How to remove Vzlom ransomware and recover files

Complete guide to delete Vzlom ransomware and decrypt data

Vzlom ransomware is a ransomware from Xorist ransom family. The malware is designed to encrypt stored files and then demand ransom payment for the decryption. In other words, the victims cannot access or use their files and they are asked to pay – to recover access/ use them.

During the encryption process, the files are appended with .vzlom extension. For example, a file initially named 1.jpg would appear something similar to 1.jpg.vzlom”, “2.jpg” to “2.jpg.vzlom”, “3.jpg” to “3.jpg.vzlom”, “4.jpg” to “4.jpg.vzlom”, and so on.

After the files encryption process, a ransom note is created/ displayed in a pop-up window and “КАК РАСШИФРОВАТЬ ФАЙЛЫ.txt” text file. It is noteworthy that if the infected system does not have Cyrillic alphabet installed – the text presented in the pop-up will look like gibberish.

Usually, ransom notes contain ransom demands and at the very least, the crooks’ contact details. However, this is not the case with Vzlom ransomware. Its ransom note instructs victims to contact a specialist to fix their computer. This is unusual as the ransomware encryptions are rarely decrypted without the interference of the group/ individual responsible. This may not be genuine instruction as afterward users see decryption code box where they are allowed to have five tries to get the right one.

The note warns the victims that if the number of attempts of entering the code is exceeded – the encrypted files will be irreversibly corrupted. Since Vzlom ransomware’s ransom note lacks crucial information, it is being said that the malware currently distributed for testing purpose and may be updated in future.

In most cases with ransomware infection, without the involvement of the crooks behind it- the decryption is impossible. It might be when the malware is still in the development stage or has certain bugs/ flaws in them. Even if it is possible to pay, it is highly expressed against doing this.

Despite paying the ransom demands, victims often do not receive the decryption the promised decryption tool. Therefore, they experience financial loss and their files remain encrypted. To prevent the ransomware from further files encryption, its removal is necessary.

However, Vzlom ransomware removal will not decrypt the already encrypted files. Here comes the role of existing backups. This is the reasons why experts always recommend creating backups of all crucial files. However, even though, you lack any existing backups, you still have at least two data recovery options.

Volume Shadow Copies are one of that. These automatically created backups from OS are sometimes left untouched during the ransomware attack and files encryption process. Another data recovery option is to use third party data recovery tools. Refer our data recovery section below the post for more on data recovery instructions.

How did Vzlom ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed  through untrustworthy downloading channels such as unofficial and free file  hosting sites, p2p networks and other third-party downloaders. Illegal activation tools and fake software updaters are the prime examples.

Cracking tools cause system infection instead of activating licensed software. Fraudulent updaters infect systems by exploiting bugs/ flaws of outdated software and/or by installing malware instead of the promised updates.

Scam campaigns can be used to proliferate in malware as well. This term defines as a large scale operation where thousands of spam emails are designed and delivered. The letters have infectious files or links in them, if clicked- the malware download/ installation process is triggered.

Text presented in Vzlom ransomware‘s text file (“КАК РАСШИФРОВАТЬ ФАЙЛЫ.txt”):

Внимание! Все Ваши файлы зашифрованы!

Чтобы восстановить свои файлы и получить к ним доступ,

идите к мастеру и чините комп!

У вас есть 5 попыток ввода кода. При превышении этого

количества, все данные необратимо испортятся. Будьте

внимательны при вводе кода!

How to prevent ransomware infection?

It is highly recommended to download only from official and verified sources. Additionally, all programs should have to be activated and updated using tools/ functions from legit developers. Suspicious and irrelevant emails must never be opened, especially any attachments and website links in them.

It is paramount to have a reputable antivirus tool installed and kept updated. Also, use this software for regular system scan and to remove any detected threats/ issues. If the system is already infected with Vzlom ransomware, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool and remove it from the system.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Vzlom ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Vzlom ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Vzlom 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 Vzlom ransomware using “System Restore”

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