How to remove Zfdv ransomware, Decrypt .zfdv files.

What is Zfdv virus?

Zfdv virus is a new ransomware that belongs to the ransomware family called STOP (Djvu). Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts the victim’s files and demands a ransom for decrypting them. The Zfdv virus encrypts files, renames them by appending the .zfdv extension, and creates files named “_readme.txt” containing the ransom demand message. For example, a file named “image.jpg” will be renamed to “image.jpg.zfdv”, a “document.docx” file to “document.docx.zfdv”, “invoice.pdf” to “invoice.pdf.zfdv”, and so on.

QUICK LINKS

• What is Zfdv virus?
• Remove Zfdv virus (ransomware)
• Decrypt .zfdv files
• Restore .zfdv files
• Video Guide

Zfdv ransomware is a malware that is created to encrypt files located on the victim’s computer, and then extort money to decrypt them. Zfdv virus sneaks into the system without any visible symptoms, which is why users notice that their computer is infected too late, when the files are already encrypted.

Ransomware can infect a user’s computer through many paths, including programs downloaded from torrent web-sites, hacked software, Windows/Office activators, key generators and other similar software. Upon execution, the virus creates a directory in the Windows system directory, copies itself to this directory, changes some OS settings, and also collects information about the infected computer. After that, Zfdv virus tries to connect to its command server. If this succeeds, the virus sends data on the infected computer to the server, and from it receives a key (so-called ‘online key’) necessary for file encryption. If the connection to the command server has not been established, then the virus uses a fixed key (so-called ‘offline key’).

The online key and the offline key have a significant difference, which is that the online key is in the hands of criminals and cannot be hacked (obtained) in any way. The offline key is fixed and security researchers have a way to get it in some cases. This gives hope that the ransomware victims will be able to decrypt files without paying ransom.

.syncdb, .ppt, .asset, .psd, .map, .vtf, .wsc, .yml, .accdb, .wsd, .jpg, .wbc, .xpm, .m2, .p7c, .wma, .wpb, .ods, .tax, .sidd, .xls, .wmo, .bkp, .xll, .xlsx, .itdb, .zif, .wdp, .m3u, .psk, .indd, .xls, .fos, .forge, .bsa, .odp, .odm, wallet, .jpeg, .dwg, .zi, .ybk, .css, .xlsm, .der, .mdbackup, .mef, .mcmeta, .bc6, .mlx, .mddata, .sid, .wbmp, .litemod, .upk, .wbm, .dba, .pkpass, .hplg, .lbf, .crw, .mpqge, .xmind, .xyp, .ltx, .bkf, .big, .7z, .rw2, .desc, .ff, .ptx, .jpe, .yal, .rtf, .wps, .esm, .eps, .xbplate, .wn, .t13, .wmv, .lrf, .itm, .rb, .hvpl, .wot, .xmmap, .bc7, .fpk, .xlsb, .rgss3a, .vfs0, .wps, .xar, .orf, .wdb, .hkx, .rwl, .mp4, .mrwref, .pptx, .wpt, .py, .flv, .y, .xdb, .sb, .xlk, .wav, .wbd, .bik, .wmv, .m4a, .xdl, .qdf, .svg, .docm, .wire, .wp7, .wp6, .zdb, .pptm, .dbf, .srw, .epk, .mdf, .wmf, .avi, .x3f, .wb2, .arch00, .odb, .ncf, .menu, .3dm, .2bp, .icxs, .csv, .raw, .pdf, .iwi, .fsh, .ntl, .wbz, .cdr, .pem, .1st, .txt, .xf, .wma, .ws, .pak, .z3d, .wpl, .d3dbsp, .zw, .wpe, .wpd, .dmp, .odt, .xlsx, .raf, .mov, .nrw, .sum, .webp, .3fr, .arw, .dng, .p7b, .re4, .slm, .dcr, .sql, .t12, .x3d, .wbk, .vpk, .0, .zdc, .pfx, .zip, .xyw, .x, .das, .png, .sis, .xlsm, .bay, .z, .zabw, .wgz, .xld, .wp4, .p12, .sr2

As we said, ‘Zfdv file’ is an encrypted file. To decrypt it, you must use the key and the decryptor. This is reported by the authors of Zfdv virus, in a message that they leave on the infected computer. This message is in a file called ‘_readme.txt’. The criminals place such a file in every directory where there is at least one encrypted file. An example of the contents of this file is given below.

