How to remove ZILLA Ransomware and decrypt .ZILLA files

What is ZILLA Ransomware

ZILLA Ransomware belongs to the notorious Dharma family of ransomware, a breed known for its significant impact and high rate of infection. Upon infiltrating a system, ZILLA Ransomware encrypts files and changes their names by appending the victim’s ID, a contact email address (filezilla@cock.li), and the .ZILLA extension. For instance, a file named example.png would be renamed to example.png.id-[victim-ID].[filezilla@cock.li].ZILLA. This ransomware employs advanced encryption algorithms, making it virtually impossible to decrypt files without the correct decryption key, which is kept securely by the attackers. It modifies system settings to ensure persistence and can even disable firewalls and delete Volume Shadow Copies to prevent restoration of files through conventional means. Victims of ZILLA Ransomware are greeted with a ransom note both as a pop-up window and as a text file titled ZILLA-INFO.txt.

The note contains instructions to contact the attackers and a warning against renaming encrypted files or using third-party decryption tools, which it claims could lead to permanent data loss. Unfortunately, there are no free decryption tools available for ZILLA at the time. The encryption methodologies used are highly secure, and only the original developers of this ransomware possess the necessary keys for file decryption. Victims are left with limited options: either paying the ransom (with no guaranteed outcome) or resorting to data backups to restore their files. For those without backups, professional data recovery tools like Recuva may offer a glimmer of hope, although success is not guaranteed.

How ZILLA Ransomware infects computers

ZILLA Ransomware typically infiltrates computers through various deceptive methods employed by cybercriminals. Commonly, it is distributed via phishing emails containing malicious attachments or links that, when opened, install the ransomware onto the victim’s system. Additionally, cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software or operating systems, and leverage compromised websites or malicious advertisements to spread the infection. Peer-to-peer networks, torrent sites, and unauthorized software downloaders are also frequent channels for distributing ZILLA Ransomware. Once the malware gains access, it encrypts files, appends a unique extension to them, and demands a ransom for their decryption, leaving victims with limited recovery options unless they have reliable backups or decryption tools.

1. Download ZILLA Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .ZILLA files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like ZILLA Ransomware

ZILLA Ransomware files:


ZILLA-INFO.txt
{randomname}.exe


ZILLA Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .ZILLA files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .ZILLA files. Download it here:

Download RakhniDecryptor

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .ZILLA files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with ZILLA Ransomware and removed from your computer, you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually, you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .ZILLA files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select the type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose the location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose a particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there are no items in the list, choose an alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it, and you will see a screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose an alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the Dropbox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like ZILLA Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

Download ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. ZILLA Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.

Download MailWasher Pro