Summary – This article describes the ways to decrypt Zepto virus files and folders in your system. Go through the Zepto ransomware recovery methods so that you are able to access your original files and folders.

Discovering that some or all the files and folders on your system have got a .zepto extension can be quite overwhelming. This shows that the files and folders on your system have been affected by the encrypting virus, or say a ransomware that denies access to the stored data by encrypting your data files and folders until the demanded ransom is paid.

As you cannot compromise with the data, therefore, it becomes the more essential for you to decrypt the files and folders affected by Zepto virus. However, the question that arises is how you can perform the decryption process. Obviously, no one would ever like to decrypt the files and folders encrypted by Zepto virus by paying off the ransom. Well, there are a few effective methods that allow you to do away with the virus and remove encryptions from the infected files and folders. You will be guided through the processes for Zepto virus recovery in the sections further in this blog. But before that, let’s have a look at how the Zepto ransomware infected your system.

How does Zepto virus get inside your PC?

Like Locky, Zepto uses emails and attachments with two types of files – .zip and .docm. The former uses archived java-script files whereas the latter uses macros inside the document that then downloads the main executable. The JavaScript files icons usually look like text files, which makes users click on them readily. It is then that the virus assigns certain ID with you that is used to name those files and to send the decryption key, ultimately making you the victim.

Decrypting and restoring Zepto infected files

There are various ways by which you can decrypt and restore Zepto infected files and folders, i.e. you can perform Zepto data recovery. Some of the methods that you can employ have been enlisted here. They are as follows:

By using Windows Previous Versions – Windows Previous Versions can help you decrypt the Zepto virus-infected files. To use it, follow the steps given below:

• Right-click on Zepto infected file and select Properties option
• Next, choose the Previous Versions tab
• Select specific version of the file and click on the Copy button
• Thereafter, click on the Restore button so as to restore the chosen file and replace the existing one
• Lastly, choose alternative method in case there is no item present in the list

By using Shadow Explorer – You can also decrypt the Zepto encrypted file by using Shadows Explorer. To use it, execute the steps mentioned below:

• Download the Shadow Explorer program
• Run it and then you will have the list of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created, on your screen
• From all the enlisted drives, select the drive and date that you want to restore the file(s) and folder(s) from. In case there are other dates in the list, choose the alternative method.

Right-click on the folder name and select the Export tab

By using DropBox – You can also use the DropBox to decrypt the Zepto–encrypted files. Follow the steps below:

• Open the DropBox website, sign in, and then go to the folder containing encrypted files
• Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions
• Choose the file you need to restore and then click on the Restore button

Note: Windows Previous Versions, Shadow Explorer, and DropBox. These are the three manual ways by which you can decrypt the virus-infected file after the removal of the ransomware.

By using data recovery tools – You can also make use of any data recovery tool to decrypt the Zepto-infected file and get back all the data. This is because the virus creates a copy of the file, deletes the original, and then encrypt the copies. And, we know that anything deleted from the system can be recovered from it, provided data has not been overwritten. There exist several tools for it that you can use.

By using data file recovery service – Using data file recovery service is another way by which you can remove the ransomware, and decrypt the encrypted file, thereby, making the data file available with intact data. Several data recovery companies including Stellar Data Recovery provide ransomware removal and file decryption service.

The Way Forward – Stellar Data Recovery

Now that you know all the methods to decrypt the files and folders encrypted by the Zepto virus, you should pick the one that meet your requirements. Manual techniques are employed with the built-in tools and online services are also complicated as they require specialized knowledge and expertise which you may be lacking. Also, several third-party tools that are available, do not guarantee the removal and decryption of the encrypted file, infected by ransomware.  Moreover, you will have to execute the steps carefully to be able to successfully restore your complete data. Also, chances are you may encounter another virus while downloading them. Therefore, it is recommended that you opt for data recovery services.

Here, Stellar Data Recovery service center deserves special mention as their team of skilled technicians ensures complete removal of the malware by effectively decrypting the encrypted files and folders in its state-of-the-art Class 100 Clean Room. Also, with a dedicated 24*5 support team, that provides end-to-end support, the process of data recovery becomes easier!

