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In this article we are going to try and help you remove Cerber 4.1.3 Ransomware. Our instructions cover all Windows versions.
The Ransomware type of programs is currently one of the nastiest online virus types that your computer can get infected with. They are not only extremely problematic, but they are also very difficult to deal with. A typical virus of this kind can encrypt all your important data and render it inaccessible to you unless you pay a certain amount of money as ransom to the hacker that is using the virus. Furthermore, due to the specific agenda that most Ransomware programs have, they are both nearly impossible to detect and to deal with the aftermath of their infection. Therefore, make sure to carefully read through every paragraph of the following article, for it will contain some crucial information concerning what those viruses can do, how they do it and what your possible courses of action during the different stages of a Ransomware attack are. Since Cerber 4.1.3 is one of the latest of its type, we will be focusing on this particular virus.
How is Ransomware any different from the rest of the computer viruses that you can encounter?
The Ransomware type is a unique kind of malicious software. Unlike most other harmful programs that can infect your machine, a program such as Cerber 4.1.3 does not actually attack your system. Its approach is much more devious and cunning and this is what makes it so effective. While the majority of other viruses would attempt to directly target your system and damage it or try to gain your bank account password in order to steal money from you, Cerber 4.1.3 uses an encryption on your data files. Since many other legal programs use encryption for their files, most anti-virus software does not consider the encryption to be a malicious process. However, since the code used by the Ransomware to encrypt your documents is unreadable to your PC, the result is that you cannot access the files. Furthermore, most Ransomware viruses use different encryptions that get more sophisticated with each new program of this type. This makes it extremely difficult for security software developers to come up with effective ways of dealing with the threat. Oftentimes, once your files get locked by Ransomware, there is almost nothing you can do apart from wait and hope that sooner or later the code for the encryption on your files will be cracked and made public.
The different stages of the encryption process and how you can intercept it
Cerber 4.1.3 does not simply force the encryption onto your files. In fact, it first needs to copy all of them and it is the copies that are encrypted. However, once this is done, the virus deletes the original files and you are left only with the encrypted copies. Since this process might take quite some time, depending on how fast your PC is and how much data you have stored on it. During this time, it is possible for you to manually detect the infection by paying close attention to your machine’s behavior. If you notice that a lot of CPU and RAM are being used for no apparent reason and there is way too little free disk space, it might be a good idea to shut your PC down and have it examined by an IT professional since Ransomware might be currently encrypting your data. Also, if that is the case, do not attach any devices to your PC since they might get infected as well.
What to do if the virus has already locked your files?
As we said earlier, there are not many options after the encryption has finished. Once Cerber 4.1.3 is done locking your files, it will display a message on your screen that demands a ransom payment and provides you with instructions on how to make the transfer. Some users might consider going for that, however, we need to warn you that this is a bad idea. Nothing will guarantee you that you’ll be sent the code for the encryption, even if you follow the instructions and pay the ransom. Also, since in most cases the money is demanded in the form of bitcoins (an untraceable cyber-currency), if you make the transfer, your money will be gone for good and there is little to no chance that the criminal would be ever brought to justice. Therefore, our suggestion for those of you who have already had their data encrypted is to finish reading the article and try out our removal guide on how to remove Cerber 4.1.3 and restore your files. While it does not guarantee one hundred percent success, it is still a much better alternative to the ransom payment.
Last but not least, you need to make sure that you would be better prepared for any future Ransomware encounters. Here are some useful tips that can prove to be really helpful in the future:
- Make a back-up of all important data that you have – this will neutralize the effect of most Ransomware viruses.
- Stay away from illegal and suspicious sites and do not open any shady links or e-mail letters, no matter who the sender is.
- Get yourself high-quality antivirus software. Oftentimes Ransomware viruses get in people’s computers via some other backdoor virus and that is why having a reliable security program is always a must.
Cerber 4.1.3 Ransomware Removal
# 1
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Enter Windows Safe mode.
- Win 7 Users: Restart your PC –> keep on clicking F8 –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Mode with Networking.
- Win 8 Users: Start Button –> Control Panel –> System and Security –> Administrative Tools –> System Configuration –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Boot –>
- Win 10 users: Start Menu –> Power Options Menu –> Hold down the SHIFT button while clicking on Restart –> Troubleshoot –> Advanced Options –> Startup Settings –> Restart –> In the subsequent Menu select Safe Mode with Networking.
# 2
Open Task Manager and locate any processes associated with Cerber 4.1.3.
- Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys simultaneously –> Processes Tab –> Select a suspicious process (use Google or ask us in the comments if you are not sure about a process) –> Right Click and Open File Location –> End the suspicious process in Task Manager –> Delete the Folders containing the suspicious files.
# 3
Open the Registry Editor and search for Cerber 4.1.3.
- Win 7 Users: Click Start and type regedit –> Enter –> Press CTRL + F buttons –> Type Cryp1 Virus in the search field.
- Win 8/10 users: Start Button –> Choose Run –> type regedit –> Enter Press CTRL + F buttons –> Type Cerber 4.1.3 in the search field.
# 4
Try to recover your files. First you will need System Restore.
- Win 7 Users: Start button –> Type Windows System Restore –> Enter –> Open System Restore –> Select a Restore Point and revert to it.
- Win 8 Users: Hold down the Windows key + Q –> Type Recovery –> Settings –> Choose the Recovery icon –> Open System Restore –> Select a Restore Point.
- Win 10 Users: Start Menu –> Power Options Menu –> Hold down the SHIFT button while clicking on Restart –> Troubleshoot –> Advanced Options –> System Restore –> Select a Restore Point and apply it.
Secondly use program that can access your Shadow Copies.
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- Use Google to find the official website of such a program and download it.
- Use the program to select the file types and the hard drive locations you want the program to scan for.
- Start the scan and keep in mind that it might take a while.
- Once the scan has been completed just select the files you want to be recovered.
If you have questions or suggestions feel free to use our comments section!