The contents of this file are a ransom demand message. Criminals report that all files on the computer are encrypted, and only the key and decryptor can decrypt these files and restore access to their contents. Attackers demand a ransom of $980 in exchange for a key and a decryptor. If the victim is ready to pay the ransom quickly, within 72 hours, the size of the ransom is halved to $490. The authors of the virus offer to decrypt one Zfdv file for free and thus prove the possibility that the files can be decrypted.

Text presented in the ransom note:

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-anHzdHdUMF
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
admin@helpdata.top

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
supportsys@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:

Threat Summary

Name	Zfdv ransomware, Zfdv file virus
Type	Ransomware, Crypto malware, Filecoder, File locker, Crypto virus
File extension	.zfdv
Ransom note	_readme.txt
Contact	admin@helpdata.top, supportsys@airmail.cc
Ransom amount	$980 or $490 in Bitcoins
Detection Names	Trojan/Win.MalPE, Win32:Malware-gen, W32.AIDetect.malware1, Trojan.DownLoader44, A Variant Of Win32/Kryptik.HPRI, Win32.Trojan.PSE, HEUR:Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Stop.gen, Trojan.Malware, BehavesLike.Win32.MultiPlug.bc, Ransom.Stop.P5, Trojan.Win32.Save.a
Symptoms	Your documents, photos and music fail to open. Your personal files now have a different extension. Files called such as ”, ‘#_README_#’, ‘_DECRYPT_’ or ‘recover’ in each folder with at least one encrypted file.. Your desktop is locked with a message about How to pay to unlock your system.
Distribution methods	Phishing email scam that attempts to scare users into acting impulsively. Drive-by downloads (ransomware virus is able to infect the computer simply by visiting a web page that is running harmful code). Social media, such as web-based instant messaging programs. Malvertising campaigns.
Removal	Zfdv ransomware removal guide
Decryption	Zfdv File Decrypt Tool
Recovery	Zfdv File Recovery steps

 

Security researchers confirm that files with .zfdv extension are encrypted and to decrypt them you need to use a key and special software – decryptor. Fortunately there is a Zfdv File Decypt Tool which was created by Emsisoft and named Stop (djvu) decryptor. This tool allows everyone to decrypt .zfdv files completely free. Unfortunately, this decryptor is limited in that it can only decrypt files encrypted with an offline key, files encrypted with an online key cannot yet be decrypted. The reason for this is that only the Zfdv ransomware creators have the online key and this key cannot be determined or cracked. In addition to using the Zfdv File Decypt Tool from Emsisoft, there are several other ways to restore the content of encrypted files.

The instructions below detail how to remove Zfdv ransomware virus, decrypt .zfdv files, and also how to recover encrypted files if the free Zfdv File Decypt Tool could not decrypt them. Read the entire manual carefully. To make it easier for you to follow the instructions, we recommend that you print it or open it on your smartphone.

How to remove Zfdv ransomware virus

Before you start decrypting or recovering .zfdv files, you need to remove Zfdv ransomware and its autostart entries. This must be done since otherwise the ransomware may re-encrypt the restored files. You can stop the ransomware from working, as it is not difficult to do. Another option is to perform a full system scan using free malware removal tools capable of detecting and removing ransomware infection.

It is very important to scan the computer for malware, as security researchers found that spyware could be installed on the infected computer along with the Zfdv ransomware. Spyware is a very dangerous security threat as it is designed to steal the user’s personal information such as passwords, logins, contact details, etc. If you have any difficulty removing the Zfdv virus, then let us know in the comments, we will try to help you.

To remove Zfdv ransomware, follow the steps below:

1. Kill Zfdv virus
2. Disable Zfdv Start-Up
3. Delete Zfdv Task
4. Remove Zfdv virus File

Kill Zfdv ransomware

Press CTRL, ALT, DEL keys together.