Intel Security announced an enhanced unified defense architecture designed to empower organizations to more effectively protect today’s new digital economy of trust, time and money. No longer is our economy a physical one, but one of connected networks and systems where cyber-criminals have put us on the defensive. This new second economy, has put us in a world where more than money is at stake and where private and public sectors are fighting against time and working to justify trust.

Chris Young, Senior vice president and General manager of Intel Security Group says

Cyber-criminals are forcing cyber-security companies to redraft the rules of engagement for defending the civilized world; to effectively counteract them, we have to abandon old security playbooks to become more unpredictable and collaborative and make cyber defense a priority. Our strategic charter is simple, yet disruptive:integrate, automate and orchestrate the threat defense life-cycle to drive better security outcomes-ultimately reducing more risk, faster and with fewer resources.

Built upon the industry’s largest open ecosystem leveraging a proven integration program, Intel Security’s unified defense architecture is enabled by four protection systems-Dynamic Endpoint, Pervasive Data Protection, Data Center & Cloud Defense, and Intelligent Security Operations-that are intelligently integrated to multiply effectiveness.

Dynamic Endpoint – Isolated solutions can be effective against individual assaults, but there are too many examples where isolated solutions can’t keep up with the wide range of sophisticated, emerging threats. Tactical security firefighting needs to be replaced with integrated, dynamic security defenses designed to outsmart attackers.

Intel Security’s Dynamic Endpoint solution uses advanced protection, shared intelligence and unified workflows on a single management console to unify endpoint protection, detection and correction to guard against today’s most pervasive threats. This solution, delivered in McAfee Endpoint Security 10.5 and McAfee Active Response 2.0 software, includes capabilities like:

Patient Zero Protection – Dynamic Application Containment improves protection against patient zero and ransomware threats and isolates the rest of the network from infection by monitoring and intercepting post-malicious process actions based on file reputation.

Advanced, Persistent Threat Protection with Containment and Machine Learning – Intel Security is the first and only vendor to offer machine learning based malware classification using both static pre-execution analysis and dynamic post-execution analysis from the cloud that is designed to help detect zero-day malware in near real time, tracing behavior when deemed suspicious and re-mediating without relying on traditional signatures.

Enhanced Protection with Integrated Web and Endpoint Protection – Only Intel Security seamlessly integrates a connection between its endpoint client and web gateway technology to enable quick-to-deploy, pervasive protection both on and off the corporate network that is designed to prevent zero-day malware from reaching the endpoint.

Real-Time Advanced Threats Protection – McAfee Active Response 2.0 software uses the cloud to accelerate investigations by dynamically tracing process behavior and allowing administrators to access threat context in real time during an investigation.  Quickly hunt and respond using single click correction and then automate responses to address future attacks.

Pervasive Data Protection – The rise of Software As A Service (SaaS) applications and a highly mobile workforce has created the need to securely enable cloud-driven business. Organizations are looking for a unified solution that extends security outside the traditional perimeter covering on and off-network users and cloud services. Intel Security’s approach to pervasive data protection is to unify SaaS security across web protection, cloud access security broker, data loss prevention and encryption to provide the industry’s broadest solution across endpoints, networks and cloud-based services all centrally managed.

With a foundation in unified management, along with common rule-sets, policies and encryption, Intel Security will help organizations maximise business efficiency and employee productivity. Organizations are empowered to make sensitive data readily available to the people who need it, while minimising the risk of data leakage and misuse by unauthorised personnel. Components of the integrated solution include:

Increased Productivity with Centralized Data Protection – McAfee DLP for Mobile Email 10.0 software introduces unified policies and incident management for both endpoint and network DLP. It also offers end-user empowerment tools such as end-user manual classification, and end-user initiated DLP scanning and self-remediation. Not only do these capabilities help strengthen the corporate security culture, it also alleviates administrative burden.

