Virus analyst Tomas Meskauskas was the person who, for the first time, described the Zozl virus, which belongs under the Phobos ransomware family. Ransomware of this type encrypts all user’s data on the PC (images, documents, excel tables, audio files, videos, etc) and appends its own extension to every file.
What is Zozl?
☝️ A strictly correct designation for the Zozl is “a Phobos family ransomware-type malicious agent”.
The renaming will be done by the following pattern: ZOZL. During the encryption, a file entitled, for instance, “report.docx” will be turned into “report.docx.id[9ECFA84E-3275].[[email protected]].ZOZL”.
The ransom note most probably contains instructions on how to purchase the decryption tool from the tamperers. You can obtain this decryptor after contacting [email protected], [email protected] through email. That is it.
Zozl abstract:
| Name | Zozl Virus |
| Ransomware family1 | Phobos ransomware |
| Extension | .ZOZL |
| Contact | [email protected], [email protected] |
| Detection | TrojanRansom.AutoIt, Virus.Virlock.03, Trojan.ShipUp |
| Symptoms | Your files (photos, videos, documents) have a .ZOZL extension and you can’t open them. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Zozl virus |
The note accompanying the Zozl malware provides the following dispiriting information:
All your files have been encrypted! All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail [email protected] Write this ID in the title of your message - In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to this e-mail:[email protected] You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the tool that will decrypt all your files. Free decryption as guarantee Before paying you can send us up to 5 files for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 4Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.) How to obtain Bitcoins The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click \'Buy bitcoins\', and select the seller by payment method and price. hxxps://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here: hxxp://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/ Attention! Do not rename encrypted files. Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss. Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
In the image below, you can see what a folder with files encrypted by the Zozl looks like. Each filename has the “.ZOZL” extension appended to it.
An example of encrypted .ZOZL files.
How did my machine catch Zozl ransomware?
There is a huge number of possible ways of ransomware injection.
Nowadays, there are three most exploited methods for evil-doers to have ransomware settled in your system. These are email spam, Trojan introduction and peer networks.
If you access your inbox and see emails that look like familiar notifications from utility services companies, delivery agencies like FedEx, web-access providers, and whatnot, but whose mailer is strange to you, be wary of opening those emails. They are most likely to have a malware file enclosed in them. Therefore, it is even more dangerous to open any attachments that come with emails like these.
Another option for ransom hunters is a Trojan virus model2. A Trojan is a program that gets into your computer disguised as something else. Imagine, you download an installer for some program you need or an update for some service. However, what is unboxed reveals itself a harmful program that compromises your data. As the update package can have any name and any icon, you’d better be sure that you can trust the source of the stuff you’re downloading. The optimal thing is to use the software companies’ official websites.
As for the peer networks like torrents or eMule, the threat is that they are even more trust-based than the rest of the Internet. You can never know what you download until you get it. So you’d better be using trustworthy resources. Also, it is a good idea to scan the folder containing the downloaded objects with the anti-malware utility as soon as the downloading is done.
How to remove the Zozl virus?
It is important to note that besides encrypting your data, the Zozl virus will probably deploy the Azorult Spyware on your computer to seize your credentials to various accounts (including cryptocurrency wallets). That spyware3 can derive your logins and passwords from your browser’s auto-filling cardfile.
Sometimes tamperers would unblock several of your files so you know that they indeed have the decryption program. Since Zozl virus is a relatively new ransomware, security software designers have not yet found a method to undo its work. Nevertheless, the decoding tools are constantly upgraded, so the effective countermeasure may soon be available.
Sure thing, if the evildoers do the job of encoding victim’s critical data, the desperate person will most likely fulfill their demands. Despite that, paying to racketeers gives no guarantee that you’re getting your data back. It is still dangerous. After obtaining the money, the racketeers may deliver a wrong decryption key to the victim. There were reports of criminals simply vanishing after getting the money without even writing back.
The optimal solution against ransomware is to have a system restore point or the copies of your essential files in the cloud drive or at least on an external disk. Surely, that might be insufficient. Your most important thing could be that file you were working on when it all started. But at least it is something. It is also wise to scan your drives with the antivirus program after the system restoration.
