Cerber is malware which encrypts the files and asks ransom to decrypt them back. This kind of malware is called ransomware. The ransomware locks different files on your computer and asks you to pay them to get the files back. These types of malware are now spreading all over the internet. They get into your system via e-mails, malicious websites, infected ads, fake update notification, etc. Once this malware gets into your computer it start scanning your computer for files like .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .avi etc. Then it encrypts these files. Your file now appends with .cerber, .cerber2, .cerber3 extensions. Some of the other Cerber Ransomware version also uses the .98a0, .a563, .ba99, .a37b, etc extensions. You cannot access your files now. When you try to access your files a voice comes through your speakers that your files and important documents have been encrypted.

The cerber ransomware is one of the most popular computer threats. This ransomware is effectively making a lot of money to its makers. Peoples don’t hesitate to pay money to get their files back. Previously some anti-virus company has found the key to decrypt the files but now the makers of cerber have released other advanced version called cerber2 and cerber3. There are few tools that are said to be effective in removing the cerber ransomware, but most tools are ineffective. The MalwareFox effectively removes this virus from your computer and gets your files back. If you are looking to manually remove cerber ransomware from your computer then there is one way – restoring your system. In some cases, restoring the system removes the cerber ransomware from the computer. We will tell you how to restore the system but first, let's see what is cerber ransomware and how it hits your computer?

What is Cerber Ransomware?

How Cerber Ransomware gets into your System?

Downloading Files

The malware like cerber ransomware enter into the system through downloaded files from the internet. When you download courted files from a un-reliable internet source, then you may be downloading a malware. Always make sure to download software and files from an only reliable source like official websites.

Vulnerabilities in System Software

Cerber ransomware enters into system through any loop holes in the system software. It looks for any vulnerability and enters into the computer. To avoid such situations you need to keep your system software updated. Always, install security patches to your computer.

Fake Update Notification

Cerber Ransomware sometimes display you a fake update notification. You think that your software needs to update but the cerber gets installed. Always make sure that this is real update notification before clicking the update button.

Spam Emails

Spam Emails is the most popular method to spread the cerber ransomware. It is send using the files in the email once you download this file to your computer it start spreading. Always make sure that the email you are opening is from your known person, double check before downloading any attachment from an email.

Malicious WebPages and Ads

Another way that is used to spread cerber ransomware is websites and ads. To spread the malware, makers create fake websites and ads when you visit such websites or click on ads it gets download into your system. To stop being this happen don’t browse the websites that looks suspicious. Also don’t click on ads that are not looking genuine.

What Action Cerber take after getting into your computer?

It is observed that Cerber ransomware is developed to attack certain country users. If you are living in Uzbekistan, Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Belarus, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan, then cerber malware didn’t attack you. It checks the location information after getting into the computer and if the location is found to be any country that is listed above then it automatically delete itself. If you are from another country then it will start its encryption process.

Cerber Ransomware algorithm is designed to find important files in your computer. It goes folder by folder and then subfolder to find files that are important to you. It displays few errors that force you to restart the computer so that it goes deep into your system. After setting every setting according to its need it starts the complex encryption process. After some time you will see that the file names on your computer are changed to some random number and characters like 2jv9Z16GPb.cerber.

After encrypting these files Cerber Ransomware adds different notes to your computer so that you can know what has happened to your computer and how you are going to resolve this. These notes are listed in these three files “# DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt”, “# DECRYPT MY FILES #.vbs”, and “# DECRYPT MY FILES #.html”. When you open these files you can see the instructions to get the decryption software.

The .vbs files contain audio message that comes with your speaker –

Attention – Attention - Attention. Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted!

When you follow the instruction it shows you this page.

It clearly displays that the decryption software you are looking to download will cost around $517 and if you don’t purchase it within 7 days the price goes to double. Don’t worry we have a less costly tool to remove the cerber ransomware and get your files back. This tool is called MalwareFox, it will scan your computer for other malware also.

Manually Remove Cerber Ransomware from Computer

Cerber Ransomware is not easy to remove to remove from the computer. If you are willing to lose your files then you can simply format the drives of your computer and install a fresh operating system. This is not appropriate for every user. Sometimes it is seen that restoring system to the previous date removes the cerber ransomware and recover the files. Before trying anything, you should try restoring your system first. 

• WINDOWS 10
• wINDOWS 8 / 8.1
• WINDOWS 7 / VISTA

Search for ‘System Restore’ in Windows Search box and choose ‘Create a Restore Point’ from the Results.

Under the System Protection Tab choose ‘System Restore’

Click on Next

You will find the list of restore points. If you can’t find good restore point then check the box of ‘Show more restore points’. Select an appropriate restore point, click next and follow the instruction to restore your windows.

Go on the Desktop and press Windows + C button. It will display the Windows Charm menu.

In this charm menu Click on Settings and then select Control Panel

Search for ‘Recovery’ in the Control Panel Search Box and Choose Recovery from the Search Result

Now Choose ‘Open System Restore’

Click on Next

Now choose the Restore Points and click on Next

Click on Finish

Now Click on Yes button to confirm the restoration process. It warns that once the system restore will start it cannot be stopped.

Click on the Start button and search for System Restore in the search box and select the System Restore from the search result.

Select Choose a different restore point and click Next in the window. In the next window you will see different restore points and select one appropriate and click next.

Now Click on Finish button.

Now Windows will ask for confirmation that the once the Restoration will start it cannot be stopped. Click on Yes to confirm.

Automatically Remove Cerber Ransomware from your Computer and Get your Files Back

You just tried to clean the cerber ransomware from computer by restoring it to previous state. If you haven't succeed then here is automatic tool called MalwareFox. It is an anti-malware that cleans all types of malware including ransomware. Download this tool and follow the instruction to clean your computer from cerber ransomware.

Step 1- Install MalwareFox on your PC

Open the Installer by Clicking on the Downloaded file.

Now choose your desired language and follow the instructions to install the MalwareFox on your computer.

After completing the installation, the MalwareFox will update the application to its latest version. Let it update.

Now it will sync the Malware database with server. It is important step as it needs to know latest types of malwares.

Step 2 - Scan and Clean your Computer for Malware

When the update process completes it will show Real Time Protection: On. Now you can scan your computer. Press Scan button and leave everything on MalwareFox, it knows how to deal with Cerber Ransomware and other malwares.

After the scan complete click on Next button to clean your computer completely.

How to Stay Away from Cerber Ransomware?

This time you have successfully removed the Cerber Ransomware but to stay away from such malware you need to stay cautious. Always install security patches and updates to your system software, don't visit malicious websites, double insure before installing any software and updates, don't download files from Spam emails. Following all these actions you can stay away from malware like cerber. Also, you can add extra layer of security by enabling the Real-Time Protection of MalwareFox. This software will take care of all types of malware.