Zida Ransomware Removal Guide

Zida Ransomware is a threat that adds the .zida extension to the files that it enciphers. Since the malicious application encrypts files with a robust encryption algorithm, you should be unable to open your files if your system gets infected with the threat. The hackers who created the malware might claim that they have decryption tools that could decipher all the threat’s encrypted files, but they should ask to pay a ransom in return. The problem with this offer is that you have to pay the money first, and then you can only hope that the threat’s developers will keep up with their promise. Naturally, if they do not, you might lose not just the files on the infected device. This is why we advise thinking twice before deciding if it is a good idea to deal with cybercriminals. Also, we recommend removing Zida Ransomware because even after the encryption is over, the malware could still be dangerous. To learn how to erase it and more about the malicious application, you could read our full article.

Malicious applications like Zida Ransomware are often spread through unreliable file-sharing websites, spam emails, fake pop-ups or ads, and so on. In other words, the malware could enter your system with any unreliable content that you could download or interact with while surfing the Internet. To avoid making such a mistake, we advise not to interact with content if you are not entirely sure that it is legit and reliable. For example, if you receive an email attachment unexpectedly or from an unknown sender, it would be best to stay away from it. We also advise downloading software only from legit websites and letting your system take care of necessary updates to avoid downloading infected installers and fake updates or patches unknowingly. Of course, it would be safer if you had a reliable antimalware tool on your system that could guard your system all the time.

If Zida Ransomware is launched, the malicious application may create data listed in our deletion instructions. However, the malware could have different variants, which means it might create different data depending on the infected device. The next thing that the malicious application ought to do is find your photos, pictures, various documents, and other personal files that could be valuable. It should also encrypt such data to make it unusable. Afterward, victims should notice a ransom note called _readme.txt. It should contain a message saying that you can decrypt your files if you pay a ransom. The note’s authors promise to deliver it after they receive payment. They may also promise to decrypt one file free of charge and give a 50 percent discount to users who contact them within 72 hours. Needless to say, there are no guarantees that hackers will deliver the decryption tools that you need, even if you make the payment. Thus, if you put up with the Zida Ransomware creator's demands, you could get scammed.

Lastly, we mentioned earlier that keeping this malicious application on your system could be dangerous. That is because it might be able to restart with the operating system and so it could encrypt new data. If you decide to remove Zida Ransomware, you could try to get rid of it manually. Keep in mind that we cannot guarantee that the instructions available below will work in every case. Thus, it might be safer and likely easier to erase Zida Ransomware with a chosen antimalware tool..

Get rid of Zida Ransomware

1. Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Pick Task Manager.
3. Select the Processes tab.
4. Look for a process associated with the malware.
5. Select the process and click End Task.
6. Leave Task Manager.
7. Tap Win+E.
8. Go to these locations:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
   %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
9. Find the malicious file opened before the system got infected, right-click it, and select Delete.
10. Search for files named _readme.txt, right-click them, and select Delete.
11. Check these locations:
    %LOCALAPPDATA%
    %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data
12. Find the malware’s created folders with random names, e.g., 0215171b-ba55-7xal-a49s-c2fk4162159c, right-click them, and choose Delete.
13. Navigate to this location: %WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
14. Find a task titled Time Trigger Task, right-click it, and select Delete.
15. Close File Explorer.
16. Tap Win+R.
17. Type Regedit and click Enter.
18. Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
19. Identify the malware’s created value name, e.g., SysHelper, right-click this value name, and press Delete.
20. Close Registry Editor.
21. Empty Recycle Bin.
22. Restart the computer.