Zenis Ransomware

The Zenis Ransomware is a Trojan that blocks your media so that it can solicit ransoms for unlocking the files. Any files that it locks also display significant changes to their names and the threat also may induce other symptoms, such as changing your wallpaper or disabling some security applications. Have an anti-malware tool delete the Zenis Ransomware on sight, and preserve updated and secure backups for your data recovery needs.

A Mischievous Trojan is Making Your Files into a Game

There are traditional differences between file-locking Trojans targeting recreational or casual PC users, versus ones attacking businesses and governments. However, sometimes, the lines between the conventions become vague, as malware analysts are finding with the Zenis Ransomware. This threat, whose file-locking campaign is live, is attacking unspecified entities in the business sector. Despite that choice, its author uses a very informal, ransom-negotiating method.

The Zenis Ransomware uses a standard encryption method, such as the AES algorithm, for locking different files, like spreadsheets or pictures. They also have changed names that include a 'Zenis' string, additional doubled-character tags and a set of Base64-encoded content. This technique is a very unusual renaming method that malware experts don't see in other file-locking threats, which, mostly, prefer the appending of a simple extension (such as 'flower.gif.locked').

Other, equally strange choices also are available for the users' perusal while reading the HTML ransom instructions that the Zenis Ransomware creates after performing the data-locking attack. Poor English grammar implies that the threat actor is using a tool for translating the content, and the colloquial style of the message also provides a brief introduction and description of this 'mischievous boy,' who refers to himself via the name of ZENIS. Even the ransoming process has a quirk: asking the victim to provide the ransom message, as well as a locked file, for a 'free trial' of his decryptor.

Winning the Game that a Bad Boy Wants You to Play

The oddities of the Zenis Ransomware's campaign do nothing to avert the potential for data loss that it causes to any compromised PC. Since malware researchers are unable to procure sufficient samples for a decryption-oriented analysis, the users shouldn't assume that any blocked content is directly recoverable. Although the victims always should avoid giving the cybercrooks a ransom in exchange for reversing the effects of their misdeeds, users without backups may have limited alternatives for saving any encrypted files.

The initial infection strategies for business-targeting Trojans like the Zenis Ransomware often use one of the below attacks:

• Brute-force software is capable of cracking passwords and other login credentials for your network. Use sophisticated password methods for averting any manual attempts at dropping the Zenis Ransomware.
• E-mail messages can carry the Zenis Ransomware directly, or as the payload of another threat, such as a member of the Zlob family of Trojans. Scan any attachments with appropriate security software and avoid enabling potentially hazardous content, such as Word macros.

Without a current decryptor that doesn't require paying the threat actor for using it, the Zenis Ransomware may cause encryption-based damages that are next to irreversible. However, standard anti-malware heuristics should identify and remove the Zenis Ransomware as a threat, beforehand.

The Zenis Ransomware's potential for long-term damage is in determination, but it only can mean harm to your computer files. Don't give ZENIS a foothold for working his file-sabotaging mischief.