The Zorn virus falls under the ransomware type of malicious agent. Harmful software of this type encrypts all user’s data on the PC (images, text files, excel sheets, audio files, videos, etc) and adds its own extension to every file, leaving the RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt text files in every directory which contains the encrypted files.
Zorn virus: what is known so far?
☝️ A scientifically correct designation for the Zorn is “a ransomware-type infection”.
Zorn adds its own .ZORN extension to every file’s name. For instance, a file entitled “photo.jpg” will be altered to “photo.jpg.ZORN”. In the same manner, the Excel file with the name “table.xlsx” will be renamed to “table.xlsx.ZORN”, and so forth.
YOUR COMPANY IS HACKED AND COMPROMISED Your network was ATTACKED, your computers and servers were LOCKED, Your private data was DOWNLOADED: - Contracts - Customers data - Finance - HR - Databases - And more other... If you do not contract us in the next 3 DAYS we will begin DATA publication. We will post information about hacking of your company on public You can find full details in the file RESTORE_FILES_INFO
In each directory containing the encrypted files, a RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt text file will be created. It is a ransom money memo. It contains information on the ways of paying the ransom and some other remarks. The ransom note most probably contains instructions on how to buy the decryption tool from the ransomware developers. That is basically the scheme of the crime.
Zorn summary:
| Name | Zorn Virus |
| Extension | .ZORN |
| Ransomware note | RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt |
| Detection | MSIL/Spy.Agent.DSV, TrojanSpy:Win32/Delgent, Trojan.Ransom.Magniber |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .ZORN extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Zorn virus |
The RESTORE_FILES_INFO.txt document accompanying the Zorn ransomware states the following:
------------------
| What happened? |
------------------
Your network was ATTACKED, your computers and servers were LOCKED,
Your private data was DOWNLOADED:
- Contracts
- Customers data
- Finance
- HR
- Databases
- And more other...
----------------------
| What does it mean? |
----------------------
It means that soon mass media, your partners and clients WILL KNOW about your PROBLEM.
--------------------------
| How it can be avoided? |
--------------------------
In order to avoid this issue,
you are to COME IN TOUCH WITH US no later than within 3 DAYS and conclude the data recovery and breach fixing AGREEMENT.
-------------------------------------------
| What if I do not contact you in 3 days? |
-------------------------------------------
If you do not contact us in the next 3 DAYS we will begin DATA publication.
We will post information about hacking of your company on public
ALL YOUR CLIENTS WILL KNOW ABOUT THE INCIDENT!!!
Think very well of the consequences.
You can spare this little money and subsequently lose much more.
-----------------------------
| I can handle it by myself |
-----------------------------
It is your RIGHT, but in this case all your data will be published for public USAGE.
-------------------------------
| I do not fear your threats! |
-------------------------------
That is not the threat, but the algorithm of our actions.
If you have hundreds of millions of UNWANTED dollars, there is nothing to FEAR for you.
That is the EXACT AMOUNT of money you will spend for recovery and payouts because of PUBLICATION.
You are exposing yourself to huge penalties with lawsuits and government if we both don\'t find an agreement.
We have seen it before cases with multi million costs in fines and lawsuits,
not to mention the company reputation and losing clients trust and the medias calling non-stop for answers.
--------------------------
| You have convinced me! |
--------------------------
Then you need to CONTACT US, there is few ways to DO that.
---Secure method---
a) Download a qTOX client: hxxps://tox.chat/download.html
b) Install the qTOX client and register account
c) Add our qTOX ID: 671263E7BC06103C77146A5A BB802A63F53A42B4C4766329A5F04D2660C99A3611635CC36B3A
or qTOX ID: BC6934E2991F5498BDF5D852F10EB4F7E14 59693A2C1EF11026EE5A259BBA3593769D766A275
d) Write us extension of your encrypted files .ZORN
Our LIVE SUPPORT is ready to ASSIST YOU on this chat.
----------------------------------------
| What will I get in case of agreement |
----------------------------------------
You WILL GET full DECRYPTION of your machines in the network, DELETION your data from our servers,
RECOMMENDATIONS for securing your network perimeter.
And the FULL CONFIDENTIALITY ABOUT INCIDENT.
----------------------------------------------------
Number of files that were processed is: In the picture below, you can see what a directory with files encrypted by the Zorn looks like. Each filename has the “.ZORN” extension added to it.
That is how encrypted “.ZORN” files look.
How did Zorn ransomware end up on my PC?
There are many possible ways of ransomware injection.
Nowadays, there are three most popular ways for tamperers to have the Zorn virus settled in your digital environment. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer networks.
If you open your mailbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services companies, postal agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose sender is unknown to you, be wary of opening those emails. They are very likely to have a harmful file attached to them. Thus it is even more dangerous to open any attachments that come with letters like these.
Another thing the hackers might try is a Trojan horse model1. A Trojan is an object that infiltrates into your machine disguised as something legal. Imagine, you download an installer for some program you want or an update for some software. However, what is unpacked reveals itself a harmful program that encrypts your data. Since the update file can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the resource of the files you’re downloading. The optimal way is to use the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer-to-peer networks like BitTorrent or eMule, the danger is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Web. You can never know what you download until you get it. Our suggestion is that you use trustworthy resources. Also, it is reasonable to scan the directory containing the downloaded items with the antivirus as soon as the downloading is complete.