Click Task Manager. Select the “Processes” tab, look for something suspicious that is the Zfdv ransomware then right-click it and select “End Task” or “End Process” option. If your Task Manager does not open or the Windows reports “Task manager has been disabled by your administrator”, then follow the guide: How to Fix Task manager has been disabled by your administrator.

It is not difficult to detect a process related to the Zfdv ransomware. When looking for a malicious process, pay attention to the process icon and its name. Most often, this ransomware has a process name in the following format: 4-characters.tmp.exe or 4-characters.exe. For example: 7533.tmp.exe, A4b1.exe, CD15.tmp.exe, 19b2.exe. The process name can also contain “(32 bit)”. If you do not find a process with a similar name in the list of processes, then most likely the Zfdv ransomware has finished working. But keep in mind, if you do not remove the ransomware autostart entries, as demonstrated below, and do not delete its file, then after a while it may start again, and if it finds unencrypted files, immediately encrypt them.

Disable Zfdv ransomware Start-Up

Select the “Start-Up” tab, look for something similar to the one shown in the example below, right click to it and select Disable.

Close Task Manager.

Delete Zfdv ransomware Task

Type “Task Scheduler” in the search bar. Click Task Scheduler app in the search results. Click “Task Scheduler Library” in the left panel. On the right panel, right-click to “Time Trigger Task” and select Delete.

Close Task Scheduler.

Delete Zfdv virus File

Run Task Manager and select the “Start-Up” tab. Right click to the Zfdv ransomware Start-Up entry and select Open File Location as shown below.

A directory containing one file will open in front of you, this file is the Zfdv ransomware. It needs to be removed. If you try to delete it immediately, then you will not succeed, since this file is protected from deletion.

To delete this file, you need to do the following. Right-click on the file, select Properties. In the window that opens, select Security tab. Next, click the Advanced button below. A window will open as shown in the following example.

Click Disable inheritance. In the Block inheritance dialog box that opens, select the first item (Convert inherited permissions…) as shown below.

In the Permission entries list, select “Deny Everyone”, click Remove button and then OK. Close the file properties window. You should now be able to remove the Zfdv ransomware File. Right-click on the file and select Delete.

Scan computer for malware

We recommend using MalwareBytes which will completely remove the ransomware from your computer. This tool is an advanced malicious software removal program created by (c) Malwarebytes lab. It uses the world’s most popular antimalware technology. MalwareBytes Antimalware is able to help you remove ransomware, PUPs, trojans, worms, adware, toolbars, and other security threats from your computer for free.

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.

When the download is complete, close all software and windows on your personal computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named MBSetup such as the one below.

When the install begins, you will see the Setup wizard that will help you install Malwarebytes on your computer.

Once installation is done, you will see window such as the one below.

Now press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the Zfdv ransomware and other security threats. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes program is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as threat.

When the scan get completed, it will display the Scan Results. When you’re ready, press “Quarantine” button.

Malwarebytes will now move the selected security threats to the Quarantine. After the process is complete, you may be prompted to restart your computer.

In order to be 100% sure that the computer no longer has the Zfdv ransomware, we recommend using the Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT). Kaspersky virus removal tool is free and easy to use. It can detect and remove ransomware viruses, spyware, PUPs, worms, trojans, adware and other malware. KVRT is powerful enough to find and delete malicious registry entries and files that are hidden on the computer.

Download Kaspersky virus removal tool (KVRT) on your Microsoft Windows Desktop from the link below.

After the downloading process is finished, double-click on the Kaspersky virus removal tool icon. Once initialization procedure is done, you will see the KVRT screen as displayed in the figure below.

Click Change Parameters and set a check near all your drives. Press OK to close the Parameters window. Next click Start scan button to look for Zfdv virus and other known infections. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient. While the Kaspersky virus removal tool tool is checking, you may see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malware.

Once KVRT completes the scan, Kaspersky virus removal tool will open you the results as shown on the image below.

When you are ready, press on Continue to start a cleaning procedure.

