Zatrov Ransomware
Malware researchers spot new data-locking Trojans on a daily basis. Some of them are more inventive and ambitious projects, while others are just variants of already existing ransomware threats. Today we are dealing with the latter type in the face of the Zatrov Ransomware. This file-encrypting Trojan belongs to the infamous STOP Ransomware family.
Propagation and Encryption
Researchers are yet to agree on what propagation method had been employed in the spreading of the Zatrov Ransomware. Some of them speculate that the authors of the Zatrov Ransomware have likely used the well-established methods such as spam emails that contain macro-laced attachments, fraudulent application updates, and pirated fake copies of legitimate software. If the Zatrov Ransomware manages to infiltrate your computer, it will scan it to discover the locations of the files, which it will mark for encryption. Next, this ransomware threat will trigger its encryption process and start locking all the targeted files. The newly locked files will have altered names. The Zatrov Ransomware appends a '.zatrov' extension at the end of the filename. This means that a file, which was originally called 'I-want-you-to-know.txt,' will be renamed to 'I-want-you-to-know.txt.zatrov' after undergoing the encryption process of the Zatrov Ransomware.
The Ransom Note
In the next step of the attack, the Zatrov Ransomware will drop a ransom note. The ransom note's name is '_readme.txt' and states:
’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.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
https://we.tl/t-o7ClqIH7RS
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:
gorentos@bitmessage.ch
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
gorentos2@firemail.cc
Our Telegram account:
@datarestore
Mark Data Restore
Your personal ID:’
The attackers ask for $980 as a ransom fee. They also claim that if you pay up within 72 hours, you will receive a 50% discount, which means you will 'only' have to pay them $490. To prove to the user that they are in possession of a valid decryption key the attackers offer to unlock one file free of charge. The authors of the Zatrov Ransomware provide two email addresses where one can get in touch with them – 'gorentos@bitmessage.ch' and 'gorentos2@firemail.cc.' They also provide their Telegram contact details - @datarestore.
We suggest you keep your distance from shady actors like the individuals behind the Zatrov Ransomware. Do not give them your hard-earned cash as they probably will not deliver their share of the 'accord.' Instead, you should obtain an anti-malware application, which will remove the Zatrov Ransomware from your PC.
