Zeronine ransomware: what it is and how to remove it
Zeronine ransomware - a file-encoding virus that renders a sophisticated cipher to lock user's data. It resurfaced in May 2020 and, despite the fact that most AV engines are capable of detecting it , the ransomware is tricky enough to infect Windows PCs successfully via obfuscated spam email attachments.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
Make sure nothing will rename more files to .zeronine: an automatic scan checks the PC first.
Do it yourself · free Remove Zeronine ransomware yourself 6 steps, about 18 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
Zeronine ransomware: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | A message left on the computer; zeronine file extension virus does not create a ransom note; the text is quoted in full below |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .zeronine |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 10 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | Zeronine ransomware |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension, a Windows Security "Threats found" notification and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .zeronine |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 19 May 2020 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Ransom:MSIL/Genasom.MK!MSR |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Zeronine ransomware detection names
If Windows Security shows Ransom:MSIL/Genasom.MK!MSR, it has found Zeronine ransomware or a file that belongs to it.
Write the name down before you click Remove: it is the most useful search term later, and you will need it if you report the incident.
A family name in the label is more informative than a heuristic one. Our page on why one threat has many antivirus names lists the common formats and what each part means.
- File extension:
.zeronine - Note file:
the ransom note
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Zeronine ransomware
- This virus seems not to be bound to any ransomware family
- The ransomware marks each of the encrypted file with .zeronine file extension
- This intruder does not generate a regular .txt ransom note.
- Instead, it enables a pop-up window on the desktop, which indicates the fact that the files have been encrypted and provides a "Decrypt" button, which redirects to a specified decryption website
- FileRepMalware, Gen:NN.ZemsilF.34110.dm0@aKAgtmf, A Variant Of MSIL/Filecoder.YV, MSIL/Filecoder.YV!tr, Ransom:MSIL/Genasom.MK!MSR, Mal/Generic-S, Trojan.GenericKD.33839438 (B), etc.
- The main dissemination strategy of the ransomware is malicious spam attachments that supposedly come from well-known courier companies, various organizations, or authorities.
- In addition, people may experience a ransomware attack due to unprotected RDPs, installation of pirated software, or visits on hacked websites
- Manual Zeronine removal is not possible as the virus scatters a package of malicious entities in different locations and use self-protection commands that does not allow the victim to disable malicious processes.
- File-encrypting viruses are infamous for distorting registries, files, and processes on the host machine that are crucial for a smooth Windows performance.
- Therefore, it's very important to optimize the system upon virus removal.
- For that, you can use program
The Zeronine ransomware note
Your files are encrypted! To decrypt them contact:
Discord ---> umutcankurhan#9743
You can save 3 of your files for free
If you close this, you won't be able to decrypt your files!
Decrypt
How to remove Zeronine ransomware
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove Zeronine ransomware and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so Zeronine ransomware cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Your files now end in
.zeronineand the instructions are inthe ransom note. Save both to a USB stick, a copy of the note and two small encrypted files, before anything else.On another device, check them with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff: the family name decides which decryptor, if any, can help. Keep the note's ID and contact line for your report.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
Our last check found that for Zeronine ransomware, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing Zeronine ransomware does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.
If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them.
vssadmin list shadowsin an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.
Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that Zeronine ransomware deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
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
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- 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.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
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:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
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:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- 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).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- 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.
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Zeronine ransomware is a malicious virus that encrypts files on a host machine and demands its victims to contact criminals via Discord app for payment instructions
Zeronine ransomware - a file-encoding virus that renders a sophisticated cipher to lock user's data.
It resurfaced in May 2020 and, despite the fact that most AV engines are capable of detecting it , the ransomware is tricky enough to infect Windows PCs successfully via obfuscated spam email attachments. Upon infiltration, it monitors specific registries, compromises boot processes, enables the zeranine.exe file, and loads the encryption algorithm. Consequently, pictures, videos, documents, and other personal files are encrypted with the .zeronine file extension.
