Remove ZPUT Ransomware Virus (+DECRYPT .zput Files)

Zput malware is a type of computer virus that injects your PC, encrypts your documents, and then asks to pay the ransom for file decryption. Besides these unwanted actions, that virus also modifies some important settings and can even disable your security tool.

Zput virus – what is it?

Zput ransomware can correctly be classified as a STOP/Djvu virus family. That type of virus is targeted at single users. This feature supposes that Zput does not carry any sort of additional malware, which sometimes helps ransomware of various other families to take control of your system. Because of the fact that the majority users do not have anything valuable , there is no reason to inject other viruses that increases the risk of failure of the whole ransomware operation.

The typical signs of Zput virus activity is the appearance of .zput files in your folders, instead of the document you used to have. The photo.jpg turns into photo.jpg.zput, report.xlsx – into report.xlsx.zput and so on. You cannot to prevent this process, and can’t open that documents – they are encrypted with quite strong cipher.

You can also spectate different other signs of virus activity. Spontaneously blocked Microsoft Defender and inability to open the well-known anti-malware forums or sites, where the ransomware removal and decryption guides are posted. You will see how it works in the paragraph below. The removal and decryption guide are also available – check below how to remove Zput ransomware and get the .zput files back.

How did Zput ransomware encrypt my files?

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

The documents 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 keys variations – it is impossible to brute force it. As analysts say, it will need more time than the Earth can approximately exist, even in case if you make use of the most powerful computers. In each folder that contains the encrypted documents, Zput virus creates 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

Nonetheless, you can still run some of your files. The Zput ransomware encrypts only the initial 150 KB of each file, but the rest of this document can be opened. Primarily, it works best with audio/video files, which are likely bigger than 150 kilobytes. Not each media player is able to open these files – WinAmp is the best solution, since it is free and well-tested. First seconds of each song or video will be silent – this part is encrypted – but the rest of the document will be accessible like nothing happened.

Is Zput ransomware dangerous for my PC?

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

Through the networking settings, the most changed item is the HOSTS file. This text file contains the DNS-address configurations, which are used by the browsers while requesting to the website server. If you add a specific DNS-address for the certain site, your browser will connect that page through this DNS next time. Ransomware edits that file, adding the unknown DNS, so any of the web browsers will show you the “Unable to resolve the DNS-address” error.

Other alterations done by the virus are targeted on prevention of operative detection of itself, and also blocking the installation of the majority of anti-malware programs. Zput malware implements several modifications in Group Policies – the system setting app which allows to alter the abilities of each application. In such a way, ransomware stops the Microsoft Defender and several other antivirus apps, as well as blocks the launch of antivirus installation files.

How did I get infected?

Throughout the whole term while STOP/Djvu family existed, it was using questionable applications as a primary way of ransomware injection. Under the term of dubious software I mean apps that are already not supported by the maintainer and spread through the third-party websites. These apps may be hacked, to make them possible to use without buying any license. Another example of such a program type is various hacking tools – cheat engines, keygens, Windows activation tools and so on.

Such apps may be distributed in different methods – through the site that offers a downloading link, as well as through the peering networks – ThePirateBay, eMule and so on. All these sources are known as the biggest computer piracy sites. Folks use these sources to get different programs or games for free, even if these programs must be purchased. Nobody can stop the users who crack these apps from adding malware of some type to the files of the hacked tool. Hacktools, meanwhile, are created for outlaw targets, so their creators may easily insert the virus under the guise of some program part.

These cracked programs, regardless of their source, are one of the most often carriers for various malware, and definitely the most popular one for Zput virus. It is better to stop making use of it, and not only because of ransomware injection risks. Avoiding the license buying is an illegal action, and both hackers and persons who use hacked programs fall under the charge of piracy.

How do I remove Zput virus?

The Zput ransomware is extremely hard to wipe out manually. Really, because of the number of alterations it makes in your Windows, it is almost unreal to detect them all and fix. The best decision is to make use of anti-malware software. But which one to choose?

You may see the offers to make use of Microsoft Defender, that is already in your system. But as it was mentioned before, the majority of STOP/Djvu virus examples stop it even before the ciphering procedure. Using the third-party program is the only option – and I can advice you the GridinSoft Anti-Malware as a solution for that case. It has perfect detection abilities, so the virus will not be missed. It is also capable of system repairing, which is heavily needed after the Zput virus attack.

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

After the ransomware removal, you can go to file decryption. Ransomware removal is required to prevent the repeating ciphering of your files: while Zput ransomware is active, it will not miss any unencrypted file.

How to decrypt the .zput files?

There are two ways to decrypt your files after a Zput ransomware attack. First one and the most obvious is file decryption. It is conducted 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 Zput virus deletes them and substitutes with a ciphered copy, the residue of the files are still stored on the disk. After the removal, the information about them is wiped from the file system, but not from a disk drive. Special apps, 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 .zput 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 .zput files with PhotoRec tool

PhotoRec is an open-source tool, which is designed to recover the deleted or lost files from the disk. It checks each disk sector for the remains of deleted files, and then attempts 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