Cerber3 Ransomware

By GoldSparrow in Ransomware

Threat Scorecard

Ranking: 9,198
Threat Level: 100 % (High)
Infected Computers: 71,874
First Seen: March 4, 2016
Last Seen: September 11, 2023
OS(es) Affected: Windows

The Cerber3 Ransomware is a new version of a well-known ransomware Trojan. The Cerber Ransomware Trojan now uses a slightly different method during its attack. The main difference is that the files infected by the Cerber3 Ransomware can be identified through the use of .CERBER3 as the extension that identifies the files that have been encrypted in the attack. PC security analysts had observed a Cerber2 variant of this attack previously. This numbering system may indicate new versions of software, and threats are no exception. The appearance of the Cerber3 Ransomware indicates that the Cerber ransomware family is being developed and updated currently.

The Cerber3 Ransomware and Possible Updates to this Threat

The Cerber3 Ransomware was discovered recently, around the end of August of 2016. The Cerber3 Ransomware presents minor differences from previous versions of this threat. However, it seems that most of the differences are external and that the threat attack is the same essentially. Since the Cerber3 Ransomware is being improved currently, it is likely that new versions or more differences will be uncovered in the following weeks. The reaction of the con artists responsible for this threat may be because a free decryption utility for this threat was released by PC security analysts this year. It seems that this free decryption utility will not work with the Cerber3 Ransomware variant on this attack.

The Cerber3 Ransomware is the Third Version of the Cerber Ransomware

The Cerber3 Ransomware delivers its ransom note in a file named '# HELP DECRYPT #.txt,' which is drops in directories where the Cerber3 Ransomware has encrypted files. The Cerber3 Ransomware ransom note contains information on how to pay by using BitCoins and the Tor browser, and about the attack. Before you pay the ransom, however, malware researchers advise computer users to consider that it is unlikely that the con artists will provide the means to decrypt the files immediately and, even if they do, the payment will be used to continue developing the Cerber3 Ransomware and other threats. It is highly likely that a new decryption tool will be released to deal with the Cerber3 Ransomware variant since it is still essentially the same attack as the first version of this threat.

How the Cerber3 Ransomware may Enter a Computer

The Cerber3 Ransomware, like most Trojans, enters a computer disguised as something else. Many situations may lead to an infection with Trojans like the Cerber3 Ransomware. The most common method is by opening a corrupted email attachment. The Cerber3 Ransomware also may be distributed through unsafe online advertisements or by distributing it on peer-to-peer file sharing networks. Malware analysts strongly advise that computer users take steps to avoid possibly unsafe websites and precautions when dealing with unsolicited email messages and attachments. The best method to ensure that the Cerber3 Ransomware does not enter your computer is to use a security app that is fully up-to-date and has a good anti-spam filter that will prevent corrupted email messages from entering your email inbox (or at least reduce their frequency greatly).

Dealing with the Cerber3 Ransomware

Unfortunately, the reason why threats like the Cerber3 Ransomware and other ransomware Trojans have become so popular among con artists is that they are very difficult to deal with. Even if the Cerber3 Ransomware is removed with an anti-virus program, the victim's files will still be encrypted and useless until the ransom is paid or an appropriate decryption utility is found (which is not common, since these threats tend to use strong encryption methods in their attacks). Because of this, it is important that computer users have good file backup procedures, and appropriate preventive measures and training are established to lower the risk of a Cerber3 Ransomware infection or other, similar ransomware Trojan attacks.

SpyHunter Detects & Remove Cerber3 Ransomware

File System Details

Cerber3 Ransomware may create the following file(s):
# File Name MD5 Detections
1. Readme.hta e125ef487472bfdd17d7e3e7e237d0d9 167
2. Readme.hta 8f85ab4bb455ce6d413eff9e9d47a506 54
3. README.hta 777e13c9a5cad4e1d2134d5104188ff6 43
4. README.hta c4fff6005b70cccd895082e6c79595b3 36
5. README.hta e189ce9640edc95a1ba19d0d4d85691b 24
6. README.hta 107ab5eae352dab9defab24d3ba77b4a 18
7. _HELP_HELP_HELP_QUCBCBS1_.hta c042f1d91619e9b4f91bf1e1b78fee85 14
8. _HELP_HELP_HELP_RSHI_.hta a46e5f2ce8a20bbb8548959debb9ac0c 10
9. _HELP_HELP_HELP_STOV8H1_.hta 1632ca0953d5499bf251455159a80ea0 6
10. _HELP_HELP_HELP_ND8FZ.hta 041ef4b6a12e0b3165172884301b0d1e 5
11. _HELP_HELP_HELP_Z49XU_.hta 243d0fd4f4bee5f11698c20d43b958ff 4
12. _HELP_HELP_HELP_XFCV_.hta 01ec9e50d17de043a23997d6562293ad 3
13. _HELP_HELP_HELP_2AK4U21_.hta 55790c64ce1ff75647d5cadcadf3876e 3
14. _HELP_HELP_HELP_3NNARI.hta 0ef13a9213c456db231825061eec294c 2
15. _HELP_HELP_HELP_L41VV_.hta c63b4a524713e4c5f3802463cb46dab8 2
16. _READ_THI$_FILE_L81EB65A_.hta 2a6828d2ba37bb97efb4773619b80715 2
17. _HELP_HELP_HELP_2R9I63OS.hta a2daec078c54bb6bc5e96038a1506f2c 1
18. _HELP_HELP_HELP_UYUR4YE.hta bc0c75128b9cbc02c8c053c1155fb6d9 1
19. _HELP_HELP_HELP_CKJ4GL.hta 99d3fc208d3623107cfb18a9069e23bd 1
20. _HELP_HELP_HELP_SUXEZY_.hta 5190e890725bf431ba44001e190c70f5 1
21. _HELP_HELP_HELP_GLP9_.hta 5f7533c663ddb4c0ae4dbbaafb50d491 1
22. _HELP_HELP_HELP_HUUKTW_.hta 0224da72bc3638b351cf509cdfc443c2 1
23. _READ_THI$_FILE_DB3DT9_.hta 7476a75b0680d99f5338b886bc7def62 1
24. wP6fT.exe 731279e3c09f8e52a849c0a9c1043bb5 1
25. cmdkey.exe 27cf39d205567505d840391e4761a7a0 1
26. file.exe 212fa73fd6ed39b4720bcfd8d97426d5 0
More files

Registry Details

Cerber3 Ransomware may create the following registry entry or registry entries:
File name without path
# DECRYPT MY FILES #.html
# DECRYPT MY FILES #.url
# DECRYPT MY FILES #.vbs
_README_.hta

3 Comments

santhoshkumartadela Reply

How to recover the data after cerber3 is hacked

If I have already "contracted this virus" should I remove the hard disk affected, or can I continue working with them (as I see NEW files added to computer remain intact and readable} ?

Nishant Balgovind Reply

Hey santhoshkumartadela -- Did you found any answer... I am really f**ked up with this .cerber3... Years of hard work is f**ked by this bloody .cerber3

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