In contrast to other ransomware-type viruses, the .zeronine file extension virus does not create a ransom note. Instead, it drops a pop-up window on the desktop saying "Your files are encrypted" and urge the victim to establish contact with ransomware managers via the Discord platform's umutcankurhan#9743 channel.
The size of the redemption differs in each case, depending on the amount of data that the Zeronine ransomware virus managers to corrupt.
When Zeronine ransomware appears on the targeted Windows PC, it starts initiating malicious activities in the background:
In general, the ransomware initiates a multitude of tasks to take over the system's control and enable the encryption algorithm, which is considered as a success of an attack. It manages to bypass AV detection by initiating a "sleep" command for more than two minutes, thus slithering via AV scan unnoticed.
The second phase of the Zeronine ransomware launch is the encryption of files. In the case of the successful command run in the first phase, the virus launches its encryption software, which targets over two hundred file extensions on a host machine, meaning that it is capable of locking documents, pictures, photos, videos, archived files, and other valuable data.
When the encryption software does what it is supposed to do, all locked files are marked with .zeronine file extension. Clicking on any of the entries that have the mentioned suffix lead to nothing, i.e. the file cannot be opened, renamed, or moved.
The victim will not find a text note or another document that typically stands for a ransom note. Instead, the Zeronine ransomware generates a pop-up window on the desktop, which can be translated into English and Turkish languages. The pop-up contains the following information:
The size of the redemption is not known. The pop-up that stands for a ransom note contains a Decrypt button, which allows uploading three files encrypted by .zeronine file extension virus and decrypting them for free. Besides, it contains a decrypt all files button, which required a unique decryption key. The only way to get the key is to contact umutcankurhan#9743 on Discord.
However, contacting criminals is not advisable due to a high risk of identity theft or money loss. If your files are encrypted, we highly recommend you remove Zeronine virus from the system and try alternative data recovery methods. There are several third-party data recovery programs that you can use.
If you cannot remove Zeronine virus using your anti-virus program, most probably the command to block security software is enabled. Therefore, you should restart the system into Safe Mode with Networking and initiate a scan there. Besides, upon ransomware removal, a proper care of the system should also be taken to the account. One of the ways to fix virus damage is to scan the system with tool.
- It queries kernel debugger data
- Reads technical name of the system and other tech-related data
- Reads GUID
- Reads configuration files
- Monitors specific registry keys with an intention to initiate changes
- Connects to the LPC port
- Corrupts files in the Windows directory,
- Insert malicious executables (notepad.exe, svchost.exe, setup.exe, update.exe, etc.), etc.
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Methods used for ransomware dissemination
According to LesVirus.fr experts , Zeronine virus developers are exploiting traditional malware distribution techniques.
In most of the cases, the file-encrypting virus is disseminated via malicious email attachments. Crooks manage to craft those emails in a sophisticated manner. They tend to look like order confirmations, receipts, shipment tracking emails, or similar.
In addition, this type of threats are injected into vulnerable systems as secondary payloads of malicious trojans and botnets. Ransomware can be automatically downloaded as a "regular" file, which asks a potential victim to enable macros. However, enabling macros works as permission to launch ransomware payload.
The third widely used malware distribution medium is related to Remote Desktop Protocols (RDPs). Hackers can easily exploit poorly protected RDPs, steal passwords, or find unlocked configurations. As a consequence, they can connect to a remote desktop and download ransomware to the host machine.
Thus, there's no single advice on how to prevent ransomware attacks. However, there's a couple of tips that could work as precautionary measures:
- Regularly back up your files . For this purpose, use an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or cloud storage.
- Investigate each email message and scan its attachments before opening. Look for grammar or type mistakes. Mark it as spam if its sender is marked as malicious on various cybersecurity-related websites.
- Avoid visiting peer-to-peer networks. It's advisable to download programs and subscribe to services from official sources.
- Use strong passwords and make sure to protect configurations if you are using remote desktop services.
- Use a professional antivirus program with real-time protection. Ensure regular updates.
