Do you know what Cetori Ransomware is?
Cetori Ransomware is a computer infection that encrypts your files. It is something that all ransomware infections do, and there is nothing exceptional about this program. However, you still need to deal with this intruder, so please do everything you can to remove Cetori Ransomware from your computer as soon as possible.
You have to consider the possibility that you may need to start collecting your data library anew if there is no way to restore your files. However, there usually are quite a few file recovery options out there, even if there is no public decryption key.
We have encountered predecessors of this program before. Our research team says that Cetori Ransomware is an updated version of STOP Ransomware and Kiratos Ransomware. Technically, there isn’t much different about this new infection, aside from the extension that it adds to the affected files and its name. What is this extension we’re talking about?
Well, if you got infected with Cetori Ransomware, you must have noticed that all the encrypted files now have different filenames. There is the “.cetori” extension added to their names, and this is like a stamp that ransomware leaves on your data. It tells you which program locked your files up. On the other hand, you probably wouldn’t need that kind of a sign, because the fact that your file icon changes to something unreadable should be enough to tell you that someone tampered with your data.
We cannot avoid talking about ransomware distribution because users have to realize they allow ransomware to enter their systems when they encounter installer files. Cetori Ransomware and other programs from the same group tend to travel via spam email attachments. As you know, attached files don’t just get downloaded onto the system automatically. Users have to download and open them manually.
Why would anyone download and open a dangerous file? Well, that is because the users do not know that at first. Usually, spam attachments look like MS Word documents or PDF files, and users who are not aware of how ransomware spreads tend to download these files just to check them out. What’s more, spam emails tend to carry an urgent message that tells users they simply MUST open the file as soon as possible. So users feel compelled to do that. Yet, if you find that a message from an unknown sender tells you to open the received file, the message is most definitely suspicious.
When users get tricked into opening the Cetori Ransomware installer file, and this ransomware gets installed on the target system, the program runs a full system scan. The full scan is necessary to locate all the encryptable files. For all we know, this program can certainly lock up most of the personal files. Aside from locking personal files, Cetori Ransomware also drops a ransom note in most of the folders that have encrypted files. The ransom note is in a TXT document, and here’s what it has to say:
ATTENTION!
Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
According to Cetori Ransomware, to purchase this decryption tool, you have to contact the criminals via the given email address. However, there is no guarantee that they will answer you. Not to mention that paying the ransom shouldn’t be on your to-do list because this way, you would only give your money away to the criminals.
Since Cetori Ransomware is part of a big ransomware family, there is a good chance that a public decryption tool will be available soon. Also, if you have copies of your files saved someplace else, you can simply remove the encrypted files together with Cetori Ransomware, and then be done with it.
Do not forget to invest in a licensed security application that will help you protect your computer from other threats. And be careful when you interact with unfamiliar content online. Malware infection is always just a click away.
How to Remove Cetori Ransomware
- Remove the downloaded file that launched the infection.
- Delete the _readme.txt ransom note.
- Press Win+R and type %LOCALAPPDATA%. Click OK.
- Remove a recent random named folder and the script.ps1 file.
- Press Win+R and type regedit. Click OK.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
- On the right, right-click and delete the SysHelper value.
- Scan your computer with SpyHunter.
In non-techie terms:
Cetori Ransomware is your regular ransomware infection that wants to get its hands on your money. Do not pay the ransom fee it requires. Remove Cetori Ransomware right now with a powerful security application that will also help you protect your computer from other intruders in the future. Also, find out more about ransomware distribution methods, so that you would be able to prevent other malicious programs from entering your computer.