Ransomware is malware that blocks access to files, systems or networks—usually by encrypting them—and demands payment. Modern attacks may also steal data and threaten to publish it. If an attack is active, isolate affected devices, preserve evidence, involve qualified responders and restore only from verified clean backups or a legitimate, family-specific decryptor. Removing the malware alone does not decrypt files.
What ransomware is
The FBI defines ransomware as “a type of malicious software—or malware—that prevents you from accessing your computer files, systems, or networks and demands you pay a ransom for their return.” Encryption makes files unusable without a decryption capability controlled by the attacker or, in some cases, later recovered by researchers.
CISA describes a growing form of double extortion: criminals encrypt systems and also copy sensitive information, then threaten to publish or sell it. That means an incident can be both an availability outage and a data-breach investigation.
Ransomware can affect an individual computer, a file server, cloud-connected systems, virtual machines, backups and other networked devices. The exact files, extensions, ransom note and recovery options depend on the ransomware family and version.
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How a ransomware attack works
1. Initial access
Common entry routes include phishing attachments and links, malicious advertising, compromised websites, stolen credentials and unpatched internet-facing software. An attacker may first compromise one account or endpoint and then wait for an opportunity to expand access.
2. Reconnaissance and privilege abuse
In human-operated campaigns, attackers may research an organization’s systems, backups and financial information before deploying encryption. They can abuse valid accounts, escalate privileges, move laterally across network segments and disable security tools.
3. Data theft and backup destruction
Before encryption, operators may copy sensitive data and search for reachable backups. Backups connected to the same environment can be deleted or encrypted, removing the easiest recovery route.
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4. Encryption and extortion
The final phase makes files or systems unavailable and leaves a ransom note with payment instructions. In double-extortion cases, the note also threatens disclosure of stolen information. The FBI/CISA/ASD’s 2025 Play ransomware advisory said the FBI was aware of approximately 900 allegedly affected entities as of May 2025; that figure applies to the Play campaign and date, not to ransomware worldwide.
What to do immediately
Act in this order. Your first objective is to stop spread without destroying evidence or recovery options.
- Isolate affected systems. Disconnect infected computers, servers and attached storage from wired and wireless networks. If responders need live evidence, keep a device powered on rather than shutting it down; otherwise follow your incident-response team’s instructions. Do not reconnect clean backup media until the environment has been assessed.
- Preserve evidence. Save the ransom note, encrypted-file extensions, representative encrypted files, timestamps, alerts, authentication records and relevant system, firewall and endpoint logs. CISA recommends system images and memory captures where feasible, along with preservation of malware samples.
- Contact responders. Notify your IT or security team and, for a serious incident, an experienced incident-response provider. In the United States, report to a local FBI field office, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or CISA. Law enforcement may know of available decryptors and can advise on evidence handling.
- Protect communications. Assume compromised email and collaboration accounts may be monitored. Use a known-clean channel for incident coordination and do not distribute unverified decryptor tools or payment instructions.
How to remove ransomware and recover files
“Removal” has two separate meanings: eradicating the attacker and malware, and recovering files. A clean antivirus scan can remove an executable while leaving encrypted files unchanged, so treat both problems.
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Contain the compromise
- Identify the initial access path, such as a phishing account, exposed remote service or unpatched application.
- Disable compromised accounts and suspicious sessions. Reset passwords and rotate keys only after containment, using known-clean administration systems.
- Patch the exploited operating system, firmware, VPN, email, remote-access or internet-facing application.
- Find and remove persistence mechanisms, unauthorized remote tools and scheduled tasks.
- Segment affected networks and restrict administrative privileges so a compromised account cannot reach every system.
Rebuild rather than trust a damaged system
For systems that were encrypted or controlled by an attacker, rebuild from trusted installation media or a known-good image after the entry point is closed. Reusing a partially cleaned host can reintroduce the attacker. Preserve forensic copies before wiping when legal, regulatory or insurance requirements apply.
Check for a legitimate decryptor
No More Ransom’s Crypto Sheriff can use a ransom note and safe file samples to identify some ransomware families and direct you to available decryptors. Its repository does not cover every family or every version, and an identification result is not a promise that all files can be recovered. Use only the official No More Ransom service and established security guidance; never install a supposed decryptor from an unverified forum or pay a seller claiming guaranteed recovery.
