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
How Cerber ransomware works
File encryption patterns
Cerber modifies encrypted files using specific patterns to mark them as encrypted:
Ransom note and payment demands
After encrypting files, Cerber displays ransom notes demanding payment for file recovery:
notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.html
notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.txt
notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.url
notes/# DECRYPT MY FILES #.vbs
notes/# HELP DECRYPT #.html
notes/# HELP DECRYPT #.txt
notes/# HELP DECRYPT #.url
notes/tmp7472.png
Technical indicators
Associated executable files
The following executable files are associated with Cerber ransomware:
- instnm.exe
- xwizard.exe
- waitfor.exe
- 1.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.
Last updated: December 30, 2025
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 scan against your recovery points to confirm.
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