Remove Ziggy Ransomware And Decrypt Locked Files

Simple Steps To Delete Ziggy Ransomware

Ziggy Ransomware is a kind of file-encrypting malware that has been reported recently and has already infected many Windows computers till now. The only purpose of this threat is to encrypt files stored on the infected systems and force victims to pay the attackers a huge sum of ransom for the decryption. It sneaks into the targeted PCs without users’ notice and consent and then makes changes to registry settings to get automatically activated with each PC startup. This hazardous crypto-virus encrypts files by using a powerful cipher and renames those files by adding victims’ ID, attackers’ email address and appending “.ziggy” extension with each of them.

Depth Analysis of Ziggy Ransomware:

After completing the encryption process, Ziggy Ransomware drops a ransom note named “## HOW TO DECRYPT ##.exe” on each affected folder and informs victims regarding the attack. They are also instructed to contact the hackers via the provided email addresses to get details on how to pay ransom and receive the decryption tool. The ransom amount depends on how quickly you contact the crooks. Criminals also offer to decrypt 5 infected files for free that have to be sent by the email. Hackers will decrypt them and send them back to prove that the decryption is possible.

Should You Pay The Ransom?

Unfortunately, data encrypted by Ziggy Ransomware can’t be accessed without using the proper decryption tool. But still, victims are strongly advised not to make any sort of payment to the attackers. These people don’t guarantee that they will send the functional decryptor even after taking the extortion. And hence, trust these attackers might lead to severe issue as you will end up with losing both files as well as money. In addition, paying ransom to hackers will only urge them to create and propagate more such viruses for further revenues. So, never consider dealing with them no matter what situation is.

How To Restore The Locked Data?

Before you attempt to recover the compromised files, you should focus on Ziggy Ransomware removal from the device immediately. It has been tendency of these crypto-threats that they keep infecting victims’ other essential data as long as they stay inside. So, try to get rid of this infection without wasting any time. After that, you can restore the encrypted files by using a proper backup or in its absence, you can also try an effective file-recovery application.

Threat Specification

Name: Ziggy Ransomware

Type: Ransomware, File-encrypting malware, Crypto-virus

Short Description: Deadly virus which encrypts important files and then asks victims to pay the attackers a huge sum of ransom to get the decryption software/key.

Extension:  “.ziggy”

Ransom Notes: ## HOW TO DECRYPT ##.exe

Attackers’ Contact: [email protected], [email protected]

Symptoms: Compromised data become inaccessible and useless stored inside the infected PCs, previous functional data now have different extension, a ransom demanding message is put on each affected folder. Users are asked to pay an amount of ransom to unlock their encrypted files.

Distribution methods: Spam emails, 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.

Penetration of Ziggy Ransomware:

These file-locking viruses are mostly distributed via malspam campaigns although; there are some other methods as well. Users often receive dubious emails from cyber hackers that are disguised as ‘important’ or ‘urgent’ but, are often designed to infect computers with viruses. These mails contain spiteful attachments that could be in several formats like Microsoft Office, PDF documents, archive files like ZIP, RAR JavaScript files, executable files (like .exe). As soon as users open, run of execute the malicious file, it triggers the malware installation process.

So, it is very important to be very careful while opening emails that are coming from senders you don’t know or contain doubtful attachments. Moreover, avoid downloading products or software from third-party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks etc. and always rely on official sites, trustworthy channels, direct links only. But at the moment, you must remove Ziggy Ransomware from the computer as soon as possible.

Text Presented In The Ransom Note:

All your files have been encrypted!

Remaining time: –

All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail: [email protected]

Write this ID in the title of your message : –

In case of no answer in 12 hours write us to this e-mail: [email protected]

You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files.

Free decryption as guarantee

Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)

How to obtain Bitcoins

The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.

hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins

Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:

hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/

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.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

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

Step 2: Delete Ziggy Ransomware using “System Restore”

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

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