How to remove Cerber ransomware and decrypt .Cerber files

What is Cerber ransomware

Cerber ransomware – is a typical crypto-ransomware, that encrypts users documents and files by using AES encryption algorithm. What happens if Cerber infects user’s PC? It starts encryption, it is accompanied by slowing PC performance. As result, many files and documents are renamed and have .cerber file extension. Of course, ransomware explain user, how he can save his files: Cerber leaves files with payment information, it asks 1.25 bitcoin for decryptor. But is there any chance, that cyber crooks will sent decrypter after getting money? No one know, this is why we recommend not to pay them and remove Cerber by using removal tool. Also you can restore encrypted .cerber files by following instructions at this guide.

There is a list of file types, which can be affected by Cerber ransomware:

.sql, .mp4, .7z, .rar, .m4a, .wma, .avi, .wmv, .csv, .d3dbsp, .zip, .sie, .sum, .ibank, .t13, .t12, .qdf, .gdb, .sid, .ncf, .menu, .layout, .dmp, .blob, .esm, .vcf, .vtf, .dazip, .fpk, .mlx, .kf, .iwd, .crt, .cer, .der, .x3f, .srw, .pef, .ptx, .r3d, .rw2, .rwl, .raw, .raf, .orf, .nrw, .mrwref, .mef, .erf, .kdc, .dcr, .cr2, .crw, .bay, .sr2, .srf, .arw, .3fr, .dng, .jpe, .jpg, .cdr, .indd, .ai, .eps, .pdf, .pdd, .psd, .dbf, .mdf, .wb2, .rtf, .wpd, .dxg, .xf, .dwg, .pst, .accdb, .mdb, .pptm, .pptx, .ppt, .xlk, .xlsb, .xlsm, .xlsx, .xls, .wps, .docm, .docx, .doc, .odb, .odc, .odm, .odp, .ods, .tax, .pkpass, .bc6, .bc7, .bkp, .qic, .bkf, .sidn, .sidd, .mddata, .itl, .itdb, .icxs, .hvpl, .hplg, .hkdb, .mdbackup, .syncdb, .gho, .cas, .svg, .map, .wmo, .itm, .sb, .fos, .mov, .vdf, .ztmp, .sis, .odt, .vpk, .tor, .psk, .rim, .w3x, .fsh, .ntl, .arch00, .lvl, .snx, .cfr, .ff, .vpp_pc, .lrf, .m2, .mcmeta, .vfs0, .mpqge, .kdb, .db0, .dba, .rofl, .hkx, .bar, .upk, .das, .iwi, .litemod, .asset, .forge, .ltx, .bsa, .apk, .re4, .sav, .lbf, .slm, .bik, .epk, .rgss3a, .pak, .big, wallet, .wotreplay, .xxx, .desc, .py, .m3u, .flv, .js, .css, .rb, .png, .jpeg, .txt, .p7c, .p7b, .p12, .pfx, .pem

There are two solutions of this problem. One is to use special Removal Tool. Removal Tools delete all instances of malware by few clicks and help user to save time. Or you can use Manual Removal Guide. Manual Removal Guides help user to remove malware manually. This method needs time and knowledge at IT sphere.

Cerber Removal Guide

1. Download Cerber Removal Tool.
2. Remove Cerber from Windows (7, 8, 8.1, Vista, XP, 10) or Mac OS (Run system in Safe Mode).
3. How to Decrypt .Cerber files.
4. How to restore system to previous “condition”.
5. How to protect PC from future infections.

Cerber Automated Removal Tools:

Download Norton Security

Use removal tool to uninstall Cerber. Trial version of Malwarebytesdetects Cerber ransomware and assists in its removal for FREE.

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Manual Cerber Removal Guide

Below is step-by-step instructions to remove Cerber from Windows and Mac computers. Follow this steps carefully and remove files and folders belonging to Cerber. First of all, you will need to run system in a Safe Mode. Then find and remove needed files and folders.

Uninstall Cerber from Windows or Mac

Windows 7/Vista:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Cerber by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows 8/8.1:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Cerber by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows 10:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Cerber by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Windows XP:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press Settings button;
3. Choose Safe Mode;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Cerber by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

Mac OS:

1. Restart the computer;
2. Press and Hold Shift button, before system will be loaded;
3. Release Shift button, when Apple logo appears;
4. Find programs or files potentially related to Cerber by using Removal Tool;
5. Delete found files;

How to decrypt .Cerber files

After Cerber is removed, you want to decrypt your documents and files. There are different decrypting tools, that can help you.
After removing Cerber, you can try to decrypt Cerber files. All you need is decrypting tool. There may be a trouble – not all files can be decrypted and restored, it is depends on ransomware.
One of those programs is Trend Micro Ransomware File Decryptor. This software decrypt a lot of types ransomware file formats. You don’t even need to find encrypted files, it will do anything by itself. You can download Trend Micro Ransomware File Decryptor here.
Download TrendMicro Decryptor

How to restore encrypted files

If you can’t remove and decrypt files or just don’t want to use those instructions, you can try to restore system from recovery point by using special tools: Previous Versions, System Restore, Shadow Explorer. Be sure, that you have saved recovery point, otherwise you can’t do anything with some tools.

Restore encrypted files using Shadow Explorer

Shadow Explorer – is good software with simple interface, that gives an access to “shadow copies”.

1. Run the Shadow Explorer;
2. Choose local disk, that contains needed files (sector 1 on picture);
3. Choose time period, when files weren’t encrypted (sector 2 on picture);
4. Find needed files and folders, after this right-click them and Press Export;
5. Choose the export location and check files;

Restore encrypted files using Recuva

There is another program, that can help user to recover encrypted files. And this program is Recuva, software which friendly interface.

1. Run the Recuva;
2. Follow instructions and wait until scan process ends;
3. Find needed files, mark them and Press Recover button;

How to prevent ransomware infection?

Since Cerber classified as ransomware, it needs a method to infiltrate into personal computer. And the most usable method is attaching to e-mail with messages, that provocate to open attached document.

Be careful while reading e-mail from unknown and suspicious users. Also, you can install various programs, which will stop any actions from suspicious applications, like ransomware. The most popular programs are:
HitmanPro.Alert with CryptoGuard, Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware and CryptoPrevent. Those programs may detect many known ransomware and some unknown ransomware. It is recommended to use such programs for safety of your personal documents and files in future.