How to Handle a Ransomware Attack (Plus 5 Essential Steps to Recover and Prevent It)

You’ve Been Hit by Ransomware — Now What?

Even with the strongest cybersecurity measures in place, no business is 100% immune to ransomware. All it takes is one unsuspecting employee clicking a malicious link or downloading a fake attachment.

Ransomware has become the most common form of cybercrime, targeting businesses of every size — especially small and midsize companies that may not have full-time IT security staff.

When it happens, the panic is real. But recovery is possible — and prevention afterward is critical.

The Real Cost of a Ransomware Attack

The damage from a ransomware attack goes far beyond the ransom demand itself. The true cost of ransomware includes downtime, data loss, legal fees, and long-term reputational harm.

Here’s what most companies face after a breach:

• Legal fees: A data breach can trigger lawsuits, compliance reviews, and incident response investigations. Having a proactive legal partner helps with tabletop exercises and breach-response planning.

• Remediation costs: If your internal IT team can’t fully remediate the breach, you’ll need external cybersecurity experts — a cost that adds up quickly.

• Business downtime: When systems go dark, operations stop. Every hour of downtime means lost revenue and shaken customer trust.

• Forensic accounting: Many companies hire forensic accountants to measure financial losses and support insurance claims.

• Public relations: Rebuilding customer confidence takes time and investment. A solid PR response plan is essential to restoring your brand reputation.

5 Steps to Recover From a Ransomware Attack

While your best move is to contact a cybersecurity expert immediately, there are steps you can take right away to reduce further damage.

1. Take a Snapshot of Your System

Capture a quick snapshot of your system and memory. This data helps identify which files were encrypted or infected — crucial information for recovery.

💡 Pro tip: This is where having a strong IT Asset Management (ITAM) process makes all the difference.

2. Disconnect and Isolate Affected Devices

Immediately disconnect infected systems from the network to stop the spread. If the attack is limited to a few devices, isolate them before ransomware moves laterally.

For larger or system-wide attacks, call in professionals — isolation gets complex fast.

3. Alert the Right Authorities

Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). It helps authorities track threat actors and prevent future attacks.

Also notify your cyber insurance provider, and depending on your industry, you may need to alert regulators or customers.

4. Run a Comprehensive Security Scan

After isolating infected devices, run comprehensive endpoint and network scans to detect any hidden malware. Don’t rely solely on the attackers’ claims about what’s infected — assume there’s more.

Continuous monitoring tools are invaluable here.

5. Don’t Pay the Ransom

Paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee your data will be restored — or that the hackers will leave your systems alone. It also fuels future cybercrime.

Instead, focus on recovery and remediation with trusted cybersecurity experts.

How to Remove and Remediate Ransomware

Once your systems are stable, it’s time to remove ransomware, restore data, and harden your defenses to prevent future attacks.

1. Remove All Malware

Use reputable malware scanners or decryption tools to eliminate any lingering malicious code. The safest option: let cybersecurity professionals handle this step to ensure full removal.

2. Change Passwords and Strengthen Authentication

Reset all passwords company-wide and implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) if you haven’t already. This adds a critical extra layer of protection.

3. Restore Clean Backups

Recover files from clean backups or cloud storage. If backups were also compromised, you may need to rebuild from scratch — but at least you’ll know the new environment is clean.

4. Determine the Source of the Attack

Identify how ransomware entered your system. Was it through a phishing email, unsecured endpoint, or unpatched software? Conduct a root-cause analysis to plug those gaps for good.

5. Partner With a Trusted Cybersecurity Provider

Working with a managed cybersecurity services provider like Cyvatar ensures your systems are continuously protected — not just during recovery, but long after.

Cyvatar’s experts handle detection, remediation, and prevention, giving you peace of mind that your business is always secure.

Prevent Ransomware Before It Strikes Again

Ransomware recovery is only half the battle — prevention is the real victory.

With Cyvatar’s managed cybersecurity solutions, you get proactive monitoring, endpoint management, and cyber insurance compliance — all under one platform.

Start protecting your business today with effortless cybersecurity that grows with you.

👉 Get started with Cyvatar’s free platform — assess your cybersecurity, access free templates, and get expert advice, all at no cost.