Cerber 5 ransomware virus: what it is and how to remove it
The recent release of the Cerber 5 virus is another big leap for the Cerber virus family. Although the hackers have been working on this particular ransomware for quite some time, it has never been as widespread and active as it is right now.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Cerber 5 ransomware virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | README.hta |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | .secret |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 9 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | Cerber 5 ransomware virus |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | Files renamed with a new extension and a ransom note left in folders |
| Evidence | One write-up by a security site; no sample analysed yet |
| Encrypted files | .secret |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026) |
| First seen | 25 November 2016 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Names and addresses to look for
- File extension:
.secret - Note file:
README.hta
How Cerber 5 ransomware virus behaves
From our report of Nov 2016 · not reviewed since
Cerber 5 virus is out, as well as Cerber 5.0.1 ransomware. What is known about these malicious programs?
The recent release of the Cerber 5 virus is another big leap for the Cerber virus family.
Although the hackers have been working on this particular ransomware for quite some time, it has never been as widespread and active as it is right now. And it seems that the cyber criminals are willing to take everything from this success.
Although the initial look at the version of this virus does not give away much information about what has been changed (the virus still uses the .[4 chars] extension to indicate the encrypted files), we can presume that it definitely hasn't been downgraded. On the opposite, the hackers must have eliminated some of the potential virus vulnerabilities or at least improved the efficiency of the ransom collection.
We will keep you updated about this virus as soon as some new significant findings emerge. As for now, we can only urge you to start taking steps towards computer protection if you haven't done that yet. Also, you should always have some security tool ready, in case you are accidentally infected and need to remove Cerber 5 from the computer.
The version of Cerber ransomware is practically identical to the previous ones, including Cerber 4.1.5 and Cerber 4.1.6. that have been appearing during this fall. Recently, an ever never version has emerged, and this one appears to be an altered version of the fifth one. First spotted on November 25, 2016, Cerber 5.0.1 virus version is out and ready to attack computer users, so be careful!
Cerber 5.0.1 ransomware is currently being analyzed by our research team, but so far no significant changes were noticed. This version seems to be similar to its predecessors - it adds a randomly generated file extension to files and locks them with AES and RSA encryption ciphers. Currently cannot be decrypted using any free data recovery tools.
All of these viruses are currently distributed through the RIG exploit kit which has first been applied for spreading Locky virus around. Nevertheless, while Locky uses the RIG-E version of the exploit, Cerber 5 employs RIG-V (the so-called "VIP" variant of the parasite).
Getting back to the similarities between Cerber 5 and other latest virus versions, they are apparent starting with the ransom note that the virus places on the infected computer's desktop. You can see it below. The fifth version adds .secret file extension to the list of target file types, and skips files smaller than 2,560 bytes in size.
The note apparently does not give out information about the ransom, nor the payment type. Nevertheless, it can be presumed like in the previous versions, the ransom size varies depending on the amount and importance of the infected files. More detailed data recovery instructions are provided in the README.hta file that the virus also drops on the desktop.
If the virus victim decides to pay up, like always, Cerber developers keep things "professional" and redirect the user to a simple and comprehensive payment site. Nonetheless, paying the extortionists is highly unadvisable. It is much safer to carry out the Cerber 5 removal which ensures that the data on the computer will not be encrypted again.
From our report of Nov 2016 · not reviewed since
How does this ransomware infiltrate victim's computer?
Cerber 5 is another version of this malicious virus that is spread around via RIG-V exploit kit.
This system infiltration technique is much more effective than spreading infected email attachments around. We mention this not without reason. In fact, spamming is still one of the most widely utilized ways of computer hijacking and Cerber 5 does not step away from it either. But the new exploit kit approach unlocks much more opportunities.
The virus does not necessarily have to be downloaded on the computer by the users themselves and can penetrate it through cracks and vulnerabilities found in outdated programs or flawed security software. Needless to say, keeping the system and its applications updates is one of the key features that might help prevent the ransomware infiltration.
From our report of Nov 2016 · not reviewed since
Actions to take when Cerber 5 attacks you
Cerber 5 virus should be eliminated only with a powerful and updated security equipment.
Using cracked or pirated software may only make matters worse and damage the computer irreversibly. Thus, it is better not to risk and choose trustworthy tools for the Cerber 5 removal. However, we should warn you that sophisticated software does not necessarily ensure immediate and smooth virus elimination.
Some problems may arise with the virus blocking the antivirus scanner from running. This is a common obstacle that the ransomware victims face when trying to free their computers from these parasites. Luckily, our experts have found an effective way to bypass it. You will find these antivirus unblocking steps below.
Cerber ransomware is considered to be one of today's most aggressive parasites, so data recovery after its attack is only a faint possibility.
Recover files with Windows Previous Versions feature
Windows Previous Versions feature can be used to recover individual files, but it will not help with the full system recovery. Besides, for this data recovery technique to work, the System Restore function must be enabled.
ShadowExplorer to the rescue!
ShadowExplorer is a tool that can be used to recover software from Volume Shadow Copies of the files if the virus has not destroyed them during the encryption. We explain how to use this tool in the guidelines below:
The Cerber 5 ransomware virus ransom note
Your documents, photos, databases and other important files have been encrypted by "Cerber Ransomware 5.0.0"!
