Remove ZPWW Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .zpww Files)

Zpww malware is a type of computer virus that injects your PC, encrypts your files, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unpleasant activities, that virus also alters some important settings and can even suspend your antivirus program.

Zpww virus – what is it?

Zpww virus can correctly be described as a STOP/Djvu ransomware family. That type of malware is targeted at individuals. This specification supposes that Zpww does not bring any type of additional malware, which usually helps malware of various other families to control your system. Since most users do not have anything valuable , there is no reason to download additional malware that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware injection.

The usual signs of that ransomware activity is the appearance of .zpww files in your folders, instead of the files you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.zpww, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.zpww and so on. You cannot to prevent this process, as well as can’t open these documents – they are ciphered with pretty strong cipher.

You can also spectate various other signs of ransomware activity. Abruptly stopped Microsoft Defender and inability to open the well-known anti-malware forums or sites, where the malware removal and file decryption guides are published. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – read below how to wipe out Zpww virus and get the .zpww files back.

How did Zpww ransomware encrypt my files?

After the malware injection, the Zpww ransomware starts a connection with its command and control server. This server is commanded by malware maintainers – crooks who manage the spreading of this ransomware. Another activity which is conducted by those crooks is answering the emails of sufferers, who want to get their files back.

The files are ciphered with one of the strongest encryption algorithm – AES-256. The digit in the name of this algorithms means the power of two – 2^256 for this case. 78-digit number of possible decryption password variations – it is unreal to brute force it. As analysts say, it will take more time than the Earth can approximately exist, even in case if you make use of the most powerful computer system. In each folder that has the encrypted documents, Zpww virus leaves the _readme.txt file with the following contents:

ATTENTION!

Don't worry, you can return all your files!

All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.

What guarantees you have?

You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.

You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:

https://we.tl/t-WJa63R98Ku

Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.

Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.

Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:

support@fishmail.top

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:

datarestorehelp@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

However, you can still use some of your documents. The Zpww malware ciphers only the first 150 KB of each file, but the other part of this file can be accessed. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are definitely larger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best option, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of every song or video will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Zpww ransomware dangerous for my PC?

As it was described several paragraphs above, ransomware is not only about encrypting the files. Zpww virus makes the changes in your system in order to prevent looking for the malware removal and file decryption guides. Zpww virus does not create the software barrier – it just changes the settings, primarily – networking and security configurations.

Among the networking configurations, the most damaged item is the HOSTS configuration file. This text file keeps the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the browsers while sending a request to the server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain site, your web browser will connect that site through this DNS next time. Ransomware alters that file, adding the non-existent DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other modifications done by the ransomware are aimed at prevention of fast spotting of itself, and also preventing the installation of the majority of anti-malware programs. Zpww ransomware implements several alterations in Group Policies – the system setting application which gives you the right to alter the rights of each program. In such a way, ransomware blocks the Microsoft Defender and several other antivirus tools, and also disables the launch of anti-malware installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using questionable applications as a primary method of ransomware injection. Under the term of questionable programs I mean software that are already not controlled by the developer and spread through the file sharing websites. These applications may be cracked, to make them usable without purchasing any license. One more example of such a program type is different hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

This kind of software may be spread in different ways – through the website that offers a downloading link, or through the peer-to-peer networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are known as the biggest computer piracy resources. People use these pages to get various apps or games for free, even if these programs must be purchased. Nobody can stop the users who crack these programs from adding malware of some type to the files of the hacked app. Hacktools, however, are created for outlaw actions, so their creators may easily add the virus under the guise of some program element.

These cracked apps, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various viruses, and surely the most widespread one for Zpww malware. It is better to stop making use of it, and not only because of virus injection risks. Avoiding the license buying is an illegal action, and both hackers and folks who make use of hacked apps fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Zpww ransomware?

The Zpww malware is extremely hard to wipe out manually. Really, because of the number of modifications it makes into your system, it is almost impossible to spot them all and repair. The best option is to use antivirus programs. But which one to choose?

