How to remove ZaToN Ransomware (+ Restore Files)

Easy methods to delete ZaToN Ransomware from PC

ZaToN Ransomware is a kind of vicious file encrypting virus that belongs to Xorist ransomware family. It encrypts almost all stored files in order to demand payment for the decryption. Thus, the encrypted files will receive “.ZaToN” extension. After encrypting the files, the ransomware creates a pop-up window, drops “HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt” text files on each folder containing encrypted files and changes the desktop wallpaper. Due to these, users are unable to access even single files to their previous states.

More detailed information about ZaToN Ransomware

The text presented in the ransom notes inform victims that all their files have been encrypted and they have to purchase decryption tool in order to get the files back. The price of tool is 0.04 BTC, which is approx 1200 USD. Note, exchange rates fluctuate hence the conversion may be inaccurate in the future. Users are also told that they must pay a ransom in Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Once victims transfer demanded sum to the provided cryptowallet, they are asked to inform the cyber criminals through email.

The created message also states that after making payment users will receive decryption keys and data recovery instructions. Users are also warned not to rename encrypted files or try to decrypt them using third party software as it might results into permanent data damage. Despite this, users are also offered free decryption of some encrypted files as a proof that cyber criminals have decryption key. Whatever the case, it doesn’t matter, it is strongly advised not to communicate with the cyber criminals and meeting the ransom demands.

Threat specification

Name: ZaToN Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Cryptovirus, Files locker

Files extensions: .ZaToN

Ransom demanding message: text presented in the pop-up window, desktop wallpaper and HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt  

Description: Encrypt all your files and data and demand ransom to provide you decryption key.

Ransom amount: 0.04 BTC (Bitcoin cryptocurrency)

Cyber criminal contact: [email protected]

Distribution: Infected email attachments (macros), bundled freeware, porn or torrent sites, torrent websites, malicious ads and many more.

Damage: All your files are locked and can only be decrypted by using ransom money. Other additional malware infection can be installed into your PC along with ransomware infections.

Removal: Use Spyhunter to remove ZaToN Ransomware automatically. Once PC gets cleaned, you can easily recover your files by using backup or any other data recovery tool.

How did ransomware infect my system?

Ransomware could be distributed via using spam email campaigns, untrustworthy download channels, illegal activation tools and illegitimate updater. Cracking tools can download or install malicious software rather than activating licensed products. Fake updater causes infections by exploiting weaknesses of outdated programs of by installing malware instead of the promised updates.

Spam campaigns are likewise used to infiltrate malicious programs. The term spam campaign defines as large scale operation during which hundreds/thousands of scam emails are sent to the recipients that contain download links of infectious files or the files are simply attached to the emails. Once opened, the infection chain is triggered which means cause download/installation of malware.

Tips to recover files from ZaToN Ransomware:

In order to restore files, users must follow few tips which are given below:

• First of all victims should not be panic.
• Never trust on message provided on the ransom notes.
• Don’t try to contact cyber criminal and send ransom money as well.
• Try to remove ZaToN Ransomware and delete all infected files by using strong removal tool (Spyhunter).
• After that, victims can easily restore all files using backup or third party data recovery tool.

Remove ZaToN Ransomware

Manual malware removal threat might be risky and time-taking. So that it takes lots of time to detect and remove this threat. It also requires advanced computer skills to perform removal process. If you have much knowledge about computer then you can go through such processes. Despite this, you can also use reliable anti-malware removal tool such as Spyhunter to remove ZaToN Ransomware and all infiltrated ransomware infection completely and safely from the infected work-station.

Text presented in ZaToN Ransomware’s pop-up window, text file (“HOW TO DECRYPT FILES.txt”) and desktop wallpaper:

In your attention!!!

 

Hello, your server is very vulnerable, that’s why you became a victim of ransomware
All your files are currently encrypted
However, there is also good news, the files can be decrypted if you pay 0.04 bitcoin.
All you have to do is follow the steps below.

 

Buy 0.04 bitcoin, you can easily buy bitcoin from this sites:
www.localbitcoins.com
www.paxful.com

 

Send the amount to this wallet: 1G91imBejqS5PDn9jAyPiV5uMsvaXuzNaj
After sending, contact us at this email address: [email protected]
With this subject: –

 

Immediately after this you will receive an email with the keys and a small tutorial for decrypting the files.

 

Here’s another list of where to buy bitcoin:
hxxps://bitcoin.org/en/exchanges

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete ZaToN Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove ZaToN 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 ZaToN Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with ZaToN 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 ZaToN 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 ZaToN 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 ZaToN 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 ZaToN 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 ZaToN 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 ZaToN 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 ZaToN 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 ZaToN 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.