How to decrypt .zfdv files

All files with .zfdv extension are encrypted and the only way to access their contents is to decrypt them. To decrypt .zfdv files, you need to use a unique key and the Zfdv File Decypt Tool. As we said above, Emsisoft company was able to create a decryptor and found a way in some cases to determine the key that was used to encrypt the files. This allows victims of the virus to decrypt .zfdv files for free.

To decrypt .zfdv files, use free Zfdv File Decypt Tool

• Download Zfdv File Decypt Tool from the following link.
  STOP Djvu decryptor
• Scroll down to ‘New Djvu ransomware’ section.
• Click the download link and save the decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe file to your desktop.
• Run decrypt_STOPDjvu.exe, read the license terms and instructions.
• On the ‘Decryptor’ tab, using the ‘Add a folder’ button, add the directory or disk where the encrypted files are located.
• Click the ‘Decrypt’ button.

Zfdv File Decypt Tool is a free software that can decrypt files that were encrypted with an offline key, as Emsisoft found a way to determine this key. Unfortunately, files encrypted with an online key cannot yet be decrypted. The online key is unique to each infected computer, and at the moment there is no way to find this key. Of course, criminals have this key, but we do not think that paying a ransom is a way to decrypt .zfdv files. In the case when the files are encrypted with an online key, there is a chance to restore the encrypted files using alternative methods, which are described below.

How to find out which key was used to encrypt files

Below we will demonstrate how to find out the type of key with which files were encrypted. This is very important, since knowing the type of key you can understand if you can decrypt .zfdv files for free using the Zfdv File Decypt Tool. We recommend using the second method, as it is more accurate.

Find out the type of key using ‘_readme.txt’ file

• Open the ransom demand message (‘_readme.txt’ file).
• Scroll down to the end of the file.
• There you will see a line with the text ‘Your personal ID’.
• Below is a line of characters that starts with ‘0489’ – this is your personal id.

Find out the type of key using ‘PersonalID.txt’ file

• Open disk C.
• Open directory ‘SystemID’.
• Open file named ‘PersonalID.txt’. This file lists ‘Personal ID’s that match the keys that the virus used to encrypt files.

The ‘Personal ID’ is not a key, it is an identifier related to a key that was used to encrypt files. If the ID ends with ‘t1’, then the files are encrypted with an offline key. If the ID does not end with ‘t1’, Zfdv ransomware virus used an online key. If you could not figure out how to determine which key was used to encrypt files, then we can help. Just write a request here or in the comments below.

Zfdv File Decrypt Tool : “No key for New Variant online ID”

If, when you try to decrypt .zfdv files, Zfdv File Decrypt Tool reports:

No key for New Variant online ID: *
Notice: this ID appears to be an online ID, decryption is impossible

It means that your files are encrypted with an ‘online key’ and their decryption is impossible, since only the zfdv authors have the key necessary for decryption. In this case, you need to use alternative methods listed below to restore the contents of encrypted files.

Zfdv File Decrypt Tool : “No key for New Variant offline ID”

If, during decryption of .zfdv files, Zfdv File Decrypt Tool reports:

No key for New Variant offline ID: *t1
Notice: this ID appears be an offline ID, decryption MAY be possible in the future.

It means the following: your files are encrypted with an ‘offline key’, but the key itself has not yet been obtained by security researchers, in this case, you need to be patient and wait a while, in addition, you can also use alternative ways for recovering encrypted data.

If for some reason you were unable to decrypt the encrypted files, then We recommend to follow the news on our Facebook or YouTube channels. So you ‘ll know right away that it ‘s possible to decrypt .zfdv files.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to remove Zfdv virus, Decrypt/Recover .zfdv files.

How to restore .zfdv files

If your files are encrypted with .zfdv extension, then there is a chance that you can recover the files without decryption. We recommend using PhotoRec and ShadowExplorer that are designed to find and recover lost and deleted data. Mostly such programs are paid, but these tools can restore your files for free. Each of these tools has helped many times to recover files after ransomware infection in what would seem to be the most hopeless cases. We want to remind you that before you try to recover files, you need to check your computer for ransomware using free malware removal tools. It is very important to find the Zfdv virus and completely remove it.