You can see the offers to use Microsoft Defender, that is already in your Windows. Nonetheless, as it was mentioned earlier, most of STOP/Djvu malware examples block it even before the ciphering process. Making use of the third-party tool is the only possible solution – and I can advice you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for that case. It has perfect detection abilities, so the malware will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, that is heavily needed after the Zpww virus attack.

To remove Zpww malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Virus removal is required to prevent the repeating encryption of your files: while Zpww ransomware is active, it will not pass any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .zpww files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Zpww ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is performed with a special app, designed by Emsisoft, and called Emsisoft Decryptor for STOP/Djvu. This program is free. Analysts update its decryption keys databases as often as possible, so you will surely get your files back, sooner or later.

Another option to get your documents and photos back is to try to recover them from your disk drives. Since Zpww virus deletes them and substitutes with an encrypted copy, the residue of the files are still kept on the disk drive. After the deletion, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk. Special tools, like PhotoRec, are able to recover these files. It is free, too, and may also be used for file recovery in case when you have deleted a thing unintentionally.

Decrypting the .zpww files with Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu

Download and install Emsisoft Decrypter tool. Agree with its EULA and continue to the interface.

The interface of this program is extremely easy. All you have to do is to select the folder where the encrypted files are stored, and wait. If the program has the decryption key which corresponds to your ransomware case – it will decrypt it.

During the use of Emsisoft Decrypter for STOP/Djvu, you may observe various error messages. Don’t worry, that does not mean that you did something wrong or a program does not work properly. Each of these errors refer to a specific case. Here is the explanation:

Error: Unable to decrypt file with ID: [your ID]

The program does not have a corresponding key for your case. You need to wait for some time until the key database will be updated.

No key for new variant online ID: [your ID]

Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible.

This error means that your files are encrypted with an online key. In such a case, the decryption key is unique and stored on the remote server, controlled by crooks. Unfortunately, the decryption is impossible.

Result: No key for new variant offline ID: [example ID]

This ID appears to be an offline ID. Decryption may be possible in the future.

Ransomware uses the offline key to encrypt your files. This key is not unique, so you likely have it in common with another victim. Since offline keys must be collected, too, it is important to keep calm and wait until the analysts team finds one which will fit your case.

Remote name could not be resolved

This error indicates that the program has problems with DNS on your computer. That’s a clear sign of malicious alterations in your HOSTS file. Reset it using the official Microsoft guide.

Recovering the .zpww files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is created to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk drive. It checks each disk sector for the residues of deleted files, and then tries to recover them. That app is able to recover the files of more than 400 different formats. Because of the described feature of ransomware encryption mechanism, it is possible to use this tool to get the original, unencrypted files back.

Download PhotoRec from the official website. It is absolutely free, however, its developer warns that he does not guarantee that this program will be 100% effective for file recovery purposes. Moreover, even paid apps can barely give you such a guarantee, because of the chain of random factors that can make the file recovery harder.

Unzip the downloaded archive to the folder you like. Don’t worry because of its name – TestDisk – this is the name of the utility developed by the same company. They decided to spread it together since PhotoRec and TestDisk are often used together. Among the unzipped files, search for qphotorec_win.exe file. Run this executable file.

Before you can start the recovery process, you need to specify several settings. In the drop-down list, choose the logic disk where the files were stored before the encryption.

Then, you need to specify the file formats you need to recover. It may be difficult to scroll all 400+ formats, luckily, they are sorted by alphabetical order.

Finally, name the folder you want to use as a container for recovered files. The program will likely dig out a lot of useless files, which were deleted intentionally, so desktop is a bad solution. The best option is to use the USB-drive.

After these easy manipulations, you may just press the “Search” button (it turns active if you specified all required parameters). The recovery process may take several hours, so keep patient. It is recommended not to use the computer during this term, since you may overwrite some files you are intending to recover.

Frequently Asked Questions