Home Malware Programs Ransomware Zerolocker Ransomware

Zerolocker Ransomware

Posted: August 8, 2014

Threat Metric

Threat Level: 10/10
Infected PCs: 19
First Seen: August 8, 2014
Last Seen: June 1, 2021
OS(es) Affected: Windows


Zerolocker Ransomware Screenshot 1The Zerolocker Ransomware is a file encryptor Trojan that holds your files hostage in return for a fee. Because the Zerolocker Ransomware has been in wild distribution as of August 2014, malware researchers would recommend paying close attention to potential security lapses that could lead to its installation, such as opening spam e-mail files, clicking on fake social networking links or downloading software from untrustworthy sources. Despite a history of it attempting to block relevant PC security applications, removing the Zerolocker Ransomware through proper anti-malware software still should be possible and is a recommended first step to file recovery in lieu of paying its ransom.

When the Zerolocker Ransomware Helps Good Files Go Bad

While most often seen in Europe and North America, Trojans that encrypt files as part of ransom-based attacks have become a global threat, with the Zerolocker Ransomware joining the likes of such past threats as the CryptoWall Ransomware and PoshCoder and CryptoDefense. Current distribution methods for the Zerolocker Ransomware especially seem to target French-speaking PC users, but the Zerolocker Ransomware may be equally threatening to PCs of other regions. Like most Trojans, the Zerolocker Ransomware is installed automatically, without the victim's initial awareness of the attack, and may use exploit kits or other Trojans to compromise your PC initially.

The Zerolocker Ransomware encrypts files such as documents, pictures and audio clips, a process that rearranges file data to make the files temporarily unreadable. Ordinarily, this attack could be completely circumvented with a basic file restore action, but malware researchers have seen some circumstantial evidence showing that the Zerolocker Ransomware may try to delete file backups and OS save points on the same hard drive. Once the file encryption attack completes, the Zerolocker Ransomware may generate additional files placed on your desktop that contain instructions on how to pay its ransom fee.

Although, supposedly, paying this fee will let the Zerolocker Ransomware decrypt your files, the persons responsible for the Zerolocker Ransomware have no reason to honor their promises, and rewarding ransomware for its attacks is a dubious solution, at best.

Breaking Your Files out of the Zerolocker Ransomware's Locker

Because of the increasing prominence of the Zerolocker Ransomware and other file encryptors, malware experts find themselves repeatedly emphasizing the importance of remote file backups. Restoring files from USB devices, cloud account and other locations will let you ignore the encryption attack's consequences completely. In some cases, well-known Trojans also have been thwarted by decryption tools provided by free by different PC security companies, although no known decryptors for the Zerolocker Ransomware yet exist.

While you should uninstall the Zerolocker Ransomware with anti-malware tools, as per the standard response to any high-level threat, the Zerolocker Ransomware also has been noted for attacks that terminate security software automatically. If access to necessary software becomes an issue, you should switch to Safe Mode or, if needed, boot your PC from a peripheral device that can give you OS accessibility without launching the Zerolocker Ransomware, too.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:



%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\<username>\Desktop\2friDesktop\d4c62215df74753371db33a19a69fccdc4b375c893a4b7f8b30172710fbd4cfa File name: d4c62215df74753371db33a19a69fccdc4b375c893a4b7f8b30172710fbd4cfa
Size: 407.55 KB (407552 bytes)
MD5: bd0a3c308a6d3372817a474b7c653097
Detection count: 9
Path: %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\<username>\Desktop\2friDesktop\d4c62215df74753371db33a19a69fccdc4b375c893a4b7f8b30172710fbd4cfa
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 1, 2021
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