Zeta Ransomware - How to remove

Named after a Tropical Storm Zeta, Zeta Ransomware is yet another attempt to compromise the safety of your computer. Its payload is disguised as a Trojan and weaker antivirus applications might not be able to detect this virus.

About Zeta Ransomware

Zeta Ransomware is another red-handed virus that performs a series of well-calculated steps to snatch money from users’ pockets. It uses the RSA-2048 cryptographic algorithm to make files incapable of running. Then they stand in your system as ghosts of your music, videos, photos or other personal material. This virus is constructed so it can encrypt any type of file: over sixty types are potential victims of this monster. Once Zeta gets access to your computer, it does not slack around and proceeds to leave its marks on your computer system. Zeta Ransomware might be hiding in a seemingly innocent file with the name of AdobeFlashPlayer_(random letters and numbers).

To build up even more tension for their prey, hackers clearly reveal which data is out-of-order due to this ransomware. It adds a visible identification mark to all of the encrypted files: Weekendwithpaul.png will be altered to [email protected].

Since the public key for encryption was already used, what use comes from the private key? That is the superiority that hackers hold in their domains and can possibly decrypt users’ files. Hackers will try to masquerade as rescuers and compose notifications with their ‘easy solution for this problem’. The same information will be found on every folder as it will take the form of HELP_YOUR_FILES.html and HELP_YOUR_FILES.txt files.

Zeta virus will demand a solid ransom from 225.18 to 675.53 dollars. However, in order to keep their identities concealed, hackers will order users to make the transaction using the Bitcoin payment system for a direct transfer. Then the amount of money does not sound that grand: 0.5-1.5 Bitcoin. These unscrupulous programmers will magnify the ransom after 72 hours. It is crucial to state that there is no logical reason for you to pay money for your files. To begin, hackers might not be competent enough to compose functional decryption keys. On the other hand, users might not even get these keys as the people behind this ransomware will disappear after collecting their profit.
Furthermore, Zeta Ransomware might also corrupt OS and help other types of malware to get easier access to your computer.

How is Zeta Ransomware Distributed?

It is determined that Zeta Ransomware can originate from various sources. Users have to be extremely circumspect while browsing the Internet. PC might become infected with Zeta Ransomware as it tries to pose as a legitimate update for your Adobe Flash Player. Other examples of ransomware can also become a burden due to similar offers. User should download upgrades for software via their official sites.

Furthermore, spam letters can be held responsible for ransomware distribution. Emails can have attachments of seemingly genuine content. However, even the most authentic-looking letter can actually be a ransomware virus in disguise.

How to Decrypt Files Encrypted by Zeta Ransomware?

At this time there is no proper way to decrypt corrupted files. Due to the usage of AES-265 and RSA encryption method, it might seem that the only way to revive your files is to pay the ransom. However, this is not what users should. As we mentioned before, there is a great risk that after paying, users still won’t receive their files back to their formal glory. You can try to recover at least a small part of your files with file data recovery tools like Photorec, R-Studio or Kaspersky virus-fighting utilities.

Take this virus as a lesson to store your data in back-up storages. For now, use professional anti-malware tools. Our recommendation would be to exploit the capabilities of Spyhunter, Malwarebytes or StopZilla to remove this Zeta virus and protect your system from future ransomware attacks.

How to recover Zeta Ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before Zeta Ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Zeta Ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to Zeta Ransomware . You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Zeta Ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Zeta Ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover Zeta Ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.

Update of the end of November, the beginning of December, 2016. Zeta ransomware invokes another extension, containing .rmd particle instead of the previous scl.

Manual removal