XINOF ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
XINOF ransomware is a successor to a relatively new crypto-malware Fonix. The variant, which is actually the first update of the initiate ransomware virus that resurfaced in the middle of July 2020.
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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XINOF ransomware: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | Help.txt |
| Contact | thunder@fonix.email, fonix@mailfence.com |
| Encrypted file extension | .xinof |
| 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 11 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | XINOF ransomware |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension, a ransom note left in folders and a Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .xinof |
| Attacker contacts | thunder@fonix.email |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 6 January 2021 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:Win32/Filecoder.d609ee7d |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Which name will your scanner show?
Microsoft's name for XINOF ransomware is Trojan:Win32/Filecoder.d609ee7d.
Defender sorts threats by category first, so the word before the colon tells you what kind of program was found, even if the family name means nothing to you.
Do not search for a removal tool by the detection name alone; fake "removal tools" use the same keywords. How the naming works is explained in our guide to antivirus detection names.
- File extension:
.xinof - Note file:
Help.txt - Contact:
thunder@fonix.email
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on XINOF ransomware
- Fonix or FonixCrypt ransomware family
- Alike predecessor, it can infiltrate PCs via unprotected RDPs or infected spam email attachments
- How To Decrypt Files.hta and Help.txt
- All personal files encrypted Ransom notes dropped on various folders Slow PC's performance High CPU usage spotted on the Task Manager
- Malicious ransomware processes can be recognized by updated AV programs as: Trojan:Win32/Filecoder.d609ee7d Win64:Trojan-gen Trojan.TR/FileCoder.zcrtt W64/Filecoder.BY!tr Trojan.Win32.Diss.suvdl Trojan:Win32/Ymacco.AA4C Gen:Variant.Razy.603845 A Variant Of Win64/Filecoder.BY, etc.
- Only a full scan with AV security can help
- Every virus leaves its marker on the Windows system performance.
- Overfilled registries, damaged system files, and other negative consequences eventually can lead to crashes and weaken the security.
How XINOF ransomware behaves
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
XINOF is the name of a ransomware virus that is a sibling of Fonix gang
XINOF ransomware is a successor to a relatively new crypto-malware Fonix.
The variant, which is actually the first update of the initiate ransomware virus that resurfaced in the middle of July 2020. Detected by a well-known ransomware researcher dnwls0719 , the malware is known for leveraging malicious MS Word and Excel attachments of spam emails and locks users' data using Salsa20and RSA4098 encryption models.
The XINOF virus uses a specific pattern to mark the locked files - the email address (thunder@fonix.email) + a unique ID number (8 characters) and .XINOF extension at the end. Besides, it generates several ransom notes under different locations and names them either How To Decrypt Files.hta or Help.txt, or both.
Victims are expected to email criminals on thunder@fonix.email or alternative email provided on the note and transfer the payment within 48 hours. Although the ransom size is not known, a single dollar paying to the criminals is not worth the risk.
XINOF ransomware virus does not have unusual traits that would allow it to stand out from the crowd. However, its abilities should not be underestimated. Based on the research, the virus shows a tendency to spread via highly obfuscated files that can hardly be detected by AV programs. This way, it gets a freeware to infect PCs exhibiting less and medium protection.
Right after the install, the malware runs the xinof.exe file, which runs the payload and drops multiple helper objects under locations like C:Program Files, C:Users/ /AppDataRoamingMicrosoft C:\Windows\System32, and many others. Therefore, it is not possible to detect and remove XINOF file virus manually. It can only be detected by professional security software.
When the ransomware gains persistence, it enables the encryption tool, which uses a mathematical structure (the combination of Salsa20and RSA4098) to completely lock non-system files. Only after that, the victim is acquainted with the v virus and its capabilities.
For finding out more, the victim has to open the Help.txt file (the excerpt given below) or click on the How To Decrypt Files.hta file, which redirects to the Tor site automatically.
No matter how scary this virus may seem, do not fall for panic. No rush to pay the ransom. The only thing that should arouse your interest should be how to remove XINOF ransomware completely. Do not postpone the elimination of malicious programs as they often can run secondary payloads and severely damage the system.
The XINOF ransomware note
ALL YOUR FILES HAS BEEN ENCRYPTED!!!
All your important files like photoes, documents, audios and etc has been encrypted by FonixCrypter using strong cryptography algorithms Salsa20and RSA 4098
Decryption key is hold in our server
!!Recovery tools and other software will not help you !!
The only way to receive your key and decrypt your files is the payment with bitcoin
You have to 48 hours(2 Day) To contact or paying us
After that, you have to Pay Double!!
Our Email = thunder@fonix.email in case of no answer in 24 hours write us to this Email = fonix@mailfence.com if you don't know how to buy bitcoin you can use this link.
The easiest way to buy bitcoin is local Bitcoins.
Note: Before payment, you can contact with us and send 1 free small file (size less 2Mb) as decryption test
The test files shouldn't contain valuable data like large SQL or Backup files.
ATTENTIONS :Don't delete any files or rename encrypted files
– If you using other applications to decrypt, it may damage your files
– Don't find your backups? they have been Successfully encrypted too or securly wiped.
