Remove Cerber3 Ransomware and Decrypt Files

Cerber3 ransomware is a hazardous computer virus that is obviously part of Cerber family of malware. Just like old versions, this virus was made to encrypt various files on the computer leaving it inaccessible. Cerber3 uses complex encryption algorithm, which is very hard to decode. In fact, this new version patches the exploit uses by certain decryption tool such as from Trend Micro and CheckPoint.

Typically, Cerber3 enters the computer via another malware. It tries to exploit certain vulnerabilities on the computer and use it to gain access on the computer. It arrives in various forms but was seen lately to be utilizing mass emailing to spread quickly.

Once Cerber3 is executed, it looks for target files and encrypts them. Compromised files are appended with .cerber3 extension. In order to regain access to this file, the virus will demand user to pay 1.24 Bitcoins or approximately $700 at the current exchange rate.

As typical ransom virus, Cerber3 announces its presence by displaying warning messages on the desktop. It also places ransom notes on various part of the hard drive to remind user of the encryption and suggest how to quickly recover infected files.

As of now, there is no available Cerber3 decryption tool. There are various ways of recovering files provided you have a backup copy of it using Windows features like Windows Previous Version or Shadow Explorer.

How to Remove Cerber3 Ransomware

Ransomware files are placed deeply into the system and on various locations, thus, thorough scanning is vital to totally remove Cerber3 virus. Aside from our suggested tool, you may also run your own security program.

Though affected files may be impossible to decrypt due to complexity of the encryption, you can still try recovery method like Shadow Explorer or Previous Version as described below.

Stage 1: Scan the Computer with ESET Rogue Application Remover (ERAR)

1. Download the free scanner called ESET Rogue Application Remover.
Download Link for ERAR (this will open a new window)

2. Choose appropriate version for your Windows System. Save the file to a convenient location, preferably on Desktop.

3. After downloading the file, Windows will prompt that download has completed. Click Run to start the program. Another option is to browse the location folder and double click on the file ERARemover_.exe.

Erraremover Icon

4. On ESET Rogue Application Remover SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS, click Accept to continue.

5. The tool will start scanning the computer. It will prompt when it finds Cerber3 Ransomware and other malicious entities. Follow the prompt to proceed with the removal.

ERAR

Stage 2: Double-check for Cerber3 Ransomware’s leftover with Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool

1. Download the free scanner called Malicious Software Removal Tool.
Malicious Software Removal Tool Download Link (this will open a new window)

download-msrt

2. The tool automatically checks the operating system and suggest appropriate download version. Click on Download button to begin. Save the file to a convenient location, preferably on Desktop.

3. After downloading the file, Windows will prompt that download has completed. Click Run to start scanning for Cerber3 Ransomware. Another option is to browse the location folder and double click on the file to run.

MSRT Icon

4. The tool will display Welcome screen, click Next. Please note the message “This tool is not a replacement for an antivirus product.” You must understand that this program is made specifically to find and remove malware, viruses, Trojans, and other harmful elements on the computer. It was not designed to protect the computer.

msrt1

5. Next, you will see Scan Type. Please choose Full Scan to ensure that all Cerber3 Ransomware entities and other harmful files left on the computer will be found and removed. For advanced computer user, you can opt for Customized Scan, if there are other drives or folders you wanted to include in this scan.

msrt2

6. Full scan may take a while, please wait for Malicious Software Removal Tool to complete the tasks. However, you may cancel the scan anytime by clicking on the Cancel button.

msrt3

7. After scanning, the tool will reveal all identified threats. There may be other threats that our first scan fails to detect. Please remove/delete all detected items.

8. When removal procedure is complete, you may now close Malicious Software Removal Tool. We hope that Cerber3 Ransomware have been completely deleted from the computer. Please restart Windows to proceed with the normal operation.

Recover .Cerber3 Files Using Decryption Tool

As of this moment, there is no Decryption Tool for Cerber3 Ransomware. We will update this section as soon as we have obtained a tool that can recover encrypted .cerber3 files. In the meantime, please try other options below.

Option 1: Windows Previous Version Tool

Windows Vista and Windows 7 have a feature called Previous Versions. However, this tool is only usable if restore point was made prior to Cerber3 Ransomware infection. To use this tool and recover files affected by the virus, please follow these steps:

1. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer.

2. Right-click on the affected files or folders. From the drop-down list, please click on Restore previous versions.

3. New window will open display all backup copy of files and folders you wanted to recover. Choose the appropriate file and click on Open, Copy, or Restore. Restoring selected files overwrites the current encrypted files on the computer.

Option 2: Use ShadowExplorer to restore files encrypted by Cerber3 Ransomware

Just like Previous Version tool, ShadowExplorer is taking advantage of shadow copy created by Windows. This tool allows you to retrieve older version of files before it was encrypted by Cerber3 Ransomware.

1. Download ShadowExplorer from the official web site.

2. Install the program with the default settings.

3. The program should run automatically after installation. If not, double-click on ShadowExplorer icon.

4. You can see the drop-down list on top of the console. Please select proper drive and the most recent point-in-time shadow copies of files you wish to restore prior to Cerber3 Ransomware infection.

shadow3

5. Right-click on the Drive, Folder, or File you wish to restore and click Export…

6. Lastly, ShadowExplorer will prompt for location where you want to save the copy of recovered files.

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13 thoughts on “Remove Cerber3 Ransomware and Decrypt Files”

  1. – Cerber3 destroys external HDD data! The data on the external backup disk was rendered unusable, likely by erasing the file system table. Undelete programs still can find the file names, but they say that files are unrecoverable. This may also happen with other attached devices like SD-cards in digicams.
    – Cerber3 definitely uses windows network shares and encrypts all data on other PCs that it can access as well. this happened in the office of my customer, where cerber3 also rendered a second machine useless
    – It is likely that cerber3 can spread via infected documents in drop box, two employees of my customer do not receive the same e-mails, but use drop box for their daily work, and both are infected (without being networked to one another)

  2. Infected with Cerber3, please help. Is there any free anti-spyware to fix it?

  3. Please help, my PC is infected with (.cerber3) and I have no older backup in Windows. Please guide me, how I can recover my files that are encrypted?

  4. Hello Mr. Cihan
    I also faced same issue. I sent a email to you. Please reply me.
    Thanks.
    Prabhath

  5. Tridip Bardhan

    Till date, it’s not possible to decrypt .cerber3 files without paying ransom. Cerber hackers are using a complex algorithm which is almost impossible to crack. Trend Micro has CERBER1 decryption tool. In this entire world all antivirus providers are unable to decrypt .cerber3 files yet. Shame on them.

  6. Hi, My laptop is infected in Cerber 3 and photos and files are encrypted. Pls help me to recover it. I don’t have backup for those files too.

  7. I got Cerber 4, pc ruined all data lost no back up , one drive data ruined drop box ruined and so on , the people who make this kind of stuff are the worst criminals ever they just destroy not a lot of personal data, and computers sometimes with huge capital value and for sure with high personal and perhaps emotional value, but also threaten the very basis of our new technology based society. Paying ransoms is throwing money in the ocean. Someone has to stop this. It seems like there is no authority and no protection world wide. If this goes on the internet may soon render useless.

  8. My file almost 4TB inside external hard disk has been infected with Cerber 3. Can you help me recover it?

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