How do I get rid of the Zorn virus?
It is crucial to inform you that besides encrypting your files, the Zorn virus will probably install the Azorult Spyware on your machine to get access to credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That program can extract your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling data.
Often criminals would decode some of your files so you know that they do have the decryption program. As Zorn virus is a relatively recent ransomware, security software developers have not yet found a method to undo its work. However, the decoding tools are frequently updated, so the effective countermeasure may soon arrive.
Of course, if the hackers do the job of encrypting someone’s critical files, the desperate person will probably comply with their demands. Despite that, paying to racketeers gives no guarantee that you’re getting your data back. It is still dangerous. After obtaining the ransom, the racketeers may send a wrong decryption key to the victim. There were reports of criminals just disappearing after getting the money without even bothering to reply.
The optimal safety measure against ransomware is to have aan OS restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud storage or at least on an external drive. Obviously, that might be insufficient. The most important thing could be that file you were working upon when it all started. But at least it is something. It is also wise to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the OS is rolled back.
Zorn is not the only ransomware of its kind, since there are other specimens of ransomware out there that act in the same manner. Examples of those are Gtys, Wdlo, Tuid, and some others. The two major differences between them and the Zorn are the ransom amount and the method of encryption. The rest is the same: documents become blocked, their extensions changed, ransom notes are created in each folder containing encrypted files.
Some lucky users were able to decrypt the blocked files with the help of the free software provided by anti-ransomware developers. Sometimes the hackers accidentally send the decoding key to the victims in the ransom note. Such an extraordinary fail allows the victim to restore the files. But of course, one should never rely on such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a tamperers’ instrument to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How to avert ransomware injection?
Zorn ransomware doesn’t have a endless power, neither does any similar malware.
You can armour your computer from its infiltration in three easy steps:
- Never open any emails from unknown mailers with strange addresses, or with content that has nothing to do with something you are waiting for (how can you win in a lottery without even taking part in it?). If the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, check all elements of the dubious email with caution. A fake email will surely have mistakes.
- Never use cracked or unknown programs. Trojan viruses are often distributed as an element of cracked software, most likely as a “patch” preventing the license check. Understandably, potentially dangerous programs are difficult to tell from reliable software, as trojans may also have the functionality you need. You can try searching for information on this software product on the anti-malware message boards, but the best solution is not to use such programs at all.
- And to be sure about the safety of the objects you downloaded, check them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This software will be a perfect shield for your PC.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft2
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft3.
Download Removal Tool.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
Run the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your PC.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Press “Install” button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your system for Zorn infections and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has finished, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
FAQ
🤔 How can I open “.ZORN” files?Are the “.ZORN” files accessible?
There’s no way to do it, unless the files “.ZORN” files are decrypted.
🤔 The encrypted files are very important to me. How can I decrypt them quickly?
It’s good if you have fаr-sightedly saved copies of these important files elsewhere. If not, there is still a function of System Restore but it needs a Restore Point to be previously saved. The rest of the methods require patience.
🤔 If GridinSoft deletes the Zorn malware, will it also delete my files that were encrypted?
Absolutely not! Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will delete active infections from your computer. The virus that has attacked your device is probably still functional and it scans your system from time to time to encode any new files you might create on your PC after the attack. As it has already been said, the Zorn ransomware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can take your account passwords by trespass and provide malefactors with easy access to your computer in the future.
🤔 What to do if the Zorn malware has blocked my computer and I can’t get the activation key.
In such a case, you need to have a flash memory drive with a previously installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to perform the procedure. The point is that the ransomware starts automatically as the system launches and encrypts any new files created or brought into your machine. To block this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run upon system boot. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What could help the situation right now?
Many of the encrypted files might still be at your disposal
- If you sent or received your important files through email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You may have shared images or videos with your friends or relatives. Just ask them to give those pictures back to you.
- If you have initially got any of your files from the Internet, you can try downloading them again.
- Your messengers, social networks pages, and cloud disks might have all those files too.
- It might be that you still have the needed files on your old computer, a portable device, mobile, flash memory, etc.
USEFUL TIP: You can use data recovery programs4 to get your lost data back since ransomware encrypts the copies of your files, deleting the authentic ones. In the video below, you can learn how to recover your files with PhotoRec, but be advised: you won’t be able to do it before you remove the ransomware itself with an antivirus program.
Also, you can contact the following official fraud and scam sites to report this attack:
- In the United States: On Guard Online;
- In Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre;
- In the United Kingdom: Action Fraud;
- In Australia: SCAMwatch;
- In New Zealand: Consumer Affairs Scams;
- In France: Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information;
- In Germany: Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik;
- In Ireland: An Garda Síochána;
To report the attack, you can contact local executive boards. For instance, if you live in USA, you can have a talk with FBI Local field office, IC3 or Secret Service.
I need your help to share this article.
It is your turn to help other people. I have written this article to help users like you. You can use the buttons below to share this on your favorite social media Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit.
Brendan SmithHow to Remove ZORN Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: ZORN Virus
Description: ZORN Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .ZORN extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison
- Here are Top 10 Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