Ubiquitous Web Security – McAfee Web Gateway Cloud Service is designed to enable security teams to gain the same benefits of advanced threat protection as on-premises web gateway appliances but without the cost of hardware or the resources used to maintain it. With 3x the data centers of our previous web SaaS solution, better performance and improved up-time our new cloud service has never been more ready for the enterprise.

Cloud Application Governance – McAfee Cloud Data Protection, available as a beta, features Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) technology, to provide an integrated view of risky endpoint and cloud events, including the ability to perform a real-time endpoint health check, ensuring only trusted devices are able to access sensitive information.

Data Center and Cloud Defence – Organizations are increasingly adopting cloud computing, which introduces unique security requirements that many legacy security solutions cannot address. Consequently, many struggle with weak and inconsistent cloud security controls, slow resolution of security issues and inefficient compute and staffing resource utilisation. Intel Security cloud security products are designed to protect data centers with industry-leading security that detects advanced targeted attacks and manages security efficiently across physical, virtual and cloud infrastructures.

Intel Security’s Data Center and Cloud Defense solution combines server security, network security and threat intelligence sharing to enable a single view of security across data center environments. This solution, delivered through McAfee Server Security Suite 4.5 & McAfee Virtual Network Security Platform (vNSP) 8.3, includes capabilities like:

Cloud Security Visibility – Cloud workload discovery provides deep visibility across public and private clouds for virtual machines, associated workloads, networks and storage, enabling organizations to establish a strong and consistent security posture.

Threat Intelligence Sharing and Unification – Unification of perimeter and virtual machine protection thwarts advanced targeted attacks while ensuring efficient resource utilisation within highly virtualized server environments to allow organizations to detect more threats, faster and with fewer resources. Once a threat has been detected, this knowledge is shared across the data center and corrective actions can be taken.

Integration and Orchestration – Tight integration across McAfee Management for Optimised Virtual Environments Anti-Virus(MOVE AV), McAfee Virtual Network Security Platform (vNSP), McAfee Advanced Threat Defense, and McAfee Threat Intelligence Exchange along with virtualization platforms like VMWare NSX and OpenStack enable orchestration of security efficiently and more easily.

Intelligent Security Operations – Organizations looking for rapid response and remediation need a closed loop threat defense life-cycle framework that makes it easy to integrate, monitor and orchestrate security solutions. New Intel Security capabilities integrate with the above solutions and Security Innovation Alliance partners to enhance & unify visibility, investigation workflows and reporting.

Flexible Advanced Malware Detection – Expanded options include a new cloud-based machine learning-driven malware analysis service, McAfee Cloud Threat Detection, as well as a virtual McAfee Advanced Threat Defense appliance that makes the most of an improved user experience, more Windows OS coverage, and a significant throughput rate increase.

Improved Visibility and Investigation – McAfee Enterprise Security Manager introduces a new HTML 5-based interface with an intuitive, analyst-centric user experience and simpler, faster search results to expedite threat management and incident response.

Expanded Strategy and Incident Response Services – New consulting, deployment, assessment and incident response services enable long-term maturation of an organization’s approach to risk and threat management and improve ROI. Retainer and on-demand based managed security and emergency response augment in-house expertise.

OpenDXL Initiative

The industry has long needed a way to make different technologies work better together, and we paved the way with the most highly adopted technology across major players with the McAfee Data Exchange Layer (DXL). To accelerate that, Intel Security announced its intent to open the McAfee Data Exchange Layer to the industry as a concrete means of disrupting the cyber-attackers’ advantage. Through an open source strategy and the beta release of a new software development kit (SDK) for DXL, white hats (both organizations and technology providers) will gain the ability to attach to a shared real-time communication fabric and exchange security intelligence as well as orchestrate actions for the shortest possible execution of the threat defense life-cycle.

DXL provides a standardized application framework to integrate technologies from different vendors with each other and with in-house developed applications. The OpenDXL initiative will expand access and capabilities of the DXL SDK and the management and community infrastructure that will support it, enabling developers within ISVs, enterprises, colleges and even competitors to gain the many real-time integration and operational benefits of the Data Exchange Layer.

For more information on all new products announced at FOCUS 2016, visit McAfee for Home & Business