Home > Ransomware > .zzz12 Files Virus – How to Remove It and Restore Your Data
THREAT REMOVAL

.zzz12 Files Virus – How to Remove It and Restore Your Data

This article has been created with the purpose to provide explanation on how to be able to remove the .zzz12 files virus from your computer system and then show how to try and recover files, encrypted by it.

A new ransomware menace has been detected on the block and it is using the .zzz12 file extension which it gladly ads to the imortant pictures, videos, documents and other often used files after the virus attacks them. The ransomware then leaves behind a ransom note, named Notice.txt. The ransom note’s primary purpose is to get the victims of the ransomware virus to pay a hefty extortion fee to get the encrypted files to be decrypted. If your computer system has been compromised by the .zzz12 files virus, we recommend that you read this article.

Threat Summary

Name .zzz12 Files Virus
Type Ransomware, Cryptovirus
Short Description Aims to encrypt the files on your computer and then set a custom type of file extension to them plus drop a ransom note which extorts you to pay a hefty ransom fee in order to get your files to work again.
Symptoms The files are appended the .zzz12 file extension. A note, called Notice.txt is dropped.
Distribution Method Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files
Detection Tool See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware

Download

Malware Removal Tool

User Experience Join Our Forum to Discuss .zzz12 Files Virus.
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.

.zzz12 Ransomware – Update July 2018

The .zzz12 Ransomware has been detected to spread even in July, 2018. The ransom note has been revealed and it seems to be almost identical to the .Qnbqw Ransomware Virus. On top of that an AES 256-bit encryption algorithm has been used for the lock of the file data. The email used is zzz12341@protonmail.com.

The ransom note is as following:

Your files was encrypted using AES-256 algorithm. Write me to e-mail: zzz12341@protonmail.com to get your decryption key.
You have 5 days after price up.
Your USERKEY: [redacted]

The note message is contained in a file called “Notice.txt”, while the extension with which files get encrypted is the same.

.zzz12 Ransomware – How Does It Infect

The primary method of infection that Is associated with the ransoware using the .zzz12 extension is believed to be spammed e-mail messages, that may pretend to come from big companies, such as the example e-mail underneath shows.

These e-mail messages may decieve victims to visit a third-party website from which they may download the infection file (usually a dropper). The infection file itself is believed to be the type of file you would not want anywhere close to your computer. It may pretend to be a legitimate type of document, for example:

  • Invoice.
  • Receipt.
  • Order confirmation.
  • Banking statement.
  • Report of a security intrusion of your account.

The file may be an executable, a self-extracting archive and even a malicious Microsoft Office document that contains malicious macros embedded in it.

In addition to via e-mail, the malicious files of the .zzz12 files virus may also be dropped on the computers of victims as a result of opening a malicious executable that is uploaded online. These types of malicious executables are likely available on websites posing as:

  • Cracks or patches.
  • Key generators.
  • License activators.
  • Portable programs.

.zzz12 Files Virus – Activity Report

The .zzz12 files virus is the type of ransomware, whose main purpose is to encrypt the files on the computers, infected by it, after which hold them hostage for a ransom. To reach it’s end goal, the .zzz12 ransomware drops it’s malicious file with it’s possible location in one of the following Windows directories:

  • %SystemDrive%
  • %AppData%
  • %Local%
  • %LocalLow%
  • %Roaming%
  • %Temp%
  • %Windows%

After the ransomware has already infected the computer it drops it’s ransom note, called Notice.txt which has the following contents:

Your files was encrypted using AES-256 algorithm. Write me to e-mail: zzz12341@protonmail.com to get your decryption key. You have 5 days after price up. .
Your USERKEY:

The .zzz12 ransomware may also delete the volume shadow copies of the infected computer by running Windows Command Prompt as an administrator in a script-based attack, which may execute the following commands:

→ process call create “cmd.exe /c vssadmin.exe delete shadows /all /quiet & bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled no & bcdedit.exe /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures”

.zzz12 Ransomware – Encryption Process

The encryption process of this ransomware infection starts with scanning your computer for the following file types:

  • Documents.
  • Audio files.
  • Videos.
  • Images.
  • Archives.
  • Databases.

After the encryption, the files can no longer be opened and the ransomware appends the .zzz12 file extension to them, making them start to look like the image below shows:

The virus is very careful to skip encrypting important files on the victim’s computer, which may cause the operating system to malfunction.

Remove .zzz12 Files Virus from Your Computer and Restore Encrypted Files

In order to make sure that this ransomware infection is successfully gone from your computer, it is strongly reccomended to follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They have been made with the clear purpose to help you delete the virus files either manually or automatically. If manual removal of ransomware is not something you are used to doing, it Is reccomended to focus on performing an automatic removal, preferrably by downloading and installing an advanced anti-malware software, as experts recommend. Such program will automatically look for all of the malicious files on your computer and erase them plus make sure that your PC stays protected against any intrusions that may occur to it in the future as well.

If you want to restore files, encrypted by this ransomware virus on your computer we advise you to try and use the file recovery instructions underneath in step “2. Restore files, encrypted by .zzz12 Files Virus”. They have been created with the main purpose to help you to restore as many encrypted files as possible without the need to pay ransom.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
Twitter


  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Step 3
  • Step 4
  • Step 5

Step 1: Scan for .zzz12 Files Virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.


