is a recently discovered and modifed version of TeamXrat ransomware. It appends a different file extension to encrypted data - .____xratteamLucked or .___xratteamLucked. It also displays a different image on the computer screen and asks to contact xRatTam@mail2tor.com for data recovery instructions.
The virus asks 1BTC in exchange for the decryption software. The primary targets of this virus are healthcare organizations and local companies. Considering that the virus leaves a ransom note that is written in the Portuguese language, we assume that it is created with an intention to attack Portuguese PC users.
From our report of Sep 2016 · not reviewed since
Instructions on how to remove Team XRat virus
Before you start decrypting your files with Team XRat decryptor, remove Team XRat virus first.
It is a must to remove the ransomware entirely before trying to recover corrupted files. It is highly recommended to reboot the computer into Safe Mode first, and then run the scan with the security software.
Instructions on how to use it are given below.
Use special Team XRat decrypter to recover your files for free
Malware researchers have managed to crack this malicious virus and find an antidote for it. Therefore, victims who have their data encrypted by this virus can now recover all files for free.
This Team Xrat decryption tool works for victims who find .C0rp0r@c@0Xr@ extensions added to files. Sadly, victims who have their data encrypted by XPan version have to stay patient and wait until its decryption tool is publicly released. Meanwhile, victims can try alternative data recovery options.
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Backups: the 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of files that matter, on two kinds of storage, with one copy offline or off-site.
A disk that stays plugged in is reached by malware like Team XRat ransomware virus together with the PC; one you connect only for the backup is not.
On Windows 11, File History keeps versions on an external drive, and OneDrive keeps earlier versions of synced files. Before restoring anything, make sure the PC no longer shows files that end in .c0rp0r and no longer open.
Setting it up step by step: 3-2-1 backups on Windows 11 and 10.
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 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 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. 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.
Questions about Team XRat ransomware virus
How do I open .c0rp0r files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .c0rp0r ending shows that Team XRat ransomware virus encrypted the content, and only the matching key can reverse it. Renaming a file back to .docx or .jpg changes nothing except the icon, and it can confuse a future decryptor, so leave the names as they are.
To get the content back, use a backup, an unencrypted copy elsewhere, or a decryptor listed on No More Ransom if one exists for Team XRat ransomware virus. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
When will a decryptor for Team XRat ransomware virus be released?
Nobody can promise a date. When we last checked, on 6 October 2026, no free decryptor is known. Decryptors usually appear after one of three events:
- police seize the attackers' servers and keys
- the authors leak or publish the master keys
- researchers find a mistake in how the ransomware generates keys
Some families got a tool within weeks, others never. Keep the encrypted files and the note on an external drive, check No More Ransom every few months, and follow news about the Team XRat ransomware virus family. A decryptor may need an original file, so keep any unencrypted copies too.
How did Team XRat ransomware virus get on my computer?
The way Team XRat ransomware virus spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened.
On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password. Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before files that end in .c0rp0r and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Did Team XRat ransomware virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Team XRat ransomware virus, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .c0rp0r and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before.
Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
Is Team XRat ransomware virus the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I just remove .c0rp0r from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .c0rp0r extension is only a label; the file content has been scrambled with a key the attackers hold.
If a renamed copy opens normally, the malware only renamed files, which happens with some fake ransomware, and you can rename the rest back. If it does not open, leave the files as they are. Renaming encrypted files can confuse a decryptor later, so always work on copies.
My files got .c0rp0r overnight. What happened?
Ransomware often runs at night or when the PC is idle, so the encryption finishes before anyone notices. It usually entered earlier through a cracked program, a fake installer, an e-mail attachment or remote desktop with a weak password.
The .c0rp0r extension marks every file it reached. Start by disconnecting the PC from the network, then identify the family from the ransom note and one encrypted file, check for a decryptor, and look for copies in backups and OneDrive before you consider anything else.
Will Fortect remove Team XRat ransomware virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Team XRat ransomware virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)