Zozl 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 Qqqw, Maak, Bbbw, and some others. The two basic differences between them and the Zozl are the ransom amount and the encoding method. The rest is almost identical: documents become encrypted, their extensions altered, ransom notes are found in each folder containing encrypted files.
Some lucky victims were able to decrypt the arrested files with the aid of the free software provided by anti-ransomware specialists. Sometimes the hackers accidentally send the decoding key to the victims in the ransom note. Such an epic fail allows the injured part to restore the files. But obviously, one should never rely on such a chance. Remember, ransomware is a tamperers’ tool to lay their hands on the money of their victims.
How do I avoid ransomware attack?
Zozl ransomware doesn’t have a superpower, so as any similar malware.
You can armour your computer from its infiltration within several easy steps:
- Never open any letters from unknown senders with unknown addresses, or with content that has likely no connection to something you are expecting (can you win in a lottery without participating in it?). In case the email subject is more or less something you are waiting for, scrutinize all elements of the questionable letter carefully. A fake letter will surely have a mistake.
- Do not use cracked or untrusted software. Trojans are often distributed as a part of cracked products, most likely under the guise of “patch” preventing the license check. Understandably, untrusted programs are difficult to distinguish from trustworthy ones, because trojans sometimes have the functionality you seek. You can try searching for information on this software product on the anti-malware forums, but the optimal way is not to use such software.
- And finally, to be sure about the safety of the files you downloaded, scan them with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This program will be a powerful defense for your personal computer.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft4
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent ransomware than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft5.
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 system.
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 Zozl 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
🤔 Can I somehow access “.ZOZL” files?
Negative. That is why ransomware is so frustrating. Until you decode the “.ZOZL” files you will not be able to access them.
🤔 I really need to decrypt those “.ZOZL” files ASAP. How can I do that?
If the “.ZOZL” files contain some really important information, then you probably have them backed up. Otherwise, you might try to employ System Restore. The only question is whether you have saved any Restore Points that would be helpful now. The rest of the methods require patience.
🤔 You have advised using GridinSoft Anti-Malware to get rid of the Zozl virus. Does it mean that all my files, currently encrypted, will be removed too?
No way! Your encrypted files are no threat to your PC.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware only deals with active threats. The malware that has infected your device is most likely still active and launching checks every so often to arrest any new files you might create on your PC after the attack. As it has already been said, the Zozl malware comes with the company. It installs backdoors and keyloggers that can steal your account credentials and provide hackers with easy access to your PC in the future.
🤔 What actions should I take if the Zozl ransomware has blocked my PC and I can’t get the activation code.
In such an unfortunate situation, you need to prepare a memory stick with a pre-installed Trojan Killer. Use Safe Mode to do the cleaning. The point is that the ransomware runs automatically as the system boots and encodes any new files created or brought into your machine. To stop this function – use Safe Mode, which allows only the vital applications to run upon system start. Consider reading our manual on booting Windows in Safe Mode.
🤔 What can I do right now?
Many of the encoded files might still be within your reach
- If you sent or received your important files via email, you could still download them from your online mail server.
- You might have shared images or videos with your friends or family members. Just ask them to post those images back to you.
- If you have initially downloaded any of your files from the Internet, you can try downloading them again.
- Your messengers, social media pages, and cloud drives might have all those files as well.
- Maybe you still have the needed files on your old PC, a notebook, cellphone, external storage, etc.
HINT: You can use data recovery utilities6 to get your lost data back since ransomware encrypts the copies of your files, deleting the authentic ones. In the video below, you can see how to use PhotoRec for such a restoration, but be advised: you can do it only after you eradicate the virus 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.
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Brendan SmithHow to Remove ZOZL Ransomware & Recover PC
Name: ZOZL Virus
Description: ZOZL Virus is a ransomware-type infections. This virus encrypts important personal files (video, photos, documents). The encrypted files can be tracked by a specific .ZOZL extension. So, you can't use them at all.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Virus
User Review
( votes)References
- My files are encrypted by ransomware, what should I do now?
- You can read more on Trojans, their use and types in the Trojan-dedicated section of GridinSoft official website.
- You can read more on spyware variants and nature in the respective 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 Best Data Recovery Software Of 2023.