Recover .zfdv files using Shadow Explorer

Modern versions of the Windows OS have one very useful feature. The Windows automatically makes copies of the files you use. These copies are called ‘Shadow Volume Copies’ and are not directly visible to the user. ShadowExplorer will allow you to get easy access to these files, and thus restore the original state of encrypted files. Of course, not everything is so simple, unfortunately very often ransomware deletes these copies, thus preventing the simple recovery of encrypted files. But in some cases, copies of the files remain and allow for quick file recovery. Therefore, our opinion, you need to try this method.

Installing the ShadowExplorer is simple. First you’ll need to download ShadowExplorer on your Windows Desktop by clicking on the link below.

When downloading is done, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to ShadowExplorer-0.9-portable and select Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the ShadowExplorerPortable folder as shown on the image below.

Run the ShadowExplorer tool and then choose the disk (1) and the date (2) that you wish to restore the shadow copy of file(s) encrypted by the Zfdv crypto malware as shown in the following example.

Now navigate to the file or folder that you want to recover. When ready right-click on it and click ‘Export’ button like below.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to recover encrypted files using Shadow Explorer.

Restore .zfdv files using PhotoRec

There is another very good way to recover .zfdv files – use a tool that finds and restores deleted files. We recommend using PhotoRec. This is one of the few programs that allows you to do this for free. The reason that allows you to recover encrypted files using this method is simple – when you or any program, including the ransomware, deletes a file, this file is not deleted, the Windows OS marks it as deleted and hides it. PhotoRec finds such deleted files and restores them. Thus, at the output, you get files in an unencrypted state. The only thing I want to draw your attention to is that the less you used your computer after ransomware infection, the higher your chance of recovering encrypted files.

Download PhotoRec by clicking on the link below. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.

When downloading is done, open a directory in which you saved it. Right click to testdisk-7.0.win and choose Extract all. Follow the prompts. Next please open the testdisk-7.0 folder as displayed on the screen below.

Double click on qphotorec_win to run PhotoRec for Windows. It will display a screen similar to the one below.

Choose a drive to recover like below.

You will see a list of available partitions. Select a partition that holds encrypted personal files as displayed in the figure below.

Click File Formats button and specify file types to recover. You can to enable or disable the recovery of certain file types. When this is complete, click OK button.

Next, press Browse button to choose where restored photos, documents and music should be written, then click Search. We strongly recommend that you save the recovered files to an external drive.

Count of recovered files is updated in real time. All restored files are written in a folder that you have chosen on the previous step. You can to access the files even if the restore process is not finished.

When the recovery is done, click on Quit button. Next, open the directory where restored personal files are stored. You will see a contents as displayed on the image below.

All recovered files are written in recup_dir.1, recup_dir.2 … sub-directories. If you are searching for a specific file, then you can to sort your restored files by extension and/or date/time.

This video step-by-step guide will demonstrate How to recover encrypted files using PhotoRec.

How to protect your PC from Zfdv ransomware

Most antivirus apps already have built-in protection system against the crypto malware. Therefore, if your personal computer does not have an antivirus program, make sure you install it. As an extra protection, run the HitmanPro.Alert. All-in-all, HitmanPro.Alert is a fantastic tool to protect your personal computer from any ransomware. If ransomware is detected, then HitmanPro.Alert automatically neutralizes malware and restores the encrypted files. HitmanPro.Alert is compatible with all versions of Windows OS from Microsoft Windows XP to Windows 10.

Please go to the following link to download HitmanPro.Alert. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop or in any other place.

After the downloading process is done, open the file location. You will see an icon like below.

Double click the HitmanPro Alert desktop icon. When the tool is opened, you will be shown a window where you can choose a level of protection, as displayed on the image below.

Now press the Install button to activate the protection.

Finish words

This guide was created to help all victims of Zfdv ransomware virus. We tried to give answers to the following questions: how to remove Zfdv ransomware; how to decrypt .zfdv files; how to recover encrypted files; what is an online key and what is an offline key. We hope that the information presented in this manual has helped you.

If you have questions, then write to us, leaving a comment below. If you need more help with Zfdv related issues, go to here.