Zida Ransomware

The Zida Ransomware is a file-locking Trojan that's a part of the STOP Ransomware Ransomware-as-a-Service business. Criminals distribute these threats to victims in both random and targeted attacks with the intent of blocking digital media such as documents. Windows users should invest in dependable backup solutions and let professional anti-malware products remove the Zida Ransomware as they detect it.

Fake Temporary Files are At It Again

The simplest hiding places can, for a Trojan, be the best ones, since many Trojan attacks require expediency and volume, rather than sophisticated security workarounds or defenses. The Zida Ransomware, which malware researchers confirm as a variation on the STOP Ransomware (or Djvu Ransomware) Ransomware-as-a-Service, is a recent exemplification of the above truth. While it causes file damage that's all but permanent, it begins its life as an easily-ignorable 'temporary' file.

The Zida Ransomware samples are available as both standard 'EXE' executable and portable 'PE32' ones, but always, with filenames including the string of 'tmp' (or 'temporary') as a fraudulent extension. This mislabeling of the file is a recurring favorite among the Zida Ransomware family, including some of the most spinoffs among the RaaS industry. Others using the same, simple technique include the Covm Ransomware, the Vawe Ransomware, the Usam Ransomware and the Lotej Ransomware.

Criminals may count on this disguise as part of the installation exploit's social engineering. However, just as often, employ brute-force attacks or vulnerability-based drive-by-downloads that involve them installing the Trojan without the victim's help. The most fundamental symptom of a Zida Ransomware infection is the encryption of user files en masse, which the Trojan can do with an offline or online variation of the feature. This feature stops them from opening in their programs due to the data being made uninterpretable 'temporarily.'

Seeing Extortion Coming before It Strikes

The Zida Ransomware's name is a rare choice of an etymologically-specific one that suggests an African operating region – but this is a likely coincidence, due to most STOP Ransomware releases bearing randomized names. Most Windows users are potential victims for the threat, which may circulate as part of a torrent (especially illicit media-themed ones) or get its installation through a well-known browser threat such as the RIG Exploit Kit. Spam and phishing e-mail attachments also are possible infection routes.

Malware researchers strongly recommend against paying Zida Ransomware's ransom service, which it promotes with standardized text messages. Criminals may not give any paid-for service back to the victim and use the circumstances to launch more attacks occasionally. The Zida Ransomware also, as a member of the STOP Ransomware's group, is a possible host for other security risks, such as:

• The theft of network passwords (with the third-party spyware, AZORult)
• Deleted the Restore Points
• Being unable to load some websites (due to Hosts file changes)

Unusually lucky victims may recover their blocked files by using compatible decryptors due to issues with Zida Ransomware's encryption mechanism. This solution is neither guaranteed nor likely, though, and malware experts recommend offsite backups for all Windows users as a precaution.

Professional anti-malware services also remain adept at detecting and removing the Zida Ransomware, which, unsurprisingly, fails threat-detecting checks, in most cases.

Zida Ransomware's name is deceiving, but only to those taking the newly-downloaded files on their computer at face value. Such a practice is questionable, at best, and no better than assuming that every stranger on the street has one's best interests at heart.