How To Remove ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware And Recover Infected Files

Simple Steps To Delete ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware From Computer

ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware has been identified by security analysts as a pernicious crypto demanding malware that encrypts users’ crucial files and then demands an amount of ransom from them. Being an aggressive and intrusive virus, it penetrates inside the computer silently and after that it straightaway stops the security software. It creates its copies and adds to registry so that it can start itself automatically every time the machine is rebooted. It uses a powerful encryption algorithm to lock users’ vital data such as images, audios, videos, databases, PDFs, documents and many more and also appends “.ZoNiSoNaL” extension with the name of each of them.

More About ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware:

ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware is a highly dangerous file-encrypting virus that belongs to the family of Xorist Ransomware. Similar to other file-encrypting threats, ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware encrypts users’ essential files just only for financial purposes because after encoding them, it asks victims to pay large sum of ransom fee. It drops a ransom note named “HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt” and also displays in a pop-up Window that include instruction on how to make contact with the attackers or pay ransom fee. The note states that to regain access to the infected data, victim need to buy the decryption software from the attackers which costs 0.14 of BitCoin. The amount has to be transferred in provided BitCoins wallet. Once the payment is made, the affected users have to contact ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware operators via “[email protected]” email address to get the required decryptor.

Text Presented In The Pop-Up Window:

ATENTION!!!

I am truly sorry to inform you that all your important files are crypted.

Atention! I do not offer for free the decrypt key’s, for that you have to pay 0.14 BITCOIN.

You can get bitcoin very easy on this site: www.localbitcoins.com

You have to create an account and to buy 0.14 BITCOIN from a seller located in your city.

Then you have to send the amount at this BTC adress: 1L2fbTgoSWKDhNp3cmXYFygd1fX2cF8YqJ

After that, contact me at this email adress: [email protected]

With this subject: KEYSIDFOR-NB0T1C40912341

After the payment you will receive the key’s to decrypt your files and a tutorial

Here is another list where you can buy bitcoin:

hxxps://bitcoin.org/en/exchanges

Should You Pay The Ransom?

After getting the ransom message, most of the affected users decide to pay the demanded money to the hackers to decrypt files. If you are also one of those victimized people who decided to pay ransom fee to the criminals then it is one of your bad decisions because there is absolutely no guarantee that the infected data will be decrypted even after paying large sum of ransom fee. There are various instances when crooks just disappeared after taking the extortion or delivered rogue software to the victims in the name of decryption tool which only caused more troubles to the device with its precarious deeds. Instead of paying the large sum of ransom fee to the attackers, users are highly advised to get rid of ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware from the computer as soon as possible.

How To Recover the Infected files?

There are several possible ways through which you can retrieve the compromised data. Using the backup made on any external drive is the one and the easiest way to get the enciphered files back to the original accessible condition. However, not all users have such backup files. In this case, the Volume Shadow Copy might help you in retrieving those data back. The Shadow Volume Copy is a backup cloud made by Operating System itself for short time. But, noticeable thing here is that at several occasions this option is deleted by the virus in making the decryption process harder. So, if that is the case, you should try using file recovery application, if all these options are not available for the victims. File recovery programs are nowadays designed with special functionality added and so they might help you in getting the encrypted or damaged files back.

Threat Details

Name: ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Crypto-virus

Description- Destructive malware that aims to encrypt users’ crucial files and then ask them to pay off for the decryption key/tool.

Extension-  “.ZoNiSoNaL”

Ransom demanding message- HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt and pop-up window

Attackers’ Contact- [email protected] and [email protected]

BitCoins Wallet address- 1L2fbTgoSWKDhNp3cmXYFygd1fX2cF8YqJ

Attackers’ Contact- [email protected]

Symptoms: Users can not open files available on their desktop, previously functional files now have different extension, A ransom demanding message is displayed on the desktop screen. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to unlock their encoded data and files.

Distribution methods: Spam emails, Torrent websites, peer to peer network sharing, unofficial activation and updating tools.

Damage: All files are encrypted and cannot be accessed without paying ransom, Additional password stealing Trojans and malware infections can be installed along with ransomware infections and other malware.

Removal: To remove this virus from the system, we advise you to use a reliable anti-malware tool. Once malware gets removed, you can recover your files by using existing backup or data-recovery software.

ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware Gets Spread With the Help of Malicious Files:

The main vectors used by ransomware creators include malicious files in the form of executables, PDFs, documents, pirated content, cracks and cheatcodes. The pernicious script can be easily added on the general files and dropped directly to the computer when the spam email attachment is opened and downloaded or the pirated application gets installed. The specific family we are discussing here is known for using torrent networks, pirated services and similar sites or corrupt pages to drop virus. Freeware software, NBA video games and various other such games, cheatcodes, cracks, Adobe packages etc. are involve spiteful files.

How To Prevent Such Attacks?

To prevent the device from being infected by ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware or other similar threats, you need to be very attentive while surfing the web and avoid getting in touch with insecure Online objects. Ignore doubtful emails coming from unknown source as they might contain spiteful attachment which automatically get loaded and lead to the virus penetration the moment you click on it. Moreover, avoid visiting commercial sites, shady pages and doing other illegal activities. If you don’t pay enough attention, system can get damaged quickly. But at the moment, just take an instant action and remove ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware from the machine completely.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button. In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove ZoNiSoNaL Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.