Get rid of Cerber ransomware and decrypt files with .cerber extension

There is a mythical creature that does not let the dead come back to life. Its name is now quoted most frequently as related to ransomware. The latter kills access to computer files. The items affected get an extra extension .cerber.

Cerber Ransomware

The Cerber (.cerber) virus is able to encrypt data on host PC. Once it accomplishes the task, users get notified of the attack. The infection issues relevant ransom note for that purpose. The note exists in at least three formats. That enables the victims to open it in a browser, text editor and graphic editor, as appropriate. Besides, the rogue may change your desktop wallpaper to its message.

The ransom infection is available from hacker’s forum. It originates from Russia and is most likely distributed by Russians. However, the infection propagates on affiliate terms. Basically, anyone who gets in touch with Cerber virus developers can become a distributor.

The infection vector for the virus is subject to the affiliate. Many have been reported to get their devices compromised when opening email attachments. On the other hand, the virus also exploits system and software vulnerabilities. A malicious code executes in the browser enabling the ransomware installation.
The infection basically aims at encoding the data on your PC. That is not quite clear why, but prior to performing its encryption the virus generates a set of fake system alerts. The messages sound rather meaningless as they communicate pretty specialized information. Users without IT background are unlikely to comprehend the meaning of the following alert: ‘the directory server is shutting down, and cannot take ownership of new floating single-master operating system’.

The alert’s title is clearer. It reads that the user is about to be logged off. That is, the alerts are not genuine system messages. They are meant to persuade the victims the system shutdown is due to some technical issues. That reduces the risk of the early removal of Cerber ransomware.

Once the alerts cease to pop up, the system reboots into Safe Mode with Networking. Perhaps, the virus communicates to the remote server in that mode.

Finally, the infection forces operating system to boot in regular mode. The session is used by the virus to encrypt the files on affected PC using advanced encryption algorithm.

White hats are keen to come up with a solution that would decrypt the affected files. So far, however, the victims would need to pay the ransom in bitcoins to ensure the data decryption.

Meanwhile, paying the ransom shall only apply, if ever, as a last resort. Hopefully, most of the victims can get satisfied with system recovery and other ransom-free options.

Removing Cerber virus is critical. The virus remains active even if the decryption key has been applied. Hence, the infection requires both the recovery and removal measures.

To get rid of Cerber virus and restore your data for good, kindly refer to the guidance below.

Automatic removal of Cerber ransomware and .cerber files restoration

The benefits of using the automatic security suite to get rid of this infection are obvious: it scans the entire system and detects all potential fragments of the virus, so you are a few mouse clicks away from a complete fix.

  1. Download and install recommended malware security suite
  2. Select Start Computer Scan feature and wait until the utility comes up with the scan report. Proceed by clicking on the Fix Threats button, which will trigger a thorough removal process to address all the malware issues compromising your computer and your privacy.

Unlock .cerber files encrypted by Cerber virus

Cerber represents a unique category of malicious software whose attack surface reaches beyond the operating system and its components, which is why removing the virus itself is a part of the fix only. As it has been mentioned, it encrypts one’s personal information, so the next phase of the overall remediation presupposes reinstating the files that will otherwise remain inaccessible.

  • Launch data recovery software

    Similarly to the rest of its fellow-infections, Cerber most likely follows an operational algorithm where it erases the original versions of the victim’s files and actually encrypts their copies. This peculiarity might make your day, because forensics-focused applications like Data Recovery Pro are capable of restoring the information that has been removed. As the virus further evolves, its modus operandi may be altered – in the meanwhile, go ahead and try this.

  • Take advantage of Volume Shadow Copy Service

    This technique is based on using the native backup functionality that’s shipped with Windows operating system. Also referred to as Volume Snapshot Service (VSS), this feature makes regular backups of the user’s files and keeps their most recent versions as long as System Restore is on. Cerber hasn’t been found to affect these copies therefore the restoration vector in question is strongly recommended. The two sub-sections below highlight the automatic and manual workflow.

  • a) Use Shadow Explorer

    Shadow Explorer is an applet that provides an easy way of retrieving previous versions of files and folders. Its pro’s include an intuitive interface where the computer’s entire file hierarchy is displayed within one window. Just pick the hard disk volume, select the object or directory to be restored, right-click on it and choose Export. Follow the app’s prompts to get the job done.Shadow Explorer

  • b) Use file properties

    Essentially, what the above-mentioned Shadow Explorer tool does is it automates the process that can otherwise be performed manually via the Properties dialog for individual files. This particular approach is more cumbrous but just as effective as its software-based counterpart, so you can proceed by right-clicking on a specific file, which has been encrypted by Cerber, and selecting Properties in the context menu. The tab named Previous Versions is the next thing to click – it displays available versions of the file by date of the snapshot creation. Pick the latest copy and complete the retrieval by following the prompts.Previous Versions

  • Data backups work wonders

    Ransomware like Cerber isn’t nearly as almighty and destructive in case you run regular file backups to the cloud or external data media. The virus itself can be completely removed in a matter of minutes, and the distorted information can then be just as easily recovered from the backup. Luckily, this is a growing trend, so ransom Trojans are hopefully going to become less subversive in the near future.

Verify thoroughness of the removal

Having carried out the instructions above, add a finishing touch to the security procedure by running an additional computer scan to check for residual malware activity

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