Cerber Ransomware Recovery Services

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What is Cerber?

In March 2016, the ransomware known as Cerber was found. It is possible for anyone to use ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) software without any prior coding or hacking experience. The RaaS client and the software creator split any proceeds from the extortion of ransomware victims. Files are encrypted by ransomware using cryptographically safe ciphers, and the victim is then required to pay the ransom to have their files decrypted.

Cerber ransomware is a particularly dangerous form of ransomware that has been known to encrypt not only a victim’s files, but also their backups. As a result, Cerber ransomware removal can be extremely difficult and often requires the use of specialized ransomware removal services. Ransomware services can also help to restore encrypted files, but they come at a significant cost. In order to avoid becoming a victim of Cerber ransomware, it is important to practice good cyber security hygiene and never open email attachments from unknown senders.

How Does Cerber Ransomware Work?

Using a phishing email, the first Cerber ransomware attack is launched. A zipped.DOT file is included in the email. The malicious macro that installs the malware on the local workstation is found in the password-protected.DOT file. Another variant of Cerber installs the malware on the local device via a Windows Script File (WSF) that is attached to a phishing email.

The password for the.DOT file is contained in the phishing email in the original.DOT version of Cerber. A Microsoft Word template that supports macros is known as a.DOT file. The file opens with a message to click the “Enable Content” warning message at the top of the window when the user opens the file and enters the password. The user permits the malicious macro to run on their local device by clicking this button.

The user is urged to access the script file when using the WSF version of Cerber. The user launches the script by opening the file, which downloads and installs the ransomware infection on the local device. An “unsubscribe” link directing users to the zip file containing the WSF script can also be found in the phishing email.

The Windows screensaver is launched by the initial Cerber execution, which takes place after the user has been inactive for some time. It also displays false system alerts to compel the user to reboot their system. Cerber makes the system reboot into Safe Mode with Networking enabled by default. The device is then compelled to reboot once more into the default Windows service.

Cerber then begins the encryption process when the device has rebooted into the default Windows environment. It will look for unmapped shared disks and encrypt 442 different file types. The encryption ciphers AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA (asymmetric) used by Cerber are both cryptographically secure. It should be noted that more recent iterations of Cerber also incorporate a botnet capability, enabling local devices to take part in distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) assaults.

How to recognize that you have been infected?

Like other ransomware, Cerber informs the victim that their files have been encrypted using alerts and notes. Cerber displays an alert on the victim’s computer as the screensaver to get their attention and then uses stored text files to provide instructions. Some versions of Cerber store an HTML file named __$$RECOVERY_README$$__.html on the drive or use a text file called “DECRYPT MY FILES” to alert victims.

Aside from wallpaper and file alerts, another sign that your device is affected is the “.locked” file extension. Instead of an Excel spreadsheet with the “.xlsx” file extension, your spreadsheet files will have the “.locked” file extension. Cerber encrypts over 400 file types, so all critical files, including personal images, will be encrypted.