Cerber Ransomware 4.1.0 Removal

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Your files are encrypted by Cerber Ransomware 4.1.0 ? Check our guide for instructions on the removal and file recovery of Cerber Ransomware 4.1.0!

If you suddenly realized that your personal files have been locked by some strange encryption that your PC is unable to read and after a while a message popped up on your screen telling you that you need to pay ransom if you want your data back, then you have likely fallen victim to a virus called Cerber 4.1.0. This particular piece of malware is one of the newest members of the Ransomware family.

Introduction to Ransomware

If this is the first time you hear about Ransomware, you should know that these malicious programs are currently one of the greatest online security hazards. They target both big company conglomerates and normal users. Nobody is safe from a Ransomware attack and due to the whopping pace of evolution of these noxious programs, it is often next to impossible to stop them once they’ve gotten inside the system. That is why we strongly recommend that you carefully read the following article, since it will provide you with essential information concerning Cerber 4.1.0 and the rest of its type. Apart from that, there is a guide that may help you remove such malware from your machine if it has already been infected by it. However, keep in mind that, as we mentioned, there are no guarantees with Ransomware viruses and what had worked a day ago might prove to be ineffective today.

Understanding Ransomware

In order to get a better idea of why this particular type of malicious software is so problematic, you’d need to understand how it functions. Unlike other more conventional viruses, Ransomware programs do not actually strive to harm your system or data. The method they use to lock your data is called encryption and it is not an inherently malevolent process. Many legal programs use encryption to protect their files. This has led to anti-virus software being programmed to ignore encryption processes, regarding them as safe and non-threatening. This, in turn, is the perfect opportunity for programs such as Cerber 4.1.0 to operate under the radar of most scanner tools. However, unlike normal programs, Ransomware targets all of the user’s personal files. Once the encryption is done, you are unable to access any of your data. Usually, at this point the virus reveals itself via a ransom-demanding message displayed on the victim’s screen. The message oftentimes provides detailed instructions on how the user is supposed to pay the money, in order to be sent the decryption key for that would allow the computer to regain access to the locked data.

Bitcoins and Ransom payment

It is generally a very bad idea to opt for the ransom payment. There is just no guarantee that you wouldn’t actually be wasting your money in return for nothing. After all, nobody can oblige the criminal to send you the encryption key. Here, it should be mentioned that in the majority of instances the Ransomware blackmailers require the payment to be made in the form of bitcoins. This is a cryptocurrency that is virtually untraceable, which in turn allows the criminal to remain anonymous. Therefore, if you make the transfer, there is little to no chance that you’d ever get the chance to sue the hacker, let alone return your money. Our suggestion to all victims of a Ransomware attack is to seek another method of handling the situation. Our guide is one possible alternative, which could potentially help you remove the nasty virus from your machine and restore your data.

How to detect Cerber 4.1.0 (manually)

As we already mentioned, anti-virus software might prove ineffective when detecting different Ransomware viruses. However, the encryption process can be manually spotted if the user is vigilant enough and knows what to look out for. Know that the virus might need a considerable amount of time to lock all your files. This is because in order to encrypt them, the Ransomware first needs to copy each and every file. Those copies are actually the files that have been encrypted and not the originals. After this stage is over, Cerber 4.1.0 deletes the original data and you are left with the inaccessible copies. This is how the encryption works and during the time the process is taking place, significant amounts of PC resources such as RAM, CPU and free storage space are going to be used. Therefore, if you notice unusually high levels of system resource usage for no visible reason, then there might be a Ransomware infection. If this is the case, quickly shut down your machine and have it examined by a specialist. Also, remember not to connect any USB devices for a last-minute back-up, because they could also get infected by the Ransomware.

Protection tips

By now it should be fairly obvious just how nasty this type of malware is. Therefore, keeping your system safe and secure is the only truly effective way that would prevent your data from getting locked. Here are a couple of useful pieces of advice that will aid you in protecting your machine in the future:

Make sure to install a high-quality security program, since oftentimes Ransomware makes its way into people’s computers with the help of other backdoor viruses, such as Trojan Horses. Also, some newer and more advanced anti-virus programs have certain levels of Ransomware detection, which is worth having at your side.
Do not download anything from unreliable sources or ones that are illegal. Only visit reputable websites that you know you can trust and stay away from the shadier parts of the internet.
Never open any suspicious e-mail letters that get sent to you or download any files attached to them. Do not click on any obscure-looking hyperlinks. Those are some of the most common ways for Ransomware distribution.
Backup all your important personal files on a separate device that is not connected to the internet and frequently update that back-up with any new valuable files that you might have.