Zyka ransomware - How to remove

New crypto-infection Zyka ransomware transmission has been reported. It displays a ransom note with anonymous mask in the background, demanding 170 US dollars (about 0.16891 BTC) or 170 euros (about 0.1818 BTC), whichever victim prefers to send as bitcoins. A quite odd feature of this infection: it provides an opportunity for people to unlock 150 files without paying a fee. If this option is functional, people might be able to restore at least part of their data without paying the ransom or waiting around for a free decrypter to be released. However, these 150 files might be the turning point in the investigation of this virus. Having copies of encrypted and decrypted files might help researchers generate a unique decryption tool. Like a number of other ransomware viruses, Zyka sample also puts a clock on it: victims are supposed to send the transaction of bitcoins during the following 72 hours. If they refuse to be obedient, lenience is not something that hackers are going to show. Decryption key after approximately 3 days gets permanently deleted, meaning that hackers won’t be capable of decrypting files even if they would want to. Despite all of these threats, victims should not panic and draw rational decisions. Sending bitcoins is definitely not a wise option, since hackers might not even have the capacities of decrypting files in the first place.

Zyka ransomware and its persistent attitude

Zyka crypto-virus can be called a rather wonted infection, since its characteristics are greatly similar to hundreds of ransomware variants. If your files got appended with .lock extension and you have no clue where this virus came from, then you might be unfamiliar with basic elements of ransomware. This category is presumably the most profitable of all malware threats, since people might do whatever it takes to recover their files after they are encrypted. If your computer system is flooded with files, important documents, highly appreciated and valued data, you are in danger of losing them all due to a single malicious executable. What steps could be identified to lead to a ransomware infection? Well, firstly, you might visit a domain which is tempered by various exploit kits, or download a malicious executable from your email account.

Next stop: your device. As soon as Zyka ransomware will be allowed to reside in your computer, it will begin pursuing its goals one-by-one. First modification that is most likely to be made is the change of Windows Registry Keys in the hopes of getting the payload of Zyka alive and running after every time computer is restarted. Before starting scans to find files with targeted extensions, it can take some time to contact its C&C server. This is done to inform hackers that are new device has been conquered. Well, not fully yet. After that, Zyka virus will find files to encrypt and proceed with the process of encoding. According to the ransom note, AES algorithm is exploited for this purpose. Pictures, music, video, text documents are likely to be potential candidates to be joined by .lock extension. This small fragment marks files that are become useless. Now, Zyka ransomware can reveal itself by showing a ransom note with the most essential information and demands.

Is there any hope for my files? Zynka ransomware has ruined them

For now, a free file-recovery tool does not seem to be available. However, it is important to never lose hope. You should not attempt to fit into the 71 hours period and send the required amount of bitcoins. It is a waste of your resources, especially when hackers are vicious enough to be offering decryption even if they are not capable of keeping their promise. A more recommended solution would be to copy files that are appended with .lock extension and remove the ransomware without hesitation. However, for the future, please bear in mind that your important data should have backups in case of an emergency. Try different file-storing facilities or simply transfer some copies in a USB flash drive.

An infection with Zynka ransomware loading..

Getting infected with Zynka virus is not as complicated as you might think. All you have to do is visit a vulnerable visit, affected by exploit kits. Another way to come across ransomware is to find it among your email letters. Spam campaigns are usually put in motion to spread payloads of ransomware. If you wish to remain secure, clean your inboxes from spam and stay away from questionable websites. As for the elimination process of Zyka virus, you can remove it with Spyhunter or Malwarebytes. We have no doubt that these anti-malware tools will fit your requirements for a security tool. For more information about manual removal, scroll down. In that section you will also find tips for decryption, check whether Shadow Volume Copies were deleted.

How to recover Zyka 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 Zyka virus has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Zyka 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 Zyka virus. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore Zyka 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 Zyka virus 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 Zyka 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.