Cerber Ransomware has unexpectedly changed its name to CRBR Encryptor. We see it from the ransom note title.
Actually, regardless of how it is called, it is still Cerber Ransomware but not a brand new virus.
CRBR Encryptor is presently being spread in two most common ways. First, reports exist that it is being spread by means of the exploit kit called MagnitudeEK. Cyber criminals use an exploit in order to be able to deploy Cerber on vulnerable systems that have outdated software. Users get infected when they visit an infected website that contains MagnitudeEK exploit kit.
The next technique is the |usage of SPAM messages that imitate the Microsoft Security Team alerts. These kinds of messages claim that strange sign-in behavior has been identified on the victim’s MS account and ask them to click on attachments for additional instructions. The attachment in its turn is a ZIP archive with a JS inside. When users open it, the Cerber executable is being downloaded to the Temp folder and then launched.
The above strategies are not the only ways cyber crooks use to spread CRBR Encryptor at this point. Therefore, watch out for unusual email messages and do not click on any attachments except if you are certain they are aimed at you and came from the people you know. Keep in mind, it is best to examine all attachments with VirusTotal prior to launching it.
Nothing has changed with CRBR Encryptor in terms of the encryption routine. Cerber still scrambles the files names while encrypting your documents.
The new ransom note is called like: _R_E_A_D__T_H_I_S__{RANDOM}_.hta & _R_E_A_D__T_H_I_S__{RANDOM}_.txt
Victims have to pay 0.5 BTC to have their files back. This sum increases to 1 BTC in five days. If you are hit with new variant of Cerber and prefer not to send money to criminals, you may use the bellow recovery instructions.
Automatic removal of CRBR ENCRYPTOR ransomware
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.
- Download and install recommended malware security suite
- 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.
Restore files locked by CRBR ENCRYPTOR ransomware
CRBR ENCRYPTOR 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.
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Launch data recovery software
Similarly to the rest of its fellow-infections, CRBR ENCRYPTOR 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.
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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. CRBR ENCRYPTOR virus 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.
- 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 CRBR ENCRYPTOR ransomware, 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.
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Data backups work wonders
Ransomware like CRBR ENCRYPTOR 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
