Cerber Ransomware: The One to Watch Out For

Be prepared for the unexpected, buy a ransomware tool to counterattack the virus.

Cerber ransomware!

Sounds kind of spooky doesn’t it? Well in a way it is. Cerber ransomware is a malware program, which is just as debilitating as any other computer virus if not more so. Yes just as the name ransomware implies, this is the ransoming of all your cherished files.

Cerber ransomware is a program that targets different operating systems including Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. This malware software was identified in February of last year. The malware starts by scanning the computer for files and then encrypts them with an AES encryption.

“So what does that do to my computer?” you are wondering.  “Basically, what this means is that you won’t be able to open any of your documents, pictures or important files. Once the infection finishes encrypting all the files, you get a message giving you instructions on how you can get your files back; usually a process that requires anywhere from $100 to $1000, depending on how urgently you need those files back. This can be something that is just annoying or something that’s devastating depending on the type of files you have.

What Happens?

When Cerber ransomware first attacks it creates an executable in your computer. It automatically launches in the background. You don’t even know that it is running. It starts running through the computer encrypting files, folders and data, adding strange extensions to your files and documents. The only way to remove the extensions and open the files is by installing a decrypting software tool that the same malware provider offers.

Cerber ransomware is the latest in malware technology. It’s much like the ransom kidnappings that have occurred in the last 20 or 30 years. Except that instead of kidnapping people, the malware takes your files. This new ransomware has become a lucrative method for cyber criminals to extort people from behind their computer screen.

Now there are also other types of ransoming malware such as Torlocker and Cryptlocker. All of these malware programs have made huge amounts of money for people from all over the world. As far as criminal software Cerber ransomware is very successful, and that can be extremely BAD for you.

Also See: Ransomware as a Service: 6 Discovered Instances

The Stats

This hacking software pays little attention to who it targets; it can affect a large business just as quickly as it can affect the computer of the house wife next door. The problem really gets out of control when it affects students, business people and educational enterprises. The inability to access files makes life almost impossible. Students lose their thesis papers, assignments and study guides. Business owners lose documents, sales information, tax information and more.

AND somehow, those users who are terribly affected by the malware find the money to pay the ransom.  Of course there are others who are unwilling or not able to pay, and they just GIVE UP and end up giving up their data.

How do I Prevent My System from Getting Infected?

Cerber ransomware uses a kit to enter a user´s computer and avoid antivirus detection. The program uses infected websites or malware advertising campaigns to target the user’s data. Definitely, this is an outstanding way to distribute malware. It uses many different distribution channels to spread its ransomeware. It’s spam at its very best. It can come in from an email, a website or an ad.

When the zipped program infiltrates your computer, it unzips automatically and concentrates on encrypting all the data on the device; including networked computers on the system.

How Does Cerber Ransomware Encrypt the Files?

The ransomware uses many different file extensions. These can look something like. R3d, css. Fsh. Lvll, vcf, gdb, rw2, map, pdd, rwl, vpp, pc, SAV, vtf, arch00, mdb and many more. The infected files on the user’s device are immediately renamed or changed to another format. Cerber then promptly proceeds to delete any copies of files and of its own files in directories. This way they leave no trace.

How Do I Decrypt My Files?

This type of ransomware software has been out for more than a year so there are some good tools to keep on hand such as that made by My Spy Bot. However there is still a risk that your computer files can be affected and damaged even after using a good antivirus and anti-malware program dedicated to decrypting files.

Should I Pay the Ransom?

This is a question only you can answer. We recommend that you NOT pay it, as there is never a guarantee that you’ll get a decryption key, and you could still have damaged files after you decrypt. Now that the ransomware has been on the market for about a year and a half, there are a few decryption tools out there. But there may be a point when you just can´t decrypt the data, no matter what you do.

Prevention is Key When it comes to the Cerber ransomware program

There are a few things you can do to keep from getting infected.

1. Avoid keeping your information on a local drive. Backup to the cloud or to an external drive that you disconnect after performing a backup
2. Don’t open attachments from emails in your spam folder or which come from unknown senders.
3. Avoid clicking on links or authorizing the download of a program you don’t want.
4. Keep your system software up to date.
5. Use a good antivirus with a real time scanner.
6. Purchase a ransomeware tool to counter attack the infection quickly.

Bottom Line
Keep your devices as clean as you possibly can. We can’t reiterate enough the importance of keeping important documents in save storage areas like the cloud. Make sure you have an updated antivirus, and if your work is vital be sure to purchase a tool to decrypt the files of the Cerber ransomware.