I wrote this article to help you remove Cerber4 Ransomware. This Cerber4 Ransomware removal guide works for all Windows versions.
The developers of the Cerber string of ransomware infections have gone above and beyond to make their program effective. The virus, dedicated to the mythological three-headed dog, has had an extra head added. Cerber4 ransomware is now roaming around the Internet. The clandestine program looks to penetrate computers and lock the files, contained in them. If you have contacted this threat, you are in deep trouble. The cyber thieves behind Cerber4 ransomware are determined to collect unregulated fees from PC users. To prevent them from leaving you with no other choice, you have to act fast.
The malignant program uses the same technologies as its predecessors. Cerber4 ransomware creates a public encryption key using an AES-256 cipher. The win-locker generates a unique private decryption key with the RSA algorithm. Cerber4 ransomware targets text documents, databases, images, audios, videos, archives and certain system files. The virus only omits the elements, required for the machine to run properly. The coders have drawn the line to keep the historical facts correct. The rogue program marks the encrypted files by appending a custom extension to their names.
Whereas the three versions of the win-locker used the suffixes .cerber, .cerber2 and .cerber3, the latest variant has moved on to a different extension format. In the myths, Cerber has three heads. The forth build of the infection does not add the number four to the original appendix. It generates a custom file extension, consisting of 4 alpha numerical digits.
When it has completed the encryption procedure, Cerber4 ransomware creates a ransom note to notify the victim about its actions and state its demands. The file is titled README.hta. The win-locker no longer conveys a voice message to the user. Cerber4 ransomware is more straight to the point. Rather than using sophisticated psychological tricks, the insidious program focuses on its demands.
The cyber criminals request a certain payment to provide the decryption key. Research has shown that the amount varies in separate cases. This is usually an indication that the win-locker has accessed the files and analyzed their content. The ransom would be determined according to the importance of the encrypted data. At this point, we can only make an assumption about the calculation method.
The sum fluctuates between 0.5 BTC and 1.5 BTC. Converted, this equals the diapason from $361.33 USD to $1084 USD. The note links to a Tor page where you can purchase the Cerber Decryptor. The hackers warn users that attempting to do a restoration with a custom program would be fatal for their files. This is just a scare tactic which you should pay no attention to.
In general, Cerber4 ransomware is simplified in terms of communication between the developers and the victims. The user is not required to send a sample file for free decryption. The 7-day deadline for paying a lower ransom has been dropped and replaced by differentiated calculation. The sum Cerber4 ransomware requires is on average less than the amount the previous variants demanded. Trusting the cyber crooks to make good on the proposed deal is not advised. They have deceived you once already.
Cerber4 ransomware is distributed through misleading spam emails. The win-locker uses the services of three exploit kits: Neutrino, Magnitude and RIG. The latter is the most common host. The mediator program latches onto an attachment from the email. Accessing the file is enough to transfer the EK to your machine. We advise you to be cautious with your emails. Keep in mind that the sender can make the message appear legitimate. To proof the reliability of a given email, check the sender’s contacts. If he is writing on behalf of a given company or entity, he should have used an official account. You can visit the organization’s official website for references.
Cerber4 Ransomware Removal
Method 1: Restore your encrypted files using ShadowExplorer
Usually, Cerber4 Ransomware deletes all shadow copies, stored in your computer. Luckily, the ransomware is not always able to delete the shadow copies. So your first try should be restoring the original files from shadow copies.
- Download ShadowExplorer from this link: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/downloads.html.
- Install ShadowExplorer
- Open ShadowExplorer and select C: drive on the left panel
- Choose at least a month ago date from the date field
- Navigate to the folder with encrypted files
- Right-click on the encrypted file
- Select “Export” and choose a destination for the original file
Method 2: Restore your encrypted files by using System Restore
- Go to Start –> All programs –> Accessories –> System tools –> System restore
- Click “Next“
- Choose a restore point, at least a month ago
- Click “Next“
- Choose Disk C: (should be selected by default)
- Click “Next“. Wait for a few minutes and the restore should be done.
Method 3: Restore your files using File Recovery Software
If none of the above method works, you should try to recover encrypted files by using File Recovery Software. Since Cerber4 Ransomware first makes a copy of the original file, then encrypts it and deletes the original one, you can successfully restore the original, using a File Recovery Software. Here are a few free File Recovery Software programs:
