Ransomware keeps gaining popularity and with it, the copycat variants also increase. One of those variants Is called Zeta. It creates several malicious files after which it encrypts the data on the compromised computer appending a custom extension ending in zeta@dr.com.scl. It uses a ransom note provided by Cryptowall. All users who have been affected by Zeta are strictly advised to read this article and learn how to remove this ransomware from the infected system and restore their files.
Name | Zeta |
Type | Ransomware |
Short Description | Encrypts the affected user’s files appending a custom id and Zeta@dr.com.scl as an extension. |
Symptoms | The user may witness a ransom message asking to pay in Bitcoins to the cyber criminals for file decryption. |
Distribution Method | Via malicious URLs, attachments. Spammed in social media, possible connection to a fake Adobe Flash Player update. |
Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
User Experience | Join our forum to discuss Zeta. |
Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
The Distribution of Zeta Ransomware
To spread and infect users, this ransomware may use a variety of techniques. The most commonly utilized technique which may be used by Zeta crypto-malware is to arrive on your system via a malicious link or an obfuscated attachment featured in an email message. The message may resemble an important service, for example:
- “Please Update Flash Player.”
- “Your Amazon Receipt.”
- “Your PayPal Transaction Confirmation.”
- “The Documents You Requested.”
- “Email Confirmation.”
- “Read This Before Purchasing.”
Often users tend to be misled by such e-mails believing that they are legitimate, and this is how they may be redirected to a malicious URL carrying an Exploit Kit or open an obfuscated program which is the ransomware’s payload.
Another method reported by researchers is via malicious URLs posted in social media, such as Facebook that redirect to third-party websites. Such sites may pretend to have content like a video that you can watch but may display a pop-up stating your plugin is outdated. Such pop-ups may prompt you to download and install a malicious .exe on your system, believing it is the update.
Zeta Ransomware In Detail
As soon as you open it, Zeta creates the following file on your computer:
In %user’s profile% – AdobeFlashPlayer_{random letters and numbers}.exe”
In addition to that, the malware creates values in the following Windows Registry entries to run the malicious “AdobeFlashPlayer” as soon as you start Windows:
- HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\
- HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\
- HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\
- HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\
After this it starts scanning for some of the following file extensions to encrypt them. The encrypted files contain a custom ID for the affected user after which the Zeta@dr.com.scl extension is appended. Here is an example of how an encrypted document by Zeta Ransomware may look like:
- New Text Document.txt.id_{Random alpha-numerical identification}Zeta@dr.com.scl
After encrypting the data, the ransomware creates two more files:
- HELP_YOUR_FILES.html
- HELP_YOUR_FILES.txt
These files both display an almost identical to Cryptowall 3.0’s ransom message:
→ “What happened to your files?
All of your files were protected by a strong encryption with RSA-2048.
More information about the encryption keys using RSA-2048 can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSA_(cryptosystem)
What does this mean?
This means that the structure and data within your files have been irrevocably changed, you will not be able to work with them, read them or see them, it is the same thing as losing them forever, but with our help, you can restore them.
How did this happen?
!!!SPECIALLY for your PC was generated personal RSA-2048 KEY, both public and private.
!!!ALL YOUR FILES were encrypted with the public key, which has been transferred to your computer via the Internet.
Decrypting of your files is only possible with the help of the private key and decrypt program, which is on our secret server.
What do I do?
So, there are two ways you can choose: wait for a miracle and get your price double or start obtaining BITCOIN NOW!, and restore your data easy way. If You have really valuable data you better not waste your time because there is no other way to get your files, except make a payment.
For more specific instructions:
Contact us by email only, send us an email along with your ID number and wait for further instructions. Our specialist will contact you withing 12 house. For you to be sure, that we can decrypt your files – you can send us a single encrypted file and we will send you back it in a decrypted form. This will be your guarantee.
EMAIL1:zeta@dr.com
EMAIL2:zeta@oath.com
YOUR_ID:{user’s custom identification number}”
Judging by how similar it is to Cryptowall, this is most likely a custom-made ransomware and eventually it may have many other variants. Example for such ransomware are the “@” variants (with Helpme@freespeechmail.com and av666@weekendwarrior55.com ransomware being the most popular).
Remove Zeta@dr.com.scl Ransomware and Restore the Encrypted Data
For the removal of Zeta Ransomware, it is strongly advisable to take immediate measures. One way to erase it permanently without damaging the system or the files is via following the step-by-step instructions published below.
Unfortunately removing this ransomware will not result in file restoration. If you want to recover your files, we advise trying the methods outlined in step number “4. Restore files encrypted by Zeta”. There are some alternative tools which may not be 100 percent successful but may at least recover some of your data.
Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
How to Remove Zeta from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Zeta





Step 2: Uninstall Zeta and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Zeta on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Zeta there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Scan for Zeta with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Zeta.
Ransomware infections and Zeta aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Get rid of Zeta from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Zeta and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Zeta via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Zeta.
Ransomware infections and Zeta aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Zeta FAQ
What is Zeta ransomware and how does it work?
Zeta is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithm how to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
How does Zeta ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Zeta Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, containing virus attachment.
This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of Zeta is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to open .Zeta files?
You can't. At this point the .Zeta files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Zeta files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Zeta ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".Zeta" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Zeta files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of Zeta ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Zeta ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Zeta files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Zeta ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer. Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
- Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
- United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
- United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
- Italy - Polizia Di Stato
- Spain - Policía Nacional
- Netherlands - Politie
- Poland - Policja
- Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
- Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
- India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
- Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.