Remove Zbw Ransomware And Decrypt Infected Data

Simple Steps To Delete Zbw Ransomware

Zbw Ransomware also known as Makop ransomware is a type of destructive file-encrypting virus that sneaks into the Windows computers via illusive techniques and encrypts users’ essential files and documents kept inside their PCs. Makop ransomware belongs to the family of Oled virus which was first arose in 2017 and remained quiet up till now. However, the Zbw ransomware virus is gradually developing and has already infected thousands of PCs. The affected people identity the file-encryptor as it renames the locked data by adding victims ID. Attackers’ email address and appending “.makop” extension with each of them. In rare cases, this perilous Ransomware also uses “.zbw” extension with the name of infected files.

Depth Analysis of Zbw Ransomware:

Zbw Ransomware has over 20 variants, most of which employ “.makop” extension. However each version exhibits a different e-mail address including [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and many others. To get more information, victims need to open the ransom note in “readme-warning.txt” file. This text file includes complete details regarding the attack and also the method to regain access to the compromised data. The victimized people are asked to purchase the decryption tool/key from the criminals which is highly required to open the encrypted data. At the end, you might have to pay the hackers a ransom amount of $200 to $1500 in BitCoins.

Ransom note displayed by Zbw Ransomware also includes an email address in order to contact the attackers and get more details. To prove that the decryption is possible, hackers offer to decrypt two infected files for free that you have to attach with the mail. The files should be in DOC, JPG, XLS and similar formats but they should not be bigger than 1 MB each. Victims are also warned not to modify the locked data or try to decrypt them manually or using third-party tools, otherwise it may lead to permanent data loss.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

::: Greetings :::

Little FAQ:

.1.

Q: Whats Happen?

A: Your files have been encrypted and now have the “zbw” 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] or [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 don’t 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.

Should You Pay The Ransom?

Many affected people fall for the criminals’ trick into thinking that their important files will be lost permanently and ultimately agree to deal with them. However, there’s no decryption tool available. Paying ransom to the hackers does not ensure that you will regain access to compromised files. There are a number of occasions when crooks just disappeared after taking the extortion and caused victims to lose both files as well as money. And hence, never consider making any sort of payment to the attackers under any circumstance and perform a quick removal of Zbw Ransomware from the device.

Threat Summary

Name: Zbw Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, Crypto-virus

Short Description– Destructive virus which encrypts users’ important files and then forces them into paying the hackers an amount of ransom to get the functional decryptor.

Extension–  .zbw and .makop files (files are also appended with a unique ID and cyber criminals’ email address)

Ransom demanding message– “readme-warning.txt”

Attackers’ contact– [email protected] and [email protected]

Symptoms: Victims cannot open files stored on their PC system, earlier 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.

How To Recover The Infected Data?

As we have already stated there is no decryption tool available and hence, paying ransom is not a clever thing to do as you will only get cheated. If you have backups made on external drives, you can easily retrieve the compromised data. However, in the absence of an appropriate backup, try a powerful file-recovery application. Additionally, you should also keep making frequent backups that can be very helpful in restoring the infected or lost files if such hazardous situation occurs whenever.

Ways To Spread Zbw Ransomware:

Crypto-viruses take advantage of users who keep browsing the net unconsciously. Malware payload dropper, a malicious file, which upon being clicked downloads the virus onto the target computer. The dropper file is generally heavily complicated, which is why anti-virus tools can fail to identify it. These files are often attached to the following content:

• Infected social media links- Trojan infected devices can automatically generate vicious links on social media networks making people click them accidentally;
• Spam email attachments- Users can get a fraudulent email message, saying that the recipient should open the attached file (Word, Excel, PDF file) as it contains information about your finances, order confirmation, and similar.
• Shared files on P2P networks- Hackers can become members of P2P and distribute infected software downloads, e.g. Adobe Acrobat.
• Undefended RDPs- Remote desktop service that is not protected by a password pose a high-risk of experiencing brute force attacks when attackers insert spiteful codes by connecting to the remote system.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Zbw Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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