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Restore from backups carefully
- Confirm that the backup was offline or otherwise isolated from the compromised environment and was not modified by the attacker.
- Verify that the original access path has been closed and administrative credentials replaced.
- Restore a small, representative set of files to a clean, isolated system first.
- Check file integrity, applications, permissions and dependencies before reconnecting restored systems.
- Document what was restored, what data was lost and which systems remain under investigation.
Offline, disconnected backups are especially valuable because ransomware cannot encrypt or delete media it cannot reach. An external hard drive can serve as backup storage when it is disconnected after each backup; it is not a decryptor and should not remain permanently attached to the computer being protected.
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Can you decrypt files without paying?
Sometimes. A family-specific decryptor, an unaffected offline backup, or an earlier unencrypted copy may recover some or all data. Success depends on the ransomware family, variant, encryption implementation, backup condition and whether the attacker damaged files beyond encryption. Crypto Sheriff can identify only families for which its service has coverage.
If no trustworthy decryptor or clean backup exists, preserve the encrypted data and ransom note. New decryptors can occasionally become available, but there is no universal tool and no safe promise of future recovery.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you pay the ransom?
Payment is not a reliable recovery plan. The FBI says it does not support paying a ransom. No More Ransom warns that sending money confirms that ransomware works and does not guarantee receipt of a working decryption key.
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- The criminal may provide no key, a defective key or a key that recovers only part of the data.
- Payment does not prove that stolen data was deleted or that attackers will stop contacting you.
- Paying can fund further attacks and may create legal, sanctions, insurance and reporting issues.
- Negotiation or payment does not replace containment, eradication, evidence preservation or breach assessment.
Discuss any decision with incident-response counsel, law enforcement, your insurer and relevant regulators. Stolen personal, health, financial or confidential information may trigger notification duties even if files are eventually restored.
Choosing a recovery path
Compare the options against the actual condition of your environment rather than choosing a single “ransomware removal” product.
| Option | Best fit | Requirements and risks |
|---|---|---|
| Restore from a clean offline backup | The ransomware is contained and a recent, usable backup exists. | Requires verified backup integrity, a closed entry path and a tested restore. Older backups may mean data loss. |
| Family-specific decryptor | The ransomware family and version are identified and a reputable decryptor exists. | Coverage is limited; test on copies first. A decryptor may fail on corrupted or newer files. |
| Professional incident response | The attack involves multiple systems, suspected data theft, regulated information or uncertain persistence. | Costs and downtime vary, but specialists can preserve evidence, scope the breach, contain attackers and coordinate recovery. |
Make the decision using six questions: Is the family and version known? Are clean offline backups available? Could the attacker still reinfect restored systems? Are evidence-preservation or regulatory obligations involved? How much downtime and data loss can the organization tolerate? Does stolen data require a separate breach-notification process?
Quick Recap
Preventing the next ransomware incident
- Back up offline and test restoration. Keep at least one disconnected or otherwise isolated copy and perform documented restore tests.
- Use multifactor authentication. Prioritize email, VPN, remote administration and privileged accounts.
- Patch promptly. Include operating systems, firmware, VPN appliances, email platforms and internet-facing applications.
- Limit privilege and segment networks. Separate user, server, backup and administrative networks, and remove unnecessary administrator rights.
- Protect identity and sessions. Monitor unusual sign-ins, disable stale accounts and restrict remote access to approved devices and locations.
- Train users. Teach staff to question unexpected attachments, links, credential prompts and urgent payment requests.
- Prepare an incident plan. Record IT, insurer, legal, communications, law-enforcement and recovery contacts; define who can isolate systems and approve restoration.
- Test the plan. Exercise a scenario that includes encrypted backups, unavailable email and possible data theft.
Key takeaways
- Ransomware is an access-blocking malware attack, often involving encryption and sometimes data theft.
- Isolation, evidence preservation and specialist help come before cleanup or restoration.
- There is no universal decryptor; Crypto Sheriff and other tools work only for some identified families and versions.
- Payment cannot guarantee decryption, confidentiality or an end to the attack.
- Offline backups, MFA, rapid patching, least privilege, network segmentation and a tested response plan reduce impact.
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