What is a .CERBER file?
A .CERBER file is a type of file that has been locked by a specific kind of harmful software known as Cerber ransomware. This ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, that criminals use to take control of your personal files on your computer. Once Cerber ransomware infects your computer, it encrypts various types of your files, such as documents (.DOC), images (.JPG), or audio files (.MP3), making them inaccessible to you. The encryption used is very strong, combining AES-256 and RSA methods, which makes the files very difficult to decrypt without the necessary key.
The .CERBER file extension is added to your original file's name after it has been encrypted. For example, if you had a file named "photo.jpg," after encryption by Cerber, it would be renamed to something like "photo.jpg.cerber." This file type first became widely recognized in 2016 and is similar to other ransomware file types like .LOCKY and .ZZZZZ, which are associated with Locky ransomware.
The main goal of Cerber ransomware is to force you to pay a ransom, typically demanded in Bitcoin, to get a decryption key from the cybercriminals to unlock your files. The ransomware also creates additional files like .TXT, .HTML, and .VBS in each affected folder. These files contain messages from the attackers, providing instructions on how to pay the ransom and recover your files.
Opening and dealing with .CERBER files can be risky and is generally not recommended without proper knowledge. However, there are specialized security programs designed to help victims of ransomware. One such program is the Trend Micro Ransomware File Decryptor, which attempts to decrypt files encrypted by various types of ransomware, including Cerber. It's important to note that the success of decryption tools can vary, and they may not always be able to recover all encrypted files.
In summary, .CERBER files are encrypted files created by Cerber ransomware, which locks your personal files to demand ransom. These files are difficult to decrypt without the correct tools or the decryption key provided by the attackers after paying the ransom.
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