file# DECRYPT MY FILES #.html
notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.html
Location: EveryFolder
Ransomware Research
Cerber Ransomware
Cerber is a malicious ransomware strain that encrypts victim files and demands ransom payment for decryption. First observed in the wild on February 1, 2016, this ransomware has been actively targeting systems worldwide.
Quick facts
- Ransomware Family
- Cerber
- First Seen
- February 1, 2016
How Cerber ransomware works
File modification behavior
Cerber updates file modification timestamps after encryption.
File encryption patterns
Cerber modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Extensions added after encryption
- .cerber
- .cerber2
- .cerber3
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, Cerber displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
file# DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt
notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt
Location: EveryFolder
file# DECRYPT MY FILES #.url
notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.url
Location: EveryFolder
file# DECRYPT MY FILES #.vbs
notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.vbs
Location: EveryFolder
file# HELP DECRYPT #.html
notes/# HELP DECRYPT #.html
Location: EveryFolder
file# HELP DECRYPT #.txt
notes/# HELP DECRYPT #.txt
Location: EveryFolder
file# HELP DECRYPT #.url
notes/# HELP DECRYPT #.url
Location: EveryFolder
screenshot
notes/tmp7472.png
Location: Desktop
Technical indicators
Associated executable files
The following executable files are associated with Cerber ransomware:
- instnm.exe
- xwizard.exe
- waitfor.exe
- icardagt.exe
- cmdkey.exe
- ReAgentc.exe
- lodctr.exe
- IBxpv.exe
- dialer.exe
- gpresult.exe
- rdrleakdiag.exe
- eventvwr.exe
- play.exe
About this analysis
This Cerber ransomware analysis is part of Elastio's comprehensive ransomware detection database. Elastio provides advanced ransomware protection and recovery, helping organizations defend against and recover from ransomware attacks like Cerber.
Detection coverage
Elastio detects Cerber inside your data and backups.
The Hunt Engine uses Deep File Inspection to identify Cerber across live data, replicated data, and backups. If this family is in your environment, Elastio finds it before encryption completes. Run a hunt against your recovery points to confirm.