How to remove ZEUS ransomware and recover files

Easy tips to delete ZEUS ransomware and decrypt data

ZEUS ransomware is a ransomware-type infection and a part of Dharma ransomware group. The malware is designed to encrypt stored file and then demand ransom payment for the decryption. In other word, it operates by rendering the files inaccessible and asking ransom fee for the restoration. During the encryption process, files are renamed with this pattern: original filename, unique ID belongs to the victim, crooks’ email address and .ZEUS extension. For example, a file initially named as 1.jpg would become “1.jpg.id-C279F237.[[email protected]].ZEUS” – after encryption. Once this process is complete, the ransomware creates/ displays ransom note in a FILES ENCRYPTED.txt text file and a pop-up window.

The text within the .txt file (FILES ENCRYPTED.txt) states that the victims’ files have been locked and urges them to contact the crooks behind it to recover them. The pop-up window provides further detailed instruction. It clarifies about the files encryption and repeats that the victims have to communicate with the crooks behind it –to initiate the files recovery. If no response is received within 12 hours, the alternative email address should have to be used. The message concludes with a warning to the users that if they rename the filenames of the encrypted files or try to decrypt those files using third party data recovery tools, they will lose their files for permanently.

Unfortunately, in most of the cases with ransomware infections, decryption is impossible without the involvement of the crooks behind it. It might be when the ransomware is at its initial stage or has certain bugs/ flaws in it. Whatever the case, it is highly not recommended to contact/ pay the crooks under any circumstances. Since despite paying, victims often do not receive the decryption tool. Therefore, they experience financial loss and their files remain encrypted. The best way to deal with this case is to remove ZEUS ransomware and recover the files using existing backup you have. The malware removal is necessary to avoid further files encryption and to prevent possible damages that the longer presence of the cyber-infection causes to the system.

To remove ZEUS ransomware easily and effectively, use some powerful antivirus tool or follow our ransomware removal instructions provided below the post. After successfully doing the ransomware removal, use the backup you have to restore files. If, unfortunately, no backup option is available, once check if Shadow Copies exist. These automatically created backups from Windows OS sometimes left untouched in case of ransomware infection. In the data recovery section below the post, you will find complete guide how to recover files using shadow copies. If even this option does not work in your case in fully files recovery, you should use some data recovery tools for the instant files retrieval.

How did ZEUS ransomware enter my system?

Ransomware and other malicious malware are often distributed through spam campaigns – large scale operations to send spam emails by thousands. These letters have virulent files or links for such files in them. The infectious files are often archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), PDF and Microsoft Office documents, and JavaScript, when executed, run or otherwise clicked- the malware download/ installation process is triggered. The malware infection can also be disguised as or bundled with regular software and then offered to download on various untrustworthy sources like p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/installers. The perfect examples of malware-proliferating content are illegal activation tool and fake software updaters that cause system infection supposedly by activating licensed software and updating installed, outdated software respectively.

Text presented in ZEUS ransomware‘s pop-up window:

YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED

Don’t worry,you can return all your files!

If you want to restore them, follow this link:email [email protected] YOUR ID –

If you have not been answered via the link within 12 hours, write to us by e-mail:[email protected]

Attention!

Do not rename encrypted files.

Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.

Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Text presented in ZEUS ransomware‘s text file (“FILES ENCRYPTED.txt”):

all your data has been locked us

You want to return?

write email [email protected] or [email protected]

How to prevent ransomware infection?

To avoid system infection through spam emails, it is advised against opening any suspect and irrelevant emails –especially any presented links and attachments in them. Additionally, all downloads should have to be done using official websites and direct links. It is just important to use official software developers’ tools/ functions for any software update/ activation. To ensure the device integrity and personal safety, it is crucial to have a reputable antivirus tool installed and kept up-to-date. Furthermore, this software should have to be used for regular system scans and to remove any detected threats/ issues. Keep updated the antivirus tool with its latest virus detection database to get the best from it. Since ZEUS ransomware is already running inside your system, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool to remove it right away.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

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

Step 2: Delete ZEUS ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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