.Zzzz File Virus Ransomware Removal (File Recovery)

This page aims to help you remove .Zzzz File Virus Ransomware for free. Our instructions also cover how any .Zzzz Ransomware files can be recovered.

.Zzzz is a computer virus that belongs to the Ransomware family. This classification means that all the malicious programs from this group are perfectly capable of sneaking into your system without your knowledge and/or approval and encrypting some of the files you consider most important. Why and how Ransomware can do that as well as where you may find this malware will be discussed below in this article.

Is .Zzzz among the most harmful viruses?

Definitely, we can state that this program shows all the characteristics of a really dangerous virus. All Ransomware versions, including .Zzzz, are able to enter your PC and scan all its memory for the data that is used or accessed on a regular basis. The ransomware’s next typical activity is the creation of a list that consists of all such files and folders, after which the process of encryption usually begins. It is gradual and constant until it is done. After its completion, .Zzzz projects a notification on your screen with all the information about the infection. Also, a payment plan is included as all Ransomware programs require money or Bit coins in exchange for your encoded data.

What is even more harmful about the nature of .Zzzz is that very often it travels with a buddy. This means that such a virus gets distributed along with another type of malware, typically a Trojan Horse Virus. The reason why these two malicious programs come barging in together is the fact that the Ransomware usually just uses the Trojans it comes with for infiltrating your PC, as any Trojan is perfectly capable of getting to your system by using any weak spot there and then making way for the other virus.

Where did this malware originate? Where and how are you most likely to catch it?

The place where Ransomware was first present is Russia (at that time – the Soviet Union) and it first emerged during the late eighties – early nineties of the 20th century. Originally, there were two types of Ransomware. One of the types just used to lock up your monitor with a window that prevented all other windows from opening. In fact such Ransomware never encrypted any files. The second and the most dangerous type that was created at that time is the version of Ransomware we are aware of today. Such programs DO encode data for real and then demand a ransom in return for the affected data. .Zzzz is exactly such a Ransomware program.

When discussing the possible ways of coming into contact with such malware, the most usual sources for spreading .Zzzz (and the Trojan that usually comes together with it) are all shady-looking spam emails inside either the Inbox or Spam folder of your email. The Trojan is typically included in an attachment of such a suspicious letter – no matter whether it is an .exe file, an audio/text, document or image file. However, Ransomware may also infect your machine through your visiting an infected web page or through downloading any piece of contaminated software.

What kind of actions we recommend in case of an infection with .Zzzz

First and the foremost, never pay the requested ransom before exploring your chances of success using other methods. It is very likely that even if you do pay the hackers the money they want from you, they will never return the access to your files to you. Sometimes they have no such intentions, they just want your money and they may never give you the credentials needed for decrypting your data. Still, even if you find a way to delete the virus using a removal guide or a special piece of software, you may still never be able to use/access your blocked files again. For this reason we have included some steps that may help you restore your files, however, we cannot promise that this method will work 100%.

Both decisions are really risky in terms of the future of the encrypted data. You may use our Removal Guide below to try to defeat the infection and we recommend this, as it won’t cost you anything and will not compromise the safety of your data in any way. Though as there may be no real solution to this problem now, we would like to share some prevention tips that you should follow in the future, because prevention remains the only completely safe method for dealing with this kind of malware. When it comes to Ransomware-based infections, prevention mainly consists of backing up all your essential files, avoiding any spam messages in your email that you receive from a suspicious sender or those that have a strange attachment, and of course regularly scanning your device for viruses.

.Zzzz File Virus Ransomware Removal

 Here is what you need to do in order to remove a Ransomware virus from you computer.

I – Reveal Hidden files and folders and utilize the task manager

1. Use the Folder Options in order to reveal the hidden files and folders on your PC. If you do not know how to do that, follow this link.
2. Open the Start Menu and in the search field type Task Manager.
   
3. Open the first result and in the Processes tab, carefully look through the list of Processes.
4. If you notice with the virus name or any other suspicious-looking or that seems to consume large amounts of memory, right-click on it and open its file location. Delete everything in there.
   

• Make sure that the hidden files and folders on your PC are visible, else you might not be able to see everything.

5. Go back to the Task Manager and end the shady process.

II – Boot to Safe Mode

• Boot your PC into Safe Mode. If you do not know how to do it, use this guide/linked/.

III – Identify the threat

1. Go to the ID Ransomware website. Here is a direct link.
2. Follow there in order to identify the specific virus you are dealing with.

IV – Decrypt your files

1. Once you have identified the virus that has encrypted your files, you must acquire the respective tool to unlock your data.
2. Open your browser and search for how to decrypt ransomware, look for the name of the one that has infected your system.
3. With any luck, you’d be able to find a decryptor tool for your ransomware. If that doesn’t happen try Step V as a last ditch effort to save your files.

V – Use Recuva to restore files deleted by the virus

1. Download the Recuva tool. This will help you restore your original files so that you won’t need to actually decrypt the locked ones.
2. Once you’ve downloaded the program, open it and select Next.
   
3. Now choose the type of files you are seeking to restore and continue to the next page.
4. When asked where your files were, before they got deleted, either use the option In a specific location and provide that location or choose the opt for the I am not sure alternative – this will make the program look everywhere on your PC.
   
5. Click on Next and for best results, enable the Deep Scan option (note that this might take some time).
   
6. Wait for the search to finish and then select which of the listed files you want to restore.

• Keep in mind it is possible that not all files might be fully recovered. You can check in what condition the files are from the State column in the list of deleted files.