ZeroCrypt ransomware - How to remove

This week has been specifically “rewarding” in the malware sphere. Security researchers are astonished by the amount of ransomware viruses released in such a relatively short period of time. ZeroCrypt virus is another fresh batch of bitter cookies, distributed in many shifty techniques. Assuming that ransomware viruses are not relevant to you and their activity is far away is a crucial mistake. A complicated algorithm for encryption is selected and ZeroCrypt virus is good to go. RSA-1024 cipher is selected to bring plague to users’ devices. Thanks to the complexed encryption algorithms, it is possible to design ransomware viruses and have them intimidate Internet users with the fearful thought of losing valuable data. If you do store important information in your device, make sure to make copies of these files and store them in alternative facilities as well. Various backup storages were created for exactly this purpose.

About ZeroCrypt Ransomware

Now let’s discuss ZeroCrypt virus in more detail. As soon as its payload is able to take root in your soil, it won’t require much attention to grow. The thing that it needs is to remain undetected until it is too late to do any prevention. ZeroCrypt virus will act the way it wants and will force its modifications on your device. It will modify/add entries in Windows Registry Keys for the main purpose of having its payload launch each time the computer is preparing for processes. Speaking about procedures in your system: ZeroCrypt virus will also add some seemingly harmless processes. They usually take unexceptional names that do not seem suspicious. It would be way too risky for a ransomware virus to add a process called “encryption”. To keep its existence hidden under a clever camouflage, it will try to remain secretive. Only after encryption with RSA-1024 cipher has made all of your files sick, ZeroCrypt virus will reveal its identity and presence. The ransomware will leave its mark on every encrypted file: .zn2016 extension. For instance, mydog.jpg or homework.doc are going to be turned into mydog.jpg.zn2016 and homework.doc.zn2016.

!!! IMPORTANT INFORMATION !!!

All of your files are encrypted with RSA-1024 and some secret ciphers.
Decrypting of your files is only possible with the secret key or decryption program, which is in our secret server.
———————————————————-
To receive your secret key send 10 BTC on this bitcoin-address:
1KCqVgHEXMw8mhSuz1LWmPSNskARRivY57
The secret key can decrypt the data on a single computer.
———————————————————-
To receive your decryption program send 100 BTC on this bitcoin-address:
1KCqVgHEXMw8mhSuz1LWmPSNskARRivY57
The decryption program can decrypt the data on all of your computers.
———————————————————-
When you send money, please contact us at this email address:
[email protected]
And attach one of the encrypted file to the letter.

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by ZeroCrypt Ransomware?

We cannot begin to explain the absurd of demanding 100 or even 10 bitcoins as the fee for decryption. If you are unfamiliar with the currencies of bitcoins, we can inform you that 10 BTC equals 7238.10 US dollars. This gigantic sum of money is expected to be received by crooks if you wish to recover your files. However, the key you receive is said to work on only one computer. If you wish to have a more universal decryption tool, you are advised to pay an extravagant price: 100 BTC. You can do the math by yourself and determine whether the creators of ZeroCrypt virus are crazy or completely mental. You should never pay the fees that are required for decryption. This is not a wise decision as the sum that ZeroCrypt virus has set its eyes on is extremely nonsensical.

How is ZeroCrypt Ransomware Distributed?

Spam letters are a big problem for Internet users that have email inboxes. In this century, who does not have an email account? Crooks are also aware of this realia and they are prepared to take advantage of it. Infectious spam letters are sent around regularly to email accounts to test whether people are going to be gullible enough to download random attachments. Usually this is the method for payloads of ransomware viruses to be voluntarily placed into users’ systems. Most of the letters are going to be crafted in a way to seem legitimate. After receiving a bizarre message, make sure to check its credibility. One of the advises is to pay attention to the senders’ email addresses. If it seems way too long, features a lot of numbers and is far from being a reliable email of a specific authority, then it is possible that your device is being targeted by a virus.

Spyhunter or Hitman are prepared to provide you with reliable security measures that will keep your device running efficiently. ZeroCrypt virus has to be eliminated, since its existence is not beneficial to you. Before deleting it, make sure to copy the encrypted data if the ransomware is programmed to delete it before being removed.

How to recover ZeroCrypt ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before ZeroCrypt ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of ZeroCrypt ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to ZeroCrypt ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore ZeroCrypt ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually ZeroCrypt ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover ZeroCrypt ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.