What is Zayka Ransomware?
If your personal files were renamed, and a suspicious “.ZAYKA” extension was attached to them, the malicious Zayka Ransomware has encrypted your files. This malicious threat is very clandestine, and you are most likely to let it in yourself unknowingly. In most cases, this infection is found spread via spam emails, and so if you receive any, be very careful about the files you open or the links you click on. Note that malicious spam emails can be very convincing, and so you have to be extra vigilant. Of course, other security backdoors could be used as well, and so you have to be careful every step of the way when online. Anti-malware software can help your keep malicious threats away; however, it cannot perform miracles once malicious infections are in. Although it is strongly recommended by Anti-Spyware-101.com researchers that you install anti-malware software to have Zayka Ransomware deleted, this software, unfortunately, will not decrypt your files. In fact, at the moment, there is no way to decrypt them, and you might end up losing them altogether.
How does Zayka Ransomware work?
Zayka Ransomware comes from the same family of malware as Mole ransomware, Exte Ransomware, Revenge Ransomware, and other well-known threats. In most cases, these infections do not disclose the ransom fee that is expected from them right away. Instead, they usually require the victim to establish communication first. In the case of Zayka Ransomware, you are asked to email admin@zayka.pro, and it does not matter which version of the ransom note you are introduced to. According to our research, there are two different versions of this note, but they are both represented via a file that has the name “_HELP_INSTRUCTION.TXT”. One version of this file is very vague, and it simply states that your operating system is not protected and that you need to email admin@zayka.pro to restore protection. The second version reveals that the files were encrypted, but, again, it is suggested that that is due to security problems. Yes, the ransomware has slithered in because of a security vulnerability, but that does not mean that its creator is trying to help you patch it. On the contrary, they are trying to exploit it.
What happens if you contact the creator of Zayka Ransomware, send them an email, and then pay the ransom within 36 hours; which is what you are instructed to do? If you think that your files will be automatically decrypted, you are wrong. In fact, the chances are that your files will remain encrypted permanently; even if you pay the huge ransom. Needless to say, that is a huge issue; especially if you need your files restored. If the files that were encrypted by the threat are truly important, maybe they are backed up? More and more users are using cloud storage or they back up their files on external drives, and that, in reality, is the best way to protect your personal files against ransomware and other kinds of malicious threats. If your files are backed up, you do not need to wait for a decryptor. If you are going to wait for it – decryptors were previously created for some infections in the same family – you still should remove Zayka Ransomware in the meantime.
How to delete Zayka Ransomware
As we discussed already, it is important to employ anti-malware software, and although it is created to ensure full-time protection, it also should automatically remove Zayka Ransomware and any other threats that are active (if they are). Another option would be to delete the infection manually, which you can do using the guide below. Of course, if you proceed manually, your operating system will remain vulnerable to malware attacks, and you will still need to think about protection. If your files were not backed up, you should also find the best way to start taking care of your files. When it comes to the encrypted files, you can store them in one folder and wait for a better day. Hopefully, a free decryptor will become available. Our last advice would be to start being more cautious online. Do not open random spam emails, interact with suspicious links and installers, or get involved in scams.
Removal Instructions
- Launch RUN by tapping Win+R keys and then enter regedit.exe.
- In Registry Editor move to HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
- Right-click and Delete all values linked to the ransomware. In our case, these values were named 00FF0EBCF2F2 and BC0EBCF2F2.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce.
- Delete a value linked to the ransomware. In our case, it was named *BC0EBCF2F2
- Launch Windows Explorer by tapping Win+E keys and then enter %APPDATA% into the bar at the top.
- Right-click and Delete a malicious .exe file that should have the same name as the malicious values. In our case, it was named BC0EBCF2F2.exe.
- Perform a full system scan as soon as your Empty Recycle Bin.
100% FREE spyware scan and
tested removal of Zayka Ransomware*
0 Comments.