Zorro ransomware / virus (Decryption Steps Included) - Virus Removal Guide

Zorro virus Removal Guide

What is Zorro ransomware virus?

How dangerous is Zorro ransomware virus?

Zorro virus is a new file-encrypting malware that uses symmetric cryptography[1] to encode files located on the targeted computer. The ransomware mostly spreads via malicious email attachments. When a user clicks one the infected file, the virus infiltrates the computer. Once the malware gets inside, it connects to the remote Command & Control server[2] and downloads malicious files. When Zorro ransomware installs all malevolent files in various Windows locations, it modifies Run and RunOnce registry sub-keys. These Windows Registry modifications allow launching the virus as soon as the computer is turned on. The main purpose of the ransomware is to encrypt various documents and media files. In order to do that, the virus might shut down particular system process. Then, it starts scanning the device looking for the MS Office, Open Office, Libre Office, various image, audio and other widely used files. To all encoded files it appends .zorro file extension. This extension prevents victims from accessing and using their files. Unfortunately, even Zorro removal won’t help to restore encrypted data.

Of course, hackers do not leave victims without a way out. After data encryption, Zorro ransomware virus creates a text file and places it on the desktop. Indeed, it’s a ransom note that might be called either “Take_Seriously (Your saving grace).txt” or “(Your saving grace).txt.” This file informs people that their files have been encrypted with a strong key and they need a specific key to restore them. The authors of the virus demand 1 Bitcoin that must be transferred to the provided address within 3 days. According to the ransom note, as soon as the payment is made, victims are supposed to receive an email with decryption software. Though, you should not rush clicking on the provided link where you can buy Bitcoins.[3] No one can assure that developers of the Zorro virus have necessary decryption software. Sometimes ransomware viruses are written poorly, and there’s no way to restore the files unless victims have data backups. What is more, cyber criminals might just be interested in taking your money and do not care about keeping their promise. It might be a lie. Thus, instead of having risky business with hackers, you should remove Zorro from the computer. This won’t help to restore your files, but after removal, you can try to recover your files using additional methods. Thus, install FortectIntego and scroll down to the end of this article to learn more about virus removal.

Zorro ransomware virusZorro ransomware encrypts files and demand to pay 1 Bitcoin within 3 days.

How might this file-encrypting virus hack computers?

The primary distribution method of the Zorro malware is malicious spam email campaigns. Crooks send crafted emails that look like sent from reputable companies or organizations, for instance, Amazone. They also have attached PDF, Word or ZIP file that includes malware executable. Thus, as soon as a person opens the infected file, the malicious file is dropped on the system. For this reason, you should learn how to identify potentially dangerous emails[4] and stop rushing to open each received email. Sadly, your inbox is no longer safe as it used to be. Cyber criminals became good at social engineering[5] and learned to trick people easily. Additionally, Zorro ransomware might spread as bogus programs or their updates in peer-to-peer networks, torrents, file-sharing and downloading websites, and similar unknown online sources that offer to download freeware or shareware. Thus, if you are thinking of downloading illegal programs or other files, this decision might cause you more than a license for the necessary product. What is more, if you need to download free software, please choose reliable sources.

How to terminate Zorro ransomware from the PC?

Ransomware removal might be difficult because these type of cyber infections might block various system processes and antivirus program. Thus, in order to remove Zorro from the PC, you need to disable the virus by rebooting the computer to the Safe Mode. The instructions below will show you how to do it. When in Safe Mode, you need to install malware removal program, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. After installation, update your chosen tool and run a full system scan. We highly recommend scanning the system several times just to be sure that all malicious components are terminated from the system entirely. Please, do not think about manual Zorro removal option. Deleting dangerous files from the system might lead to the serious computer-related programs. The virus might be hiding under safe-looking and legitimate system files. Thus, you might make a huge mistake and delete the wrong file.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Zorro virus. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Automatic Zorro removal might require rebooting the computer to the Safe Mode with Networking. This mode disables the virus and allows scanning the system with antivirus or anti-malware tools.

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove Zorro using System Restore

System Restore method also helps to disable the virus and remove it automatically with a help of malware removal tools.

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Zorro. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that Zorro removal is performed successfully.

Bonus: Recover your data

Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove Zorro from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.

If your files are encrypted by Zorro, you can use several methods to restore them:

Data Recovery Pro might recover the files encrypted by Zorro ransomware

If you do not have data backups, Data Recovery Pro might be your only option to restore your files automatically. Though we have to warn you that it’s not a Zorro decryptor, so it might not restore all of the encrypted files.

  • Download Data Recovery Pro;
  • Follow the steps of Data Recovery Setup and install the program on your computer;
  • Launch it and scan your computer for files encrypted by Zorro ransomware;
  • Restore them.

Try Windows Previous Versions feature to restore files encrypted by Zorro virus

If System Restore has been enabled before ransomware attack, follow these steps to copy previously saved versions of the encrypted files. Though, if you haven’t enabled System Restore function, this method is not suitable for you.

  • Find an encrypted file you need to restore and right-click on it;
  • Select “Properties” and go to “Previous versions” tab;
  • Here, check each of available copies of the file in “Folder versions”. You should select the version you want to recover and click “Restore”.

Use ShadowExplorer to restore files encrypted by Zorro ransomware virus

If Zorro malware left Shadow Volume Copies of the targeted files, you could use ShadowExplorer to recover encrypted files. Follow the steps below:

  • Download Shadow Explorer (http://shadowexplorer.com/);
  • Follow a Shadow Explorer Setup Wizard and install this application on your computer;
  • Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
  • Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.

Zorro decryptor

We are sorry, but Zorro decryptor hasn’t been released yet.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Zorro and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting ransomware

Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are

There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.

Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.

Data backups are important – recover your lost files

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.

While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.

About the author
Jake Doevan
Jake Doevan - Computer technology expert

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