How to remove Ztax Ransomware and decrypt .Ztax files

What is Ztax Ransomware

Ztax Ransomware is a malicious program from the Dharma ransomware family, known for encrypting victim’s files and demanding a ransom for their decryption. Once this ransomware infiltrates a system, it appends a unique identifier, the attackers’ email address, and the file extension .Ztax to the filenames, effectively locking the user out of their data. For instance, a file named image.jpg would be altered to image.jpg.id-[unique ID].[email].Ztax. This ransomware employs sophisticated encryption algorithms, making decryption without the attacker’s involvement extremely challenging. Victims usually find ransom notes both in a pop-up window and in text files named manual.txt scattered across encrypted folders and the desktop. These notes instruct victims to contact the attackers through specified email addresses to negotiate a ransom payment, which is typically demanded in Bitcoin. The perpetrators often caution against using third-party decryption tools, emphasizing the risk of permanent data loss.

Currently, no verified free decryption tools are available for the Ztax Ransomware, given its robust encryption mechanisms. Experts strongly advise against paying the ransom, as there’s no guarantee that criminals will provide a valid decryption key or software upon receiving the payment. Instead, victims are recommended to focus on removing the ransomware from their system to prevent further encryption. For recovering encrypted files, the best solution is to restore data from a backup created prior to the infection. If backups are unavailable, victims might explore using trusted data recovery tools, although success is not assured due to the encryption’s complexity. To protect against such threats, users should regularly update their security software, maintain off-site backups, and exercise caution with email attachments and downloads.

How Ztax Ransomware infects computers

Ztax Ransomware, a member of the notorious Dharma ransomware family, primarily infiltrates computers through exploited vulnerabilities in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) services. Attackers often employ brute-force and dictionary attacks to gain unauthorized access to poorly secured systems, disabling firewalls to further facilitate the infection process. Additionally, Ztax can be distributed via common malware propagation techniques such as phishing emails with malicious attachments, drive-by downloads, and deceptive online ads. Once executed, the ransomware encrypts files on both local and network-shared drives, appending a unique identifier, the attacker’s email address, and the “.Ztax” extension to file names. To ensure persistence, Ztax replicates itself in the %LOCALAPPDATA% directory and modifies the system registry for automatic execution upon startup. Unfortunately, the decryption of affected files without paying the ransom is typically impossible, emphasizing the need for robust security practices and regular data backups.

1. Download Ztax Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .Ztax 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 Ztax Ransomware

Ztax Ransomware files:


manual.txt
{randomname}.exe


Ztax Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .Ztax files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use the following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .Ztax 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 .Ztax 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 Ztax 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 .Ztax 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 Ztax 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. Ztax 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