Ransomware removal and remediation
Is your data being held hostage? Ransomware can encrypt personal and business files, leaving them inaccessible and displaying a demand for payment. The Computer Hospital can assess affected computers, discuss cleanup or rebuilding, and help evaluate available restoration options.
Suspect an infection? Call before continuing.
Disconnect affected computers from Ethernet and Wi-Fi to help limit spread. Do not connect backup drives or start restoring files to a potentially infected system. For a business network, contact your IT team promptly so containment can be coordinated. Call us from an unaffected device before attempting cleanup.
Common signs of ransomware
These symptoms warrant prompt investigation:
- A ransom message demanding payment to regain access to files
- Files that suddenly will not open or have unfamiliar extensions
- New ransom-note files appearing in multiple folders
- Many documents, photographs or shared files becoming inaccessible at once
Removing the infection is only part of the work
Ransomware can affect photographs, videos, documents, spreadsheets, presentations and other important files. Depending on the incident, shared storage and other computers may also be affected. Removing malicious software does not automatically decrypt files or prove that every compromised system is secure. Remediation may involve rebuilding affected computers and addressing how access occurred.
Understanding your recovery options
We review the affected systems and available backups before recommending a recovery path. Restoration may be possible from a usable backup. In some cases, a verified decryption tool may be available for the particular ransomware involved, but there is no universal solution. We cannot guarantee recovery of encrypted files. Keep ransom notes and affected files available for assessment rather than deleting them.
Information that helps us assess the situation
Tell us what you know about the incident:
- When did you first notice the problem?
- Which computers, accounts or shared folders appear affected?
- Do you have backups, and when were they last checked?
- Is the equipment used for business, personal tasks or both?
- What security software is installed?
- Has anyone already attempted cleanup, decryption or restoration?
Backup and prevention planning
Reliable backups are an important part of ransomware recovery planning. Keep protected backup copies separate from everyday systems and test restoration regularly. We can discuss backup options, security updates and account protection to help reduce future risk.
Talk to us about remediation
Call (713) 472-4357 to discuss your situation and the next steps. We explain the proposed work and charges before proceeding. If multiple business systems are involved, tell us at the start so we can discuss the scope and whether additional incident-response specialists are needed.