How to Terminate Zatrov Ransomware (Crypto-Malware/Ransomware)

What is Zatrov ransomware? And how does it implement its attack?

Zatrov ransomware is a new addition to the Djvu/STOP ransomware group that uses a “.zatrov” extension in marking its encrypted files. It seems that the strains of this ransomware group won’t end anytime soon as they only keep coming. Although there are many variants, they’re almost the same as they still follow the same pattern when implementing their attacks on a targeted computer.
Just like its predecessors, Zatrov ransomware will make modifications in the computer like the Registry to achieve persistence on the infected computer. It may also establish connection to a remote server controlled by the attackers. It collects data from the infected system and sends it to the remote server, where it also downloads its other components. Zatrov ransomware uses a sophisticated encryption algorithm in locking its targeted files. And as soon as it completes the data encryption process, this crypto-malware drops its ransom note named “_readme.txt” explaining to its victims what happened to their files. Here’s the content of the ransom note:
“ATTENTION!
Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, 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.
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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:
[email protected]
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
[email protected]
Our Telegram account:
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Your personal ID:
-”
How does Zatrov ransomware proliferate?
The malicious payload of Zatrov ransomware might be distributed using the most common way of spreading ransomware threats – spam emails. Crooks attached the malicious payload in spam emails where they pretend to be some well-known company or group and make some attention-grabbing subject to the emails to trick users into opening the email and downloading the attachment. So if you see any suspicious-looking emails in your inbox you have to delete it right away.
To effectively terminate Zatrov ransomware from your PC, make sure to follow the removal instructions below.
Step 1: First, you have to stop the malicious process of Zatrov ransomware by opening the Task Manager. To do that, simply tap Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard.
Step 2: Under the Task Manager, switch to the Processes tab and find any suspicious-looking process that takes up most of your CPU’s resources and is most likely related to Zatrov ransomware.

Step 3: After that, close the Task Manager.
Step 4: Tap Win + R, type in appwiz.cpl and click OK or tap Enter to open Programs and Features under Control Panel.
Step 5: Under the list of installed programs, look for Zatrov ransomware or anything similar and then uninstall it.

Step 6: Next, close Control Panel and tap Win + E keys to launch File Explorer.
Step 7: Navigate to the following locations below and look for Zatrov ransomware’s malicious components such as _readme.txt, and [random].exe and other suspicious files, then delete all of them.

%TEMP%
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\
%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop

Step 8: Close the File Explorer.
Before you proceed to the next steps below, make sure that you are tech savvy enough to the point where you know exactly how to use and navigate your computer’s Registry. Keep in mind that any changes you make will highly impact your computer. To save you the trouble and time, you can just use [product-name], this system tool is proven to be safe and excellent enough that hackers won’t be able to hack into it. But if you can manage Windows Registry well, then by all means go on to the next steps.
Step 9: Tap Win + R to open Run and then type in regedit in the field and tap enter to pull up Windows Registry.

Step 10: Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\
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

Step 11: Delete the registry keys and sub-keys created by Zatrov ransomware.
Step 12: Close the Registry Editor and empty the Recycle Bin.
Try to recover your encrypted files using the Shadow Volume copies
Restoring your encrypted files using Windows’ Previous Versions feature will only be effective if Zatrov ransomware hasn’t deleted the shadow copies of your files. But still, this is one of the best and free methods there is, so it’s definitely worth a shot.
To restore the encrypted file, right-click on it and select Properties, a new window will pop-up, then proceed to Previous Versions. It will load the file’s previous version before it was modified. After it loads, select any of the previous versions displayed on the list like the one in the illustration below. And then click the Restore button.

Complete the removal process of Zatrov ransomware by using a trusted and reliable program like [product-name]. Refer to the following guidelines on how to use it.
Perform a full system scan using [product-code]. To do so, follow these steps:

Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot it.
After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
Windows will now load the Safe Mode with Networking.
Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
Type in the URL address, [product-url] in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
Once the installation process is completed, run [product-code] to perform a full system scan.