How to remove XINOF ransomware
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 XINOF ransomware 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
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so XINOF ransomware cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
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 confirm the family
Your files now end in
.xinofand the instructions are inHelp.txt. Save both to a USB stick, a copy of the note and two small encrypted files, before anything else.On another device, check them with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff: the family name decides which decryptor, if any, can help. Keep the note's ID and contact line for your report.
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
Our last check found that for XINOF ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing XINOF ransomware does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.
If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and 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
Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them.
vssadmin list shadowsin an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.
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
A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.
Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that XINOF ransomware deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
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 Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
The XINOF removal and .xinof file recovery are two different processes
Do not get deceived by claims that running a scan with a security tool will both remove the virus and decrypt .XINOF files.
That is not true and you should not trust the websites that share such claims. File encryption algorithms cannot be cracked down by AV scanners as they do not have such a function or at least not yet.
Anyway, there are several methods that can help you recover .XINOF extension files. These are the following:
- You can pay the criminals and expect that they will send you the decryption key (NOT recommended);
- You can use backups of the locked files. Please note that Gmai account automatically creates backups, so you may check what files can be restored via the connected account;
- Although they cannot guarantee a full data recovery, there's a chance to unlock some of the .XINOF ransomware files.
- Finally, you can contact reputable ransomware researchers, provide them with the ransomware samples, and wait for a free decryptor to be released.
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
Protect your machine using a strong AV engine and be careful with suspicious content online
Cybercriminals make use of various security gaps, be it unprotected RDP, security vulnerability, zero-day vulnerabilities, remote code execution possibilities, and whatnot.
Therefore, it's very important to take any possible precautionary measures to protect the machine if you store single file copies and valuable information on it. For this purpose, it's not enough to install the AV program. It's also important to keep it updated, ensure that a full service is enabled (real-time protection, scan to email, and similar). Besides, regularly update the software and all possible patches to minimize security risks.
Despite the variety of virus distribution techniques, spam remains the main and the most successful way of disseminated malicious cyber infections. Spam emails may be spread via targeted attacks to specific emails or distributed by bots en masses using random email addresses that might have been leaked during a data breach .
Therefore, hundreds of less experienced users can get tricked into opening malicious spam email attachments. Thus, do not get tempted by the curiosity to check the "Order confirmation" if you haven't ordered anything or similar.
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
The ways to remove XINOF ransomware virus from Windows machines
XINOF ransomware removal is the main thing that you should think of as soon as your files get locked.
However, make sure that this process may not be easy to accomplish. The ransomware may run tens of malicious files, some of which may work as helper tools that block AV scanners, prevent the system from rebooting, and similar.
Therefore, in order to remove XINOF virus from the Windows system completely, you have to restart the machine into Safe Mode with Networking. That's the only way to temporarily disable malicious processes and launch the AV scanner. Our recommendation - use or security tools, though you a free to choose whichever security software you prefer using.
[GI=method-1]There are two ways to disable XINOF ransomware processes and remove it completely. For that, you can either restart the system into Safe Mode with networking or enable System Restore as explained below:
After XINOF virus removal, try alternative file recovery options. We'll provide a full list of our suggestions below. However, be aware that these methods do not grant file recovery, so, if possible, use backups or check for available decryptors on these websites:
.XINOF files cannot currently be decrypted for free. However, there are several methods that can help to return at least some of the files.
Nonetheless, many people reported that the tool extracted some of the locked files successfully.
Windows Previous Versions feature might help you recover at least some .XINOF encrypted files
Take advantage of the Shadow Explorer
No XINOF decryption tool yet
- https://www.nomoreransom.org/en/index.html
- https://id-ransomware.malwarehunterteam.com/
- https://www.emsisoft.com/ransomware-decryption-tools/
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.
Make the next attack harmless
XINOF ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .xinof and no longer open) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about XINOF ransomware
Should I pay the ransom in Help.txt?
Not before you have tried everything else. Identify the family from Help.txt and one encrypted file, check No More Ransom for a free decryptor, and look for clean copies in OneDrive, backups and Previous Versions.
Paying funds further attacks, may be illegal if the group is sanctioned, and is no promise of a working key: many victims get partial or broken decryption. If you consider paying for business-critical data, involve the police and a professional incident responder first, and never pay through intermediaries who promise their own decryption.
How did XINOF ransomware get on my computer?
The way XINOF ransomware 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 .xinof 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.
How do I open .xinof files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .xinof ending shows that XINOF ransomware 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 XINOF ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Is there a free XINOF ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for XINOF ransomware no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "XINOF ransomware decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears 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.
Did XINOF ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by XINOF ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .xinof 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.
Is XINOF ransomware 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 .xinof from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .xinof 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.
Can I delete Help.txt?
Yes, the note itself is harmless text and deleting it does not affect your files. Keep at least one copy first, outside the infected PC. Help.txt contains your personal ID and the attackers' contact details, which identification services use to tell which family encrypted your files, and which a decryptor may need later.
Police reports also ask for it. Once you have saved a copy, you can remove the notes from every folder after the ransomware program has been removed and your files are restored or backed up.
Will Fortect remove XINOF ransomware?
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 XINOF ransomware, 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
- Twitter: dnwls0719 profile (read October 6, 2026)
- VirusTotal: XINOF.exe (read October 6, 2026)
- UpGuard: The 36 Biggest Data Breaches [Updated for 2020] (read October 6, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)