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Steps to take after Zeronine ransomware attack
The first step that you have to take is to remove Zeronine ransomware completely.
The longer the virus stays on the system, the more damage it causes. It runs multiple malicious processes in the background and may download other malware to the system, thus leading not only to data encryption, but also leakage of personally identifiable information.
Make sure to use a professional AV engine for Zeronine removal. Outdated antivirus or security software that has a low virus detection rate may fail to recognize all malicious entries. Besides, initiate a scan when the system is rebooted into Safe Mode with networking. Upon ransomware removal, don't forget to optimize Windows or Mac OS with the help of .
As for the decryption of files encrypted by .zeronine extension, we do not have good news. At the moment, there is no official Zeronine decryption software created. Nevertheless, there are several methods that can be applied to unlock at least some of your files.
[GI=method-1]The Zeronine ransomware removal will be successful if you restart Windows into Safe Mode and only then perform a full scan.
[GI=method-2]You can recover malware-induced changes and decontaminate the virus itself by opting for System Restore software. If you have never used it before, the following instructions will help you.
However, the software may also help to restore files damaged by ransomware virus.
Windows Previous Versions feature might be useful
If you have had the Windows Previous Versions feature enabled on the system, this method can perfectly work in retrieving files locked by Zeronine ransomware virus.
Give ShadowExplorer a try
Although ransomware viruses tend to delete Shadow Volume Copies, sometimes criminals forget to do that. The only way to find it out is to try retrieving the files.
unfortunately, there is no free Zeronine decryptor available.
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Make the next attack harmless
Zeronine ransomware could only hurt the files that had no second copy, and the signs (files that end in .zeronine and no longer open) showed exactly which ones those were.
The 3-2-1 rule fixes that:
- three copies
- two media
- one disconnected
A practical version for a home PC: OneDrive or another cloud backup with version history, plus an external disk that you plug in once a week for File History and then unplug. Test a restore now and then by opening a few files from the backup on another device.
Details, schedules and what not to back up are in our 3-2-1 backup guide for Windows.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
Questions about Zeronine ransomware
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
How do I open .zeronine files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .zeronine ending shows that Zeronine ransomware encrypted the content, and only the matching key can reverse it. Renaming a file back to .docx or .jpg changes nothing except the icon, and it can confuse a future decryptor, so leave the names as they are.
To get the content back, use a backup, an unencrypted copy elsewhere, or a decryptor listed on No More Ransom if one exists for Zeronine ransomware. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Is there a free Zeronine ransomware decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for Zeronine ransomware no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "Zeronine ransomware decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
How did Zeronine ransomware get on my computer?
The way Zeronine ransomware spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened. On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password.
Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before files that end in .zeronine and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Did Zeronine ransomware steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Zeronine ransomware, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .zeronine and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before. Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Is Zeronine ransomware the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I just remove .zeronine from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .zeronine extension is only a label; the file content has been scrambled with a key the attackers hold.
If a renamed copy opens normally, the malware only renamed files, which happens with some fake ransomware, and you can rename the rest back. If it does not open, leave the files as they are. Renaming encrypted files can confuse a decryptor later, so always work on copies.
Defender removed Ransom:MSIL/Genasom.MK!MSR. Am I safe now?
Often yes, but check two things. First, whether the detection was caught on arrival: a file in Downloads or in an archive that Defender quarantined before it ran is the best case.
Second, whether Ransom:MSIL/Genasom.MK!MSR comes back. If it returns, or if Protection history shows several different detections around the same date, something on the PC keeps producing the file and needs to be found.
Run a full scan and, if anything remains, an offline scan. If the category names a password stealer or a backdoor, change your passwords from another device even if the file is gone.
Will Fortect remove Zeronine ransomware?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Zeronine ransomware, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Virus Total: zeranine.exe (read October 7, 2026)
- Losvirus: NOTICIAS SOBRE SEGURIDAD Y VIRUS (read October 7, 2026)
- Norton: The importance of data backup (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)