How to remove Cerber Ransomware

Tips for Cerber Ransomware removal

Cerber Ransomware is a malicious computer infection. It is categorised as ransomware that infiltrates by stealth, encrypts stored files, renames the filenames and then displays ransom note containing ransom demanding instruction from the crooks behind it. This particular ransomware appends the filenames of the encrypted files using random character such as .ba99, .98a0, and a563 and so on. Some other variants also use .beef extension. Following to encryption process is completed, the ransomware creates three different files (#DECRYPT MY FILES#.txt, #DECRYPT MY FILES#.html, and #DECRYPT MY FILES#.vbs) containing the ransom demanding message.

The message within these files states the users that they have only option to establish a contact to the crooks behind Cerber Ransomware and purchase the decryptor from them to get the files back in original accessible condition. The crooks demand 1.24 in bitcoin, which is equivalent to $546.72. If the payment is not done within 7 days, the note claims, the price will become double of it. It is also stated in the note that the users can only pay using the Tor browser and by following instructions within the indicated website. Here is the text presented by the ransom notes created by Cerber Ransomware:

Hi, I’am CERBER RANSOMWARE 😉

 —–

 Y0UR D0CUMENTS, PHOTOS, DATABASES AND OTHER IMPORTANT FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED!

 —–

 The only way to decrypt your files is to receive the private key and decryption program.

 To receive the private key and decryption program go to any decrypted folder,

 inside there is the special file (*_R_E_A_D___T_H_I_S_*) with complete instructions

 how to decrypt your files.

 If you cannot find any (*_R_E_A_D___T_H_I_S_*) file at your PC, follow the instructions below:

 —–

1. Download “Tor Browser” from https://www.torproject.org/ and install it.
2. In the “Tor Browser” open your personal page here:

 http://p27dokhpz2n7nvgr.onion/

 Note! This page is available via “Tor Browser” only.

 —–

 Also you can use temporary addresses on your personal page without using “Tor Browser”.

 —–

1. http://p27dokhpz2n7nvgr.12nwsv.top/

 —–

 Note! These are temporary addresses! They will be available for a limited amount of time!

 —–

Unfortunately, in most of the cases with ransomware infection, the files recovery is not possible without the involvement of the crooks behind it as these are the only people who know the exact key/code through which the files are encrypted with. Despite this, we recommend not pay/contact to the crooks under any circumstances. These are here just to scam you. They receive the payment and soon disappear leaving the victims without their files. Therefore, the safest way to approach this situation is to remove Cerber Ransomware and recover the files using existing backup. If you do not have any existing backup files, use data recovery tools and/or check other data recovery options provided below the post in the data recovery section.

Threat Summary

Type: Ransomware, Crypto Virus, Files Locker

Symptoms: infected email attachments, torrent websites, malicious ads

Damages: Files are encrypted and cannot be opened without paying a ransom, additional password stealing Trojan and malware infection can be installed together with the ransomware

Remove: Use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove Cerber Ransomware from the device

Files recovery: Existing backup could be an option for the data recovery. However, most of users do not have such backups. In such a case, data recovery tools would be helpful to recover the damaged or locked files

Delivery peculiarities of ransomware viruses

The said malware is most often distributed via using hacked RDP and port 3389. After hacking the port, the hackers can remotely connect the infected device and inject malicious malware into it. It is very important to secure the RDP with strong and reliable password containing symbols, letters and numbers to avoid infection through this way.

Continually, the ransomware infections can get distributed through phishing email messages and their malicious attachments. Commonly, hackers attach some word documents that look like regular order information, health info and so on but truly carry the payload containing the malware and cause infection clicking on them is provided. You should not rush to open the download attachment before scanning it with antivirus tool first to avoid the infection.

Further, ransomware viruses can be distributed using some software cracks that are downloaded from unsecured networks like p2p ones. Experts say, you should use only official sources for any software download. The malware can take route through malicious ads that are known as mal-advertising, infectious hyperlinks, fake software updates and etc as well. You should keep this possibility in mind when browsing the net and practicing day by day activity.

Remove Cerber Ransomware

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove Cerber Ransomware from the device.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows

Click Here For Mac

Step 1: Remove Cerber Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

Step 2: Delete Cerber Ransomware using “System Restore”

Step 1: Remove Cerber Ransomware through “Safe Mode with Networking”

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Boot the PC in “Safe Mode”. Click on “Start” option and continuously press on F8 during the start process until the “Windows Advanced Option” menu appears on the screen. Choose “Safe Mode with Networking” from the list.

Now, a windows homescreen appears on the desktop and work-station is now working on “Safe mode with networking”.

