Decrypt Cerber Rans0mware: *_READ_THIS_FILE_* virus removal

Online extortionists have launched a campaign involving an updated strain called Cerber Rans0mware, which features new *_READ_THIS_FILE_* ransom notes.

In the cybersecurity context, the term Cerber denotes a prolific specimen of file-encrypting ransomware. It is one of the very few strains sticking around for more than a year, while most crapware samples from this category emerge and vanish within a few months or sometimes even weeks. The high-profile architects of this campaign proved to be tech-savvy enough to implement the cryptographic facet of their offending code immaculately, so antimalware labs are still struggling to create a viable free decryption tool, to no avail at this point. To add insult to injury, this malicious operation reached a new milestone at the very beginning of April 2017. The crooks in charge released a new variant called the Cerber Rans0mware, with a zero instead of “o” in its name.

Another hallmark sign of this aggressive Trojan’s latest edition is that it drops an array of ransom notes called *_READ_THIS_FILE_* (or *_READ_THI$_FILE*_) in three different formats, namely TXT, JPEG and HTA. In particular, these include the following files: _READ_THIS_FILE_[random_chars].txt/jpeg/hta. The part in square brackets is a random string of characters like 53QOD or similar. The image version of the decryption how-to ends up replacing the original desktop wallpaper. Each one of these manuals is essentially a walkthrough for the victim to start with the recovery process. The message has a wording that security analysts are already familiar with:

Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted!
The only way to decrypt your files is to receive the private key and decryption program.
To receive the private key and decryption program go to any encrypted folder – inside there is the special file (*_READ_THIS_FILE_*) with complete instructions how to decrypt your files.

The manual also instructs the plagued user to download and install Tor Browser and enter a victim-specific address in it to visit a personal “Cerber Decryptor” page. The latter tells the user to submit 1 BTC to a specified Bitcoin wallet in order to obtain the file decryptor. The deadline for this payment is five days – a countdown script displays how much time is left before the ransom doubles and thus amounts to 2 BTC.

The authors of the Cerber Rans0mware (*_READ_THIS_FILE_* or *_READ_THI$_FILE_* edition) chose not to reinvent the wheel as far as the contamination workflow goes. The sole distribution vector revolves around rogue emails. Different waves of spam involved in the process are crafted for different locations, so the languages of the message body and title vary depending on where the recipient resides. The emails can be camouflaged as invoices or suchlike eye-catching subjects. The attachment tends to be a ZIP file. As soon as a random-named JavaScript object, for instance 53697.js, is extracted from this archive, the infection routine continues with downloading an executable from the crooks’ Command and Control server. This EXE entity is fired automatically and the contamination proper commences behind the scenes.

Cerber Rans0mware then scans the hard disk, removable media and network drives for popular types of data and encrypts every matching item. Filenames are replaced with 10 random hexadecimal characters along the way and appended with a four-character extension, which is derived from the infected computer’s MachineGuid value. To avoid the new _*READ_THIS_FILE*_, or _READ_THI$_FILE*_, variant of the Cerber Rans0mware, the most effective strategy is to refrain from opening suspicious spam email attachments. The troubleshooting after the fact, though, is an extremely difficult objective. The instruction below will help remove the ransomware and perhaps restore some hostage files without coughing up the ransom.

Cerber Rans0mware (*_READ_THIS_FILE_*) ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When faced with ransomware like Cerber Rans0mware (*_READ_THIS_FILE_*), one of the best shortcuts in terms of removal is to use Combo Cleaner, a lightweight and incredibly effective application with PC security and optimization features under the hood. It detects and thoroughly deletes threats while giving you insights into the overall health of your computer.

This program’s protection power spans modules that forestall all known types of malware, including ransomware and browser hijackers, and take your online security to the next level by blocking phishing sites and other suspicious web pages. Follow these simple steps to eliminate the infection for good:

1. Download Combo Cleaner installer.

Download Cerber Rans0mware (*_READ_THIS_FILE_*) remover

^{Combo Cleaner scans your PC with no strings attached, but you’ll have to buy its fully functional version to remove the threats it detects. The disk optimization tools that find large files and duplicates are free to use.}

2. Open the CCSetup.exe file to get started. Several subsequent screens will allow you to make initial customizations so that the program works exactly as you need from the get-go.

3. The installation will be followed by an update of malware signatures. Once this process is through, click the Start Scan button in the left-hand sidebar.

4. Combo Cleaner will then check system locations that are most often polluted by Windows malware. The first scan can take a while to finish.

5. Combo Cleaner will display a system tray notification as soon as the scan is over. Click the Resolve found threats button to view the results.

6. The scan summary shows the names and types of the detected threats as well as their statuses and locations. Click the Remove all threats button and follow further on-screen prompts to get rid of these items.

Data recovery toolkit to the rescue

Some strains of ransomware are known to delete the original files after the encryption routine has been completed. As hostile as this activity appears, it can play into your hands. There are applications designed to revive the information that was obliterated because of malfunctioning hardware or due to accidental removal. The tool called Stellar Data Recovery features this type of a capability and therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So use the app to get an idea of what data can be restored and let it do the recovery job. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

2. Open the application, select the types of recoverable files to look for, and click Next.

3. Choose the areas you want the tool to recover from and click the Scan button.

4. Having scanned the specified locations, the program will display a notification about the total amount of recoverable data. Close the dialog and click the Recover button. This will hopefully help you get some of your valuable files back.

Cerber Rans0mware (*_READ_THIS_FILE_*) ransomware manual removal and file recovery

Some ransomware strains terminate themselves after completing the encryption job on a computer, but some don’t. Furthermore, the Cerber Rans0mware (*_READ_THIS_FILE_*) virus may prevent victims from using popular antimalware tools in order to stay on board for as long as possible. Under the circumstances, it may be necessary to utilize the Safe Mode with Networking or System Restore functionality.

Be advised that even after the ransomware is removed, files will still be encrypted and inaccessible. The malicious code cleanup part, however, is important because it keeps a relapse of the infection from occurring further on and eliminates all opportunistic malware.

Ways of non-ransom file recovery

Cracking the crypto used by this ransom Trojan is more of a science fiction thing rather than an attainable prospect for the masses. This is why the troubleshooting in predicaments of this sort is a matter of two approaches: one is to pay the ransom, which isn’t an option for many victims; and the other is to apply instruments that take advantage of the ransomware’s possible weaknesses. If the latter is your pick, the advice below is a must-try.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid Cerber Rans0mware (*_READ_THIS_FILE_*) ransomware and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:

These techniques are certainly not a cure-all, but they will add an extra layer of ransomware protection to your security setup.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup. Another benefit of using the antimalware tool is that it will keep ransomware threats from intruding on your computer further on.

Download Cerber Rans0mware (*_READ_THIS_FILE_*) removal tool