If you understand all importance of the situation
then we propose to you to go directly to your personal page
where you will receive the complete instructions
and guarantees to restore your files.
There is a list of temporary addresses
to go on your personal page below:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
http://ffoqr3ug7m726zou.b4abvx.top/FEA4-AFFB-5CA1-0091-B992
http://ffoqr3ug7m726zou.lruwth.top/FEA4-AFFB-5CA1-0091-B992
http://fforq3ug7m726zou.onion.to/FEA4-AFFB-5CA1-0091-B992
How to remove Cerber 5 ransomware virus
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove Cerber 5 ransomware virus and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Cerber 5 ransomware virus encrypts everything it can reach, including drives and shares you connect later. Cut the network first: cable out, or Wi-Fi off from the taskbar.
Then unplug every USB stick and backup disk and pause cloud sync, so the encrypted versions do not replace your online copies. Do not reconnect any of them until the ransomware is removed from the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and confirm the family
Copy
README.htaand one or two files ending in.secretto a USB stick, and leave the originals where they are.From another device, upload the note and a sample file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff, which name the family from the note, the extension and the file structure.
Write down the contact address and your personal ID from the note, because a decryptor or the police may ask for them.
Warning: Never contact the attackers from the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
For Cerber 5 ransomware virus, no free decryptor is known (checked 6 October 2026). Search the family name in the No More Ransom decryption tools list and in the free decryptors of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, because new tools appear years after an attack.
Important: Keep the encrypted files even if nothing works today, and do not pay before every free option is ruled out: payment does not guarantee a working key.
Decryptors run on Windows 11 and Windows 10, but only after the ransomware itself is removed.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Restoring or decrypting files while Cerber 5 ransomware virus still runs lets it encrypt them again. Run a Full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, then the Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan).
If the ransomware blocks Windows Security, start Safe Mode with Networking and scan from there. Some families install a password stealer as well, so let both scans finish on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
vssadmin list shadows. If it lists copies dated before the attack, right-click a folder with encrypted files in File Explorer, choose Properties > Previous Versions, and open or restore a version from before that date.ShadowExplorer, a free tool, shows the same copies when the tab is empty or hidden. Most current families delete shadow copies, so an empty list is normal, but the check takes two minutes on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
Restore from an external backup, File History or OneDrive's version history, choosing a date before the attack. Connect the backup drive only after the scans are clean, or the ransomware encrypts it too.
If there is no backup, file recovery software can sometimes find the deleted originals, because some ransomware writes an encrypted copy and deletes the original file.
Stop writing to the drive and try recovery on Windows 11 or Windows 10 before new files overwrite the space.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows files that end in .secret and no longer open; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on Windows.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
Questions about Cerber 5 ransomware virus
How do I open .secret files?
You cannot open them by renaming or by choosing another program. The .secret ending shows that Cerber 5 ransomware virus encrypted the content, and only the matching key can reverse it. Renaming a file back to .docx or .jpg changes nothing except the icon, and it can confuse a future decryptor, so leave the names as they are.
To get the content back, use a backup, an unencrypted copy elsewhere, or a decryptor listed on No More Ransom if one exists for Cerber 5 ransomware virus. Store the encrypted files on an external disk until then.
Did Cerber 5 ransomware virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by Cerber 5 ransomware virus, but the only confirmed sign is files that end in .secret and no longer open, which says nothing about what happened before.
Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Is there a free Cerber 5 ransomware virus decryptor?
We last checked on 6 October 2026, and for Cerber 5 ransomware virus no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "Cerber 5 ransomware virus decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
Can a data-recovery company decrypt my files for a fee?
Only if a decryptor already exists or the company pays the attackers for you. Some "ransomware recovery" services advertise that they can decrypt families with no known flaw; in practice they negotiate with the attackers and add their own fee. Others use the same free tools listed on No More Ransom.
Before you hire anyone, ask in writing how they will recover the files, whether they will contact the attackers and what happens if they fail. A legitimate service answers clearly. If a free decryptor exists for your family, you can run it yourself.
How did Cerber 5 ransomware virus get on my computer?
The way Cerber 5 ransomware virus spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity. On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened.
On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password. Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before files that end in .secret and no longer open, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is Cerber 5 ransomware virus the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
Can I just remove .secret from the file names?
You can try it on a copy, but for real ransomware it will not help. The .secret extension is only a label; the file content has been scrambled with a key the attackers hold.
If a renamed copy opens normally, the malware only renamed files, which happens with some fake ransomware, and you can rename the rest back. If it does not open, leave the files as they are. Renaming encrypted files can confuse a decryptor later, so always work on copies.
What does README.hta tell me about the ransomware?
Quite a lot. The file name README.hta, the wording, the contact addresses and the format of the personal ID are typical for each family. Uploading the note together with one encrypted file to ID Ransomware or No More Ransom's Crypto Sheriff usually names the family within seconds.
That name decides your options: some families have free decryptors, some can be partially recovered, and some cannot be decrypted at all. The note's claims about stolen data should be taken seriously but not at face value.
Will Fortect remove Cerber 5 ransomware virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Cerber 5 ransomware virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 6, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)