It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.


2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

scan for and delete ransomware virus step 2


3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

scan for and delete ransomware virus step 3


4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

scan for and delete ransomware virus step 4

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Ransomware Automatic Removal - Video Guide

Step 2: Uninstall .zzz12 Files Virus and related malware 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:


1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.
delete ransomware from windows step 1


2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.
delete ransomware from windows step 2


3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"
delete ransomware from windows step 3Follow the instructions above and you will successfully delete most unwanted and malicious programs.


Step 3: Clean any registries, created by .zzz12 Files Virus 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 .zzz12 Files Virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
delete ransomware virus registries step 1


2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
delete ransomware virus registries step 2


3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
delete ransomware virus registries step 3 Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
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: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove .zzz12 Files Virus

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows Key + R.
remove ransomware in safe mode step 1


2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.
remove ransomware in safe mode step 2


3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".
remove ransomware in safe mode step 3
Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.


4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.
remove ransomware in safe mode step 4


5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
remove ransomware in safe mode step 5


Step 5: Try to Restore Files Encrypted by .zzz12 Files Virus.

Method 1: Use STOP Decrypter by Emsisoft.

Not all variants of this ransomware can be decrypted for free, but we have added the decryptor used by researchers that is often updated with the variants which become eventually decrypted. You can try and decrypt your files using the instructions below, but if they do not work, then unfortunately your variant of the ransomware virus is not decryptable.

Follow the instructions below to use the Emsisoft decrypter and decrypt your files for free. You can download the Emsisoft decryption tool linked here and then follow the steps provided below:

1 Right-click on the decrypter and click on Run as Administrator as shown below:

stop ransomware decryptor step 1

2. Agree with the license terms:

stop ransomware decryptor step 2

3. Click on "Add Folder" and then add the folders where you want files decrypted as shown underneath:

stop ransomware decryptor step 3

4. Click on "Decrypt" and wait for your files to be decoded.

stop ransomware decryptor step 4

Note: Credit for the decryptor goes to Emsisoft researchers who have made the breakthrough with this virus.

Method 2: Use data recovery software

Ransomware infections and .zzz12 Files Virus 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.

1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:

Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.


.zzz12 Files Virus-FAQ

What is .zzz12 Files Virus Ransomware?

.zzz12 Files Virus 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 algorithms 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.

What Does .zzz12 Files Virus Ransomware Do?

Ransomware in general is a malicious software that is designed to block access to your computer or files until a ransom is paid.

Ransomware viruses can also damage your system, corrupt data and delete files, resulting in the permanent loss of important files.

How Does .zzz12 Files Virus Infect?

Via several ways..zzz12 Files Virus Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing emails, 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.

Another way you may become a victim of .zzz12 Files Virus 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 ..zzz12 Files Virus files?

You can't without a decryptor. At this point, the ..zzz12 Files Virus files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted using a specific decryption key for the particular algorithm.

What to Do If a Decryptor Does Not Work?

Do not panic, and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your ..zzz12 Files Virus files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.

Can I Restore "..zzz12 Files Virus" Files?

Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore ..zzz12 Files Virus files. 

These methods are in no way 100% guaranteed that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.

How To Get Rid of .zzz12 Files Virus Virus?

The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti-malware program.

It will scan for and locate .zzz12 Files Virus ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important ..zzz12 Files Virus files.

Can I 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.

Can You Stop Ransomware from Encrypting Your Files?

Yes, you can prevent ransomware. The best way to do this is to ensure your computer system is updated with the latest security patches, use a reputable anti-malware program and firewall, backup your important files frequently, and avoid clicking on malicious links or downloading unknown files.

Can .zzz12 Files Virus Ransomware Steal Your Data?

Yes, in most cases ransomware will steal your information. It is a form of malware that steals data from a user's computer, encrypts it, and then demands a ransom in order to decrypt it.

In many cases, the malware authors or attackers will threaten to delete the data or publish it online unless the ransom is paid.

Can Ransomware Infect WiFi?

Yes, ransomware can infect WiFi networks, as malicious actors can use it to gain control of the network, steal confidential data, and lock out users. If a ransomware attack is successful, it could lead to a loss of service and/or data, and in some cases, financial losses.

Should I Pay Ransomware?

No, you should not pay ransomware extortionists. Paying them only encourages criminals and does not guarantee that the files or data will be restored. The better approach is to have a secure backup of important data and be vigilant about security in the first place.

What Happens If I Don't Pay Ransom?

If you don't pay the ransom, the hackers may still have access to your computer, data, or files and may continue to threaten to expose or delete them, or even use them to commit cybercrimes. In some cases, they may even continue to demand additional ransom payments.

Can a Ransomware Attack Be Detected?

Yes, ransomware can be detected. Anti-malware software and other advanced security tools can detect ransomware and alert the user when it is present on a machine.

It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and to keep security software updated to ensure ransomware can be detected and prevented.

Do Ransomware Criminals Get Caught?

Yes, ransomware criminals do get caught. Law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, Interpol and others have been successful in tracking down and prosecuting ransomware criminals in the US and other countries. As ransomware threats continue to increase, so does the enforcement activity.

About the .zzz12 Files Virus Research

The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this .zzz12 Files Virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.


How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?

Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.

Furthermore, the research behind the .zzz12 Files Virus ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.

To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.


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.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
I Agree