How to remove Zeppelin Ransomware and decrypt .zeppelin, .payfast500 or .payfast290 files

What is Zeppelin Ransomware

Zeppelin was discovered by GrujaRS, which is a malicious piece that infects computers and encrypts user’s data. Programs of such are typically designed to make money on desperate users who got their files locked. As usual, with the encryption, comes a significant change in the file’s extension – it renames them using the hexadecimal numeral system to something like this 1.mp4.126-A9A-0E9. In fact, the extension may vary by symbols since the virus can generate random values. The ransomware also uses other extensions: .zeppelin, .kikiriki, and the most recent .payfast500 and .payfast290 (August 2021). Once the encryption is completed, Zepellin creates a text file called !!! ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED !!!.TXT on your desktop.

In this note, extortionists offend you with ransom abuse by calling you to contact them and buy a specific key. Unfortunately, there is no proven method that could decrypt your data for free at this point. The only way to do so is by following their instructions which is a huge risk. Although the decision lies on your shoulders, we recommend you delete Zeppelin Ransomware in the guide below.

How Zeppelin Ransomware infected your computer

Zeppelin Ransomware infects devices in multiple ways. The first and most common is via e-mail spam messages that contain malicious attachments (MS Office documents, PDFs, executables, JavaScript files, etc.). If you dare to open them, you might be very frustrated since your system will be infected by malware. There are various other distribution channels like fake software cracking tools, Peer-to-Peer networks (websites for exchanging files), trojans, botnets, keyloggers, backdoors, unprotected RDP configuration, remote hack, and many others. If you are wondering how to protect yourself from similar threats, we will give broader answers on that in our article below.

1. Download Zeppelin Ransomware Removal Tool
2. Get decryption tool for .zeppelin, .payfast500 or .payfast290 files
3. Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
4. Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
5. Restore files with Shadow Explorer
6. How to protect from threats like Zeppelin Ransomware

Zeppelin Ransomware files:


!!! ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED !!!.TXT
spoolsv.exe
{randomfilename}.exe


Zeppelin Ransomware registry keys:

no information

How to decrypt and restore .zeppelin, .payfast500 or .payfast290 files

Use automated decryptors

Download Kaspersky RakhniDecryptor

Use following tool from Kaspersky called Rakhni Decryptor, that can decrypt .zeppelin, .payfast500 or .payfast290 files. Download it here:

There is no purpose to pay the ransom because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

Dr.Web Rescue Pack

Famous antivirus vendor Dr. Web provides free decryption service for the owners of its products: Dr.Web Security Space or Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite. Other users can ask for help in the decryption of .zeppelin, .payfast500 or .payfast290 files by uploading samples to Dr. Web Ransomware Decryption Service. Analyzing files will be performed free of charge and if files are decryptable, all you need to do is purchase a 2-year license of Dr.Web Security Space worth $120 or less. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay.

If you are infected with Zeppelin Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt .zeppelin, .payfast500 or .payfast290 files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .zeppelin, .payfast500 or .payfast290 files

1. Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
2. Click Recover Data button.
3. Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
4. Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
5. Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.

Using Windows Previous Versions option:

1. Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
2. Select Previous Versions tab.
3. Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
4. To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
5. In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.

Using Shadow Explorer:

1. Download Shadow Explorer program.
2. Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
3. Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
4. Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
5. In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

1. Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
2. Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
3. Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses, like Zeppelin Ransomware, in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Dashboard

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Alert

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware Blocked

Famous antivirus brand ZoneAlarm by Check Point released a comprehensive tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as an additional shield to your current protection. The tool provides Zero-Day protection against ransomware and allows you to recover files. ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware is compatible with all other antiviruses, firewalls, and security software except ZoneAlarm Extreme (already shipped with ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware) or Check Point Endpoint products. The killer features of this application are: automatic file recovery, overwrite protection that instantly and automatically recovers any encrypted files, file protection that detects and blocks even unknown encryptors.

2. Back up your files

As an additional way to save your files, we recommend online backup. Local storage, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives or remote network storage can be instantly infected by the virus once plugged in or connected to. Zeppelin Ransomware uses some techniques to exploit this. One of the best services and programs for easy automatic online backup is iDrive. It has the most profitable terms and a simple interface. You can read more about iDrive cloud backup and storage here.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails are the most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications and provides a very high level of anti-spam protection.