Understanding Ransomware and Ransomware Removal
Ransomware is a global threat that all organizations face today. Any business can fall victim to a ransomware attack, especially without preventive measures in place.
The simplest software your business may use could have concealed malware which may open up a security hole for the ransomware to infiltrate your network. Once you are infected with ransomware, you will not have access to your files, and your business could effectively be fully or partially shut down. Your data is encrypted and becomes inaccessible unless you get the decryption code from the cybercriminal that created the ransomware. However, the decryption code is not available for free; the cybercriminal asks you for a fee (the ransom payment), which you need to pay via bitcoins in order for the transaction to be untraceable.
The problem does not stop there. There is no proof that the attacker will send you the decryption code, and that it will work.
We provide ransomware prevention services and ransomware removal services to companies in the Tempe, AZ area. AZCOMP Technologies is a long-standing ransomware prevention company with the tools and experience to help protect your business.
Are You In the Middle of a Ransomware Event?
If you are in the middle of a ransomware event, you need to first stop the ransomware from spreading.
First, Stop the Ransomware From Spreading:
Do this by simply disconnecting the infected computer(s) and/or server(s) from the network and from the internet. Do this by unplugging the ethernet cable (the CAT5 or CAT6 cable) from the back of the computer, or turning off the WI-FI to that computer.
It is also recommended that you contact your business insurance company, contact the FBI, and potentially contact an attorney. They may have specific instructions for how you should proceed with the event.
Now What To Do With The Infected Computers / Servers?
Now it is time to address the ransomware situation. You have a few options. But first, let’s get something straight.
There is a difference between “getting rid of ransomware” and “recovering your encrypted data”.
Recovering Encrypted Data
Ransomware encrypts your data. This means that you’re locked out of your data. The only way to access the data from this point forward is to get the decryption key. The criminal has the decryption key. You have to pay the ransom to get the decryption key. We advise you to not pay the ransom. But, sometimes this might be your only option.
There is a very slim possibility that the decryption key is available by doing a search on the internet for the type of ransomware that you’ve been infected with. If you can find the key, then you can use the key to unlock your data. This is very rare.
Be careful of internet searches for file recovery experts, or file recovery software. One time a while back we got involved in a ransomware project and the client had hired a file recovery expert. The file recovery expert simply paid the ransom to the criminal and then charged the client the fee and said that they decrypted the files. Also, file recovery software has a very high probability of installing additional malware on your computers.
The last possibility for decrypting your data is to restore your data from a previous version of your backup. Believe it or not, even in this day and age, there are still a lot of businesses and people that don’t back up their data or backup their systems. If you have a good backup system with a recent backup of your data, then you should be able to recover your data after you have successfully gotten rid of the ransomware.
Ransomware Removal
Getting rid of ransomware, which would be to say that the malware doesn’t exist on your system or your computer any longer, is different than recovering your data. There are several ways for you to get rid of the ransomware and restore your system, but you might not have any data when this process is done.
If you have good backups, then it is possible for you to have the ransomware removed and then restore your data.
There are two primary ways for ransomware removal from a computer or network. Sometimes both methods need to be used together.
Method 1 for ransomware removal: rebuild your entire system from scratch by reformatting everything. If you have good backups, when you’re done with reformatting everything, you should be able to restore your files from your backup.
Depending on your backup system, you might be able to restore a backup of your entire system, which means that you wouldn’t need to do a hard reformat. It would be a huge blessing to your business if that were the case.
Method 2 for ransomware removal: utilize ransomware removal software. Find an anti-ransomware software that includes cleanup tools and this may be enough to get rid of the malware. When doing this, it is important to remember that the removal of the malicious file might only temporarily solve your problem. More often than not, that one malware file is just the tip of the iceberg. There may be many other security issues going on within your system making you vulnerable to malware and ransomware activity. It is well documented that victims of ransomware are often victims of ransomware a 2nd or 3rd or 4th time because they aren’t cleaning everything up completely.
We’re the Ransomware Experts Your Business Needs
AZCOMP Technologies specializes in ransomware protection services and ransomware removal services.
If you’re interested in doing what it takes to keep your system and your business safe from the tragedy of ransomware, we’d be happy to have a discussion with your business leaders about how we prevent cyber disasters. Of course, there isn’t a single silver bullet guaranteeing protection, but we have the skills, experience, and tools to help any business position itself to be well defended against online threats including ransomware.
If you’re in the middle of a ransomware event or other cybercrime, we can help you with that too! We talk to business leaders who aren’t customers yet on a weekly basis, helping them with coaching and with our expertise to help them get out of the mess they’ve somehow gotten into.
Call AZCOMP Technologies for Ransomware Help

AZCOMP IT Solutions
2500 S. Power Rd., Suite 118
Mesa, AZ 85209 Call (480) 282-9068