This article aims to explain what is Zorro ransomware and help remove the virus and restore encrypted files by this ransomware infection.
A ransomware infection going by the name Zorro ransomware has been detected by malware researchers to encrypt the files on the computers It infects after which drop a ransom note ,named “(Your saving grace).txt”. In the ransom note, the virus demands 1 BTC to be paid to the bitcoin address of the cyber-criminals to restore files back to being able to be opened. In case your computer has been infected by the Zorro ransomware infection, we recommend you to read the following article carefully.
Threat Summary
Name |
Zorro |
Type | Ransomware |
Short Description | The malware encrypts users files using a strong encryption algorithm, making direct decryption possible only via a unique decryption key available to the cyber-criminals. |
Symptoms | The user may witness ransom notes and “instructions” linking to a web page and a decryptor. Changed file names and the file-extension .zorro has been used. |
Distribution Method | Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner. |
Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss Zorro. |
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. |
.Zorro File Virus – How Does It Spread
For the .zorro file virus to cause an infection, the ransomware may take advantage of different software that may spam it. The main method by which ransomware viruses like the Zorro threat spread are via spammed e-mails that pretend to be something important for the user. The e-mails also contain an e-mail attachment and a deceptive message alongside them. This allows for the successful tricking of the victim to open the malicious attachment:
Thankfully, now there are online services, like ZipeZip which scan for archives to detect malware before you even open them, and users should look for this and other similar ways to check archives on-demand before opening them in order to increase protection.
Other methods in which the cyber-criminals behind the .Zorro ransomware virus may have invested to increase infection rate is to upload fake installers, fake patches and cracks on torrent websites and suspicious software sites. Once users download something online, like a game, for example and they want to “patch” it and play it for free, the patch is actually the virus and causes the infection.
Zorro Ransomware – Infection Activity
After a malicious executable by Zorro ransomware has been opened on the computer of the user, the virus begins to connect to a remote C2 server, the current location to which is currently unknown. From there, the malicious files of the Zorro virus are downloaded. They may be situated in the following Windows locations:
- %User Profile%
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %Local%
- %Roaming%
- %LocalRow%
- %System32%
After the malicious files have already been situated on the affected computer, the virus begins to perform several other modifications on it as well. One of them is to modify the Windows registry editor, more specifically the Run and RunOnce registry sub-keys. This results in the malware running on system startup.
Other activity of this virus may include the shutting down of system processes and security shields to ensure successful encryption.
Zorro Ransomware Virus – The Encryption
The encryption process of the Zorro virus is very specific. It aims to primarily target files which are widely used, such as:
- Microsoft Office files.
- Open Office documents.
- Libre Office files.
- Audio files.
- Image files.
- Files related to programs that are often used.
After the encryption process has completed, the Zorro ransomware infection begins to cause damages on the files by encrypting them. This results in making the files no longer to be openable. After the encryption process has completed, the .zorro file extension has been added and the files appear like the image below:
Remove Zorro Ransomware and Restore .zorro Encrypted Files
For the removal of Zorro ransomware, we recommend following the removal instructions that are posted below. They are carefully designed to help you remove the ransomware infection properly. For maximum effectiveness malware researchers strongly recommend using an advanced anti-malware software which will take care of the removal process automatically and ensure future protection as well.
Furthermore, files encrypted by Zorro ransomware cannot be directly restored. But do not despair. Instead, you can attempt and recover them by using the alternative methods in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Zorro” below. These methods are not 100 percent effective but you may recover some of your encrypted files using them.
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 Zorro from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Zorro





Step 2: Uninstall Zorro 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 Zorro 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 Zorro 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 Zorro with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Zorro.
Ransomware infections and Zorro 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 Zorro from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Zorro 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 Zorro 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 Zorro.
Ransomware infections and Zorro 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.
Zorro FAQ
What is Zorro ransomware and how does it work?
Zorro 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 Zorro ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Zorro 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 Zorro 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 .Zorro files?
You can't. At this point the .Zorro 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 .Zorro files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Zorro 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 ".Zorro" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Zorro 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 Zorro 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 Zorro ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Zorro files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Zorro 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.