Remove Zzzz Files Ransomware Virus

How to Remove Zzzz File Extension Ransomware?

If your files now have the bizarre .Zzzz extension, you’re in trouble. Furthermore, you’re stuck with one of the most dangerous types of malware out there. You’ve been quite unlucky, to say the least. Ransomware-type infections are particularly popular these days. Do you know why? Because they allow hackers to gain effortless profit online. The virus currently on board is no exception. This is the nth file-encrypting parasite which locks private data. Immediately after the parasite lands on your PC system, it performs a scan. It’s searching for your files. Unfortunately, it locates them all. Pictures, music, MS Office, presentations, videos, etc. Ransomware takes down a huge variety of formats which is a recipe for disaster. Your precious pictures. Favorite videos. Important work-related documents. Ransomware infections are known for being destructive, aggressive and immensely harmful. There is a reason why most PC users absolutely dread these programs. As soon as the ransomware finds your data, encryption begins. By using a complicated cipher, the virus encrypts all your private files. Anything of value you might have stored on your PC falls victim to the parasite. After encryption is complete, the target data gets renamed. What the virus actually does is copy your files. Then it deletes the originals. You’re left with the inaccessible, unreadable, unusable copies. How can you tell whether your data has been modified? Take a look at the file extension. Ransomware adds a certain appendix to the data it locks. In this particular case, it’s the .Zzzz extension. For example, HateRansomware.mp3 gets renamed to HateRansomware.mp3.zzzz. The parasite’s algorithm effectively locks all your valuable data. Just think about it. Your own computer and your own information. If you thought that was bad, wait till you see what else this infection has in store. While encrypting your data, the virus creates ransom instructions. These .txt, .bmp or .html files may be added to your desktop wallpaper. They also appear in every single folder which contains locked information. As you cal tell, hackers are trying to constantly force the ransom notes on you. The more often you see them, the more likely it is that you will comply. Ransomware is a very clever attempt to extort money from gullible people. Its trickery is quite simple but impressively efficient. Not many people could remain calm and collected when all their files get locked out of the blue. However, your panic could cost you a hefty sum of money.

How did I get infected with?

The most popular technique when it comes to ransomware is spam emails. This might be the oldest trick in the books but hackers don’t seem to be giving it up anytime soon. After all, it’s effective. Crooks often send malware straight to the victim’s inbox. Hence, to prevent infiltration, you must be careful what you open. You might accidentally let loose some vicious intruder. Pay attention because no threat should be underestimated. Now that you’ve crossed paths with ransomware, you know how devastating malware is. Avoid unreliable messages and email-attachments. In addition, avoid unverified websites, torrents and software updates. Freeware bundles could be hiding an infection too. As if that wasn’t enough, ransomware gets spread with the help of other viruses. More often than not, those are sneaky Trojan horses. Check out the machine for more parasites. The ransomware might also use exploit kits to travel the Web. Long story short, watch out for infections on a daily basis. You won’t regret it.

Why is Zzzz File Extension dangerous?

Ransomware takes over all your private files. As mentioned, this virus creates the malicious .Zzzz extension. Seeing it means your data is no longer accessible. Now that the data has changed format, your computer won’t be able to recognize it. As a result, you won’t be able to use your own files. You’re probably confused, upset and anxious. This is when hackers offer you a deal. In exchange for a certain sum of money, crooks are supposed to provide a decryptor. The problem is that they don’t usually deliver. Even though paying should guarantee you a decryption key, is guarantees you nothing. All that hackers are interested in is gaining illegal revenue. The question is, will you let them scam you? Do not participate in this pesky fraud. Researchers are already working on decrypting tools. You might get to free your data without paying a single bitcoin. Firstly, you must tackle the ransomware. To do so manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

Zzzz File Extension Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Kill the Malicious Process

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

STEP 3: Locate Startup Location

STEP 4: Recover Zzzz File Extension Encrypted Files

STEP 1: Stop the malicious process using Windows Task Manager

• Open your task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Locate the process of the ransomware. Have in mind that this is usually a random generated file.
• Before you kill the process, type the name on a text document for later reference.

• Locate any suspicious processes associated with Zzzz File Extension encryption Virus.
• Right click on the process
• Open File Location
• End Process
• Delete the directories with the suspicious files.
• Have in mind that the process can be hiding and very difficult to detect

STEP 2: Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

STEP 3: Locate Zzzz File Extension encryption Virus startup location

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”
• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to:

Navigate to your %appdata% folder and delete the executable.

You can alternatively use your msconfig windows program to double check the execution point of the virus. Please, have in mind that the names in your machine might be different as they might be generated randomly, that’s why you should run any professional scanner to identify malicious files.

STEP 4: How to recover encrypted files?

• Method 1: The first and best method is to restore your data from a recent backup, in case that you have one.

• Method 2: File Recovery Software – Usually when the ransomware encrypts a file it first makes a copy of it, encrypts the copy, and then deletes the original. Due to this you may try to use file recovery software to recover some of your original files.
• Method 3: Shadow Volume Copies – As a last resort, you can try to restore your files via Shadow Volume Copies. Open the Shadow Explorer part of the package and choose the Drive you want to recover. Right click on any file you want to restore and click Export on it.