For Windows 8 Users: Go to the “Start Screen”. In the search results select settings, type “Advanced”. In the “General PC Settings” option, choose “Advanced startup” option. Again, click on the “Restart Now” option. The work-station boots to “Advanced Startup Option Menu”. Press on “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” button. In the “Advanced Option Screen”, press on “Startup Settings”. Again, click on “Restart” button. The work-station will now restart in to the “Startup Setting” screen. Next is to press F5 to boot in Safe Mode in Networking.

For Windows 10 Users: Press on Windows logo and on the “Power” icon. In the newly opened menu, choose “Restart” while continuously holding “Shift” button on the keyboard. In the new open “Choose an option” window, click on “Troubleshoot” and then on the “Advanced Options”. Select “Startup Settings” and press on “Restart”. In the next window, click on “F5” button on the key-board.

Step 2: Delete Cerber Ransomware using “System Restore”

Log-in to the account infected with Cerber Ransomware. Open the browser and download a legitimate anti-malware tool. Do a full System scanning. Remove all the malicious detected entries.

In case if you cannot start the PC in “Safe Mode with Networking”, Try using “System Restore”

• During the “Startup”, continuously press on F8 key until the “Advanced Option” menu appears. From the list, choose “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” and then press “Enter”

• In the new opened command prompt, enter “cd restore” and then press “Enter”.

• Type: rstrui.exe and Press “ENTER”

• Click “Next” on the new windows

• Choose any of the “Restore Points” and click on “Next”. (This step will restore the work-station to its earlier time and date prior to Cerber Ransomware infiltration in the PC.

• In the newly opened windows, press on “Yes”.

Once your PC gets restored to its previous date and time, download the recommended anti-malware tool and perform a deep scanning in order to remove Cerber Ransomware files if they left in the work-station.

In order to restore the each (separate) file by this ransomware, use “Windows Previous Version” feature. This method is effective when “System Restore Function” is enabled in the work-station.

Important Note: Some variants of Cerber Ransomware delete the “Shadow Volume Copies” as well hence this feature may not work all the time and is applicable for selective computers only.

How to Restore Individual Encrypted File:

In order to restore a single file, right click on it and go to “Properties”. Select “Previous Version” tab. Select a “Restore Point” and click on “Restore” option.

In order to access the files encrypted by Cerber Ransomware, you can also try using “Shadow Explorer”. In order to get more information on this application, press here.

Important: Data Encryption Ransomware are highly dangerous and it is always better that you take precautions to avoid its attack on your work-station. It is advised to use a powerful anti-malware tool in order to get protection in real-time. With this help of “SpyHunter”, “group policy objects” are implanted in the registries in order to block harmful infections like Cerber Ransomware.

Also, In Windows 10, you get a very unique feature called “Fall Creators Update” that offer “Controlled Folder Access” feature in order to block any kind of encryption to the files. With the help of this feature, any files stored in the locations such as “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music”, “Videos”, “Favorites” and “Desktop” folders are safe by default.

It is very important that you install this “Windows 10 Fall Creators Update” in your PC to protect your important files and data from ransomware encryption. The more information on how to get this update and add an additional protection form rnasomware attack has been discussed here.

How to Recover the Files Encrypted by Cerber Ransomware?

Till now, you would have understood that what had happed to your personal files that got encrypted and how you can remove the scripts and payloads associated with Cerber Ransomware in order to protect your personal files that has not been damaged or encrypted until now. In order to retrieve the locked files, the depth information related to “System Restore” and “Shadow Volume Copies” has already been discussed earlier. However, in case if you are still unable to access the encrypted files then you can try using a data recovery tool.

Use of Data Recovery Tool

This step is for all those victims who have already tries all the above mentioned process but didn’t find any solution. Also it is important that you are able to access the PC and can install any software. The data recovery tool works on the basis of System scanning and recovery algorithm. It searches the System partitions in order to locate the original files which were deleted, corrupted or damaged by the malware. Remember that you must not re-install the Windows OS otherwise the “previous” copies will get deleted permanently. You have to clean the work-station at first and remove Cerber Ransomware infection. Leave the locked files as it is and follow the steps mentioned below.

Step1: Download the software in the work-station by clicking on the “Download” button below.

Step2: Execute the installer by clicking on downloaded files.

Step3: A license agreement page appears on the screen. Click on “Accept” to agree with its terms and use. Follow the on-screen instruction as mentioned and click on “Finish” button.

Step4: Once the installation gets completed, the program gets executed automatically. In the newly opened interface, select the file types that you want to recover and click on “Next”.

Step5: You can select the “Drives” on which you want the software to run and execute the recovery process. Next is to click on the “Scan” button.

Step6: Based on drive you select for scanning, the restore process begins. The whole process may take time depending on the volume of the selected drive and number of files. Once the process gets completed, a data explorer appears on the screen with preview of that data that is to be recovered. Select the files that you want to restore.

Step7. Next is to locate the location where you want to saver the recovered files.