How to remove ZES Ransomware

File encrypted by ZES Ransomware (Makop Ransomware’s variants): Is there any solution?

In this article, we are discussing about ZES Ransomware in details and providing some recommended methods/procedures to remove this nasty crypto-malware from machine. Let’s starts the discussion.

What is ZES Ransomware?

ZES Ransomware is also known as “.[[email protected]].zes File Virus” that is belongs to Makop Ransomware family. Like other Makop Ransomware’s variants, this dubious file virus is capable of locking all types of files including images, audios, videos, games, pdf, ppt, xlx, css, html, text, documents, databases and other files of your computer. During encryption process, it renames each file with .[[email protected]].zes File Extension and drops the copies of ransom note in each folder of your computer that claims to recover or decrypt all files locked by ransomware immediately, once you pay demanded ransom money to them. But it is not true. If your System has detected this malware, then you should try to remove ZES Ransomware from computer immediately.

ZES Ransomware’s ransom note contains the information about this ransomware, how you can decrypt locked files, technical supports’ email ID or cybercriminals’ email ID and ransom money details as well. The message displayed on ransom note states that all files of your computer hard drives have been locked due to security reasons and requires paying certain amount of extortion money in Bitcoin for decryption. It also claims that in order to renames encrypted files or use third parties’ decryption keys/tools/software, you will lose your all files & folders of your computer permanently. So, it is important to delete ZES Ransomware from machine as soon as possible.

Let’s take have a look at message displayed on ransom note:

::: Greetings :::

Little FAQ:

.1.

Q: Whats Happen?

A: Your files have been encrypted and now have the \”makop\” extension. The file structure was not damaged, we did everything possible so that this could not happen.

.2.

Q: How to recover files?

A: If you wish to decrypt your files you will need to pay in bitcoins.

.3.

Q: What about guarantees?

A: Its just a business. We absolutely do not care about you and your deals, except getting benefits. If we do not do our work and liabilities – nobody will cooperate with us. Its not in our interests.

To check the ability of returning files, you can send to us any 2 files with SIMPLE extensions(jpg,xls,doc, etc… not databases!) and low sizes(max 1 mb), we will decrypt them and send back to you. That is our guarantee.

.4.

Q: How to contact with you?

A: You can write us to our mailbox: [email protected]

.5.

Q: How will the decryption process proceed after payment?

A: After payment we will send to you our scanner-decoder program and detailed instructions for use. With this program you will be able to decrypt all your encrypted files.

.6.

Q: If I donít want to pay bad people like you?

A: If you will not cooperate with our service – for us, its does not matter. But you will lose your time and data, cause only we have the private key. In practice – time is much more valuable than money.

:::BEWARE:::

DON\’T try to change encrypted files by yourself!

If you will try to use any third party software for restoring your data or antivirus solutions – please make a backup for all encrypted files!

Any changes in encrypted files may entail damage of the private key and, as result, the loss all data.

Threat Summary

Threat Name: ZES Ransomware

Threat Type: File Virus, Crypto-Malware, Ransomware, File Locker

Description: Due to malicious behaviours of this nasty ransomware, you can’t open or use stored files on your computer. Previously functional files now have a different extension and you see ransom note in order to open encrypted files. The ransom message states that payment of extortion money is required to unlock your files.

Distribution methods: Spam email messages, infected attachments, torrent websites, malicious ads or popup messages, fake software updates or security alert messages, bundles of freeware or shareware and many other tricks.

Motives of crooks: Aims to collect your sensitive information and shares it to other hackers or third parties to generate some revenue. They also want to steal your money from your wallet or e-wallet.

Removal & recovery solution: In case if your System has infected from ZES Ransomware or related infection, then you need to scan your System with powerful antivirus software. After complete scan and malware removal, you can use powerful data recovery software to restore files encrypted by ransomware.

Should I pay ransom money?

As discussed above, ZES Ransomware is very dangerous crypto-malware creation of cybercriminals who wants to gain some illegal online profit and cheat with innocent users. They never do any mercy with you. This dubious file virus is made using very strong encryption algorithm techniques that locks each file stored in your computer, rename with .zes file extension and demand huge amount of ransom money decrypt your files. You should never trust on them at any cases. We recommended you to please avoid paying any amount of ransom money to them for decryption. In order to pay ransom money, they can keep record of your crucial & confidential information and shares it to illegal ones that can be very dangerous for you.

How your System gets infected from ZES Ransomware?

This dubious Makop Ransomware’s variant is mostly get install in your computer from spam emails, infected email attachments and bundles of free software which you are downloaded from internet. Scammers or hackers send spam emails in your mailbox which contain some messages along with suspicious hyperlinks and attachments. In order to open such infected attachments, it executes encryption module in your machine and starts locking all files of your computer. So, you should be careful while browsing internet and avoid opening attachments coming from unknown emails.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete ZES Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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